wordless Wednesday: Crafting Clothes for Disney!

A Day of Closure

Last Friday was a emotional overwhelming day of closure. All in one day we had Brady’s end of year preschool activities, last day of ballet and we had to say good-bye to the best next door neighbors we have ever had.

 

The preschool end of the year program was very sweet. The class sang several songs in English, Sign Language, German and Spanish. The graduating kindergarteners did a variety show and received their certificates of completion. I got emotional because Brady will be moving in the middle of her kindergarten year and will miss this event by mere months. One of those downsides of military life.

Meanwhile during this hour and fifteen minute program, Reese was an angel and did ‘work’ the entire time. She kept asking for more work to do!!! I am so excited we decided to place her in the school next year too.

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised as the teachers recognized me (and a few other parents) for my volunteer work. It feels good to be thanked!

I am smiling so big in this picture because I had just looked over at Brady and she was VERY proud to have her mommy be one of the four recognized. I love seeing that sense of pride on her face.

 

After a ‘feast’ at the school to celebrate we hurried home to give hugs to our dear friends that are moving to CA. We wish them the best of luck as the Navy brings them to their next step in life! Yes, they have two dachshunds just like us.

 

Then that night, with me being emotionally exhausted, it was off to ballet one more time this year. Not many girls showed up so I decided to sit in to watch the class. There is no lobby and parents aren’t allowed in the classroom, but I thought they would allow an exception with low attendance and the closing of the year. a couple of other moms followed suit and stayed in there. Well about 10 minutes into class the teacher invited us to join our daughters and what a blast it was! Then for the end of class she handed out home made chocolate covered strawberries…YUM!!!

Copy Cat

For Brady’s recital (I know I know I still need to blog about it) gift I bought her a dance styled outfit with cute t-shirt, tutu and leg warmers. Well the leg warmers were such a hit that Grandma bought two more pairs.

 

Well it turns out that Reese ended up falling in love with them. Reese had put on a pair for the second day in a row (all on her own). I was telling Brady how ballerinas use them and googled some images to show her. We came upon this picture:

 

 

Unlike most other pictures, these leg warmers were bright colorful and striped, just like the pair Reese had put on earlier. After looking at a few more pictures, all in several poses, I closed the computer and went about my way. Then I turned around to see Reese like this:

 

Somebody is very eager to be a ballerina. She thinks it is was too long until she is three and a half!!!!

Wordless (kinda) Wednesday: Our Little Princesses (for you Dad)

Playing Cinderella: Yes it gets them to help around the house

 

Rapunzel

Ariel dress, but to her more likely Princess Kate (yes a real princess)

Who does this glass slipper fit?

climbing Rapunzel’s hair

Prince Charming

Wordless Wednesday: Where will you be Staying at the End of August?

Yep, we will be in Cinderella’s backyard!

Sandwich Maker

So one day a little bit ago, Brady had had a rough day. Lots of redirection was needed. So by dinner I was I done. It was a night Karl was gone with a night flight and I had already started a simple meal for the girls to eat. Well after I announced the pasta would be ready soon, Brady proclaimed “but I want a turkey sandwich".” Normally I would say you have to eat want mommy fixes. But for some reason I said “then make it"!

 

100% by herself she did just that. Here is her result.

 

 

I will say that made me completely forget about the tough day we had and brought smiles to my face. That is why I love being a mom, you kid can snap you right out of a bad mood that they put you in!

Orthnerisms…long overdue

Bradyisms:

 

“Mom, there is a meatball in my leg”  What? I look back at her playing with her knee cap. “Mom, right here”

 

 

B comes up and kisses my belly while I am sitting. I thank her for the kiss but ask why kiss my belly. She states “it looks like you have a baby in your belly” then continues to pat and kiss it until I stand up….UGH

 

Reesism:

 

I was calling out for Reese to come to me so I could put on her shoes. After a short wait, she rounds the corner and proclaims “Here I am, I found me!”

 

I have always called people who do some silly, goofy. i.e. “Why are you being so goofy?” Well now that I have the girls watching Mickey Mouse in prep for our August trip to disney, if I call Reese goofy she says “ I’m not Goofy, I’m Ickey Mouse”

Navy Life = lots of Good-byes

One of the truths about living a life of the military is lots and lots of good-byes.

 

Besides all the good-byes you have when you move every three years, there are all the in between ones that happen randomly. In each new city I tend to befriend those with similar life style (don’t we all). Well that means I have almost exclusively military spouses for friends here in Pensacola.

 

My next door neighbors, Jeff and Danielle, were the very first faces to greet us here in Pensacola. We pulled into the driveway of our new house as they were pulling in from their Christmas vacation. Their warm welcome made me think, I can handle this move and I will enjoy myself here (I hadn’t been thinking that). We have learned since that they are some of the most generous and caring people we have ever known.

 

Well, we are going to have to say farewell to them in a couple weeks, and we as a whole family are VERY sad about that! We recently enjoyed a lovely Chick-fil-a meal with Danielle and feed some nearby ducks too.

 

I know you will enjoy this picture story. The girls were PUMPED about the feeding ducks when we mentioned it, so we loaded up with cereal and bread. When we pulled up and opened our van doors the mass congregated. That excitement soon turned to nerves as the girls saw this!

Reese decided staying in her car seat was the best bet, while Brady took the approach of being 18 inches off the ground.

When Reese saw the fun to be had, she got really adventurous and threw some bread…

…that landed in the car!

Brady meanwhile to step down with Danielle and give it a try up close.

She even fed those in the water, including the turtles.

After much observation, Reese realized there was nothing to worry about and joined in on the fun!

We even saw some babies…

…threw them some bread (see it in the air?)….

…that they nibbled on!!!!

 

DANIELE AND JEFF WE WILL MISS YOU!!! :`(

Diaper free

Just wanted to shout from the roof top that for about a week now we here in Orthner household are 100% diaper/pull up free day AND night!!!! It has almost been four years straight of those lovely money eating undergarments but to them I say see you later alligator!

Little Girls, big Hearts

I LOVE this parenting thing. I have recently learned that my little girls have a compassionate heart that is larger then life. They say in psych classes that at 2 or 3 years old that their thought process revolves around their individual world. I have learned differently.

 

For this story, remember I have two ‘mama’s girls’ that are starting to turn the corner on how awesome daddy is now that he isn’t deploying! When Karl dropped us off the airport for our 10 day NC/VA trip, I went through security and then straight to the food line (surprised anyone?). I was searching the menu for appropriate food for the little ones, when I look down at Brady. I saw sweet little puppy eyes, trying really hard not to let the tears boil over. When I asked her what was wrong. I got the response that she wanted Daddy to come with us. She gave him a call to say she missed him, before he could even get back in the car at the parking deck.

 

Time lapse 3 weeks forward. I went to wake her up for preschool this morning. She was mumbling “daddy” over and over. When she finally opened her eyes, she was QUITE upset to see me. I got the same pitiful look that I did at the airport. She wanted daddy not to be at work and wanted him to wake her. You know, this made me happy, ironically. The girls finally see how AWESOME their daddy is.

 

Now for Reese’s large heart. Today Dewy had yet another GI problem (details left out here). I had to drop Dewy off at the vet midday to be treated. I explained to the girls Dewy was sick and needed to stay there at the doctor to get better. As we were walking out, Reese starts whining that “I want to bring Dewy home at daylight”. She didn’t want to leave him there and I had to really talk her down before I could leave to go home.

 

I love these girls of mine!

Wordless Wednesday: Mothers’ Day Fun

Happy Mothers’ Day

My friend Tara gave me this idea and I just couldn’t resist seeing what potential answers I would get.

 

For reference, when she says I am good at cutting, she told me afterwards that meant I was good at cutting coupons

 

I tried with Reese, but every answer was I don’t know.

Whirlwind trip

The girls and I traveled for ten days last week and visited four different cities. Yep, that is a lot of switching beds and packing. The girls did amazingly well with all the transition. As you scroll through all the photos that show the fun we had you will see why we had a blast!

 

Easter Celebration: first piece of business, dying eggs.

The Easter brought lots of goodies and hid all the dyed eggs plus some eggs with playdoh inside.

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All the DeWees crew got together for Brunch at the one of the girls’ favorite restaurants: IHOP. Like the pun?

Then off to shop at Kroger. Brady remembered about the kid sized carts and requested to shop here when she found out about our trip to NC. There was the added bonus of self check out.

Next, to Aunite Andi and Uncle Danny’s place to make pizzas. Yep, we are still in the first 24 hours….

Celebrated Jason’s birthday with a cake made by the girls. Like the giant oreo?

Uncle Danny REALLY wanted to do this, so I said OK and he wasn’t let down by the response.

After the birthday celebration, time to Rock Band and shoot off fireworks.

Grandma got in cuddle time with both girls.

Before we headed to VA, we stopped by to see my good college buddies and all their kids. I got to meet Kathy’s little girl for the first time and she is a CUTIE!

Then

One thing I did notice was Brady’s love for little babies. She loved interacting with all the one year olds.

Now in Williamsburg, VA to do one of our favorite things. SMELL CANDLES!

and play in pretend snow at the Yankee Candle store

One on One time with GP

Planted flowers, this activity lead to the exciting tick in the belly button incident. 

Brady and Reese frolicking in the newly and beautifully landscaped backyard.

Paint your own pottery: The girls painted their initial and a hand print plate.

Back in NC, and off the Chuck E Cheese

Another day another fun packed activity: MONKY JOE’S

Flying the kites Beppa gave the girls

dipping toes in the creek after all that hard work

Brady took class at my old dance studio. She loves ballet.

Caddie bought the girls a golf bag. He said he is investing in their future. Brady would hit the ball and then run the bases.

Brady’s collection of flowers she claimed to be her wedding flowers.

Just a cute shot of Reese

Caddie showing us his Koi fish.

And of course we hit up the playground.

This picture is proof that crayola needs to rethink its colored bubbles.