One of my questions for Rick during a recent phone conversation was: Are you having TONS of fun, a little fun, no fun, or a miserable time. His answer was somewhere between a little fun and tons of fun:
A major part of the fun is that, through a stroke of luck (or divine intervention), Rick got to be roommates with his good friend John. They are longtime soccer buddies. I have a feeling they will be BFFs after these 6 weeks together.
Last night, the army boys went out on the town. They saw the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and had some delicious Mexican food.
So, he may be having fun, but let's be honest. He only smiles this big when he's talking to yours truly.
Our big changes for this summer have now been in place for two whole weeks. Sometimes we love our new way of life, and sometimes we don't.
High:Life is quite entertaining living with so many people. Not only are my boys and I seeking refuge at my parents' home, but my sister and family are also living here while her husband does an internship. Add one more sister and her husband, and that makes 7 adults and 5 children: a 3-year-old, THREE 20-ish-month-olds, and one sweet newborn.
We go through a lot of bananas.
See, doesn't this look fun? This is the closest we could get to having all four little ones standing to face the camera. Another high is having Pappy around, whom Carson adores, but a big time low is that Pappy is never home due to a demanding work project.
Low: Carson has no father. And I have no husband.
That's a big low. I am a worrier, and of course I worry that Carson feeling abandoned by his father for a couple of months is going to have lasting detrimental effects.
We've been able to talk on the phone in the evenings, but for the next three weeks we won't, as Rick will be out in the hot San Antonio wilderness, sleeping with a gun under his pillow. That makes me a little nervous.
High: There are people around, so I can leave the house while the kids sleep. Yay for getting to go jog or run errands occasionally. Unfortunately, Everett always seems to want to wake up and have a party as soon as I go. This is how I found him one night at 10:30 p.m. (He's slept 8 hours the past 3 nights in a row though!!!)
Low: I do miss all our friends in Winston, and our cute and peaceful home, and having my own kitchen, and being able to walk to the park, the grocery store, the library, etc. etc. etc. I miss our 6 a.m. running group, and girls' nights, and playgroup, and much more! Being away has made me realize how much I love our little life there!
High: Reagan encourages me to get out of the house. We've been to the zoo, the pool, the park, and even the mall with all 5 kiddos. Without her I would never have the courage to take both boys on those outings!
We are having fun, but we can't wait to have our family back together!
Every night since Rick's been gone, I write him an email summarizing the day. He recently requested more pictures of the boys.
You asked for it, so here's what went on just today at the Dickson household.
We all played in the basement. Carson LOVES the basement. As soon as he wakes up in the morning, he asks to go to the "base." (said with his cute little lisp.) What kid wouldn't love a huge, unfinished basement where toys are all over the place?? Carson also discovered his pockets today. (See picture.) He kept saying "pah, pah," and I didn't realize until he tried to stuff some little toys in there that he was referring to his pant pocket. Later on, when he couldn't get the toys out, he simply removed his pants.
Carson took a little cup, pretended to fill it up with water from this faucet, and pretended to take a drink. Cute.
Everett watched all the goings-on with wide eyes. Lately I think he's alert enough to actually be entertained by all these little people.
Carson woke up from his nap, came downstairs and saw Reagan watching something on her laptop. You remember during the NBA finals, when Carson would wake up to see you watching the previous nights' highlights, and you would ask him if he wanted to watch "Kobe" with you? Well, Carson assumed that Reagan was also catching up on the latest Lakers game.
Everett hung out in his Bumbo for a bit. I felt badly for him that we left all our infant toys back at home, so I Craigslisted a Bumbo and a play mat for him.
And this is the play mat, in case you're interested.
Carson actually allowed me to be out of his presence for a few minutes, so I could make those yummy fajitas that we love so much. Here's my view from the kitchen window as I cook. He has been extra clingy since you left, but here's proof that he's can survive without me.
And a couple more videos of our cute boys. We love and miss you!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Here's the best looking Lieutenant the army's got, with one week of Officer Training Camp completed!!
Everett was actually blessed on Rick's birthday, May 17th. We were horrible parents and did not take a single picture the day of the blessing. These were taken in his blessing outfit last week!
Peanuts, anyone? (Don't worry; Carson kept them to himself.)
We are certainly enjoying the precious time we have left with Rick before he leaves for Officer Training Camp. We've had two blissful weeks with his full attention on US instead of school!
Our most fun family activity yet: strawberry picking!! We went last Monday, 6/1 to Clodbuster farms.
Everett hung out with me.
Rick did 99% of the work of the actual strawberry picking.
Carson had a GREAT time. There aren't too many activities that an 18-month-old can participate in and be successful with, but strawberry picking is a winner. He learned to peek under the leaves and find the bright red ones, and then ask me if the one he picked was ok to keep. He also frequently snuck a taste!
Yummmm.
And then, he spotted some farm equipment near the strawberry fields. This is when one of the tractors (a front-end loader??? I don't know!) started actually picking up dirt. He was mesmerized!!
Yesterday, my jogging buddies and I happened upon a wonderful little yard sale. We were just completing our 6.5 miler when we couldn't help but notice some people setting up some dangerously cute pieces of furniture in their driveway. We headed straight over, and found some keepers!
This hutch and table combo is my FAVORITE. It just needs a coat or two of paint. 25 smackers! I'm just not sure where to put it yet...
Carson got these little doggies for mere cents. He carried little Schnitzel around all day.
I got this old fashioned-looking Monopoly game, too. It has little wooden pieces for the houses and hotels. You can really play it! 5 bucks.
And finally, a pretty necklace and matching earrings. I'm usually not big on wearing accessories, but I always wish I was. 2 bucks sounded like good deal for this nice (brand new) set.
After all that yard sale shopping, I just had to go home and give my chubby little thing a bath. Mmmm, nothing like a clean, squishy baby.
