Kure Beach 2013

[getting caught up]

As Miss Olivia’s due date landed on our planned check-in date down at the condo this year, we moved our beach vacation up a bit so that we could still go and T-rex could get his time at the beach to soak up some sun.  Overall the week was a good one…my parents came with us this year but we were definitely missing Shane.  Hopefully we will be able to get back to our usual week down there next summer—and be able to celebrate Olivia’s 1st Birthday at our favorite place on earth!

Thank You.

I know that I am over a month behind on posting anything here.  A lot has been going on at Casa de Chapman and it has been weighing heavily on my emotionally and physically.  We are all fine, things are on the mend, and I am starting to pull myself together and get excited about the much anticipated arrival of our beloved Olivia Renee.

To all the family and friends of mine, as well as our amazing nanny [who firmly is implanted forever in the family-friend category] who have given me guidance and help to muster the strength to continue on and get through this whole ordeal--even if it was just to hear me out as far as my neuroses is concerned on the phone--thank you.  Words cannot express how much I have appreciated it all.

Last Day of School

Yesterday was Trevor's last day of his Redbird (3 year old) year at West Ghent.  He has grown and changed so much this year and I cannot even begin to estimate how much he has learned.  We were again blessed that he had teachers who were patient, kind and caring to him, even when he went through some rough patches.

A few last day of school photos before we left home for the day:

I would like to know where and when my little boy turned into this long lanky four year old!!

On our way to school, we stopped to pick up some flowers for his teacher.  Trevor (in true T-rex style) picked out the largest bouquet of sunflowers the store had and then insisted on carrying them down the hall to his classroom himself.  They were almost bigger than he was!  

Now we are off for an exciting summer full of fun!  Happy Summer Vacation everyone!

Shaner on a Saturday

Since everyone and their mother has been asking about Shane today it seems, I figured I would share some photo updates of his adventures over-...well, wherever he is.

Here is Shane on his tour of Jerusalem during a port call a few weeks ago. 

Here is Shane and the CO of the Kearsarge during the frocking ceremony this morning.  

Congratulations Shaner, we are SO proud of you and your hard work finally paying off.  

The Best Way To Read. Ever.

Shane was always the one who took care of bedtime around here--baths, snuggle time and books.  You may remember that in his absence we have been doing the "Goodnight Kisses From Daddy" jar to help keep him 'involved' at bedtime.  Speaking of which, that jar is looking quite different than it did when we started, so maybe an update on that soon.  Anyway, regardless of the nightly chocolate (which Trevor loves), we have still missed Shane very much when it comes to reading bedtime stories together.

Today in the mail, Trevor got a small envelope from Daddy, and I have to say I was over. the. moon. when I saw the United Through Reading sticker on the back of the envelope.  Trevor didn't have any idea what it was, until I plugged it into the computer and let him watch.

 Trevor loved seeing Daddy and having him read to him.  The smile on his face was priceless, and at the end of the video he immediately asked to watch it again at bedtime.

United Through Reading is an initiative that really does accomplish its mission of keeping families who are separated by deployment connected through reading aloud.  The benefits of reading together are countless, both to the child and the family as well.  I am so thankful that we have this opportunity for Shane to stay connected to Trevor while he is gone.  Seeing Trevor so happy and listening him talk back to Daddy and interact as he read the books was priceless--definitely filled a void that we've been feeling here around the house when it is story time.

To find out more about the United Through Reading program, click here.    

Here Comes the Sun

After having a couple of strangely cool and rainy weeks, the sun made its appearance post-Memorial Day in full force, bringing beautiful days to spend outside and temps in the upper 80s to low 90s.  To beat the heat (which I am not tolerating as well this year...surprise surprise) we have been spending as much time as possible out in the pool cooling off.  Trevor has given up his floatie 95% of the time and is quite the little fish. He loves to swim under water because that is how he can go faster, and is getting pretty good at diving for rings.

This raft, which used to provide me with hours of floating-induced relaxation and perfect tan facilitation is now a pirate ship as well as a rescue boat, depending on Trevor's current mood.  

When we finally come out of the pool for a break, Trevor has fun doing other things, like picking leaves and checking on his garden (he ate the first two strawberries of the season last week!).