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Gas! Gas! Gas!

Today I had gas mask training at work. I got to watch someone read power point slides for 2 and a half hours, take a three hour lunch break (before you start wondering where your tax payer dollars are going- let me add that it was my day off), and then wear my full chem gear including my gas mask for 2 hours. By the time I got to take it off, I think I was breathing steam....imagine being in a tiny elevator with 13 obese people (who ate nothing but broccoli for lunch) and the heat is broken in July in San Antonio...and you are wearing a snowsuit. That is what gas mask training is like. At least I got to come home to my adorable children when I was done!

Yes, they are true military brats in every sense of the word!

52 years young?!!???

Here are my two beautiful, smart, wonderful, creative, cheeky children. Recently I went through an old photo album and saw a very similar picture of myself cheesing for the camera with my little sister and brother when we were little kids. If you have been reading my blog, then you know that my sister recently graduated with honours from Officer Training and she is a brand new second Lt. (I'm not incredibly proud or anything...really...) and my brother is being offered everything but a sports car to come work for some of the top companies in the US. I drive a car that smells funny and I haven't graduated at the top of anything...but I don't do too bad living in England and all. I'm not trying to brag about my whole family...just my dad. Don't get my wrong, I had three amazing parents, which I fully believe is what it took for my siblings and I to self-actualize so well. But today is my dad's birthday...so I have to brag on him a little. Believe me, he deserves it. I was definatly not an easy kid to raise. Honestly, I was such a mouthy little smart alec that I would have made a saint swear! My Dad and I certainly did knock heads alot, but he never gave up on the notion that I would eventually turn from a rotten teenager into a real human being. One time I came home late from my friend's house, and my Dad did what most good parents would do and grounded me from my car. Being the "rotten teenager" that I was, I smarted off and then got into my car and drove to my mom's house. My Dad promptly got into his car, followed me to my mother's house, dismantled my car, and informed me that he would put it back together in a week...when I was no longer grounded. I think I learned a bigger lesson in respect there than any other event in my childhood. My Dad, who wasn't always so strict, also took me out of school for one day every year on my birthday, so that he and I could go snow skiing. I learned how to ride my bike, change a tyre, respect myself, and cherish my marraige from my Dad. So, today, Kings to you Dad. Happy Birthday!
Here are my Dad and I before I left for Jr Prom. This was 12 and half years ago...wow...
Here is my Dad at London's Hard Rock Cafe. This was only a few months ago. I think you still look pretty cool Dad!

Off to London

First of all... thanks for the captions to the Eli picture- I laughed and laughed and am still trying to decide on a winner. My Ava story for the day.... Ava was feeding a baby doll a bottle. My friend Kate asked if she was drinking cow's milk. Without missing a beat, Ava said, "Nope! It's Mouse Milk!" Yum.
On Wednesday, Eric and I were both off, so we decided to go to London on a "trial run" to find my GRE test site. I thought I would be a "good mommy" and let my kids read books on the way to the train station rather than rely on the DVD player. Here is Eli, about halfway through the trip, listening to Daddy's IPOD. So much for my good intentions...
It took about 60 seconds to find my test site, so we headed to the Cheshire Cheese, our favourite London pub. Ava took this pic of course!
After lunch, my shopping trip idea got vetoed, so we headed to the science museum....score...
We watched a 3D dinosaur movie at the imax. Ava is so funny, at scary parts during the movie, she covers her ears but keeps her eyes wide open!
Eli was transfixed by the movie, but he didn't go in too much for the 3D part. Amazingly we made it through the trip without any MAJOR meltdowns, injuries (other than when Ava and I tripped over each others feet and both landed on the sidewalk...we are dainty girls I tell ya!), and we still were all speaking to each other when we arrived home that night! Wonders never cease!

Bits and pieces

First of all... I propose a contest! The person who leaves me a comment with the best caption to this picture will be sent a box of Ely's finest Bavarian chocolate....
Here's mine: "The enemies will never see this coming (maniacal laughter)..."

Anyway- I also need to give a shout out to my sister who is now a 2nd Lt on her way to Charleston (her first station). I couldn't be more proud of that girl, especially since she was in charge of all graduation activities and served as one of the highest ranking people in her entire flight. I always knew I would see big things from that kid...Kings to you Carissa...
As for Eric- work is back in full swing for him...at least on my days off, which seem to be fewer and farther between. If you know any nurses that need a job- send them my way PUH HEASE!
The kids are also great, they are both growing like weeds; a few people have actually commented that my son is tall for his age...my kid...really! Ava continues to wow us with her amazing understanding of the world around her and her growing "grown-up" vocabulary. Speaking of vocabulary...Eric quizzes me daily on vocabulary words for the GRE and we have learned that I have about a ninth graders vocabulary, which at least surpasses my sixth grade spelling skills...I really wish I was kidding about this....