March 8, 2012

Thank you, Eddie's, for the yummy shamrock cookie!

March 4, 2012

When Jeff gave me this fig tree, I knew the probability of a move was pretty high, so I planted it in a pot.  Then when we did move, I never figured out where to plant it.

I didn't want the plant to freeze, so I brought it in and put it on the sun porch.  Now, my poor tree thinks it is Spring!  I'm not much of a gardener, so I hope I have not damaged the poor tree's internal clock!  In a few weeks, I really need to get the poor guy planted in the ground!

March 3, 2012

While welcoming home troops, one of the soldiers gave Daniel his U.S. Army patch. Daniel was very excited to have it!  He also loved the soccer ball Caroline (who went with us) gave him.

Building trains in the front hall.  See those boxes?  One is for Lincoln and one is for Jenny.  With any luck, I will mail them soon!

March 1, 2012

Since Daniel never walks with the girls to school in the morning (it slows the process down quite a bit), he never gets to see his favorite Toyota.  Apparently, on this particular day, the owner of the beloved green Toyota did not take the car to work, so when we walked home from the library, it was parked in its spot.  Daniel was so excited, he gave the car a hug.  I am tempted to print this picture and give it to the people, but then they might think I am crazy.

Science Fair- February 22, 2012

Sarah entered her project in the Science Fair, but she did not win.  The kid that won did some research on fast food ice.  You might want to ask for no ice in your drinks from now on . . .

February 20, 2012

ESPNUs . . . he still can't get enough.  Now he likes to look at them on the computer, so he can "push the button."

It's a spider ESPNU!

I push the button!

It's a puppy ESPNU!

I love ESPNU!

Living Stations- February 19, 2012

The girls participated in the living Stations at church.  Sarah was the stage manager, and Emily was the Roman Soldier.  The performance was great, and the families enjoyed it as a part of the Lenten Family Day.

Penn State with Kate- February 18, 2012

We met Kate for a fun afternoon while she was visiting Penn State for her grad school decision.  We hit my favorite two bookstores (The Student Book Store and McLanahan's), The Diner, and The Creamery for some ice cream!  When Kate graduated from high school, we had a great rhyme about how Kate graduated in 2008 to go to NC State, and Penn State fits right in with the theme . . . that is all I'm saying!

 BREAKING NEWS!!  

Kate is going to attend PENN STATE for graduate school!!
Strike that . . . DUKE!!
Hey, that's still blue . . . just a different shade.

Valentine's Day- February 14, 2012

Many, many years ago, in the 6th grade, I believe, Danny Irving (and his mom) made these heart pins for all of the girls in our class. Mrs. Irving made the hearts, and Danny stitched everyone's name on their heart. Sadly, in the 7th grade, Danny died from a brain tumor. Every Valentine's Day I wear my heart and think of Danny.

Welcome Home! February 10, 2012

We loaded up and headed to BWI to welcome home returning troops with Operation Welcome Home.  Our 2012 Miss America Laura Kaeppeler was also there to welcome home troops, and Emily had her picture taken with her.  Daniel loved chanting, "USA!  USA!"  He also loved shaking hands with the service men and women.  We took our Welcome Home sign that the girls had made for Daniel, too.

Harry Potter- February 9, 2012

Daniel's walk to and from the library is always quite the adventure.  His first obsession was kicking a rock.  This made out 20 minute walk easily 40 minutes.  He would pick a specific rock, and kick that one rock the entire way home.  Thankfully, this was only an "on the way home" activity.  His new "thing" is Harry Potter's wand. We always take the stairs to the library, not the hill, and we have a series of things we look for, including two basketball hoops and the steep driveway.  We have to walk on a set of rocks, stand on the tree stump, and touch the N, W, and S on the post in someone's yard (he hasn't discovered the E yet).  Now, in addition to all that, between the basketball hoop house and the tree stump house, we pick up EVERY SINGLE STICK, and proclaim, in wand-striking pose, "It's Harry Potter!"  This thrills Emily.  Of course, she has never experienced this walking adventure, she has only heard stories.  Yes, the days are long, but the years are short.

Jump Rope for Heart- February 8, 2012

Emily participated in Jump Rope For Heart, collecting money in memory of sweet baby Olivia Cox.  She wore a pin of Olivia for the event, and she made a sign to display in the school gym.

Go Pats! February 5, 2012

Daniel was pulling for the Patriots at the Superbowl, but alas, it just wasn't enough.  He thinks the Giants are called DirecTV, for some odd reason.  He stayed up to watch the entire game, and in his mind, the Pats won.

House of Anubis- February 3, 2012

Almost every Friday is House of Anubis night at Camp Bowden!  The girls (and Caroline) watch all of the episodes for the week.  We frequently have a tasty dessert for the night, and this week we had snowman doughnuts!

Story Time- February 2, 2012

Daniel loves our weekly trip to the library for Story Time with Miss Stefanie

Navy Jazz Band- February 1, 2012

The RPEMS Jazz Band met with the Navy Jazz Band for a concert and workshop.  The entire middle school was treated to a great jazz show, and students had a hard time staying in their seats.  It was quite fun to watch the chaos unfold, unless of course, you were one of the administrators!  Sarah had a great time, and the school jazz band sounded fabulous.

The 6th grade administrator holding up the Conga Line

Finally, "Let the People Dance!"

Oooops! January 30, 2012

One less gingerbread house in the world . . .

January 26, 2012

Daniel was excited to get his 2012 Junior Gamecock membership from Papa.  This year's t-shirt features Cocky, so Daniel loves it.

The girls had January 26th & 27th off from school, so they went with Daniel and me to story time at the library.  Along the way, we had to stand on the tree stump for a quick picture!

January 24, 2012

Day 8 present from Nana

A week after surgery, Daniel was finally able to eat pancakes again.  He was much more excited than this picture shows!

Snow Bet- January 21, 2012

We all picked the date of the first measurable snowfall for the winter.  We had some freaky Halloween snow, but that did not measure an inch, which was our rule.  I had selected December 5th.  Emily had December 10th.  Greg went with December 12th.  Sarah picked January 3rd.  We all thought she was crazy, but January 3rd came and went, and still not a lick of snow.  Finally, on January 21st, we had an inch of snow, and Sarah officially won the snow bet!

January 19, 2012

Daniel & Aunt Kathe

Opening the day three present from Nana