Forever Friends

I think the only thing I didn't like about being a military wife was whenever there was a family get together, I felt really left out. I really can't complain since I made some life long friends in my 19 years of dependent life...especially when Greg went to Test Pilot School. I remember the Commander's Wife giving the wive's a pep talk about the life long friends we would make while we were there. (I thought she was trying to soothe the women that had their first glimpse of Edwards and were trying to leave ASAP.) It really was true, life long friends who would walk through fire for you, no questions asked. All the Test Pilot students lived on one street, this had its good points and bad points...great impromptu get togethers but you could also hear everything in your neighbor's house...one night one of my pregnant friends jumped out of bed with a leg cramp accompanied with a scream of pain and the neighbor's husband woke up his wife and sent her over because he thought she was in labor. Very close quarters. You knew who was fighting and who was making up...But I did get my life long friends who are there...no matter what.

Un-neighborly Neighbors

Today, I got to watch a neighbor I have never seen before pitch a fit when his key card didn't work at the pool...he tried tearing the gate apart...definitely has some anger issues. I was going to let him in with my card but when I told him he wouldn't be able to get out, he replied he would simply break the lock, I took a sit and passed. The key cards document the time and user everytime it is used, I didn't want to be responsible for the broken lock...then my very slow brain engaged and I figured out that his card probably didn't work because he probably had not paid his HOA fees. I am really slow...my quick minded pistol packing girlfriend was dialing the police when he decided he would leave (while squealing his tires out of the parking lot, oh, and did I mention he had his pre-teen daughter with him?) It never dawned on me to call the police...I did figure out the guy was nuts enough to vandalize and trespass but that was as far as my mind processed the unturning of events.

Shortly before this wild experience, a teenage girl pulled up trying to get in the pool...claiming she had been at school and didn't know you need a key to get into the pool. My 5 year old knows this...You also have to pay for the key card ($25) and pay homeowner association fees, her parents should know this...I passed on letting her in also.

Then, we had the Domino's Pizza driver who was tasked to put coupons in the neighborhood mailboxes...he handed me the stack and drove off into the sunset. I knew those coupons would blow directly into the pool...being ever resourceful, I filled my empty water bottle using the pool and used it for a paper weight. (I sure hope no one gets thirsty and takes a drink from that bottle...)

And this is only May...

My Little Mermaid

Yesterday, the Stay at Home Wenches took their little Biblically named children to the pool for an afternoon of fun in frigid water...hey, they asked for it. The rain was kind enough to stay away and boy, did we have an interesting afternoon filled with not so delightful characters (more on that later).

After a few hours at the pool, it was time to take my little people to swim class. I was sure H and M would fall asleep. Imagine my surprise when H swam lap after lap after lap for 45 minutes. The Advanced Beginner Class had to be tested to swim one lap of the pool. My little mermaid would accompany each swimmer for their lap. She would swim next to them and shortly before getting to the end of the lap, leave the swimmer in the dust...and when the other swimmer would pop out of the pool, she would turn around and swim back. Where does she get all that energy?

Today, we will be going back to the neighborhood pool...a place where the Little Mermaid is happiest.

Did I mention that when my little mermaid started swim class, she had to be soothed and consoled because she would cry and cry and scream "Mommy" in a way that would break any mother's heart within hearing range? (This mommy had to have an internal debate...is it cruel to continue with the swim class or wise since our neighborhood has a swimming pool and this is a safety issue? I went with safety and now I have my own little Darryl Hannah, how appropriate)

Treasure

Tonight H screamed at the top of her voice...I thought something was wrong, but no, she saw a rainbow outside her window. Ah, to have such joy again. M insisted there was treasure at the end of the rainbow. Ah, to have such faith. It is too bad life robs us of this...I am blessed to see life through their eyes.

(The good picture of the kids doesn't show the rainbow really well and the one of the rainbow isn't good of the kids BUT it does show my treasure at the end of the rainbow!)

Dance Recital - "LIFE"

Just a few pictures to show you what an amazing little star H is! Hair and makeup provided by Big Sister. And, of course, a few pictures of her biggest fans.

This year's theme for the recital, LIFE magazine covers. The nurses costume for the famous sailor/nurse kiss on Victory Day, music "In the Mood." The tap dance was "Pennies from Heaven" for the stock market cover on June 8, 1962. Finale was a latin theme. H was able to participate in finale this year because she had perfect attendance. She got to dance with the big girls...very exciting.

I would like to add, H struck all these poses on her own...I am not sure where she gets this talent from...if she took after her mom, she would be standing with her arms hanging limply by her sides in a very uninspired pose.

End of the School Year

Inflatables and a little crafting created the fun for H's party. One of the grandparents hosted the get together...it was the perfect location....near the school, out in the country, plenty of space and it even had a pool house for those who didn't feel like standing in the sun for 6 hours.

Little M had some fun at Jump Zone (Indoor Building full of Inflatables). There games and pizza to round out the PreK extravaganza.

3 Minutes

I have 3 minutes to add something new to my blog...2 minutes 30 seconds if you subtract tea sipping time.

It is a crazy week. My house looks like a toy factory/sandbox exploded in it. It is the last week of school, a party for H, a party for M, dance lessons, swim lessons, dentist appointments (I scheduled this 6 months ago thinking the last week of school was next week, silly me.) Recital on Saturday, dress rehearsal on Friday, the weekend had class to teach the finale dance...blah blah blah.

I need to remember there is a grad Open House before the recital, I need to remember to get a gift, the old standard Starbucks Card is out since the girl works at Starbucks. Barnes and Noble moved so it is out of my normal radius...what to do?

Oops! Time's up. Happy Crazy May to you.

PS The sand in my house is from the neighbor's new sandbox that my kids love...it just sticks to my floor like glue...I was told by a different neighbor they used the wrong sand...explaining why I have cement looking footprints in addition to the grains of sand.