Family is whole again!

Monday morning at the crack of dawn we went to the airport to pick up the hubby, and we haven't quit smiling since then. It's so great to have him home again, and the kids and i have been klingon's since he got home. Not that he has minded. well, except that first evening with the jet lag. :) That's slowed down a bit, and he's almost his old self again. I think my ability to function independently was a bit of a shock to him. Well, function with a little help , well alot, from his friends, and mine. Uncle Bob and Paulie were lifesavers, on more than one occasion. Bob was a hero for the kids and I, and we love him to pieces for that. Withut Paulie we wouldn't have the cool air, or that fabulouso patio, and of course our favorite baby :) I don't know how he expected the house to look, but he was surprised it was still clean and standing. No honey, the kids don't draw on the walls and windows, or eat off the floor when you are away...
So now the new journey begins, please get my prozac and tums ready, i will need them. We are getting set to return overseas. Hubby has an amazing offer, and an opportunity to work with some old co-workers, they referred to themselves as the dream team at the hospital where they were working together. The kids and wives are all going with them. So we already know them, and are all so excited. We just need to fast-forward through the next few weeks. I hate moving, i hate packing. I think i am going to really hate packing with the hubby. Somehow i don't think he will see the importance of that fabulous little knick-knack from kirklands, thati just can't live without... of course multiply it times 100 and he really won't get it :) The kids are excited to return to their world travels, and i am so glad we can give them this chance. The world is such an amazing place, and the kids will get to know kids from all over. I am so glad they will get to grow up with their eyes open to all the gifts other cultures can offer one another.
So, off to hug my amazing husband, and enjoy every second with him. That is until we have to pack....yuck, yuck, yuck.

bday party

Monkey had the best time ever at his party, i think the big boys did too :) We had tried to be super-cool and make a pretty nerf gun for midget. Unfortunately purple paint, and nerf guns get stuck, and it didn't work so well for us. Uncle Bob fidgeted with it, and it finally worked a bit better. We had a billion darts, and a ton of guns. Bigger isn't always better, but monkey's rifle one, was awesome. They even turned the lights out for a while and used those goofy headlamp flashlights i had ordered. Uncle Bob and John were prime targets, and went into hiding. I believe at one point John was lying on the floor in the "prone" position taggig them off one by one. To anyone who was reading this who was there, well let's just say sc%$# you!! There were some ticked off, tired kids who lost their tempers over headshots, and shouted some inappropriate words, but it was too funny. They call of duty and talked guns until 4. He had a super-time. I believe when dad gets here, there will be another round of nerf wars...

Happy Birthday my little man!!!

Today my baby boy is turning 11. His friends are on the way, and we are up for a night of shooting. We have an arsenal of nerf guns and darts awaiting them...
Here he is with the cake he requested. He loves, loves, LOVES panda bears lately. So he wanted a panda cake. I think it turned out pretty good, and he loves it!
Back to getting ready, and my helper is busy icing her cupcakes. She's quite the party planner :)

This is so funny...

laugh you must :)

Museum

Midget and I loved this flower, it was growing outside on the nature walk place. So pretty!


You squirt and fill the bucket until it dumps :)

Isn't this the coolest lego thing ever?? It rolls on all sides!





Climbing the rock wall

The little checker and bagger :)

He's on the right side of the law here ;)

My little vet, she loved this part. Even had to give her kitty shots..


We had a friend sleep over, and spent most of yesterday at the children's museum. That place is so much fun! We didn't get to see everything, so we are going to have to go back, but i'm fine with that.
They love going there, and there is so much to do. Midget and I tried to make one of the awesome paper airplanes out of the book with the help of the guy. I'm so not good at that! My brain doesn't work that logically i guess, something wasn't going right. We managed mostly, but then after shooting it off the launcher, the kid was kind enough to point out i had made it to heavy, and the wings weren't even. Well, hello kid, it's your job to help me! I kid, somewhat. Midget loved it though, and it looks cool :) That counts for something doesn't it?

summer fun

Look at that gorgeous face :)

Yummy, yummy ice cream.

She loves when he plays with her :)

Look at how happy they are :)
P.S. That hair, it is so gone this week :) He finally agreed :)

Is she strong or what?

"how is your tea sir?"

"This tea is a little warm, but it is delicious."

With the rain all week, we were stuck inside. Midget had endless tea parties, some ended up even involving sheldon. Such a trooper he is. Monkey played with friends at their houses a couple times. Luckily the sun finally came out, so we all went swimming. Oddly enough we were not thrilled to find we were swimming with a frog!! We finally got him out, but EEEWWWWWW!!!!!
The kids found out that midget can even carry her big brother on her back, and vice versa. Well this led to a long time of going back and forth. It was hilarious :)

too quickly...

Midget and I were looking at some old baby pictures of her today. She was loving seeing how adorable she was, those were her words. This brought her brother out to see his also, and of course he was adorable too :) It's amazing and sad to see how fast time flies with them. Sometimes i wish i could freeze time and keep them right where they are. There are moments now and again where i have to tell myself to stop, and savor this moment. They seem to grow up so quickly. The other morning midget and were playing in the pool, monkey had slept late. He was still tired from our wild and crazy 4th of july ;) I was just laying with my head on her float, and she came and laid on it right next to me. She said how relaxing it was, just the two of us. I couldn't help but start at her little face. All the freckles across her nose, and that adorable grin where she squints her eyes. I know that was a moment i wwanted to stop time and memorize. Then about 10 minutes later her brother cannonballed into the pool, and life as we know it moved on :)
Moments like that happen more and more with monkey though. He's to the age now where he will lay down next to me on the bed and ask all kinds of questions about life. He's definately got his own viewpoints on politics. But when he's sitting there talking i can always see that little bit of baby in him. When he sleeps he still looks like that little baby all curled up. He's a tween now i believe, and i can't believe it. When did that happen? How has it gone by so fast already. I'm not sure where all this sappiness is coming from, maybe it's just that i see how fast they are growing up, and they won't stop and stay little just a bit long. Is that too much to ask?