Days 22 - 25: Another Visitor!

Monday

 

This week has been so much fun! My sister-in-law, Kristen, came down to visit. We took full advantage of the pool, Kaleb made some new friends, and did lots of girl talk! It was so nice having someone else to talk to during the day....and someone else to enjoy my cooking!

 

Tuesday

  

I cooked my butt of Tuesday. Two dozen rolls, brownies, and homemade mac and cheese. And after all that we still had time to go to the pool for some cooling down. 

Wednesday

 

It's officially summertime and it's officially hot! We didn't leave the house during the day...instead we sat inside and took advantage of the AC. It was the first time in a few days that Kaleb was actually inside! He played a video game while me and Kristen each started and finished a book. 

After dinner we went out for ice cream. I really miss homemade ice cream places in Massachusetts...everything around here is a name-brand here! Name brand or not...it was still an excellent way to cool down on a hot summer night!

Thursday

 

Today was such a good day! We met Jacque and the kiddos at the pool for a few hours. I love getting the kids together..they always have so much fun! Then, my friend Devan and her two girls came to the pool....all the kids (ages 2 - 13) had so much fun! I wish I had a picture of everyone!

After the pool we had some lunch, I packed a bag for Kaleb and he was off for the weekend! He's spending the weekend with my in-laws. It was nice having a quiet house for a few hours, but I know it's going to be too quiet this weekend! I already can't wait to hear all about his weekend!

Day 12: Day at the Marina

Every month I get the calendar of fun things going on on base. Everything always sounds like so much fun...but they are all geared toward kids. So, I'm totally taking advantage of base activities while Kaleb is here! Today we went to the marina with Jacque, Austin and Jillian for Wet & Wild Wednesday!

They had three water slides and a bouncy house set up. And of course there was the water to swim in, beach toys and you could even take out the canoes! Oh, and free food! I'm a big fan of free fun!

The kids had so much fun on the slides! We were there from 10 to 1:30 and only heard "I'm bored" once..and I'm pretty it's because they knew we didn't wanna hear it. They got so pruney from playing in the water! Kaleb looked like he had old man hands!

We had a thunderstorm Monday night and lightening hit a dead tree. There has been a wild fire burning since..and today it was super smokey. The marina was smokey most of the time we were there, no sun at all. Ash even started falling. It needs to rain!

We had such a fun day today! I can't wait for our next adventure!

Day 11: Geocaching

Two days ago I had no idea what geocaching was. And I'm willing to bet money on it that most of you have never heard of it...let alone try it. Well, yesterday me, Jacque and the kids did just that!

There are bunch of "hidden treasure" locations around us, so we picked the closest one...in a CVS parking lot. We couldn't find the damn thing! The reviews said "easy to find," "saw it as we were pulling into the parking lot." REALLY? We couldn't even get the compass to agree with us!! We walked in circles trying to find the damn thing...and eventually gave up!

 We went to our next location at the park. I had high hopes! This time the compass seemed to be working with us..until we were practically on top of the damn thing...then we were 15ft away again. WHAT?! Kaleb and Austin were convinced that a little man was moving the treasure on us when we weren't looking. And after a while I was starting to give into that theory too!

We took a little break on the picnic tables and tried to figure this damn puzzle out. There was a code that we decoded: under a sweet gum tree in a 9mm casing inside a block of wood. So we went back in the woods and tried to find it again.

Two hours into our trek we gave up. Geocaching is clearly not a "sport" for everyone. And I feel so dumb for not being able to figure it out. But hey, atleast we were outside getting fresh air!

This morning I woke up to a tweet from some random dude, "have fun geocaching...don't over think it!" Thanks buddy!

Have you ever been geocaching....successfully?

Day 5: Playground and Ball Parks

Danny's schedule is absolutely nuts lately. Sometimes he works nights, sometimes it's days and sometimes it both. Since he was working the day shift yesterday I planned a little trip to the park with Jacque and her kids. I was crossing my fingers that Danny would get out early so we could make it to the (free) Kinston Indians game!

The kids had a fun time at the park. I (obviously) don't spend a lot of time at kids parks so I didn't realize how weird some parents are. What kind of rule is it to not get dirty at a park? But as weird as the parents are some kids are just down right strange...apparently "don't talk to strangers" means nothing to kids!

The kids had fun! Lots of running around, swinging, sliding, and more running! It was impossible to get a picture of Kaleb, the second he saw the camera he was off running again!

When we got home we took a bike ride to my friend Deven's house to see her and the new baby. Five days old, the tiniest thing I have ever seen! While we were there I got a text from Danny saying he was home...but had to be back to work at 6:30. Same time the game started! So, me and Jacque made a plan that we would take all the kids!

It was military appreciation night at the game last night..that means, free! And the Kinston Indians were playing the Salem Red Sox, how appropriate since Jacque is from Ohio and I'm from Boston! We got our seats some cheap food ($10 bucks for two hot dogs, fries, popcorn and a drink..in Boston I would have taken a small loan to get the same thing!) and enjoyed the game! We had some super nosy southern chic sitting in front of us. Every time we said something she would answer us....loudly. Towards the end of the game she said "If you let me, I'll take the kids down to get autographs." Um...I think we can do that! The Indians won, the kids all got baseballs and some autographs! It was a great night! 

Frustration.

For our wedding, we decided we didn't want to have kids there. Kids are expensive, there is no way they are going to eat $42 worth of brunch. They are also needy, whiny, and messy. Not things I want on my wedding day. The one exception, Danny's son...I am still crossing my fingers that he will get to be in our wedding.

I knew all along that this would cause problems for some people. Mainly, the people who are traveling from different states. I still wasn't going to cave. If I invited one kid, I have to invite every little kid...and I have a bunch in my family. The money quickly adds up and my frustrations grow.

Danny's sister has a three year old daughter. Of course, I would like for Danny's entire family to be at our wedding, and since I'm hoping his sister will bring Kaleb, I had to make ONE exception. In order to make it fair, I decided to make her the flower girl. Seemed fair enough to me.

Here comes the frustration: I wrote his sister a nice Facebook message, saying it was nice to see them on Thanksgiving and I'm glad they are coming out for the wedding. And I also asked what size Amirah was because I was going to get the dress the next day. My message is still unanswered! AND I know she has been on Facebook because her status has changed. I'm sorry, but this is just rude. At this point, I would settle for just a single digit as an acceptable answer. I NEED TO BUY THIS FRIGGIN DRESS ASAP. I could just make an educated guess, but I'm not wasting my money until I know for a FACT that they are coming out here. Until then, my flower girl will not have a dress.

Or maybe I don't even have a flower girl. In which case, kids are STILL NOT INVITED.

Some Pictures

Me, Danny and Lois at one of our many wine nights

 Me, Danny and Kaleb on Thanksgiving

Celebrating my 24th birthday with Staci and Kristen!

The Ohio Update

First, lets just say...never start a roadtrip on a holiday during rush hour..especially when there are a billion college campus in your area. Our eight hour trip turned into a almost a twelve hour trip.

Danny's family was so excited to see him, he hasn't been home in a year! We had Thanksgiving dinner at his grandmothers house with his Mom's family. Danny made the big "we're getting married" annoucement, which I thought went well. But apparently his grandmother wasn't too please...but Danny's Mom and step-Dad stuck up for us. I love those two. Atleast we have people on our side! Later that day we went to Danny's Dad's side of the family.

It has always been tradition in my family to see a movie on Thanksgiving night...I was so excited when we decided to take Kaleb to see a movie!

I didn't take part in Black Friday events, large crowds in stores is NOT my thing. HOWEVER! Danny's Mom and step-Dad picked up some awesome things for me and Danny! A flatware set, a quesedilia maker, electric skillet, spice rack and some other stuff! SO EXCITING!

Friday night we were supposed to get drinks with Danny's sister and some friends. But I KNEW it wouldn't happen. I knew Kaleb wouldn't want his Daddy to leave. Danny was a little dissapointed that he didn't get to go out, but it ended up being a good night. I loved seeing the two of them together and having fun.  Danny is a great Dad.

I made breakfast Saturday morning,  chocolate chip pancakes...Kaleb said he has never had them before! Which just showed me that Ohio really is under a giant rock! Then we took his to see Santa..such a cute picture!

Saturday night we went out with Danny's Dad for dinner. It literally took Danny the entire trip before he told his Dad we were getting married. I was a little upset that he didn't want to tell him, he alluded that his Dad "wouldn't even care." It hurt a little that someone might not care about something this big. But his Dad took it well, and didn't have anything negative to say. He was all over Danny though about the security clearance/graduation thing. It was very strange.

We left Ohio late Saturday night so we wouldn't hit traffic...a good idea because his Mom was in traffic ALL day yesterday.

Yesterday we were laaaaazy all day. And then went out for sushi to celebrate my birthday. I'm sad I won't get to see him for my birthday..or for the rest of the month for that matter. I won't see him again until December 23. The longest we have been apart. But atleast I'll see him for Christmas AND New Years!

Tomorrow is my 24th birthday and I'm flying home to Boston! SO SO excited!

Catching Up

My Mom came to visit this past weekend! We did SO much! It was great getting to spend time with her and Danny at the same time. She basically came down to make sure my new Southern family is taking good care of me.

Saturday I moved out of the house in Carrboro. I have never been so excited! As much as I hated that house and the people I lived with, I do not regret moving down here at all. I never would have met Danny. Everything happens for a reason.

We ate WAY too much while my Mom was down here. I'm pretty sure it's all we did! But it was a great time! Wine night, dinners, lots of shopping, a movie..fun!

Tomorrow me and Danny go on our roadtrip to Ohio for Thanksgiving. Nervous and excited. Meeting the entire family. I can't imagine how this conversation will go.."hi, this is Nicole..oh by the way..we're getting married." Should be interesting! But I'm mostly nervous to meet Kaleb, Danny's little boy. Maybe my (sad attempt) Buzz Lightyear cake will earn me brownie points!

Wish me luck!

Kids.

I'm good with kids. Right? I have three Godsons. That must mean something. Right? That means..I have been trusted THREE times to care for children. And Gina doesn't let people ANYONE get close to her son...and he calls me his girlfriend. So that means something. Right?

Except when it comes down to it. I'm nervous to meet a five year old.


I rarely admit it. I have a soft spot for kids. Some kids. Cute kids. I spoil my favorites. I have always sent my Godchildren small gifts and I'm pen-pals with a 6 year old. I remind Gina when the cool kid shows are on, that way..Zach won't miss them. I'm always up for a trip to the zoo, park, or even just picking them up at school. Zach held my hand and gave me a kiss once...and asked me if he could come play with my toys and have a sleepover. Kids like me. I'm fun!

Where's that invisible line that lets me know if I'm pushing boundaries?