Thankful Day 19

Today Daddy heard about a very special happening in our area - a Rocket Blast Off! A Rocket was set to be sent to space with satellites onboard that would launch into the atmosphere. We were really excited because NASA's website had information on how we could see the rocket from our house.

It was pretty chilly so we had to get all bundled up to go outside. The rocket was set to launch at 7:30, but apparently a guy in a sailboat near the launch site messed up their plans, so it ended up launching at about 8:15. Riley was a little frustrated with her cold clothes. Ever seen A Christmas Story? The kid who can move around because his jacket is so puffy? Yeah, something like that.

Out in the backyard getting ready to look for the rocket.

This is the photo from NASA of the rocket blasting off in Virginia. Through the miracles of modern technology we watched it blast off on Daddy's phone through the NASA video streaming channel, then we looked for it in the sky.

We finally spotted it going into the sky. It was mostly just a large light sailing in the sky because it was so far away.

This is a photo someone took from Downtown Silver Spring of the rocket sailing into the sky. 

Now Parker keeps asking when we will be able to see another rocket blast off -  not sure about that one. Maybe we should build a rocket. 

I am so Thankful for crazy opportunities like this - and even more so for a husband who finds out about these exciting things and says "don't you think Parker would love this"? 

Thankful Day 18

Parker is so very Thankful for the giant pile of LEAVES that has been accumulating in front of our house. The giant tree in the yard has started to drop it's leaves in abundance and we have been trying to keep up with it a little bit so our yard isn't too crazy.

The other night on our way home from the park Parker asked if he could go jump in the pile.

What Mom can resist allowing their child this timeless joy? He lept right into the pile. Unfortunately it gets dark pretty early around here now, so leaf play was a short adventure.

So, the next day after school he asked to play in the leaves and Riley decided to join in for a bit.

Parker flopped around and buried himself for a while...

Riley was less interested and decided it was time to head inside.
After only a few short days almost all of the leaves from the tree have now fallen to the ground. The pile is quite large, and scheduled to be picked up tomorrow by the leaf collecting truck, but for one last day I am sure we can allow some leaf play - and in Mommy and Daddy's opinion - be Thankful that we don't have to do leaf maintenance all year long!

Thankful Day 17

Every couple of weekends Parker, Daddy, and Mommy snuggle up on the couch for movie night. It is a special time with Parker when we get to have movie snacks and watch something fun (not Thomas thank goodness!) We have made it through many of our own movies (Shrek 1-3 were a big hit) and now we occasionally rent a movie for Movie Night.
Last Friday our Movie Night selection was The Croods. A funny little movie about a cave family on an adventure.

Daddy trying to block our Movie Night photo.

All snuggled on the couch with our movie night snacks and drinks! P-man even made it through the whole movie. It was pretty funny - with a monkey named Belt who wraps around your waist to hold up your pants, what 3-year-old could resist?
I am so very Thankful for our Movie Nights with Parker - all too soon I am sure Friday night with Mom and Dad will not be on the top of his list - but for now, he loves his special nights and so do we!

Thankful Day 16

Long before Parker and Riley were even born I would picture what our family would one day look like. Whenever I thought of our kids I would always picture a big brother and a little sister playing together. Of course, I am sure that is because I was picturing my own childhood, but I continue to be amazed at how lucky I am that the picture in my head is now played out in the everyday adventures of my life.

Parker teaching Riley about the magic of early morning TV. PJs, cereal, juice, and some Mickey Mouse - doesn't get much better than that.

It is not uncommon for Riley to have a crib bandit in her bed first thing in the morning. Parker will come down from his room and go to "check" on her - and this is often the site I see when I come in.

Adventures at the park - a boy and his sidekick.

Our own little race crew - Parker also like to do "pit stops" at various intervals. Riley gets off the truck so Parker can "change" the tires.

Teaching Riley all about the kitchen and cooking up some yummy food.

The only way to know what is really in the toy bins is to get to the very bottom - let's dump them all out and see what's in here - sometimes it is like we have brand new toys!

Waiting for Trick-or-Treat visitors. Parker showing Riley how to say "Happy Halloween"!

Playing legos. Parker gets the lego train and Riley gets the big car. He shows her how to build up her car with all the legos - then they go zooming across the floor back to find more legos - Riley gives pretty good chase to her big brother.

I am so Thankful that these are the everyday joys of my life. I hope that my kids will be lucky enough to have the friendship, trust, and love for each other that I am lucky enough to have with Uncle Jim.

The brother-sister bond is like no other, and I hope my little ones will always remember to be Thankful for one another.

Thankful Day 15

 I am very Thankful that we have been blessed with little people who love all kinds of food. I was always worried I would have picky eaters for kids because I was one when I was little, but so far Parker and Riley will try just about anything and they even really like some things that are definitely not my favorite.

Like this summer when Riley hate handful after handful of brussel sprouts!

And Parker will devour an entire serving of Orange (Spicy) Chicken at Panda Express. I have to make him eat the broccoli to earn more "Spicy Chicken"!

Riley will take down an entire melon if we let her - we turned our head for one minute and this entire plate was gone!

And of course Mommy's spaghetti. I have yet to meet a person who doesn't love the spaghetti sauce from Giada's cookbook. Riley loves it - some of it even ends up in her mouth after it gets all over her face and in her hair! Time for a bath!

I hope that the kids are always adventurous with their food. It took me a long time to really start to try new things and I hope that they are more open to new foods. I love how much they love their vegetables and really like wholesome foods. I hope I always remember to take the time to cook for them as much as possible - it is truly making them into such happy and healthy kids. And everyone is Thankful for happy, healthy kids!

Thankful Day 14

Every day that I spend with our little people I am amazed on what they try (and sometimes falter) to do. But I am always Thankful that my kids are adventurous and try new things.

Riley's favorite new thing to try is the tube slide. There is a tube slide at Chick-Fil-A and we go there occasionally when the weather is bad because they have a great play area and it gets the crazies out. For a long time Riley has watched Parker climb in the play area and come down the slide, but recently decided she wanted to try. Parker will go with her up to the top of the slide and he helps encourage her to go down. I climb in the slide far enough so she can see me as she comes around the turn.

Action shot! It is so much more fun to go face first. She really loves it - will do it over and over again.

Parker's latest adventure is the monkey bars at the park. He sees the big kids to it by themselves and really wants to figure it out. I help him out once or twice by holding his legs as he goes across, but then I tell him to do it himself. He is getting close. Last time he made it two bars before he freaked our and wanted me to come get him.

When he gets tired of trying the monkey bars he does other stuff that he couldn't do when we first came to the fire park - like look through the telescope - he used to be too short. I can't believe how fast he is growing up into a real little kid.

I hope that our kids never lose their sense of wonder and imagination. And I hope they always try new things, and if they do falter - they try again next time until they can get it right. I will always be Thankful for the willingness to try, and the magic of success.

Thankful Day 13

Daddy is in his last couple months working on Capitol Hill, so we want to make sure to take advantage of as many of his "perks" as possible! Like a few weeks ago when he was able to score some tickets for us to go to the White House Fall Garden Viewing. The White House gates are opened up for people to walk through the grounds and see the various trees and plants that have been planted by different presidential families.

Our official ticket - Ironically no one ever asked to see our tickets, but we were thoroughly scanned by security before being allowed on the grounds.

Parker and Daddy in front of the rotunda. It was the closest we got to the actual house.

Sasha and Malia's playground outside the oval office. Parker asked the security guard if he could go play on the slide - unfortunately not.

Mommy and Riley stop for a photo op.  You can see behind us how many people were at the viewing - it was a giant parade of people.

Parker and Daddy at the bottom of the large White House lawn. This lawn is where they have the Easter Egg Roll.

The famous vegetable garden that Michelle Obama has started. It is actually much bigger than it looks in this picture.

No matter where we go Parker always finds a way to track down some construction vehicles!

Exploring the gardens of her future home was exhausting - so Riley took a stroller nap while we walked to lunch.

We are so Thankful for the opportunity to experience these things that so many people never have the opportunity to do. The kids may not remember all the things that we do, but hopefully they will always know how fortunate they are to live in this city for a short amount of time. 

Thankful Day 12

Everyday I have at least a few good laughs of the adventures of kids and dogs. We are so Thankful that our little ones have been able to spend their baby/toddlerhood with our sweet puppies.

Chance helped Parker learn how to crawl...

And Radar has been his canvas for some wonderful chalk art...

Chance has been the recipient of many check-ups to make sure he is healthy and strong.

And Radar is trying to be patient while Riley learns how to walk...Hold on Riley!

But Radar is best when the kids just want to hold paw with him.

Playing with kiddos is hard work - whenever possible these two can be found resting. 

We are so Thankful our kids love our puppies - and our puppies tolerate our kids!

Thankful Day 11

I said last year that I think that it is so appropriate that Veteran's Day falls in the month where we take time to think of the things for which we are Thankful. On this Veteran's Day I am the most Thankful for the best Veteran we know - and the man Parker and Riley get to call Daddy.

Parker and Riley's Daddy served two tours in Iraq before they were even a sparkle in his eye. He fought alongside some other very brave men and women. He always did his very best to watch out for the man next to him, and to bring everyone home safely.

Being part of this Army family means our kids grow up in a totally different kind of world. They do things and experience things that other kids will never do. Like sit in an Army vehicle before you are even a year old...

This journey has taken us many places and on many adventures. I will always be Thankful for this life and all of the things we have been able to do because of Ben's service. But, on Veteran's Day I am most Thankful for Ben. The man he is, the leader, the friend, the husband, and mostly the father. Our children will grow up in a safer world because of him and those like him.

"I never know how to respond when someone asks me why I choose to serve. I didn’t have ideations of glory, in fact I didn’t even like GI Joe growing up. I just knew, one day in 9th grade career focus class that this was my purpose. It’s hard. Hard on my family. Yet, I wouldn’t change what my life has become. I will continue to serve because now I understand, it’s about doing your job, the one that most people don’t want or can’t do, and more importantly it’s about helping the person next to you, in whatever battle they may face" - Ben's thoughts, November 11, 2013.

Thank You for being the man you are and reminding us what Veteran's Day is all about.

Thankful Day 10

On Sunday we went on our Veteran's Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery. This time in DC is such a short period in the big picture and it is important to us that we take the opportunity to visit Arlington often - especially on the days that honor our troops.
On Sunday's visit we spent our time just in Section 60, which is where the majority of the soldiers buried at Arlington who were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan are laid to rest. It is also where we visit two of Ben's fellow soldiers from his two deployments.

Our timing worked out so that we were actually visiting Section 60 when some representatives from the 82nd Airborne Division came to present a wreath and pay their respects. The father of a soldier killed in Afghanistan spoke at the wreath presentation. It was incredibly moving to hear him speak of all of our veterans who volunteer to continue to fight in our wars abroad to defend our freedoms and way of life.

Many of the graves in Section 60 have tokens on or near them that have been left by visitors. It is meant as a simple gesture to let them know they have been remembered. On our visit we left a star that I had painted like a flag. It was our small token of remembrance.

As Ben was sitting near Mark Paine's grave a nice man asked if Ben would like some flowers to place at the grave. He said he always tries to bring extra flowers to share with others. So along with our star we were able to leave some flowers for Mark (and shared with Ian). It was such a simple and thoughtful thing for that nice gentleman to do - I believe in the future we will try to do the same.

Parker and Daddy sitting in the grass talking about Daddy's friends.

It was a beautiful day and Riley enjoyed her first chance to explore the grass and see the trees in Section 60.

So, on our Thankful Day 10 we are Thankful to our veterans, both those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, but also those to fight and come home. We are Thankful not only today, but every day. You are always remembered.