Leaving the Light on for Soldier Mommy

Coffee, Boots, and Frogs Oh My!

2010-03-06T20:03:00.001-08:00

Greetings!

Brother and I are back at Auntie and Unca's house.

Today, while Game Master and Cousin slept in, Auntie and I went to coffee with Auntie's fried, Red. She's a super nice lady. I made a date for her for next time. I think she likes me.

Wink wink.

After a most delicious cup of cocoa, we sauntered over to Fred Meyer where we purchased the most amazing pair of rubber boots; Green crocodile with teeth! I loved them at first sight. I carried them all around the store. I'd sleep with them...but they have mud on them, so I can't.

Auntie said that if you are going to work on the farm, you have to have rubber boots. She assured me that you cannot splash in puddles without decent boots. I'm so glad she insisted and cannot wait to show Soldier Mommy my new boots.

We also bought some flowers to plant, which we did as soon as we got home.

Then we had a visit from the most awesome creature! A tiny, green tree frog.

Now, unlike the unfortunate salamander episode (see that blog from last summer) I was in complete control of the situation.

I even held him, as shown above, without squishing his little guts out. I made sure to carefully put him back where we found him, knowing that he was headed home to his mommy.

Lastly, I learned how to play tiddly-winks and hope to make the Olympic team in 2014. You never know what you can do, until you put your mind to it.

After my first attempt I looked at Auntie and said, "I'm too young to play this game." She smiled and assured me that wasn't true and urged me to keep trying. Before long, I had the hang of it!

Well, good night all. It's been a busy day and I'm one tired guy.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

I am a lucky guy. I have the best Valentine eveh! It's my mommy, in case you didn't know. I made her a card and can't wait for Auntie to send it in the box she's putting together for her. I made cards for Nana and for the Game Master too. Of course we made cookies as well.

The best part about making cookies is eating them all by yourself...

Oops, I mean, sharing them with the ones you love.

Happy Valentines Soldier Mommy! I miss you!

Typhoid Tommy at the Mall

2010-02-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I've been a very busy boy since Christmas. I am enrolled in a fantastic pre-school program and learning so much. Nana, Game Master and I moved into a new house and I've been polishing my singing skills. So, you'll have to forgive my lack of blogging.

This week I am here at Auntie's house. I'm not certain why, but I believe it has something to do with, "Nana needing a break".

Just between us, I think the Game Master is really wearing her down. I'm just sayin'....

The other day, Auntie took my cousin to the op... opto... to the...eye doctor! But before we went in, I played at the mall play area. As far as play areas go, it was pretty cool and not overly crowded.

And I was having the best time until Typhoid Tommy decided to cough all over me. He looked terrible! Pale, nose running, red rimmed eyes. I must tell you that Auntie darn near had a fit. It took all of my negotiating skills to convince her that Typhoid Tommy probably wasn't contagious.

Auntie looked positively green and kept suggesting that we leave. She searched in vain for her hand sanitizer. Then she turned her stink eye on the adult population looking for the sire of Typhoid Tommy. Thankfully she couldn't find a single adult that belonged to the little germ factory because I'm sure she would have made a scene.

She's just funny that way.

I like the mall, but I'm not certain I'll be able to convince Auntie to take me back. She'll probably make me dress in a haze met suit and you know how hard those are to move around in.

Slurpee Goodness!

2010-01-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

The Game Master and I have settled into our new house with our amazing Nana. She is taking great care of us and life seems to whiz by.

Last weekend, Auntie and Unca picked us up so that we could spend the weekend with them. There was lots of Lego's and oranges. Have I told you how much I adore oranges? I love them almost as much as I love Cheetos. Mmmmm Cheetos...

Anyway, on Saturday, after Auntie returned home from work we went ice skating.

Okay, Game Master and Cousin and Friend went ice skating. Auntie gave me some lame excuse about my being too small, it being too crowded, blah blah blah.

Between us, I know it's because the woman cannot skate. All she had to do was fess up and admit her fear of the ice, but no. She said maybe I could go another time.

Sure

To make up for her lack of courage she purchased a Slurpee for me.

If you have never partaken of the cold, icy goodness of a Slurpee than you sir are missing out. Slurpee's come in blue and red and brown and even lime green. If you mix the blue and red you get purple, which is my favorite flavor.

It took some time, but I finally got Auntie to understand that the blue and red MUST be mixed together in order for it to taste right. She's a little slow, that Auntie o' mine. But, I love her anyway.

Slurpee's make me smile. They also turn you face and tongue which ever color you are slurping, which is pretty cool. It's like a little bonus!

Ode to Ham Blues

2009-12-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

My big brother, the Game Master, attended church with Unca and Girl Cousin. I didn't go...Nana and Aunty forgot that I need a CAR SEAT in order to ride in a car.

Hello!

Instead, I taught Aunty a lesson.

A lesson about ham and my deep abiding love for it.

Oh Ham!

How I love you

Oh ham!

How I love you

because you're tasty

yes, you're tasty

Oh ham, how I love you!

your salty goodness

your salty goodness

makes me smile

all the day

Oh ham!

take my blues away

You see what I am holding? It's ham. I adore it. I love it. I would marry it if I could. While I hold other foods at arms length with disdain, ham I embrace. Ahhh, ham.

The only problem with ham is that I cannot stop myself from eating it. MUST EAT HAM!

*The ham song was written by my cousin J and his rockin' blues guitar.

Cows Stink

2009-12-19T21:41:00.000-08:00

So, here we are at Unca and Aunty's house. Yes, I know I spelled "uncle" wrong. It's just the way I do things.

Unca is a pretty cool dude. He takes me for walks. He tickles me. He teaches me funny words such as, "Great Googly Moogly".

I have no idea what that means, but everyone laughs when I say it, so I repeated that phrase 1,534,307 times this evening.

Anyway, I wanted to see the cows, so Unca and I went down to the front feeder. The cows were there ready for dinner. I asked if cows bite. Unca assured me they do not. Still...they were larger than I remember them being. I watched them and they watched me.

One thing I noted is that they are smelly. Really stinky, foul beasts. Big, stinky, smelly, foul beasts. They do not mooo when you ask them to. I just thought you should know that.

I watched as Unca very ~~stupidly~~ bravely stuck his hand inside the fence. I just knew he'd pull out a bloody stump of an arm after that vicious cow got done with him. Much to my amazement the cow didn't bite his arm off! I was super surprised.

Today was a chilly day and there had already been so much excitement that when Aunty said it was time to come in to make dinner, I was more than ready.

One of the things I like about Auntys house is that she lets everyone help with dinner. Here I am washing a tomato. I like tomatoes. I like them A LOT. When Aunty asked me to stir the salad, I kept sneaking the sliced tomatoes out of the bowl. Which was great, until Aunty caught me.

It's been a long day. I'm tucked in my cot and dreaming of Mommy....and stinky cows....and Christmas....

Good night.

The Way Things Are

2009-12-16T07:16:00.001-08:00

Greetings

I know, I know, I know, it's been far too long since I've posted. Soldier Mommy is still in that big, hot sandbox. I miss her, but it won't be too many more months before she comes home. Hurray

In other news, I am sorry to report that my new daddy is really just a big bozo. He's not really a daddy, because daddies don't get girlfriends when their wife is far away serving her country. There are all sorts of other things I could say about my pretend daddy, but I won't. After all, I'm a little confused about the whole thing. Plus, Auntie says I shouldn't say bad words (but she's been wrong before).

For now, I'm staying at my Nana's. She's the bomb. She is the best Nana ever. No one has a Nana like my Nana.

The cool thing is, I'll be heading North in a few days to stay at Aunty's house. She has the huge box of Legos and she plays with me. Plus, it's Christmas time which I know means cookies.

Maybe if I'm really good, Auntie will let me make some cookies.

So, watch for new posts, because I'm heading your way.

Update

2009-06-24T15:04:00.001-07:00

Greetings all!

It has been a long time. A very long time. I haven't run away or been snatched by flying monkeys. However, Soldier Mommy married the General a few months ago. It is great having a dad. He is teaching me many, many good things and I am crazy about him.

The Game Master and I are currently here with Dad while Soldier Mommy is preparing to leave for parts hot and sandy.

Pray for her.

Pray for us too!

Nine months is a long time to be away from ones mommy and I will miss her bunches. I'm lucky to have Dad and my two brothers to keep me company.

Life is good.

Christmas Greetings

2008-12-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

I'm just stopping in to say Merry Christmas. Game Master and I are here at Auntie's this weekend while Soldier Mommy is at Drill.

Since I checked in last time there have been a few changes. We recently moved into a new house. I go to daycare now, while Soldier Mommy is at work. Some would say I've developed a terrible two attitude but just between you and me, I'm simply misunderstood.

But I am sooooo looking forward to Christmas!

When I walked into Uncle and Auntie's house Friday night the first thing I noticed was the Christmas tree. It was so beautiful. Even today I am still struck by it's beauty and the glitter of small red packages that are tied to its branches. It's amazing.

Word is Soldier Mommy will be leaving for parts hot and sandy in the spring. I'll check in from time time. Until next time:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Surprise!

2008-08-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I climbed out of bed and settled in to my morning routine. I always have Cheerios and Ovaltine while watching Signing Time. It's my favorite way to wake up.

I didn't expect anything out of the ordinary. It was just Saturday. I was really focused on my video, when someone scooted up next to me. I glanced over.

My mouth dropped open

My eyes got really, really big

I looked back at the TV wondering if I'd really seen what I thought I'd saw

I looked back to my right...

I had seen her!

Soldier Mommy was HOME!

This will be my last post for a few months. Soldier Mommy, Game Master, and I will be enjoying our time together before her next deployment.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. I hope you'll come back again and read about our adventures while we Leave the light on for Soldier Mommy.

Snip, Snip, Snip

2008-08-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Auntie took me to get my haircut. I admit to being very excited about it...until we walked through the door. It seems I had a sudden attack of stage fright. I cried.

Auntie looked at Cousin. Cousin looked at Auntie.

The moments ticked by.

Auntie held me and told me I was a big boy and that I'd had my hair cut at this very place last year. "It was a fun place," she said. "There are lots of toys and you can sit in a little car or a plane and get your haircut."

I wasn't buying it.

Auntie said, "Okay Mr. Smiley. You are getting a haircut. Soldier Mommy said so. You can either play and have fun or cry. Either way, you are getting your haircut!"

Easy for her to say. She wasn't the one getting clipped!

Auntie sent Soldier Mommy a text message and the next thing I knew Soldier Mommy called and gave me a pep talk. It was just what I needed to hear. There's nothing like hearing encouraging words from your Mommy to help you get the job done! After talking to her I knew I could be a big boy and not cry.

And I didn't shed another tear.

I love my new look! Clean and manly! I can't wait to show Soldier Mommy who will be home in 48 hours!

Of Crayons and Salamanders

2008-08-20T11:00:00.001-07:00

It's been really quiet around here. The rain came in and dampened every one's fun. That and Auntie has a ton of homework (just ask her).

Instead of training for the 100K in my pool or doing a bit of off road on my bike (still pink) I've been pursuing more artistic endeavors. I'm very partial to the Veggie Tales coloring book. I prefer it over the Curious George or, if you can believe it, the "princess" coloring books that Auntie has. Insert MASSIVE eye-roll here!

My study of biology has come to a screeching halt because one of my subjects met with an unfortunate accident. While I must accept some responsibility, I would like to point out that I was unaware of the fragility of this particular species.

Okay, look, it went something like this: (and this is just between you and me! Don't go blabbing to Scientific America or anything, okay?)

We were walking up the driveway after dropping my cousin off at her friends house when Auntie spotted a Ensatina eschscholtzii aka Oregon Ensatina or simply Salamander. She was quick to point out it's long tail and toes. We watched it slowly creep across the black top.

Auntie told me not to touch it for she had heard that they secrete a type of poison that can cause skin irritation. Between us, I'm not sure she's 100% correct about this, but since I found myself without exam gloves, I decided to let her win.

She went on to explain that a Salamander's tail will snap right off - How COOL is that? I edged my way closer...and closer...It was a fascinating subject. Truly.

Auntie warned me to be careful and then it happened...

I stepped on it. Now, when Auntie tells you this story she's going to say I STOMPED ON IT. Let me just set the record straight right here, and right now:

I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THAT SALAMANDER

(and could you please define STOMPED?)

Good Eats and My New Friend Rocky

2008-08-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today was church day. So after a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, and let me just say, that I love me some bacon. I really do! I would rather eat bacon that anything else. Except maybe Cheetos. Or gold fish crackers. I'm pretty fond of oranges too. Grapes aren't bad.. Sorry, I got side-tracked by food talk. After breakfast we went to church.

I had fun in my class. There were soooooo many toys and other boys and girls to play with. I was sad to leave. What a great place!

Anyway, after church we came home and had a bite of lunch. I settled on cheddar cheese (another personal favorite), red and green grapes, and gold fish crackers. I also had a couple Cheetos.

After lunch Auntie and I went outside to play and I found the coolest rock. It was so perfectly shaped! We made a video and sent it to Soldier Mommy. Every time I watch that video I laugh so hard! It just cracks me up. Sadly, Auntie cannot seem to figure out how to upload the video to youtube. She's a little bit technically challenged. I love her, but if she'd just listen to me WE could upload that video for your viewing pleasure. Instead, you'll have to enjoy this lame picture.

Last weekend my Soldier Mommy's sister, Soldier Auntie, came for a visit and brought my newest cousin. I love him. He's so little, which makes me soooo big. When you're only 2.5 feet tall you gotta take it where you can get it. Here is a picture of me and the little guy. Isn't he cute?

It's a quiet Sunday here and we are all just kickin' back. The best part about today is that my Soldier Mommy will be home in ONE WEEK!

Hip, hip, hooray!

No Scars!

2008-08-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

There hasn't been much going on around here. It's been so hot outside that we only go out in little bursts.

Yesterday, I was riding my bike, which is STILL pink, and I tried to pop a wheelie. I have a great admiration for motorcycles and I recently watched my brother, The Game Master, make an impressive jump on an ATV. I thought I was ready. I thought I could handle it. Imagine my surprise when the bike flipped completely over and I landed on the back of my head.

My pit crew moved into action with lightening speed and had the bike off me in a matter of second, but the damage was done.

Ouch!

My Soldier Mommy was on the phone talking to Auntie, so even though I was pretty upset, I got to hear her voice. I have an impressive lump on the back of my head but sadly no scars to show my bravery.

Dang it!

Auntie gave me a Popsicle and I felt better. Here is my happy face.

I awoke early this morning and as Auntie writes this I am watching my Signing Time video and eating Cheerios. I know Auntie and Uncle were baffled by my early rising. In fact, I over heard Uncle say, "Why is he up?" I guess he forgot that little kids do what little kids do. I also heard Auntie say something about a nap...

We'll just see about that!

Trick My Ride....PLEASE!

2008-08-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Auntie dropped me and my cousin off at the park while she went to physical therapy. I have no idea what physical therapy is, but it doesn't sound nearly as much fun as the park.

After a quick bite of lunch it was my cousin’s turn to visit the doctor. While in the waiting room I noted they had this totally cool school bus to drive. The only problem was that you had to make your own sound effects. Trust me. I am no amateur. I make the best moving bus sounds. Just ask anyone who was sitting in that waiting room. I could tell they enjoyed the entertainment I was providing.

Perhaps I should look into that; being a waiting room entertainer. I think there is a real need for that. They have piano players in bars, why not toy bus driving cuties in waiting rooms?

When we got home I decided to do a wee bit o' three-wheelin'. You'll note from the pictures below that my "bike" is pink and purple. I will just have you know that I am secure enough in my MANHOOD to ride a pink bike. That's right. I'm man enough!

And since it's the only bike here (left over from when my Auntie was a foster mommy) my choices are pretty darn limited.

Now, I don't know if it's because the bike is pink or if the ground was especially rough, but I kept getting stuck in this one pot hole. It was embarrassing. Time and again I had to call for assistance to get unstuck.

I think maybe I'm going to have to cherry this bike out. It needs bigger tires and a larger wheel base. It has NO shock absorbers and let’s face it, a bike ain't a bike without some flames man! I think I'll stop by Jesse James place and see if he can't trick my bike out.

Yeah...

Fishy

2008-08-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

Face it, when you are only 2.5 feet tall you end up doing whatever someone else wants to do. Take yesterday for example. Miss C just had to visit the orthodontist. Why she'd want to do this is beyond me.

After arriving at the orthodontist's office. I could finally understand why she wanted to go: FISH TANK!

It wasn't your fresh water fish tank either. NEMO was in there. Seriously! I loved the tank. This man is obviously a genius. No wonder my cousin has those cool metal things on her teeth. I had no idea what an exciting and rewarding trip this was going to be.

By the time we got home I was feeling a little fishy myself. My uncle was kind enough to help me fill up the tiny, purple pool for my aquatic pleasure. For whatever reason I couldn't convince him to get in. I'll just never understand adults!

While I was enjoying the coolness of the deep, Soldier Mommy sent me a picture from AT. Here she is looking very soldier like with her GREAT BIG GUN. I told Auntie that I WANTED A BIG GUN TOO! She simply replied that I'd have to wait until I was taller since that gun looked taller than I am.

Last night I had trouble sleeping. I woke up wanting my Soldier Mommy. Night time is hard because when all is quiet I seem to miss her more. I know there is only a week and a half left, but I wish the time would hurry up and pass.

I miss my Soldier Mommy!

Mt. Angel Abbey

2008-08-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Auntie, Uncle and Cousin C and I went to see their son (my other cousin) J. He lives about an hour away and I hadn't seen him in a long time. After brunch we drove up the the Abbey at Mt. Angel. It was amazing. So beautiful, peaceful and so much grass to run on! I loved the grass. Everyone was really taken in by the view and the buildings, but not me. Give me some green grass to roll in and I'm a happy chappy.

Me and my cousin J. He's almost as good looking as I am. Almost...

Me and my auntie

Auntie and Uncles family

More Park Pictures

2008-08-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Field sports!

Z-Man and Me at the Park

2008-08-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday Auntie took me to meet Unca Bill and Z-Man at the park. I like Unca Bill. He's not really my Unca, but he is Auntie's way cool little bro. He has a son named Z-Man and I really like playing with him.

It rained the night before, so Unca Bill took one for the team and went down the slide first. That way only his butt got wet and not mine or Z-Man's.

In this next picture I am tryin to explain the difference between the pine cone and the chocolate milk. Please note that pine cones do NOT taste nearly as good as chocolate milk does!

I Like Me Some Chips

2008-08-09T06:45:00.001-07:00

My Great-Grandpa is in the hospital so Auntie and Cousin took me over to see him. I like GG, he has soft golf balls he lets me throw around his living room. That, and he usually has a piece of candy he's willing part with.

At the hospital I saw his owie. It was BIG. It was YUCKY. I couldn't keep my eyes off it. I kept pointing to it and telling him that he had an owie. I wondered why someone hadn't given him a big bandage and a kiss. That always makes me feel better.

Then Auntie took me to Taco Bell for lunch. I sang a little song as we drove over. It went something like this:

"Taco Bew, Taco Bew, Taco Bew,Taco Bew, Taco Bew, Taco Bew!"

I like that song a lot. In fact, I sang it on the way home too. Maybe I should record it? I'm certain it would sell millions of copies.

One item at Taco Bell that you need to order is the chips and cheese. I don't know what they put in that cheese stuff, but it's great. I could eat the entire cheesy goodness without chips! That's how good it is.

I'm noticing that every time I do anything, and I do mean anything someone is taking a picture of me. I'm really going to have to do something about the paparazzi before an embarrassing picture of me and Mylie Cyrus ends up on the cover on the National Enquirer.

What would Soldier Mommy say?!

A Visit to the Duck Park

2008-08-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

On Thursday we dropped my cousin, Miss C, off at her piano lesson and then went to the Duck Park. Wouldn't you think that if the park was named, "Duck" that there would be ducks? You'd think that, wouldn't you?

No ducks!

Instead, I decided to further my research of Botany, by sniffing and classifying the local verb.

I admit that when I smelled the grass that I said, "Dis smell like my cousin".

Auntie was completely clueless and asked me to repeat myself several times. I think her hearing is beginning to fade. Something that happens among old folks.

After smelling various shrubs, I moved on to tree climbing. Sadly, the trees were not very cooperative.

I decided I'd try my luck at tree hugging, but found it to be all together unsatisfying.

Thus ended our visit to the NON-Duck Park.

Sunny Days

2008-08-07T06:25:00.001-07:00

Howdy, Master Smiley here!

Yesterday Auntie took me for a walk and I really enjoyed looking at the neighbors cows. Cows are beautiful. They say mooo and they walk around. One even walked right up to me at the fence, which was kinda scary.

I decided that the cows wanted me to pet them and I kept trying to touch the fence, but Auntie wouldn't let me. She told me that the fence was "hot" and that it was an "owie maker". I haven't decided yet if she was telling the truth or not.

It was a hot day, so Auntie suggested we fill up the little, purple pool. I thought this was a great idea! She even brought out the tiny tots kitchen. There's just nothing like pouring water from bucket to bucket. Nothing like it!

I even dumped some on my head! Auntie laughed and laughed, so I did it some more. Then she took a video of it and sent it to Soldier Mommy so she could laugh too. I bet she did.

Playing in the sun is hot business, but Auntie bought me some Popsicles and they really hit the spot. I picked the grape one and it was so tasty that I couldn't stop eating it.

Last night I watched the video Soldier Mommy sent me THREE TIMES. I picked up my toys and brushed my teeth (I really like brushing my teeth. My toothpaste is yummy). Then guess what happened? I went to sleep in my big boy bed without crying!

Guess I'm a big boy now!

An Introduction

2008-08-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hello!

My name is Master Smiley. I am staying with my Auntie and Uncle until my mommy returns from Annual Training with the US Army. My Mommy is a soldier.

Here at my blog you'll hear all about my days and nights, see some cute and funny pictures, and learn about my family and friends.

Here is a picture of my family:

Here is my Soldier Mommy:

Here is a picture of my brother and me:

I love my Soldier Mommy, but I miss her a lot.

Sometimes my Soldier Mommy might read this, so you can leave her a note if you'd like. But only leave nice notes. After all, she is making a sacrifice for YOUR freedom and I'm just a little kid. Keep it clean or my Auntie will get you.

Seriously.