Happy Birthday Ella

   Wow - Time certainly does fly!  Ella turned 6 this week!!  (we will party and celebrate next weekend, once the school year officially ends and I have time to breath again.)  However, the birthday news doesn't end there - she also lost her first tooth on the evening of her birthday!  Talk about excitement!  Well... not initially since she was fearful of what it would feel like to pull out a tooth that was hanging on by one thread.  She was an emotional roller coaster until it finally was popped out by Dad, with very little effort.  Her nervous giggle and "That's it?" was priceless!  
   I thought it was all over and done with, and onto waiting for the Tooth Fairy to arrive, until I was tucking her that night.  She tearfully looked up at me and said, "Mom, I'm not ready to die."  I told her she had more time here until those worries should even fill her head.  She then explained that if her teeth are falling out, she is getting old, and old people die.  Poor kiddo wears the weight of the world on shoulders with each new change in life!  I assured her that losing teeth was not a sign of near death, but a sign of growing up, and becoming a big kid.  I reminded her that her great grandfather that passed this year was in his 90's and he lost his teeth when he was 6 too... and look - he was here over 85 years after losing his first tooth.  She giggled and I watched her worries disappear.  
   It is easy to think that all milestones in life are exciting, but through the eyes of a 6 year old, some of those milestones are absolutely terrifying!  That is... until someone takes the time to explain them and put them into perspective.


   I will post some pics this week of her new smile - once I log on to the desktop and upload the camera.  I know if I head downstairs right now, my report cards are never getting written and my end of year paperwork  will begin to lag behind.  This last week of school is not the time to add more pressure to my already chaotic schedule!  =)

Show and Tell

So this post only seems fit to title Show and Tell.  Let this be our way of showing you how special our Troops are, oversea, fighting for the American way.  These braves souls take the time to keep our small family full of smiles and giggles.  The kids get so excited to see new pictures arrive.... and wait until you see the special photos at the end that were sent for Ella.  (I do believe she is probably sound asleep upstairs still grinning ear to ear that the photos have her name in them! Too cute and truly a memory she will never forget!)

Smiles all around!

Here is our most recent heart warming letter from Tino.   

Thank you and I hope you all enjoy the holiday.Once again, the Adams family did it and put a smile on our faces. Thank you for everything. The boys loved it all, especially the beef jerky, crackers, drink mix and the magazines. The day we received your care packages, we went out on a mission and it wasn't the best mission. We all came back and wasn't in the best mood until we open the packages. As much as we love to get care packages from the # 1 family in Ohio, the kids drawings are what we love the most. The boys told me to please tell the kids thank you for the drawing, because it put a smile on their faces. We love them all, but Lincoln picture really gave us a good laugh with soldiers that have long hair. LOL. I took some pictures of the boys holding up the children drawings, but unfortunately I'm on a government computer and I'm not allowed to connect any form of USB device. When I get a chance to go on my personal computer I'll send them and you'll see the smile those pictures put on our faces. THANK YOU ADAMS FAMILY FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.

Needless to say the kids were beaming ear to ear.  Linc even exclaimed, "He knows my name?  I didn't know he knows my name!"  LOL  Our June box is underway and so guess what our troop has been busy producing - yep.... oodles of artwork!  

Memorial Day

Here are some photos from our morning enjoyment of the parade.  The kids had their Halloween buckets ready for candy collection.  As we drove to the parade, we reminded them that this was not a just candy parade, but rather a parade to thank, celebrate, and remember all the brave men and women fighting for our freedom and safety.  They immediately asked, "Like Tino?"  YES!  Just like our Marine, Tino.  Finally a connection - yes we get the day off and yes we love the time together, but Memorial Day finally had an authentic reason in their eyes.

So, we arrived home with all 3 buckets full of candy.  They were each allowed to pick out one piece of candy.  Then Mike suggested sending it to Tino and his platoon.  Shockingly, we didn't get a single refusal.  The kids happily filled a bag of candy, and we started a new box to ship out.  The placed some new artistic masterpieces in the box and we will fill it will odds and ends as the week progresses.


Wow... talk about a message hitting home - we had great family time together, the kids realized truly what Memorial Day is about, and they selflessly shared what is typically gold to them!  

Thank you God for the sweet blessings you have placed in our care!  We are doing our best to Shepard them, and in turn, they are teaching us more than we ever imagined humanly possible!  

Adams' Backyard Circus

A few days ago I was able to share a story of Ella's Fleas.  Today, I get to share the story of the Adams Backyard Circus!  You see, I think I can take this show on the road... all thanks to Lexi.  It was her creative mind that decided that Bubble Wands make amazing circus props - for her Toad Circus!  Yes, you read correctly - Lexi trained some toads this weekend to hop through the bubble wands as the kids cheered them on!

Childhood can be so magical when one takes the time and patience to let kids be kids and entertain themselves with the best resources - Mother Nature and a few small toys laying around the backyard.

Remember, you read it here first - toads are trainable and they are amazing hoop hoppers.  It is only a matter of time till they discover that magnifying glasses can start small fires.  Mr. Toad will be jumping through flaming hoops in a few years!   HaHa (Long live Evil Knievel.)