lights out

I can't believe that we are into July already! So much that I have been one day behind! So now I am having to pack last minute. I have been packing up for our trip tomorrow.

So with our housing here getting privatized now, we are stuck in limbo. The new leasing office doesn't officially take over until August 1st, but the housing office is not fully up and running anymore. Self-help closed up shop already apparently. Not only do we need a ton of stuff to clear housing, but the bulbs in the bathroom (only shower) blew out yesterday. The bulbs are those long florescent bulbs that are not sold at the PX, of course. So now that Self-help is closed, I have to pick some up at Home Depot, which isn't just here outside the gate. Why couldn't blow out in 3 weeks after we leave? Of course not!

On to the pictures now after a little complaining...

These shots were taken minutes before Bailey left West Point. The duck's name is Wasabi and he is their traveling buddy. Recall the story about the traveling pair of jeans between friends? Same concept really. This little creature has been to VA, MD, DC, and PA thus far since Bailey was the first to take him.

catch-up

Our days are flying! June is pretty much done which means that we have but 3 weeks left here on West Point. Such a bittersweet feeling...

We were invited to celebrate Independence Day with Frank's really good friend that is in the same cycling team. He is a very nice person and has a fabulous wife. Frank and I are very blessed to have friends such as these. I am sure that there will be tons of great pictures to take once we are there-- we are spending 3 days at their summer home so there will be no excuses!

After we get back next week, our move begins. We have to repaint the entire house to its original colors. On the 14th, our packers begin boxing everything up. It should take them 2-3 days depending on how large the crew is, and on the 17th, our household goods will be on its way to Kansas! More details on our move to follow.

finally done

I finally finished The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I was determined to finish it this past weekend after starting several times in the past 6 months. I really like this book. I enjoy nonfiction and this book offered a glimpse at a life and lives really, of people that lead an unconventional life. It had me gasping and sighing quite frequently, not believing some of the details in this book. I will not go into the details because I don't want to give anything away, all I could say is READ it! I recommend it!

I finished it on Saturday and quickly I grabbed my next read. I am on to Pride and Prejudice by of course, Jane Austen. I read this novel years and years ago, and it still rouses my anticipation!

Nothing much going on in our household besides Vacation Bible School starting today. The little ones enjoy it very much while the eldest volunteers her time as a Crew Leader. I have the best kids!

sadness sinks in...

...and reality slaps us in the face.

Bailey left today and the last minutes that the girls had together were very difficult. Yes, they will talk every day, email, chat, and eventually Skype. But it still hurt-- they will miss each other tons.

i am melting...

It was another scorcher yesterday, Monday. I took Alexys, Bailey, M, and B to the mall so they can catch a show and hang-out. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was 105 degrees when we reached our destination! The kids went to the show while I shopped. The mall we went to is 4 levels of shopping with a lower level of parking- so five total. Let me say that the mall felt like a greenhouse! I guess their A/C couldn't keep up with the heat because most of the stores were an oven! I sought out refuge at the Lindt store-- they of course have to keep their temps low enough in order for their merchandise not to spoil! That refuge cost me about a pound I am sure! Those peanut butter truffles are amazing!

When we got back home the temp had dropped down ten degrees but it was still hot! The kids got out the water guns and had a good time battling each other.

happy birthday, mom

Today is my ma's birthday. The girls called her this morning to wish her a fabulous day.

The day was very hot once again. Both little ones would have short spurts of outside fun. They painted outdoors and they blew bubbles. That is pretty much it as far as outdoor activities went.

Mid-day, we experienced a huge storm coupled with thunder and lightning. WTH? It was rather odd, but we rolled with it. Alexys and Bailey ran outside to play in the rain and so I grabbed my cam and took the shots. They were rather crazy, if you ask me!

through the humid lens

It was hot. It was HOT. It was actually very humid! The temps were in the 90's today and being that I am originally a So. Cali girl, I can easily handle 90 degree weather, even 100. But I do not do well with humid temps. And it isn't the vain, hair-worrying side of me saying this, I can actually give a hoot about that stuff, really (that is, if I am not going anywhere special of course since I am my mother's daughter). It is the suffocating feeling that I get. I can eventually get used to it if I am gradually introduced to the humidity. But to got from a cool, dry temp to a high, humid one the next day doesn't cut it. I do not do well with the submerging of either very high humid temperatures or very low, wet ones. So there.

The little kids played in the front yard in the sprinkler today while Alexys and Bailey played in the back yard in the kiddie pool. Frank had a race in Rhode Island so we pretty much hung out all day. Other than Alexys going to Bailey's riding (equestrian) competition for a couple of hours, none of us left the house-- besides Frank.

I took the camera out back to shoot the big girls having some fun, of course hoping to get a good embarrassing shot I can hold over their heads and taunt them for a few days. I figured if I got a good one, I could easily threaten to show it to their bf's. But nothing really good is in my power...Argh...

My lens got all fogged up from the shocking temp change when I went outside. So that is why some of the shots look so faded! They are through a foggy lens.

class of 2008

...and future Class of 2012.

Wednesday was graduation day. So bittersweet the day was. A great day in a sense, but a reminder that our kids are growing up before our eyes. Half of the class will leave this summer while the other half carries on. Alexys and her bff being amongst the leaving half. It will be a difficult time, but that is one of the things that makes Army Brats so special-- they can endure so much change and grow... they adapt, drive-on, all while loving and enjoying their friendships only to say goodbye after a couple of years.

Alexys' age now allows her a broader capability of keeping in touch. She has mastered the ancient art of texting and is working diligently on her IMing skills. I am confident that she will continue her friendships across state lines and even across continents.

The ceremony was great, everything went smoothly. We were so proud of our beautiful, intelligent, and multi-talented graduate.


Even smart kids can be silly...

Awe..................

Did I mention that the kids on these pictures are all very intelligent with a variety of talents? Yep, they are!

grad dance

The graduation dance was on Tuesday. The kids were very excited about it and was the talk of the month! Alexys looked beautiful and her date M looked very handsome. They made a very attractive couple although they were a 10 on the shy scale! I don't think that they like to be photographed... M put on the corsage so sweetly and as it is plain to see by the 1st shot, Alexys was in lala land as well. I have to hand it to them, they were so nicely color-coordinated! Kudos to M for asking Alexys for the color of her dress-- and double kudos to his mom for suggesting it to him so he can match the tie with the dress.




All of her girlfriends looked very pretty. I don't think I have ever seen this crowd looking so good! I am used to seeing them in their running clothes all sweaty after a run.

While I was taking the pix of the kids, I couldn't help to think about how lucky they are to have such a beautiful setting on such a beautiful day. The slightly overcast sky offered a coolness about it that allowed the kids to not get overheated and so it offered all the parents more time of recording history. We were all so proud of our kids and we were all so eager to take every shot we could from every angle.

The kids had a blast at the dance and Alexys and her BFF's had a sleepover afterwards, which was the only right thing to do: A recap of the evening was in order of course!

sprinkler fun

When we got back from NJ, the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler... why not? They got into their suits and off they went!

happy memorial day!

I hope that every one's day was pleasant and that everyone took a moment to take in what this day actually is. Let us never take for granted those that have sacrificed the ultimate.

The day started off with a house full of lazy, sleepy girls. Dad finally managed to wake us up and get our behinds in gear to head out the door to Sommersville, NJ where he was going to race. Meanwhile the race was going on, the town was having a celebration. They had vendors, food, a petting zoo, moon bouncers and all sorts of neat things for kids.

The girls bounced around while Alexys finished her homework assignments under a tree. Did I mention the day was without a cloud in the sky?


I don't really agree or condone petting zoos-- at least some of them. But I indulged the girls in petting the animals that seemed (to me) to be sedated. (Reason in point!) They fed the animals one round after much begging on their part. I tried to explain that these animals' activity level is close to none and there are hundreds of people feeding them all day, it can't be healthy! The girls somewhat understood and agreed to one feeding of the food provided. Later on I saw them feeding the ponies grass-- in their mind it was a plant, therefore it was healthy! Goodness, there I go again explaining the reason why we don't feed the animals grass!

My girls really, really wanted to ride the ponies. There, I couldn't budge. I seriously could not bring myself to allowing such thing. These poor animals had been there all day with nowhere to run and people sitting on them all day. Yes, I know many will not agree with me, but it's my prerogative. The girls ultimately understood. So they caressed, rubbed, and loved on the animals instead.

There was also a station where kids can make Spin Art which Angelene enjoyed.

breaking-in shoes... teenager style

This Sunday afternoon has been one of the first days that we actually don't have to be somewhere... have to do something... etc...

After Church, while Frank went on a ride, the girls and I played outside. It is a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky! The big girls also joined us outside. They multi-tasked by studying for a test while they completed their first attempt at breaking-in the shoes that they are wearing next week to their Grad dance! Exciting! So here they are studying-- Alexys and her BFF "B".

By the way... these kids do study when they say that they are.

These are the shoes...

BeeeeUTeeeFulllll!

scooting around

So the afternoon pretty much ended on Saturday with the girls playing outside, and in the night Frank hung out with neighbors by the fire pit while I rested and went in-and-out of sleep. I was tired!