Homecoming

It is ALMOST over. I am kind of afraid to say it out loud. Lamar is scheduled to fly home on the afternoon of February 3rd. What have I learned from the six months of single parenting? I have learned that I definitely would not like to do it forever. My heart goes out to the millions of single parents that have to live it every day with no choice. I cannot believe how tired I am each night after I put Grace down. I can't wait until I have help at night. It is very difficult to give a toddler a bath, go through the mail, cook dinner, clean the kitchen, and everything else with just two hands. And to top it ALL off...we went to the doctor today for the runny nose that we have not been able to shake since Thanksgiving. The verdict...an ear infection. Yippee! We are working through our prescription of amoxicillin now. Luckily, she LOVES it. Did I mention that I cannot WAIT until Lamar gets home? I can't remember :)

One More Cute One!

WOW!

I am not sure exactly what she is looking at here. I just thought that the picture was funny. She is sitting on the front porch of Tyler's old house. They have bought the house across the street. Grace still goes over and knocks on the old house door. The new renters move in next month. Imagine her surprise when someone brand new answers the door:)

Yummy

Yummy to my tummy! These are my cookies! Back off Mommy! Aunt Martha baked Grace her very own tin of Christmas cookies. I ended up having to hide them on the second day, because she would bring them to someone to open every chance she got. Now that the cookies are gone the tin is holding her animals from her Little People A to Z set from Aunt Julie.

SMILE:)

Hamming it up for the camera after the Christmas Party:)

Hello? Hello?

Cell phones, cell phones. I think that every person now in America has a cell phone. Grace has called several people on it including "Grandpa" Mark, my old assistant director, and the babysitter. I think that she is trying to call Lamar. Anytime it rings, she tried to answer it.

"Ta-Da"

Thank you ever so much Aunt Laura for this wonderful, ladylike new skill. It has gotten us lots of attention. For those of you who are unaware of this new trick, or have not had the privilege of seeing it yet, never be concerned. We have learned to lie on our back with our legs up in the air each time someone says ta-da. Again, we can't thank Aunt Laura enough!

Snoozing with Great-Granny

"I found me a great waterbed, Mom!" Grace spent much of Christmas Eve helping cook, causing her to get a little off schedule when it came to nap time. At about 1:30pm, she walked over to Granny and lifted her arms to be picked up. She subsequently fell asleep within about five minutes. Too Cute!

Hanging out at Pa Pa's

The couple days after Christmas in SC were filled with amazing weather. We stayed outside as much as possible on those days. Grace particularly enjoyed the courtyard at the house. Mom had picked out a patio set when the courtyard was first completed. Two of the chairs spin around in circles. SOO fun. Grace would spin and spin and spin. Does anyone see a pattern here? Note the snazzy jacket. Aunt Laura gave us the zebra jacket. She wore it most of the week that we were at home and most days since our return.

Squadron Christmas Party

Each year the spouses' of Lamar's squadron throw a big Christmas party for all of the children. We have moon bouncers, lots of food, games, toys and Santa arrives each year on a helicopter. This year was no exception. The children had a great time. Grace loved every minute of it. Her favorite activities were the bubble wrap stomp, the moon bouncer (as long as she was the only one in it,) and most of all...the duck pond. She loved putting her hands in the water up to her elbows and pulling out the ducks. Santa on the other hand...well, not so much. We really did not have the greatest time sitting on Santa's lap, but he was generous enough to give us a new book for our attempt. Later on in the month she actually went and sat on his lap. That was not a problem at all then. The Squadron Party is great. We all had banners to decorate and send over to the detachments that are gone. Grace drew her daddy a picture on the banner that we sent. It was very easy to pick out her picture.

My New Aquarium

Grace got this aquarium from Granny and Grampa Hardy. Notice the balls inside of it. Balls still are among the toys of choice. Please appreciate the look on her face in the picture.

Dressy Christmas Baby

This is the Christmas dress that I had to fight for at the store. I had a really hard time deciding on one this year, but I really loved this one. Too cute. And it is still big enough for her to wear next year. Now, all of you who know me....will she wear this next year for Christmas??

Christmas In South Carolina

Grace and I went home for Christmas. Can you say way too many presents? What is it about family and when you say "money for college," it just falls on deaf ears? I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, we are definitely blessed in the things that we received and the family that we love, but the ENTIRE couch at Dad's house was filled to the top of the cushions with presents. It was unbelievable. Now that we are home with them, I am struggling to find a place to put them all. We might have to turn Daddy's office into an exclusive playroom for the Monkey. Right now the toys are overtaking the den. I clean them up every night, and she religiously pull them out every afternoon. She has no problem cleaning up toys at school, but for some reason we do not follow the same routine here. I just do not get it!