Worlds of Fun...

We have had such an awesome visit with our friends Jessica, Jack and Lily! We are truly sad to see them leave us in the morning and head back to Texas. We have such wonderful memories of our visit to keep us smiling long after they are gone, but nothing is the same as having them here with us in Kansas!

Jessica, Jack and Lily were such troopers too! They all volunteered to help our Girl Scout Troop 5400 place American flags on all the graves in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetary. We met out there on Saturday morning and it took about an hour to complete. It meant a lot to me that they would help me do something like that with Lillian's troop. Jack and Lily were such troopers and placed so many American flags on graves. So proud of them all!

We headed to CoCo Keys for the remainder of the day. It is just like Great Wolf Lodge if you have never been except the setting is like a tropical paradise and not about wolves! It was a blast and Jack and Lydia kept going down the kiddo slide over and over again. Jack even loved the bigger slides and was wearing Jessica out trying to keep up with him. Lillian and Lily hung together on slides and the lazy river. You should see them swim! I had to jog in the water just to keep up! All the kiddos enjoyed the day at the water park and Lydia was in bed at 6:40pm out cold for the night! WHEW!

And today was another exciting day! We took them to Worlds of Fun for their first visit! It was a blast! We stayed for 8 hours! Those kiddos rode every ride they could actually ride! And Lillian was finally 48 inches tall and wore her wrist band proud! She worked hard for those inches! I only have 11 inches on her and she is 6!

Rich and Lillian rode the extraordinary roller coaster called Mambo! It had a major uphill with a huge downfall! Lillian said she didn't like the first hill, but loved the rest. She kept telling Rich, "I don't like it. I don't like it." Then, after the tummy settled she loved it! Now, place Jessica and I on the same ride. Here is Jessica, "I don't like it. I don't like it." It was hysterical to see Jessica react like this and it kept me laughing all afternoon. I kept busting on her and loving every minute! She even rode the Boomerang with me! GO JESS! She is not a big of chicken as Nina! :) Love you Nina! Jessica was even telling Lily to hold on during some rides while Lily had her hands flying in the air! Jack and Lily loved every minute and are dare devils like my girls. They all were fabulous today!

We left at 9:00am and didn't make it home until 7:00pm! What a fun last day together. They have to leave in the morning and everyone is so sad. We have enjoyed our friends so much. It makes us miss Texas more! Jessica has done an amazing job with her kiddos while Eric is deployed. Jack and Lily are so sweet and polite. They are loving children and they get that trait from their mom. I know it is not easy traveling alone much less a 10 hour car ride. So, I know they must love us as much as we love them! They are our family! We will miss your laughter and smiles!

So, Jess...We got spirit yes we do! We got spirit how about you? FRUIT!!!! Love you and mean it! Hope you had a blast too! Good bye my dear friend!

GOOD FRIENDS
ARE LIKE STARS.
YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THEM,
BUT YOU KNOW THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE!
See you soon!

Love you!

Julie

Meet My First Grader...

What a year! What a year! Lillian has now completed Kindergarten. She is so different than when she started a year ago and so many things have changed for her. She is taller, has longer hair and one year of school behind her now. She learned so much from Kindergarten- how to play with friends, how to socialize and become a better friend, how to listen and work in groups and how to excel all on her own. It was even simple strides of watching her order her own lunch and being so cofident.

Lillian loved Kindergarten and is so ready for 1st grade. She said good bye to a wonderful teacher today- Mrs. Keeley. Mrs. Keeley really worked with Lillian and pushed her to always do her best and more.

And to make the day special, Jessica, Jack and Lily came in last night from Texas! They drove all this way to be with us this weekend and we are thrilled to have them staying with us. We have a lot of fun things planned while they are in and can't wait to get started.

We all had breakfast together and had Graduation pancakes. Lily graduated from preschool, so she will be entering Kindergarten in the fall. We walked Lillian to school and then started our day. Lillian only went to school until 11:30am today, so she was back home before we knew it. We had a wonderful cake from Jacque McLean! I had a cake made for Lillian and Lily. Can you guess who is on top? It turned out delicious and adorable! The girls loved it and wanted to save their own "person."

Now, Lydia is napping and then off to Graduation dinner at T-Rex! Will the rain ever stop? Happy Graduation Lillian! Enjoy 1st Grade!!! You will be a super star and I am so proud of you!!!

Love,

Mommy

Bradley's Got Talent!

Bradley Elementary has TALENT and a lot of TALENT! I was so impressed with all the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders! I would have never performed at this age and still wouldn't do it at this age! Lillian is so outgoing and gets it from her father...he never stops talking! Love you honey! :)

Lillian tried out for the talent show at school just two weeks ago. She was up against some heavy competition. This was going to be her first chance at learning about disappointment because not everyone made the talent show. But, Lillian came home from school and told me she didn't care about making it or not. She still wanted to try! That is my girl!

Lillian perfomed (singing and dancing) to First Action Heros. She learned this song and dance from her church play she was just in this month. She knew what she wanted to do from the moment the school announced the auditions. She did a great job today entertaining her friends and all the children loved the show. They enjoyed seeing all their friends today performing on stage. Her whole class cheered for her when she came back to the classroom! Standing ovation! YAY!!!

Enjoy the show and this was the last one for the year 2011! All dance recitals complete, girl scouts complete, drama complete and Kindergarten complete on Friday! Love you all! You were awesome Lillian! YOU ROCKED IT AS ALWAYS!!

Julie

Lillian Becomes A Pirate?

Lillian had her dance recital today! The theme of the show was "Under the Big Top." It was an adorable theme! The song titles included Grand Entrance, Illisionists, The Lion Tamer and His Lions, Pirates, Circus Tram, Mimes, Clowns, and Ring Masters. There were a total of 30 dances. The show was really great and I must admist the cloggers rocked it today! Those girls were amazing! Of course, so was my Lillian! She always makes me proud! She just beams on stage and is a little or should I say BIG DIVA!!!

Lillian was really excited for her recital. She is such a show girl and was ready to strut her stuff on the stage today. Since we could not tape the show today, we had the chance to video tape the rehearsal. It was yesterday. We will receive a copy in the mail from the actual recital, but I thought I would share her rehearsal with everyone.

Lillian was super excited to see her friend Kate come today! It was a surprise for her and she was smiling ear to ear. Lillian said she saw Kate while dancing on stage. Thanks Kate and Rebecca for taking your beautiful Sunday afternoon to watch Lillian's recital. It really meant a lot to all of us! Friends are awesome!

Lillian has really enjoyed dance! She is ready to take on ballet, tap and jazz next fall. I don't know if I am ready for the commitment, but she certainly is! I love watching her perform on stage and I love seeing her big smile. That is what makes all the craziness worhtwhile for me. Her love to dance!

And Lillian has shared her love with her sister and Lydia will also be a ballerina! Lydia told me she wants to dance like sissy and wants her own tutu and shoes. Too cute! I just bought her her first pair of ballet slippers. She is going to rock it too!

Enjoy the circus! Love you all! WAY TO GO LILLIAN!!! Another recital under your belt!

Julie

Bradley Elementary Field Day

Can you believe it was raining and no sunshine in Kansas today for Field Day? What? It started raining while Lydia and I were on our way to meet Lillian for Lillian's first Field Day at Bradley. The school held off for 10 minutes in the gym and decided to go for it! YEAH!!! It drizzled off and on during the afternoon, but nothing too undearable for Lydia and I. Of course, the big kids didn't notice a thing! They were only having FUN FUN FUN!!!

The 6th graders put on Field Day. They thought up all activities with the help of the PE teacher and actaully ran each activity. There were about 10 different rotations and it lasted a little over two hours. Lillian played Stack the Cups, Topsey Turvery, Sack Race, Hula Hoop, Musical Hula Hoop and so many more!

Lillian had a lot of fun and her competitive side really showed today...right in the middle of Field Day as it is raining, Lillian screams, "Mom, does my hair look okay?" We all got a good laugh as I answered while putting on lipgloss, "You look beautiful!" That is my girl! :)

Only 7 more days of Kindergarten and look out 1st Grade! Are you ready for Lillian?!

Julie

Father Daughter Camp Out

Rich and Lillian attended the Girl Scouts 11th Annual Father Daughter Campout this weekend. It was such a fun filled weekend for them! The camp was at Winding River in Dearborn, MO which is about 45 minutes from Fort Leavenworth.

Lillian was supposed to stay in the barn in a tent. At the last minute, a cabin opened up. But, can you believe Lillian chose to stay in the tent in the wide open Missouri night? I didn't see that one coming! Rich and Lillian pitched their tent and made it through the night. She didn't get into bed until 10:00pm, but she slept the whole night like a log! :) Not bad considering this was Lillian's first camp out, first time sleeping out and in a tent and then throw in the hight was only 53 degrees with lows dipping into the 30s at night! Just insane!

Rich and Lillian made walking sticks, went on a hike and went fishing. Lillian actually caught 5 fish! Rich said she did it on her own to besides baiting the line. Lillian was so tired after lunch, that she needed to take a rest. Not to mention she was so exicted for this weekend she was up at 5:50am! UGH! They had dinner by the fire too and enjoyed so ice cream and smores after dinner. They made a 20 foot ice cream sundae! Lillian wasn't thrilled when they ruined her plain vanilla ice cream with cherries and bananas! HA!

She is home now resting in her bed. She smells like a campfire and is smiling from ear to ear. She wants to get her own tent now and go camping tomorrow. Really? Lydia will have to hear all about it when she wakes up from her nap. She missed her sissy and was carrying her picture everywhere today. Poor baby!

What great memories this weekend! I also included some pictures from Rich's early graduation party. I wanted to have a little party before all his classmates moved in June. So, we had a bowling party. I had originally planned for a picnic, but the cold and rain had other ideas in Kansas! It was still a great time! We just bowled, enjoyed our food, laughed with our friends and celebrated Rich graduating from ILE and graduating with his masters degree. Rich will officially walk for his Masters in cap and gown on June 10th and will graduate from ILE on June 9th. Way to go honey! We are so proud of everything you have accomplished in just 10 months. Rich is amazing and really pushed himself to stay up late every night, get maybe 4 hours of sleep and still finish on time!

The Martin house is pushing hard to the finish line now!!! Love you all!

Julie

How Does Your Kinder-Garden Grow?

Lillian had her Kindergarten program this morning. The show was adorable! Lillian and her classmates had learned a song from every month beginning last August. They performed today one song per every month. It showed the growth of Kindergarten this past year. The songs were adorable and all the kiddos did great with memorizing the words and hand motions. They even had a little phrase each to say at the microphone.

At the end, Lillian received her diploma. I can't believe this is coming to an end so soon! I have enjoyed seeing her grow up. Her legs are long and skinny, she is toothless, she is extrememly OUTGOING, and even how she plays with her friends has changed so much this year. Just yesterday I asked her to push her sister on the swing at the playgroud and she said, "I can't mom! I am playing freeze tag with my friends!" Just last year she wouldn't leave my side and now I can't keep her near me. All part of growing up!

Happy Kindergarden Graduation Lillian! You have been amazing this year in so many ways and challenged me every step of the way. We are so proud of you! Lydia adores her big sister and she has a great role model in you!

GRADUATION

You are a very special person
And you should know,
How I loved to have you in my care
How fast the years did go!

Please come back to visit me
As through the grades you go
Try hard to learn all that you can
There's so much to know

One thing I tried to teach you
To last your whole life through,
Is to know that you are special
Just because, you are you!

Thank you Mrs. Keeley! Thank you for placing Lillian in such a nurturing environment and challenging her to think and stay strong. We will always remember you!

Julie

Powder Puff Derby!

Today was Lillian's first Powder Puff Derby. Her troop participated this year along with another Service Unit. It was a lot of fun making the cars this year and learning about Powder Puff Derby and the rules. I think Rich was glad to be able to do something with the girls that was finally on his turf! :) Lydia was able to race too and that made it great. They both got a fun patch too!

Lillian and Lydia were out on the first round. The cars each raced three times. Rich discovered he put Lydia's weights on the wrong end after the race was complete. The car with the lowest points advanced to round two. But, Lillian's troop members (Annalise, Charlotte, Caroline and Kayden) all advanced to round 2. Annalise was winning every race in round two (they each raced the car three times again) and I was impressed. The other girls were flying too. But, after round two, then all Troop 5400 was out. We didn't make it to the final round. That is okay!

Lillian won a ribbon for Most Classic Design. It was funny because our cars were made from a kit! HA! But, it made her day and that is all that matters to me!

Powder Puff 2011 is over and now we are off to Lillian's second performance for her First Action Hero play. I could use a nap!

WAY TO GO TROOP 5400!!! I am so proud of all of you!

Julie

First Action Heros!

First Action Heros took the stage tonight at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas! Lillian performed in her second Church Drama Play called First Action Heros. She was a dancer and in the choir for this show. It was about turning to Jesus and making him your hero espcially when being bullied. This is such a prevalent topic these days in school.

The show was entertaining, bright, colorful and really explained the topic matter in a positive light. Lillian enjoyed each and every dance and put her heart into the lyrics! She had to learn about 6 or 7 dance routines just for this show including learning all the words to the songs. She really committed to working hard for this show and I am so proud of her. She rehearsed for 2 1/2 hours yesterday, performed the show today, got into bed at 9:30pm and will be up and ready for Powder Puff Derby in the morning followed by her 2:00pm show. She is amazing!

And Lydia hung in their like a champ too! She is so proud of her sister and wanted to stay for the whole show. Mommy had to send her home at 8:00pm and she was crying so hard. She said she was a big girl and wanted to stay. She is still recovering from surgery and this was hard on her even on pain killers. She gives her sister everything and wanted to be there to cheer her on until the end. My sweet Lydia!

It was awesome to watch Lillian tonight and all the performers! Lillian crawled into bed with no bath, didn't change her shirt from the play and couldn't even brush her teeth. She said she was just too tired. Poor baby! LIFE OF AN ACTRESS! :) She was brilliant! Good night Lillian and sleep tight!

Mommy loves you!

Lydia's First Surgery!

Lydia had her first surgery today and it was a whopper! Lydia had her tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes placed in her ears. She was so brave this morning and I was so proud of her. She got to wear her favorite pajamas to the hospital and bring along Barney. It was mommy who was scared!

The nursing staff is excellent at Munson Army Hospital. They were all so friendly to Lydia and gentle. Lydia loved her fancy hat and Barney got one too. She also chose the grape mask for her surgery just like Lillian did with her surgery last December. The hospital staff even remembered Lillian and asked how well she was doing. I was impressed!

Lydia was wheeled off to surgery feeling very light headed. The nurse put the side rail up on the bed and Lydia slipped right through and thought she found a new game. They even let her watch Barney and by the end of the medicine, Lydia was seeing two Barneys! She had the whole staff laughing! She would sit up and just laugh and stick out her tongue for no reason. I was rolling!

I had to say good bye and wait one long hour for her to return! She was screaming and it broke my heart! It was the hardest part seeing her so upset. It made my cry. They said she wouldn't calm down and was screaming for me. Once I started rocking her, then she relaxed. She just needed mommy which I love. She is was still a little agitated and just wanted to come home. She was really disoriented and I don't think she liked it at all.

The surgery went well. Her adenoids were so infected, the doctor had to give her a shot of 24 hour antibitoics. He was surprised by the infection being so severe. She also had a lot of fluid in her left ear. Her tonsils were overly large too. So, I am glad we did this surgery to help Lydia feel better. She will sleep better, her allerigies will get better and she will just be back to normal Lydia soon. That is what I wanted for her! Just my little Lydia feeling a 100 percent. My little baby!

She is resting now in her own bed. She just needed her blanket and pillow. I hope she sleeps well and wakes up my little Lydia. So brave! I am proud of her! Love you Lydia!

Julie