Exploring with Dora!

Kathryn met Dora at the zoo yesterday. She was so excited to see her... We had to wait in line for an hour and 20 minutes (40 of which Dora was on break, despite the fact that she was only there for 3 hrs total), and when it was Kathryn's turn, she refused to go up to her. In fact, she stood behind me crying that she didn't want to get close. Guess that's a two-year-old for you.







On the plus side, it turned out to be a beautiful day and I got a really good picture of some ducks.

No Wonder I'm Dying

I just discovered that one of the common environmental allergens in my area is living (and blooming in full force) in my backyard. No wonder I can't breathe, smell, or see anything. Stupid tree. It is pretty, but that's about all it's good for. And the prettiness will only last another week or so. A third of the leaves were blown off (onto my patio) during the storm two days ago. I'm sure the rest will be down by the end of this week.

Still, it is pretty.





Learn more about the "Bean Tree" and how it hates me

We Made It!!!

As of today, June 6, 2008, Evan has only one year left on his contract with the Marine Corps. This is very good news. Unless he decides to reenlist, the chances of him being recalled at this point are very low. (knock on wood) Of course, at this point they probably wouldn't even want him back, what with all his injuries, etc. They're really better off just going for someone else. Then again, maybe they won't recall anyone, depending how the election goes. But let's not go there.

My First Hair Cut (Well, Kathryn's, anyway.)

Kathryn got her FIRST hair cut today. She has been begging me for months now to go with me, so I finally broke down. I took her to one of those kid-friendly salons where they put on a video and let the kids choose which animal or car/truck they'd like to sit in. Kathryn chose a horse for her seat and The Little Mermaid for her video. She was really excited...



...until the cutting began.


She warmed up to the idea, however, once she realized that the "cut" wasn't going to hurt her--and that they were going to give her a balloon and a sucker. She also liked the giant slide. Go figure.




In the end, her hair looked considerably shorter, but there was barely enough cut off to fill the tiny plastic baggie for her baby book. On the plus side, much of that straw-y, hard to detangle baby hair is gone, leaving room for her healthier "big girl" hair to shine though.

Do you know me?

This lovely little blue wildflower (or maybe weed) bloomed overnight in my backyard. I put out a ton of seeds this spring, but this is the first to have actual flowers. It has fuzzy stems and leaves. Does anyone know what it's called?

Day Out With Thomas 2008

Today was our second year at the Day Out with Thomas event in our area. We were better prepared this time around. We went on our train ride early so we would have plenty of time for fun after.

We arrived at the site and Kathryn got her first look at Thomas.




We met up with Kathryn's friend, Avery, and her mom for the day. We all sat together on the train.


After the ride, Kathryn chose a Thomas tattoo.


Then she ran around in the maze for a while...


...until she could no longer resist the petting zoo. They had baby cows, goats, deer--even a kangaroo. And lots of Purell.


Then we make glittery noodle necklaces and watched the model trains for a while.


Before we left, the girls colored some Thomas pictures and climbed on a giant Lego Thomas.



Kathryn's favorite part? Feeding the goats. And seeing Thomas's face. She was strangely obsessed with seeing his face.

May is National Military Appreciation Month!

As a nation, we observe and participate in various national cultural and social awareness events through mass media attention and educational curriculum. However, we have not allocated appropriate recognition of the most important presence in the world today, an entity that impacts each and every American in a significant way, the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), as designated by Congress, provides a period encompassing both the history and recognition of our armed services with an in-depth look at the diversity of its individuals and achievements. It allows Americans to educate each generation on the historical impact of our military through the participation of the community with those who serve encouraging patriotism and love for America.
This month gives the nation a time and place on which to focus and draw attention to our many expressions of appreciation and recognition of our armed services via numerous venues and also to recall and learn about our fast American history.

National Military Appreciation Month (May 2008) includes Loyalty Day (1st), VE Day(8th), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (9th), Armed Forces Day (17th), and Memorial Day (26th). This very important month honors, remembers, recognizes and appreciates all military personnel; those men and women who have served throughout our history and all who now serve in uniform and their families as well as those Americans who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms we all enjoy today.

It recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the services, the National Guard and Reserves plus retirees, veterans, and all of their families - well over 90 million Americans and more than 230 years of our nation’s history. Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important entities that make up this wonderful country of ours.

(Source: nmam.org.)