It's Summer Time!

Well, it's Summer time, and that means that it's time for some Splish 'n Splash fun!  We love the water park here on post, and the weather has been so beautiful that I've been trying to use it as a bribe encouragement to get the kids to get their school work done so we can go as much as possible.  After all, it is approaching monsoon season here, and if it's anything like last year, we won't get to spend much time at the pool.

This wasn't our first trip to the pool, but I had my camera with me today to snap a few of the kids having fun.  We've been trying to get Grace to go off the high dive since the waterpark opened this year, but not even her little brother going off and thinking it is "awesome!" could convince her to to do it.

There goes my little dare devil 

David doing his crazy flips 

As we were eating and watching the birthday boys open their gifts, this little princess fell asleep.  This picture doesn't do her pose justice, but when David put her down, she didn't move a muscle - her legs remained up in the same position as they were when they were wrapped around her daddy.

The kids had gone off to swim and David and I were just hanging out talking when Grace came up to us with this matter-of-fact look on her face and said, "I'm going to go off the high dive."  We immediately grabbed the camera and said, "All right.  Let's go."  She marched right over to that ladder and headed up. 

And then she got to the edge...

She did not want to go anymore.  Any self-confidence she had built up had jumped off that board before she got to the end of it.  It took a few minutes of trying to coax her off the board before I finally said, "Look, this is me being the mean mom.  There are people waiting to go off the board, and you cannot go back down the ladder.  Just go to the end of the board and step off.  I'll be right here at the edge of the pool waiting for you."  So, with tears in her eyes, and a pitiful, petrified look on her face, she jumped... 

...and she loved it!

Though she really didn't want to admit it initially, because that would mean that Mommy and Daddy were right.  "You'll never know unless you try it.  Sometimes you've got to get past the scary part to realize just how much fun something can be." 

Then we couldn't keep her off the high dive

(But she only did it because David wanted her to)

"Daddy, I'll go off again, but only if you want me to." 

 After the birthday party, we met some friends over at the Food Court for dinner.  Unfortunately it was to say good-bye, but it is that time of year...  A time of year I absolutely detest because I've made some really good friends here, and I don't want them to leave!

With my dear friend, Jen McWhirt

Kindergarten Promotion

Even though we pulled Tristan half way through the school year to homeschool, his teacher was kind enough to invite him to participate in the Kindergarten promotion celebration. 

Sitting with some of his classmates waiting for their big entrance. 

Each of them had written their name on the lyrics to a song they sang, and that is what marked their spot. 

After receiving his certificate. 

Apparently he didn't get enough sleep last night... (back right)

Singing about going to first grade 

Cool shades! 

Singing "Tootie-Ta" 

With his teacher, Mrs. Ware.

She was a huge support to us during our transition and helped us out in so many ways - from ideas of how to teach different things, to even giving us manipulatives to use.  I cannot thank her enough for everything! 

After their little ceremony, they had lunch and I made cupcakes for the class.  They had an oceanic theme, so I used my Cricut Cake to cut out some ocean animal shapes.

Congratulations, Tristan!  We are proud of all of your hard work.  You have done a great job this year and we know you will continue to do well!

Father and Daughter Dance

David and Grace headed out to the much anticipted Father and Daughter dance last night.  This is something Grace has looked forward to since the one last year - and truth be told, I think David was looking forward to it too.

I hope she is always willing to walk hand in hand with her daddy. 

With one of her best friends, Ashley. 

With another of her best friends, Joy. 

 They had a great time, and topped it off with ice cream with friends.  I sure hope the next place we go has as many fun things like this to do!

Naomi - Month 11

It's hard to believe, but this little princess is going to be one in just one short month.

She got into her sister's sparkly powder

Future track star

She certainly does love her big sister

Scooby snacks!

This is what my kitchen generally looks like - if not worse

And if you have a banana in this house you'd better plan on sharing it, because she'll hunt you down

She's pretty sure there's something in this cabinet that she needs.

Raingutter Regatta

Tristan is officially a Cub Scout (yay homeschooling! The other Kindergarteners aren't eligible until June 14th)!  His first activity was the Raingutter Regatta, and ever since the boat kit arrived at our house, he has been so excited!  He and David looked up a plan to make the fastest boat around, and after they marked the boat and cut a piece off, Tristan got to work:

Sanding, 

and painting his boat. 

He even decorate the sail. 

There are currently two Tiger Cubs - Tristan and his good friend Joshua

Showing off their boats. 

Cheering on the other Scouts. 

They raced each other 3 times.

Tristan won the first, Joshua the second, and then Tristan narrowly edged out Joshua in the third and advanced to the finals.

Racing the big boys!

Checkin' out the other boats in the marina. 

Showing off their first and second place medals for the Tiger Den 

Having a little fun after the races.

Tristan had so much fun and is really looking forward to being a part of the Cub Scouts when they start up full time again in the fall.  In the mean time he has a camp out with his daddy to look forward to the end of June.

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House)

David's Batallion arranged a trip to the Blue House today.  Cheong Wa Day, or Blue House, is the executive office and official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea, and is in Seoul, situated in front of Mt. Bugaksan.

One of our passes to get into the compound - they said if we didn't turn it it, we didn't leave. 

The Blue House complex was built upon the site of the royal garden of the Joseon Dynasty. 

In front of Cheong Wa Dae, the President's office. 

This building is where the President hosts parties.

He alone enters and exits te middle set of doors, and all the guests enter through the right set of doors, and exit through the left set.

We were a bit disappointed in our tour as it was all in Korean and even though we had Korean soldiers with us, none of them felt comfortable translating for us.  We weren't able to go into any of the buildings, but I guess we are at least able to say that we visited the grounds where the Korean President lives and works, and it was a beautiful venue.