Fun, Fun Fun, Busy , Busy Busy

The kids love to watch the video of Dad reading them books Thanks Dad we miss you

Caitlin loves her new Dora jacket from Susan THANKS!

Reading books with Grandma before bed

Caitlin shows Granny her diva shoes!

Granny, Nate and Cousin Jack at the Birthday Party

The party

Shelly and Ali fishing off the dock!

Eating crabs with the girls !

Hello I know its been a while. This single mom thing is no joke! It would be easier if I didn't have the grass to cut every week its an all day job. Okay okay I will stop complaining. I have been having nothing but fun lately.

Grayson's first birthday was the 29, and Grandma Poe was here visiting. Check out the pics. Last weekend we had a girls weekend with Nate. Shelly and Ali came to visit. We had a blast, shopping, fishing, fishing and more fishing. Of course Shelly caught the most but I think we got her hooked now if only we could catch a few keepers!

Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep you got that right, Nathan tried pancakes today it took Leah three weeks to get a bite in his mouth but after he tasted it he loved it. My child will now eat Pancakes! Have I ever been more proud!!!!
Here is a funny story from Nates preschool teacher.
The fireman came to school with a firetruck and a trailer that simulated smoke so the kids could practice crawling to escape. The teacher said as soon as the kids got in the trailer all the other 9 kids in Nate's class started screaming and crying. Nate said as loud as he could " I have my fire hose I will put out the fire and save you all"
How funny, I have a little superhero. I would have never guessed it! I am so proud of you Nate you can eat pancakes and you will save us all from fake smoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elmo, Kids Day, Packages, Grandma, Granny

Emerald Isle kids day with Bryn

Nate with the Firedog.

We spend hours going up and down!

Our first care package from Susan with COOKIES YUMMY!

ELMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW what a fun week. Last saturday we went to the Emerald Isle kids day. We meet Byrn and Janelle for a fun day. We saw Granny on Thursday and on Friday Grandma came for the weekend. Today we went to Sesame Street Live with ELMO sponsored by the USO. Nate is in the blue striped shirt sitting down.

We're RICH

Just kidding I got an email from Carl seems on his next paycheck will have hostile duty pay. We get an extra $225.00 a month because Carl is in a place where people will be shooting at him. Now I am sure for some the $225.00 is welcome and don't get me wrong I am sure I can find a place to spend it but $225.00 just seems like an insult. Can I just give back the $225.00 and have Carl spend the next six months in a safe place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh did I mention they make him pay for his own food on the ship, yeah its $250.00 to eat on the ship! Okay I can't say anything else I might sound like a salty wife!!!HHAHAHAHAHA
Everything is going great here. We miss you dad !

Carl Update

Hello,

Carl had a few days of liberty in Haifa Isreal. He is now on his way to other places. Just thought I would post a few pics of his travels. He spent a day in Jerusalem and a day at the Dead Sea.

Granny to the Rescue

NAte loves to make faces for the camera.

Caitlin loves Elmo and Abby, next weekend is ELMO live.

Fall is here , this morning I saw 5 egret and 2 Herons feeding! If only I could put my kayak in and go for a paddle!

Granny came for a visit today, it had been 17 days since we had seen the Poe family over Labor day. I got to go grocery shopping, cut the grass, and run a few errands. Thanks Granny!

Carl has been requesting pictures on the blog, might I add I also send him letters, packages and make DVDs of the kids. I have so much free time, about 3 seconds every day! Which reminds me I can't be long I have to do Nathan's school project for tomorrow. YES I HAVE HOMEWORK for my 3 yr old!

Update

So in my last blog I made a comment about Nate telling Caitlin she has choices.
In cleaning out my car tonight I found Nate's work from Sunday School.
This is how it reads
"This week's lesson was all about making good choices. You can continue this lesson at home this week by letting your child make simple choices. ............" Now I know where he got his choices lesson for Caitlin.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Yep you got that right. Last night on our way home Nate said "Mom I hope we can have some fun tomorrow"
Like what Nate?
"Can we listen to Jingle Bells and dance"

So on our way home from Sunday School today we listened to Jingle Bells many times.

Nate says so many funny things in a day it is hard to remember. Here are a few;
MOM I PEED IT DIDN'T GO IN THE TOLIET " " It is all down my left leg"
I point to his right leg amazed that my child knows left from right "
What leg is this Nate? " Its my right mom do you need to go to Ms. Airel's class"

I am very impressed with his teacher this year, she is teaching the kids spanish.

On our way home from school I said "Nate did you draw circles and squares in school today?"
No mom we did circles and octagons"

I had to spank Caitlin because she would not sit still to get her diaper changed and had been in the thinking chair numerous times for the same behavior. As I left the room Nate said to her
"Caitlin you are okay, You know you have choices Caitlin , you have choices"

I really don't think I have ever said that! How funny!

Hi Daddy Video

Pics from Carl

This picture was taken a few days ago. Carl is on the ship at the front left. The ship in the middle is Navy supply ship that hooks up to the ship passes supplies and then leaves. The water looks amazing.

Everyone asks have I heard from Carl well not on the phone but we are in constant email communication. I will never give out locations or details on this blog but here is a picture if you want more email just call me I would love to hear from you! Carl would also love care packages his favorite things are coffee, used books , and homemade cookies.

How many more days?

Nathan eating crackers with Almond Butter ! Need I say more!

Nate's first day of school!

Nate finds a box turtle it was Nate size!

Carl is probably the only one who understands this photo of the marsh flooded

After 12 hours inside the kids decide to make their own fun!

Caitlin has no fear!!!!!

Look mom I can get higher!

Well we are doing okay. Lonely , bored at times but we are all healthy so I can't complain. The tropical storm hit at 2 a.m., why would it come at a normal hour right! Just lots of wind and rain. Here are some pics of Nate's first day of school, Nate and Cait playing inside during the storm, and a video clip for dad .

The last days of summer

Yes we do spend every free second at the beach. The weather was perfect highs in the upper 80's.

Playing with Grandma

Caitlin had to wear her sunglasses to bed! Here is mom reading her bedtime story! She is a diva!

Hanging out with Aunt Ali!

Nate fishing with Aunt Ali he caught a croaker and a spot! What fun!

Done Done Done

No not with my kids or my husband. Done with the patio of course. Now you may be asking why did we consume ourselves with such a task the week before Carl leaves. I really still cannot answer that questions. Just tell us you like it!

Week 1

Underway26th MEU deploys
Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper26th MEU Public Affairs Office
CAMP LEJUENE, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2008) -- After an arduous six-month training cycle, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit boards the ships of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group the last week of August for their scheduled deployment.The 2,200-strong Marine Air-Ground Task Force gets under way to cross the Atlantic to conduct a traditional MEU deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The Marines will board three ships of the Iwo Jima ESG, the USS Iwo Jima, the USS Carter Hall and one of the Navy's newest ships, the USS San Antonio

If you want to know what is going on with Carl you can read about the MEU at http://www.26meu.usmc.mil/
Nate tries on dads hat for size

Caitlin and dad lounge at the pool

Caitlin shows off her dress before her first day of Sunday School. She was old enough to start this week. Now I don't have to drop off Nathan and run out the door with Caitlin kicking and screaming!

Caitlin as supergirl!

Well dad is gone , the kids are sick , noone is napping , the house looks like a bomb exploded. The good news is this actually feels more like normal so I guess thats not bad right! AHHAHA

We miss you dad!

Family Pics

You have to look hard but there are bubbles in this picture