Santa Pictures and the Gift of Giving

Another military wife started Project Humble Christmas. She was collecting donations of clothes, toys, etc., to give to 2 Oklahoma homeless shelters. Well this Holiday season, I applied for Operation Homefront. I was not quite sure what it was but the application did ask what my kids wanted for Christmas. I assumed that if I was accepted, a company would send a gift to each of my kids. We did get accepted and a lady from Operation Homefront dropped off a giant bag of wrapped Christmas presents for my boys. She told me that another family sponsored my children this Christmas. It really felt like Santa came and dropped off a bag of presents. The program is anonymous so I will not be able to contact that family to thank them. So, I wanted to give back in any way I could. I decided to donate gifts to Project Humble Christmas. This morning, I went and bought 8 bottles of men's cologne and 8 knitted hats. It's not much but I hope it puts a smile of someones face this Christmas.
After I picked AJ up from school, we ate lunch then took off to the mall to finish up our last minute Christmas shopping and pictures with Santa. I already knew what kind of reaction I would get from Jamal when sitting in Santa's lap. It's always funny to look back at those Santa "freak out" photos. AJ asked Santa for a "popcorn machine" and Ronde asked for a "new stronger Woody doll{from Toy Story}". His Woody doll is currently headless and handless but Ronde still plays with him!! haha. It's definitely time for a new one.


The days are flying by, I really need to get my house in order and stock my fridge because my Mom and Sister will be flying from Florida to Oklahoma Thursday! I can't wait!! It will be their first visit to Oklahoma and the first Christmas we've spent together in over 6 years!

Student of the Month

AJ was recognized as Student of the Month today at his school's Tiger Rally. I am so proud of him! He felt so special when they called his name to come up on stage in front of his entire school. He received an Award and a goody bag including a magnet for our car, a free meal at Popeyes Chicken, candy, cookies, and a pack of pencils. The Pre-K kids dressed up in cute home-made Christmas costumes and it was so fun to watch AJ dance and sing. It's amazing to see how much he comes out of his shell while he is at school. He used to be so shy!

"Fall" in Love

AJ's Family Turkey Project

AJ's assignment this week at school was to decorate a turkey with family resemblance. The point was to get the whole family involved in making the project. I took AJ to Hobby Lobby and we searched the store for military themed crafts. We hit the jack pot in the scrap booking section where AJ found a whole section of military stickers. We could not find blue Cami's like his daddy wears but we did find some green Cami material. We came home and started decorating. AJ drew Camouflage paint on the turkeys face and I pretty much did the rest..(he got distracted with his new scooter) The finished product was so cute! I resembles our life as a military family =)

AJ's 5th Birthday!

Yesterday, lil Andre turned 5 years old! He wanted a soldier themed birthday party. I was so nervous about the party because I had only decided to throw him a big birthday party a week earlier. I had so much planning to do, shopping, invites, and renting a pavillion but everything worked out perfectly!! I cooked chili, cornbread, caramel apples,apple cider, and had a meat&cheese&crackers and grape platter. I made good bags filled with toy solders, tanks, tattoos, etc. We played a games and had a pinata. Xavier, Ronde, and AJ were dressed in military uniforms. It was a beautiful day and we had a great turnout of guests. Everyone was well entertained which really made me happy. AJ said it was the best party ever! =D (heart is melting..)

45th Division Museum

My friend, Lindsey, and her kids cam to Oklahoma for the weekend! She is a friend of mine from when we were stationed in Hawaii who is also a Navy wife. Our oldest boys have known each other since they were 3 months old. Our kids love soldier and military anything so we decided to take them to the 45th Division Museum. There were so many tanks, helicopters, planes, weapons, and canons. We took them to the gift shop afterwards to let them pick out toy tanks and helicopters. This was by far my kids favorite museum!

Halloween

Halloween was so much fun this year! We started out with getting the costumes on the boys and we let them run around outside for a little bit to play pretend. AJ was a soldier and Ronde was Ironman. AJ had a very unique costume this year and got tons of compliments. We didn't see anyone else wearing the same costume the entire night.
Andre stayed at the house to pass out candy with Jamal while I took AJ and Ronde trick or treating. We walked to the youth center on base where they were holding a Halloween Carnival. The boys got to play a lot of games and win prizes. Ronde played in a bouncy pirate ship. After the Halloween Carnival, I walked the boys to the Elementary School on base where the teachers were doing Trunk or Treat for the kids. Then we went Trick or Treating through our neighborhood all the way until we reached our house. The kids had a great night and I somehow still managed to get them in bed by 8pm!
(AJ blends right in with the tree..haha)