Daddy Daughter Double

This past Friday was the annual Fort Bragg Daddy Daughter Ball. This year, Jason took both Eva and Darby. They were so excited all week. Eva had her dress picked out several days before. Darby just wanted to dance!

After school they did their homework and wanted to get ready right away, even though Dad wouldn't be home for another hour. I put Darby's hair in a bun with some tendrils escaping around her face (SO cute) and Eva wanted a style too. I tried to curl it with the curling iron but her hair is like mine, stick straight. I was able to make a nice twisty style on the side with a clip, which she was happy about. I let them wear some clear lip gloss and have a spritz of perfume. They thought it was heavenly. Then I took pictures.

When Jason arrived home they buzzed around him excitedly waiting for him to get ready to go too. Darby saw him in his dress uniform and told him that he looked very handsome. :)

Jason will tell you all about the dance in a later post. Suffice it to say, they came home very happy and still super cute!

Talk Like a Pirate

Today, at the library, storytime had a pirate theme. There were a few pirate stories, songs and puppets. The librarians set up a ship with a "plank" the kids could walk. We made pirate hats and took pictures in the pirate ship. Paige enjoyed it. She's my only one at home all morning and we've been having lots of fun.

Primary Family Dance

For back to school, our ward's primary put on a family dance. Jason was out of town that weekend but I knew most of my kids would really enjoy it so I bravely took all 4 kids and we went. The Primary did a great job setting it up and planning a fun time. It was well attended too. Brendan was not excited to be there, but I knew he wouldn't be. It was loud and crowded. There were treats, however, and that was a small consolation for him. Eva, Darby and Paige had a blast dancing an playing games. Eva broke her glasses during the first dance and so I spent a bit fixing them. Then I got to join in the dancing too.

Paige defected to the Powell family and danced with them most of the time. Eva and Darby danced with me some and also danced with their friends.

There was a guess the song game that I told Brendan he would be really good at (because he's awesome at that kind of thing) but when he tried to participate it was too difficult for the judges to see that he had raised his hand first  amongst so many kids playing. His feelings were hurt and that started a spiral of a meltdown. He sat in the lobby. Later he went to get a few cookies and accidentally dropped them. That was the end of things for him. He became very touchy and agitated and started yelling at people. We left right before the last song.

All in all, I am glad we went. I should have known that Brendan would have needed something else to do and somewhere quiet to retreat to. Next time I will do better about being prepared. Well, live and learn, I guess.

Philly

Jason here. 

So the Army was good enough to send the endo residents to Philadelphia for a board examination review course. I liked it. I learned a lot. I won't talk about it because it's boring though. 

What I will talk about is Philly. Let me say first that I am not a fan of big towns. I have lived in several (Phoenix, San Francisco) and visited some other famous ones (London, Seattle). It's like if you have been to one, you have been to them all. Big buildings, lots of people, expensive shops, traffic, etc, etc. But Philly is different somehow, and I really liked it.

We flew in Thursday and since we had time to kill we went to the famous shop for cheesesteaks: Geno's. There is protocol for ordering a cheesesteak. #1 Tell the cashier what kind of cheese you want, usually cheese whiz, or just "wiz". #2 Inform the cashier whether or not you want onions with your sandwich or not "wit" or "wittout." Ordering can be as quick as "Wiz-wit" or "Wiz-wittout" and you hand over your 9 bucks and get a cheesesteak in return (cash only, and it's THAT quick). I did it wrong when I ordered "uh.... wiz .... wit... provolone" trying desperately to get it right pass for a local. Not a chance. 

"You ain't from around here are you. You telling me you want double cheese or something? Whiz AND Provolone???" "No ma'am... can I still get a cheesesteak or do I have to go back to the end of the line." She shook her head, took my money, and handed over my sandwich while everyone laughed at me. I sat down, put on my dunce hat, and enjoyed an amazing culinary experience in the heart of Philadelphia. I must say though that the sandwich itself was a bit chewier than I expected. Not bad, just different.  

Then we went to Independence Hall. My fellow residents were not aware of the importance of this place. "Oh... no big deal... just the place where arguably the most important political documents in the history of mankind were developed and signed, that's all." It's sacred ground and I loved it. 

Liberty Bell. It was awesome to see these symbols of freedom on the anniversary of 9-11. 

On the way home we took a wrong turn and ended up in New Jersey after we crossed the Delaware. On the way home we even interacted with the famed New Jersey Turnpike workers. She was actually kind of nice, unfortunately.

Ah... Philadelphia Town Hall. Amazing place.

In this courtyard there was a guy playing the violin and, well, "drawling Asian-style" is the best way to describe it. It was a nice cool evening, and the acoustics were great, and he played a few of my favorite songs including the Ashokan Farewell and The Sound of Silence. It was sublime and I could have stayed longer if we didn't have to go eat dinner. 

Great statue for a guy who doesn't deserve a great statue, General McClellan.

Washington Monument. Now THAT'S a guy who deserves all the monuments he gets. 

View from the top of the Rocky Steps (Phila Art Museum). 

Iconic Rocky pose. 

So after 3 days of sitting in lectures and evenings seeing the sights, I was ready for home as I always am after being away for any length of time. I am a homebody to the core I guess. I would sure love to come back with Christine and the kiddos sometime though. 

My Birthday

Dad here.

So today was my 35 birthday. Christine surprised me with a "21 Tie Salute." A box of big fat polyester ties that I love so much. It was a lot of fun to sort through them and admire her looks of disgust at horrendous vintage ties that she probably regretted getting me. There are some really awesome ties in there.

Then we had church, which was nice, and then home. I got a nap in and have been getting periodic messages from old and new friends which is nice.

Then... dinner. Christine made her amazing Tikki Masala, a spicy Indian chicken dish that I love. Then we had apple pie a la mode, my favorite.

Its been good. Time is softly, sweetly passing by.

Another First

Darby started preschool the day after Labor Day. She has been looking forward to this for years as it is the same preschool that her siblings went to. She has been wanting Ms. Rakia to be her teacher forever.

 On Tuesday she was very excited but, I think, also nervous. She did just wonderfully at school and is a very good helper and listener. I think it will be a good year for her.

I get to spend half the day with this little imp now. Its pretty great.

The Eye Doctor

There is a pediatric ophthalmologist in our ward and his wife happens to be a friend of mine. I haven't taken Paige for an eye appointment yet because I was pretty sure she wouldn't follow instructions and they wouldn't be able to get good readings. Well, Dr. Ballard told me that little ones were his "bread and butter" and that he'd love to see her.

I wasn't sure how it would go but Paige was an amazing patient. He even tried a few tests that he usually doesn't do with kids so young because she was so well behaved. When it came time for the eye drops I thought she would hate them and squirm. Nope. She just laid there and blinked. The nurse was impressed. I was too. She got a clean bill of health for her peepers and an appointment to see him again in a year.

After the appointment she was bothered by her eyes being dilated. But she enjoyed her new "shades".