Gift # 124- Josh's Birthday- Again!

Today we celebrated Josh's birthday for the 3rd time!  What a lucky kid.  We celebrated with Hank in Okinawa a few days before the big day.  We celebrated again on Josh's actual birthday.  And today, we celebrated with Josh's classmates!  This was Josh's first-ever party with friends from school!  Josh shared the party with his friend and classmate Riley Gordon.  Riley's mom and I were friends and neighbors in Beaufort and our kids were born just 3 days apart. We never imagined that we would be here in Japan 10 years later celebrating together.  The Marine Corp has a way of turning friends into family.  What a gift!

 Josh and Macy relaxing.

 Water Balloon Fight!  It took Colleen and I two days to fill those water balloons and they were gone in 2 minutes!  :0)

Having fun on the bounce house even after it is deflated!

Gift #123- Little Reminders That They are Still so Little

Sometimes I forget that the kids are still so little.  I love that Sam "do not like spider" and that he feels special because he has "lots of friends"!  He does!  I love that Macy's favorite food is "watermelon snocone" and that she "do not like snaks" (snakes).  I love these little reminders that they are still so very little.  Sometimes I wish that I could lasso the days.

Gift #122- A Boy Who Can Grill!

Even while Hank is away, we can enjoy burgers on the grill.  Hank taught Jack how to use the charcoal grill.  Jack was a quick study and makes a mean cheese burger!

Gift #121- Underoos

Folding laundry has never been one of my favorite things to do.  But folding these tiny Phinneas and Ferb underoos always makes me smile.  

Gift #120- Back to School

The kids first day was a big success.  All of the them have wonderful teachers and plenty of friends from last year in their classes.  It is going to be a great year!

Gift #119- Josh

Today is Josh's 10th birthday!  He asked for fried donuts for breakfast.  And of course, in true Josh fashion, he wanted them in bed!  ;0)  After school, Hank took him to get his official Military ID card!  Now Josh is free to go to the pool and the movies all by himself.  That little ID card brings a lot of freedom and he is very excited.  We had JD's Grille for dinner and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Cake for dessert.  I can't believe that my little Joshy is 10!

 Making a Wish!

 Josh's new Hat!  He tried to wear it to bed!

 Let the neighborhood Nerf Wars begin!  We are ready!

Josh's New Ride!

Gift #118- Licking the Spoon

There is nothing better than raw chocolate chip cookie dough right off of the beater.  My siblings and I used to fight over who got the beaters.  Since there were five of us, my mom really had to get creative.  The Thomas kids have the same fight.  Sam called this one.  But Jack and Macy got a spoon, and Josh got the bowl.  Everybody wins with chocolate chip cookies.

Sam has come down from his sugar high and is sleeping soundly.  Tomorrow is our first day of school. The kids are excited but a little nervous.  Say a little prayer for calm hearts on their first day.