Reenlist on ICE: Get Paid

The Air Force got another 6 years of my life as of 2 days ago.  The commander of Joint Task Forces Antarctica, Col Doll, was kind enough to do the honors as he was observing the C-17 in action.  This was my 11th trip down to the continent and it seems they are only getting better every time I visit. 

Chocolate Picasos

We have been trying to find ways to incorporate the kids in the kitchen activities, as they really seem to enjoy helping.  As such, I decided to let the children help me make chocolate cups as part of a dinner we were having the next day.  Combining delicious treats with arts and craft time?  Brilliant!  We used mini silicone baking cups, the best tempering chocolate we could find, and a couple of paint brushes.  It's quite a bit of work, but when doing it for the right people, and with two helpers like these - I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  It wasn't until after we finished painting all 24 cups that I allowed the children to paint their own tongues.

Grace really concentrated on getting the chocolate perfectly even over the entire surface.

Working Man

Children take notice of what you do, even if you don't.  They especially take notice of things you do repeatedly.  Mommy goes to work repeatedly.  These kids love their Mom.  Like most of us, on work days, Mom has a morning routine.  Sarah's includes putting on her white coat and laying her stethoscope across her neck just before picking up a cup of coffee, grabbing the car keys, giving everyone hugs and kisses, and walking out the door.  As such, after dressing for the day, Samuel promptly marched out to the toy bin, found the toy stethoscope, placed it on his ears, and announced to everyone, "I'm going to wuk." You are working on melting my heart buddy, melting my heart. 

Sleeping Giants

 

 About a year ago I caught a great picture of Sarah and Grace napping, squished against one side of the bed, and of course, completely heart melting.  Sarah graciously decided to include that when she blogged about Grace's 3rd birthday.  She has been patiently waiting for payback.  I recently received this text from her. 

This post was initially inspired by the photo of Samuel I placed in the post "Why I Quit Blogging".  I chose that photo because it was the only one I could find showing my old phone.  Alternatively, here we have Grace taking a car snooze, and a peek at my new phone.  Grace consistently likes a more relaxed pose for catching Z's. 

Sometimes, on mornings Sarah works and I don't, if the kids are still sleeping after Sarah departs, I'll crawl back into bed until the kids decide to wake.  That scenario usually ends with us wrestling and sending a pajama selfie to Mom.

Movie time; probably Frozen.

Late last summer we went camping at Millersylvania Sate park.  The kids were enjoying play time with their friends so much that nap time essentially was canceled.  They still needed rest, so, cramped into the bike trailer they somehow didn't get cramps in their necks. 

    

Sam began climbing out of his crib a couple of months ago, after Grace taught him how to climb into it.  Now he sleeps in the toddler bed.  Grace doesn't mind also showing Sam the ropes of how to sleep in a bed that's not a cage. 

Sam finds a quite moment to nap between rides at Disney World in December

     

A few precious moments from the cruise.  On the left, bright and ready the morning we prep to board the boat.  On the right, morning sunshine wakes Grace before Sam in the stateroom. 

Sam was sick and didn't have the effort to climb into our bed.  Grace showed up a few minutes later, found Sam sleeping on the pillows, and decided to join him. 

Another one of those lazy mornings we were enjoying sleeping in.  Also, alternatively, this blog post could be titled: The Most You've Ever Seen of Scott's Nipples.