So grown up...

I wish I would have taken my camera to our park visit today but, I didn't think we needed any more park pictures just yet. But, there was a little boy of about 9 years old that came over to the park with his little brother. I noticed that he was really into his brother and played with him but, then I started to pay attention a little more and I started to get a little sad. They both came over to the bench where I was sitting and I heard the older boy say to his little brother "Go ahead and play but dont be too rough". Then he turns to me and in this adult vocabulary says "He can get a little rough at times. He's only three but he thinks he's 10". It was so cute in his very strong country accent and I couldn't do anything but smile. I started to wonder what his home life must be like for him to be acting that way. Is he just a really good big brother or, does he take over for the man in the house if his dad is gone too much? Around here, thats very likely. A lot of the guys are on subs and they are gone ALL the time! Or, maybe his mom is the one who is in the military and thats why he was drawn to talking to me? As I got the kids together to go home he started to ask his little brother, "What do you want to do? Do you want to stay here for a while longer or would you like to go home and get a drink"? I walked away with a sense of being thankful that Rodney is here as much as he is. Its hard when he is gone just for a few days and the kids ask for him at night but, I never thought about what it would be like for them if he was gone all the time. I dont like being so far away from home and from my family but, I have to be grateful that, at least I'm not over here alone.
Just wanted to share my thoughts! I love you all!

My "Picture People" Picture

Turns out that waiting a month since my last Picture People picture attempt paid off! These pictures are just too cute! I dont know which one to choose for my wall! There are way too many cute pictures to upload on my blog so make sure you check out the rest of them on the Picasa album!
Nothing new this way. Rodney has been gone since Monday on the ship. He'll come home for one night and then he's gone again for another three days. Its just hard because of not having a car to get around. When he gets back hopefully he'll have some time to teach me how to drive the truck. Yes, I'm going to try one more time! This time he's taking me to a secluded spot and taking the kids out of the car. It will be me all by my lonesome but, he'll be in sight so if I get in trouble... he can help me! Rodney Jr. has missed soccer the last two weeks because of Rodneys surgery (he is doing good), and because of Rodney being underway. So, he's not too happy, he keeps asking me if he can go. Yet another reason I need to learn to drive the truck!

Watch the drop of drool... it doesn't move!

He loves his ducky!

Like he knows how cute he is!

He's starting to get annoyed with me.

Tatum looking like a hot mess.

Just some pics

I tried to upload a video of the kids playing in the rain on Sunday but, it wouldn't let me. So, instead, I decided to share some pictures with you....

Tristan lauging at me

Our backyard ninjas

They dress like this no matter what the weather. I think they stay so thin by sweating to death!

Plant Life

I took my netflix movies out to the mailbox at 6am this morning and I noticed a nice batch of Plumeria growing on my neighbors bush so I thought I would take a picture of it and share with you some of the common plants we see around here. The pics are a little dark because the sun wasn't quite out yet.

These are Plumeria flowers. Supposedly they smell really good but, I can't smell anything so, I couldn't tell ya! I see these flowers the most around the island.

This is our Papaya tree. They also call it Guava. We've picked a few and gave them to the kids but they really don't like it much. I'm weird about eating anything that grows here. Stupid, I know. Its exactly the same thing I buy at the store. I'm just strange!

This is our banana tree. I'm not sure if you can eat these ones right off the tree or not but, I know some of the trees are eating bananas and some are cooking bananas. We have a eating one in front of our house but, I still can't tell the difference. This one doesn't have the flower anymore but, they grow one big purple flower that hangs down and it reminds me of Seymore on Little Shop of Horrors.

A close up of the bananas.

Typical

I started to take this video because Rodney was being really cute pretending to play a horn on Rodneys snorkel. He was using his fingers and dancing and humming before I turned on the camera but, of course he stopped when I turned it on. And of course, when one kid is getting attention for being cute or funny, the other is not happy. As you can see by Tatums reaction. But, this is a typical day. Sometimes I can block out the whinning, sometimes it goes right through me and I'll either lock myself in the bathroom or send the kids to their beds. They usually stop at that point and come back down. haha. Ok, enjoy the video, I have to go deal with them throwing toys at the wall!

Moms Group II

The kids and I went to moms group again today. It was a good time as usual. I met a new mom who has a brand new baby and I can't believe that it was just three months ago when Tristan was that small! He's getting so big already and it makes me so sad! I wish all of you could see him the way he is right now and I wish I could see all the kids back home grow up over the next two years!
We didn't do much, just hung out and talked. So here are some pics of today.

Rodney finding something to play with.

Tatum saying cheese

Tristan and Ryland chillin' on the floor

Tristan passed out in Jen's arms.

Tatum and Isabella playing with one of the strollers.

A Day at the Beach II

We had another picnic on the beach this weekend. Our favorite spot was taken so we had to go to another beach. This one wasn't as nice and there were more rocks than sand but, we still had a lot of fun. Tristan was great. He stayed in his little tent for 5 hours! We bought him a play mat with the dangling toys and he loved it!
Our friend Tim is really into scuba diving and he has an underwater scooter that he brought with him. They put Rodney on it and he had a blast! It was amazing that he knew what to do and was so confident about it! If it wasn't a $300 'toy' we would buy one for him!
Tatum didn't feel that great that day so she was really clingy and no one could joke around with her because she would get upset. In the picasa album you can see me bringing her out of the water because she was back and forth about who she wanted to be with. After the third time bringing her out I wasn't very happy because the rocks in the ocean hurt my feet and I kept falling.
Yesterday we tried to attempt the Spanish Steps with all three kids. Its a beautiful spot that I would love to explore but the only way to get there is to climb down a cliff. They have ropes the whole way down to help you but, about halfway down I decided that it was too dangerous for the kids so I made Rodney take us back up. I'll have to get a babysitter to do that one! You dont notice it at the time but, its a real workout! My legs are killing me today!!

Rodney on the underwater scooter.

The group of us minus Wolf.

For those of you who dont belive I'm still alive, here's a pic of me.

Tatum with ketchup all over her face.

Rodney cooking some yummy jalepenos