100 day project

Next wednesday is O's 100th day of school, a big deal in kinder.  We had to make a shirt for him to wear with 100 of something on it.  We started brainstorming and the ideas he came up with were: bb's, bullets, jets, straws, stickers.  After explaining to him why bb's or bullets weren't appropriate we came up with the idea of pennies.  He was reluctant at first since they were in fact his pennies from his piggy bank but when he realized it was only $1 he was on board.  He counted out his 100 pennies and was not satisfied with the dirty ones so we googled how to clean a penny and got to work.  First we soaked them in a vinegar/salt solution for 10mins, rinsed with warm water and checked to see how clean they'd come.  Still not satisfied we decided to try rubbing each penny with baking soda and sure enough they came pretty clean.

He then made sure we in fact had 100 shiny pennies, 10 groups of 10.

We then hot glued the pennies onto a t-shirt.  I suggested a big star shape but he insisted on the 100 theme, he's the boss.  We'll see how well the shirt stands up when he has to wear it next wednesday.

Christmas trees

I pinned this on pinterest a while ago and decided to try it this christmas.  We've made gingerbread houses a few times and they're kinda yuck in my opinion, I mean how long have then been in that box?  This is SO much easier and they came out so cute, of course they were eaten within a few days.  All you need are ice cream cones, icing and whatever decorations you can find.  The kids ask to make them several times during the holidays and they were so easy they could manage all by themselves.

Kindergarten Christmas Party

So I'm about a month behind on my photos and you're about to see some Christmas stuff, it's only January right?  I got to help out at O's class Christmas party, he has such a great teacher/classroom.  I don't go in as much as I'd like to because siblings are not allowed (crazy huh?) but when I do it's fun to see all his classwork.

his teacher had a photobooth set up, so much fun!

O's cookie creation, sugar anyone?

donut eating contest, you could only use your mouth (no hands)

 he got it off in like 2 seconds flat, now to chew it..

Perfect attendance

O got a perfect attendance award for his second semester at school, great job bud!  They have some type of lanyard with spirit sticks on it for different achievements they've gotten, like a reward system that you can show off.  O is not really on board with the whole system yet but he was proud to have gotten his award.

his teacher Mrs Berry in the pink

his principal in the blue

Happy 2nd Birthday Norah

Our baby will be two tomorrow, I swear I was just pregnant with her yesterday.  We celebrated last sunday before Kevin left, he is her all time favorite after all.  Being the fourth child of siblings very close in age she can hold her own.  She keeps us on our toes and is probably my most headstrong toddler, she knows what she wants and she'll get it or die trying.  She keeps up with the other three, bosses them around and doesn't back down.  She loves to read books, be outside, torture play with Mason and spend time with her Daddy.  She is a jokester and loves getting a rise out of her siblings.  She is the greatest surprise we could have asked for, we love you Norah!

We had a runaway

Keira packed her bag and ran away a few weeks ago, well actually walked up to her friends house to "sleepover" but still.  She'd been wanting to sleep over her friend Jordan's house for a while and we finally agreed to it on a friday night.  On wed she came outside in the afternoon with her bag all packed and announced she was ready to go.  I explained to her that it wasn't today and to go back in the house and unpack her stuff and come back out when she was done.  I was outside watching to other 3 kids play in the driveway.  She was inside for a while and I assumed she was unpacking and being mad at me (pretty standard around here).  Kevin came home and asked where Keira was to which I promptly responded in the house unpacking.  I am so bad about keeping my phone with me, like really bad.  I finally found and checked my phone, oh man.  I had messages and texts from a friend alerting me that Keira was in fact up at Jordan's house waiting outside with her suitcase.  She had snuck out the front door and walked up and over three streets to get there, rolling her not so small suitcase behind her.  I had to tell Kev, actually she's up at Kari's house with her suitcase and ya she walked up there alone.  After getting the worst mother of the year award and having her back at home safely I had to talk with her about it and explain that we don't ever walk anywhere without Mommy or Daddy.  Kev was ready to kill her so I figured I'd better do the talking to.  Of course I was so relived that she was safe and pretty impressed that she made it all the way there all by herself while toting her suitcase.  She is probably our most independent/self reliant child (totally gets that from me, to a fault most times) and she has little to no fear (maybe spiders).  We know have a lock that nobody can open on the front door to ensure nobody else escapes, just in case.
The picture above was taken on the day of the actual sleepover and yes she made it the whole night without coming home.

Last day in Active Duty

Today is Kev's last day in the active duty, it's all we have known for the past 10+yrs.  While he's not leaving the military completely it's still quite a big change for us.  He had his fini flight from the squadron here in San Antonio a while back and I figured today is a good a day as any to post the photos (I'm slightly behind as usual).  While we transition to our new life in the MA guard I know we will both miss many aspects of our active duty life, namely the places and people we've be able to enjoy along the way.  I can honestly say I have enjoyed every single assignment we've had and met life long friends at every single one.  The Air Force has been good to us and I am proud of Kev for serving his country for the past 10yrs, looking forward to our new adventure!

Norah was not too happy with the jet noise and refused to wear the mickey mouse ears

after he lands they spray him down with water and champagne, of course he put up a major fight

she is still unhappy, now at the fact that they were spraying down daddy

the guys that flew in his fini with him

our friend Mark from way back at our first assignment ever, Del Rio (thanks for the photos Mark)