Chief, Operation and Ms. Sassy Pants!

Oh my goodness! I don't even know where to begin with this one...things have been CRAZY lately!!!

I think I will start with the super great news! Aaron has made Chief! Not only is this an amazing feat for someone his age, but it is a way bigger deal that I would have ever thought!!! We have spent $1200 on new uniforms and I even had to take a class on how to be a supportive Chief's wife. Right now Aaron is going through induction which pretty much means that he won't be able to sleep until September 16th. They are literally running him ragged! We are told it will all be worth it when it is over...I'll let you know if that is true or not!

On another great note, Aaron was one of the few chosen to man the USS Constitution this week! He is in Boston, I assume having a wonderful time marching through the streets and playing on the oldest Navy ship in America. According to the Senior Chief, who I met at a picnic, only the best of the best were chosen, so I must say that I am doubly proud of Aaron, both for what a great father he is and for what a great sailor he is too. :)

Next up I will talk about little Evan. He has had a lot going on lately. We are trying to get to the bottom of what is going on in his tummy and so we met with a gastroenterologist and little Evan had to have an endoscopy and and a colonoscopy...never words I would have associated with my sweet 3 year old, but hopefully (tomorrow!) we should get some answers and get Evan as healthy as possible. He was so great on operation day and was far more brave than I was. He slept a bit longer (3 hours!!!) than the nurses expected, so he had me in a bit (to say the least) of a worry. But, once he was awake, he was himself again in no time. I was proud of how brave he was. He has a big doctors appointment this week to get his official diagnosis...it should be interesting.

He is still so funny and likes to make jokes about everything, usually pertaining to Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg, his favorite game on the Leapster. He would play it all day if I would let him. Whenever I ask him to turn it off, he says, "goodbye play and learn!". So cute!

Next up is sweet Avery...or should I say Sassy Pants McGee! She has hit the terrible twos with a vengeance!!! She loves to do things "All Myself!" and unfortunately also thinks everything is "Mines!" But, when she is being sweet, she is the sweetest angel I have ever seen! Whenever Evan is upset or cries, she runs to his room and gets him his blanket, or favorite book and comes to him and says "Come here, Ev Boy, wipe your tears." It is so cute! When she wants to be held she comes over and says "Come here Mama!" with her hands out just like I do to her when she is upset. :)

She is super smart, and recently has decided she loves to "make her bed", which means she finds EVERY toy and book in her room and puts them in her bed. Then she comes to get me to show me that she "finished her room", and gets so excited when I tell her she did a good job.

Her hair is getting really long, though it is still pretty thin. I am thinking she is going to be ready for her first haircut soon so hopefully that will thicken it up a bit. I know she will be great at her haircut because she lets me play "salon" everyday. She sits in the bar stool and I put a blanket around her like a cape and she will stay there as long as I want her to. She loves to look in the mirror when it is done, but is always sad when she can't see her hair bows. Here is her first french braids!

As if that wasn't enough, the backyard has received a makeover! It is an amazing transformation!!! The kids and I have spent a good deal of time out there and plan to do even more when it isn't 800 degrees! Here is the before picture:

Here is the after! Isn't it beautiful?

As for me, I am along for the ride! Stay tuned, the kids will be starting pre-school next week, I hope to take great pictures then!