A Busy Week

I asked David to blog this week as he stayed home and played "Mr. Mom" on Monday and Tuesday, but I had no luck in getting him to. He was off Monday and Tuesday since he reenlisted last Friday and officially became a career soldier.

The thing I love about thie times that David stays home with the kids is that he has a whole new appreciation for what I go through on a daily basis. I think it is good for him to have this experience every once in a while - it benefits me too, I start getting more help around the house!

In addition to reenlisting last Friday, David was presented with an Army Commendation Medal.

Although they were not officially "presented" to him, he also received a Bronze Star and an Air Medal from the U.S. Special Operations Command, which he was a part of while he was in Iraq. Needless to say, we're very proud of him.

While I was away making the "big bucks" this week, here's a few of the things David had to deal with ...

(You'll notice there's no pictures of Grace here... she doesn't get into near the trouble her brother does)

I will say that I love my job, but I have gotten so used to staying at home most of the time that working every day last week really wore me out! I'm not looking forward to having to go back to work full time - maybe if I keep having kids I'll never have to go back to work... Fat chance - I think I'd lose my mind if I had any more! So, I guess I'll just have to get used to the idea of going back to work in a few years...

Daddy's Home!

David returned home from a six week school at Ft. Huachuca, AZ on Friday afternoon. The kids were thrilled to see him. He rang the doorbell when he got home and Gracie ran to the door and said "Daddy! You're home!" at which point Tristan dropped what he was doing and ran to the door too.

David took a few extra days off so we could have some family time, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. He goes back to work for a few days, then begins the clearing process before our move to Ft. Huachuca, AZ.

Mother's Day was a wonderful day. I was given a beautiful gold heart necklace with a banner that says "Mom" before we went to church, and then we went and had a wonderful brunch. We then came home, and later in the day, I got the greatest gift of all... A BREAK!! Daddy became the jungle gym for once...

Monday David made a delicious dinner of grilled chicken and corn on the cob, not to mention having pancakes for breakfast...

Today we went to see the El Paso Diablos play baseball - the kids were all ready with their baseball caps and gloves. They both love baseball, but today I think they loved the freedom to run around even more than the game.

At one point, the chicken came over and got Tristan and took him over one section of seats and danced and played with him. I asked David if we should be concerned that our son will run off with any ol' character that comes along...

Needless to say, we are all very happy that David is home! He goes back to work tomorrow, which means that my spoiling is over and I'll have to get back to my regular duties...

Fun in the sun

The last few days have been absolutely beautiful here. So, the kids and I have spent quite a bit of time outside.

Yesterday, Grace helped me transplant a couple of plants.

She does everything in style, you know...

And today, the kids had a ball running through the sprinkler! They were having so much fun this afternoon, that they decided it should continue after supper. I was cleaning the kitchen when I heard the water come on in the back yard... I was about to go out and raise cain, since I had told Grace that it was getting too cool to get wet, but then I figured, what the heck, they're kids and they aren't doing any harm.

Potty training continues to go well for Tristan. We even ventured to church yesterday without a diaper on, and he did great! They say that a child will do it when he/she is ready, and it's absolutely true - he let me know long before I had even considered it. Now, if we could only convince him that Mommy doesn't need to clean up his stinky messes anymore we'd really be on the right track! Grace is super cute when Tristan goes "potty"... She runs in the bathroom and says "Tristan, you peed all by yourself! Great job!" Gotta love toddler talk!