You Never Know . . .

what this boy will come up with. Here he is in his "indian costume." Truly it is Darth Vader's cape from his build-a-bear. Not sure what this is but he told me at the time. It is hard to keep up with his imagination.

Karate Again

Grammy went and found John a karate outfit so now he thinks he really is the karate kid.

Clara's Daddy Doll

This is what happens to your daddy doll when your daughter loves baby dolls. Daddy is swaddled and given a paci. All in pink!

Making Muffins

My little helper! Anytime I am making something Clara starts to bring a chair over to help. She is a little messy but makes up for it in cuteness!

Not Real Sure

what this was about. Both of the kids wanted in Abe's little area. They then got some of the pool toys out and were looking through the tube. John has his goggles on. My favorite part is how Clara has her arm around him.

No Nap Clara

This is what happens when one little girl doesn't take a nap at school. For one, she is cranky!! Two, she just passes out.

Paper Chain

We had friends make us a deployment chain. It has 52 weeks on it and last week we took our first one off. Here is the full chain in between the kids' rooms. John taking the first chain off.

Last night we were able to take our second chain off.

Dress-up Again

John had made the grand decision for about a month he wanted to be Chief Osceola for Halloween. I was ok with this and thought I could make the costume. Well, he has since changed his mind at least 50 times but one day he made his own Chief Osceola costume (looks a lot like Woody from Toy Story to me.) He has fringed pans, a vest with no shirt, his Indian head-dress on, and holding his bow. Can't you see it!

Yeah, I totally get it! Then Darth showed up!

John dressed up his sister in this and I am not exactly sure what she is supposed to be. Some Ninja, Batman, football player person!

Heartstrings

Yes, I know these are some emotional pictures but this is a glimpse of our life right? The ups and downs. Burt had to be at his office at 4 am to leave. We woke the kids up at 3:30 to take them with us. We had offers of help of staying with the kids but we really wanted the kids to be able to say goodbye and for Daddy not to simply leave in the middle of the night. We thought that would be more confusing to them. Truthfully the hardest part of these pictures after looking at them a week and half later is knowing my husband and the emotion and anguish I can see on Burt's face. You know this is the hardest thing he has ever done - saying goodbye to myself and our children.

Then the comic relief - John actually wanting his picture made!! Trying to smile for mommy. Thanks bud!

Daddy Dolls

The night before Burt left he gave the kids their "Daddy Dolls" or as John says his "Daddy pillow" because he doesn't have dolls. They were an immediate hit and the kids sleep with them everynight. John wants to take his to the park (which I don't allow) and wants daddy to eat dinner with us (which I do allow.)

Burt explaining that when the kids miss him they will have this to remind them of Daddy loving them and thinking about them. John with his Daddy doll.

Clara immediately gave hers a hug.

John giving his Daddy doll a hug.

Clara giving her Daddy doll a hug.

John listening to Daddy some more.

Just a little fyi - I got each child a different daddy doll. I took one picture of Burt with his cover on and one without so the kids won't fight over whose is whose. John's has the cover on and Clara's does not in case you see them anywhere (because they will be traveling with us.)