Toddler Yoga

Med Dynasty

In the military there are many rigid, boring, traditional social events.  For example, a "dining in" is a very formal military ceremony that includes dinner, toasts, drinking, and strict rules of etiquette.  It is also important to note that only service members are allowed to attend.  No spouses or family members are permitted.  

Having said that, I attended my very first "mock dining in."  It is a tradition put together by military spouses to mock the formalities of the traditional dining in and to have loads of fun.  Oh yeah, and no service members allowed ;0)

It a huge competition between all the units on post, so we are all judged, points are given and taken away, and a winner is chosen.  Each unit comes up with a theme.  The tables are decorated to match the theme and everyone comes up with a costume to match.  There are games, crazy toasts, and silly rules of etiquette (i.e No one is to mention their spouses, children, deployments, or pregnancies.).

Since Jimmy is part of a medical unit, BACH MEDDAC, we went with the theme Med Dynasty.  Of course, playing off of the reality series Duck Dynasty, combined with medicine.  Coming into the group, I was at a huge disadvantage since I had never seen the show.  However, it didn't take long for me to get the general idea of the look we were going for, ha ha.

I wish I had taken more pictures of the other tables and spouses!!  Sadly, most of the pictures I took were silly selfies and a few group shots.  

Everyone was so creative!  A few examples of other themes were Breakfast at Tiffany's, Despicable Me's Minions, Flappers, Mad Men, football, Grease, and a moving company.  It was such a great experience and I was so happy to be a part of it.

This was our unit's first year to participate.  Unfortunately, we didn't win, but we are totally going to rock it out next year.  We are already making plans and brainstorming for a good theme!

Hospital + Duck Dynasty = Med Dynasty

MEDDAC Spouses & our guidon (unit flag)

One of our spouses getting attacked by other spouses from the moving company!

Bouncy Playtime X2

We were lucky enough to go to Zig Zag Bouncers twice during the long MLK weekend!  I met up with a friend there on Friday and then just by coincidence, my playgroup met there on Monday.  Obviously, the kids didn't mind because they love going there.

However, we had a special visitor during our second visit.  Elmo!  Alex was completely smitten.  Elmo was there for about 30 minutes and Alex was right by his side the whole time.  It was very sweet.  

Two Cool

I know every parent says it on their child's birthday, but....

I can't believe Alex is two years old.  It has been slowly sinking in, but today it felt real.  Someone asked me how old he was.  I hesitated for a moment, but then I said it.  "He's two."

It's official.  We updated his door with the #2

Alex is still definitely a mamma's boy.  In his defense, it's totally my fault.  I do admit to babying him.  I just can't help it because, well, he IS my baby!  As much as I hate to confess it, he is still nursing.  He only nurses once or twice a day and I'm totally fine with it.  We will continue until one of us gets sick of it, ha ha.

Alex is such a sweet and loving little boy.  He gives the best hugs because he pulls you in so tight and pats your back.  He always kisses on the lips, and has the freaking cutest dimple on his left cheek.  He has the most contagious deep giggle and once he gets going, it's hard to get him to stop.

Like most boys his age, he's really into dinosaurs, trains, cars, helicopters, planes, robots, boats, and anything construction related.  He loves to roughhouse, destroy things, run, jump, and screams for the sake of screaming.  However, because of Mimi's influence, he can also correctly identify every single Disney Princess, set up a proper tea party, and walk in heels.  He's a well rounded kind of kid.

He is pretty much talking non-stop at this point, but my absolute favorite thing he says is "cool."  He uses it so perfectly and he's just so casual about it when he says it.  I love it.  For example, he'll make a huge Lego tower, step back to admire it and just say "cooooool" while nodding his head like a old dude bra living in Hawaii.  

I would also describe Alex as shy.  Most times, he gets nervous around new people.  He pretends not to see them or closes his eyes and pulls me close.  He usually hangs around me for a while and then slowly warms up to new environments and people.  However, once he gets comfortable, he's back to his usual crazy self.

Alex is growing up so fast.  His personality is really starting to blossom and I'm so excited to see what type of person he will grow into.  Happy birthday Alex!

Alex is TWO

We already had lots of special celebrations for Alex's birthday before Jimmy left for training.  On the day of his actual birthday, Jimmy was gone, but I still wanted to make my two year old feel special.  

We met up with an old friend and her kids at a bouncy house play area.  Later, we went out for lunch, cuddled and watched movies at home, and then at dinner time I gave Alex (and Mimi) lots of Oreos ;0)   It was a good day!  Best of all, Alex was happy and that's all that matters!   

A few gifts from family

Reading to Baby Bro (videos)

Again... Mine...One More Time...

I'm so surprised this didn't end in a fight!

Stuck Inside

With wind chills at -16 degrees, we were stuck inside for several days.  Schools were closed and it was too bitterly cold for us to go outside.

Mimi's fort bed

Play Doh

I personally HATE everything about Play Doh.  It's usually reserved for playtime with daddy or the babysitter.  I was desperate for a time filler...

Burning off some energy

Busted/frozen water pipe in our cul de sac = hours of entertainment right outside our window!

Too lazy to cook dinner... took a trip to the BK drive thru

Face-time bed jumping with daddy

Rolling each other around in the laundry basket.  

Car train

I think we did our toddler yoga DVD at least three time a day. (Note to self, get more toddler exercise DVDs!)

Tree pose, ON the bus.  I am impressed!

Is it Spring Yet?

Jimmy traveled to San Antonio, TX to attend the Captain's Career Course at Fort Sam Houston.  The course is ten weeks long, so he will return in the Spring.  

This will be the first time Jimmy has left for more than a week since we've had two children.  It's sad because he will miss so much.  The kids grow and change every day. We will miss him so much and our day to day routine will not be the same.  

We've been doing our best to explain to the kids where and why daddy is gone, but they are still confused about so many things.  Thank goodness we have Face-time, texting and phone calls to keep in touch.  We also plan to meet in Little Rock, AR (halfway between San Antonio and Clarksville)  for a few visits.

Suitcase rides are fun

 

Bye :(