2 Weeks

Over the past couple years when Craig went to the Air force training for 3 months in 2010, and his training for 5 months in 2011, I always take pictures of him and the kids saying goodbye and Craig going out to the driveway to head out. Today, Craig took a flight to Virginia for 2 weeks of training for work. Caleb said goodbye this morning before school, and Ava got to give her daddy some hugs and kisses before she left for school at 11:45, and then Craig left shortly thereafter. With Craig's new career there will always be these times where he needs to go to train over the years ahead. The difference this time is that it's 2 weeks not 5 months which is soooo much better of course. Also, the difference this time is that this is the first time Craig has had to travel for work since we moved here to Kentucky. For the other two trips, we were in MN of course where family was just minutes away for the kids and I to visit and be with. I have wonderful neighbors here, who would help me if I ever were to need anything at all, and for Caleb & Ava to play with the kids.

Craig knows me very well in that I will do great, keep so busy, and take care of everything here until he is back in 2 weeks.

Harrison Family visit us in Kentucky

The Harrison family- Todd, Stephanie and their two boys Kody and Kaden visited us this weekend. Todd is a friend Craig met in the Army. Over the years we have visited back and forth. Before either of us were married or had kids, Craig and I first visited Todd & Stephanie in Florida where they lived, when we were there on a vacation back in 2000. We visited them the next year as well in 2001 in Florida. Then we all went on to get married and have our kids. The next time we would see eachtoher was in 2005 when Craig and I visited them in Illinois when both Stephanie and I were 6 months pregnant with Caleb & Kody. Our boys were born that 2005 in May- Caleb and June- Kody. The next year of 2006 Todd and Stephanie visited us in Minnesota with our then 1 year old boys. Then a few years went by as life got busy for all of us until in 2009 when Craig, me, Caleb and Ava visited the Harrison's in Illinois- Caleb & Kody were 4 and Ava was 2 1/2. And now we just finished up the visit of 2012 where the Harrison family came here to visit us in our new home in Kentucky. Caleb and Kody were two peas in a pod! Those two laughed, played, ran around, and clicked like they see each other every day. And this was the first time we got to meet Kaden who is 18 months old now. We hung out at our house Friday night when they got here- the kids were instantly off playing the night away while us adults caught up on everything. Then Saturday I made a french toast bake and we eased into the day until it was time for Caleb's 2:00 basketball game through the YMCA that he plays at the local elementary school. We all went and cheered Caleb on. After the game we headed into downtown Louisville where we went to the Louisville Slugger Museum. So fun! Took the tour (which we were not allowed to take pictures where they actually make the bats), and the tour guide said we hit the best day of the year to come, as it is the busiest day for making the Louisville Slugger bats there for spring training coming up. At the end of the tour we all got mini Louisville Slugger bats and then checked out the batting cages where the kids swung away at some balls. We went to dinner at Carrabba's- an excellent italian restaurant. Back to our house after dinner where the kids played and us adults watched the movie 'Moneyball' Funny how our day ended up having a baseball theme with the museum and that movie. Sunday morning we all ate one last breakfast together and then the Harrison family were off headed back to Illinois. And so after a great weekend with our friends, we look forward to next time with hopes of making our visits less spaced apart in the years to come.

Ava's 5th Birthday Party/ her first kids Birthday Party

Ava had her first kids birthday party today. To help celebrate her 5th birthday, we invited the girls from our cul de sac- Emma, Paige, Scarlett, Chase, Lauren, Myla, and Gigi. Only 2 of the 7 girls had previous plans and therefore could not make it. What an absolute blast Ava had with her girlfriends. Because some of her favorite things to do these days are getting her nails painted and having tea parties, I decided to create just that for her birthday party. We started off at Aviena Nail salon in La Grange where the girls each picked out what color they wanted painted not their fingernails. One by one they sat and got their nails painted and then all sat by the nail dryer. So cute it was as they checked out each other's nails and visited around the nail dryer, and then as we left the salon with them all being so careful with their newly painted nails. From there we headed down 1 block and across the street to Q & A Sweet Treats. There they had a tea party. This new shop in La Grange has gourmet treats and breads. The girls each picked out which flavor gourmet cookie they wanted along with chocolate milk or orange juice served in tea cups. The six of them sat between two tables, adorned with actual tea pot lamps. The owner even made Ava a personalized cupcake with her name on it. We put a candle in it, and sang happy birthday to Ava. Then the girls ate, sipped, giggled and had their very own real tea party. After all the girls were done, Ava sat in a big purple chair where she opened the birthday gifts everyone brought her. What a special 5th birthday Ava had with her friends and I enjoyed watching every moment.