Friday, November 30, 2012

Rainy Day

Getting used to the weird weather here...kind of. During the summer its blazing hot and the winter its chilly and wet.
The rain brought out all the snails. There are little snails everywhere! You can hardly walk on the side walk without stepping on the them.

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Alison is pointing one out.

Ali wanted to wear her Superman cape outside. Even though there was a bit of drizzly rain Alison was getting too cooped up in the apartment for us not to spend a little time outside.

Alison splashed in the puddle with her rain boots.
She was not happy when the rain started to pick up and we had to go in, she wanted to stay outside and play. I really miss having a backyard and California sunshine.

Night time is when mommy and Ethan get to hang out a little. Alison and daddy are in bed and Ethan is wide awake!

My little man! 

Night time is also when I get a lot of work done.
I did all the prep work that I could to get ready for Alison's birthday party including making the cake!
Alison wanted a pink cake so I made her a big 4 layer pink cake.

I also finally attached the ribbon to the back of her birthday crown.
I am excited to see if she likes it tomorrow.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Look Who's 3!

I can hardly believe that 3 years ago our wonderful daughter Alison came into this big big world and made it a bit more beautiful and a lot more interesting!

After a big birthday breakfast, we got down all the wonderful presents our family sent.

Amazing! A musical card.
 Alison thought it was pretty neat and sang with it a couple times before opening her gifts

Alison was trying to open the present without ripping the paper, once I realized this I assured her that she was supposed to rip the paper and she tore in!

"Can I wear it?"

books!
Of course a farm book from Boompa and Baba!

"Uncle Justin sent you a beautiful basket"
I about died laughing when she said that. 
I honestly believe that she would have been happy if that really was all he sent.

Which made it even all the more exciting when she opened it and found a pretty tin tea set

Time to play!

Alison got her first set of paper dolls from Great Grandma and Grandpa! She LOVES them. They have magnet strips on the dresses so instead of folding little bits of paper you have a much sturdier chipboard dress that "magically" sticks to the doll.
Alison has a fairy tale book with a princess named "Kinderella" so that's what she kept calling her.


After tea party and paper doll playing it was time for some reading!
Someone's Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Frank knows how much she likes Dr. Seuss!

And then cake! We were able to Skype with daddy and we sang happy birthday to Alison.

make a wish!

Alison enjoyed picking the sprinkles off the cake and eating them individually.

I asked Alison what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said she wanted to go to the library and the bakery. So off we went to check out some books!

Little brother had a good time watching big sister read.

The library (this was on base) was displaying some beautiful quilts done by ladies in a quilting club at one of the American churches.

We stopped by the post office on the way home and birthday girl Alison and little brother Ethan got some wonderful gifts! 
This is a painting was done by GG Rooney for Ethan, notice the little "E" on the flag? We absolutely love it! She also wrote Ethan a note that made me a little misty eyes it was so thoughtful and kind.

Alison fell in love with her Princess dress from Grandpa and Grammy!
I promised her she could wear it to church.

Amazing!! 
This was Alison's card from GG Rooney!
Alison knew it was her right off and I moved it into the hutch to be displayed and kept safe till we can put it in a little frame.

 Thank you for the wonderful gifts!
A special night time birthday gift from daddy.
He got her this superman pajama set, a batman one (both with Velcro capes), a Curious George pajama and a couple footie pajamas. They are all a bit big so she will be able to wear them for quite a while.  

Happy Birthday Big Sister!





Wednesday, November 28, 2012

At the Commisary

Alison and Buddy helping mommy shop at the grocery store.

Little bag of potatoes $9.49! My neighbors tell me that potatoes will get up to $12 a bag.....Okinawa life.

Last day of Alison being 2 years old.

"When I have said my evening prayer,
And my clothes are folded on the chair,
And mother switches off the light,
I'll still be 2 years old tonight.

But from the very break of day,
Before the children rise and play,
Before the darkness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I'll be 3 years old.

3 kisses when I wake,
3 candles on my cake."



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Big Day!

Ethan sporting the cowboy shirt his Grandma Benita made for him.

 On the way to the 100 yen store to look around with our friend Crystal!
 After we did a little shopping with Crystal and her son we went home and stopped to play for a bit on the playground. The weather is getting a little chilly so sweaters and light jackets are being pulled out.
At the 100 yen store I got a set of little wood garden stakes, a flower, a ladybug and a bumble bee!
(100 yen is about the same as a $1)
 
 The kids were tuckered out after a busy day of shopping and play.



Even Alison!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Friends and a Barn

We had a couple friends come over today. Jen, her son Abe and Kayla and her daughter Audrey.
 The adorable Abe
 Kayla with her daughter and Ethan...can you believe there is only 3 weeks between these two little babies?

 Adorable sleepy Audrey

 Alison got her big birthday present today! Daddy is going to be gone on her actual birthday and he wanted to see how she liked her new barn.
She really likes it!