Soccer

In addition to starting a new school year, Erin started soccer this week too. When I asked her if she wanted to do gymnastics or ballet again she said "no" that she wanted to do soccer! So off to Dick's we went to buy cleats, shin guards and socks.

She seemed to really like her first practice, and already had met a couple of the kids on her team previously. The only down side is that practice is at 7pm and lasts an hour....pretty late for a 5 year old! Fortunately it's only 1 night a week. All the moms were complaining about it as the sun set on our little ones, so maybe we'll stage a revolt and change the time.

I didn't get any pictures of her this week, but just for fun I thought I'd put up pictures from the last time she played (for one week! we got rained out, or were out of town the rest of the season). These pictures are from last year when we lived in Kansas. I'll try to get some pictures at next week's practice!

We all survived the first day of school!

Well, Erin came home from school yesterday and declared "I had a GREAT time at kindergarten!" So I guess it all went well. She said she got around the school okay, and she made some new friends. I am so glad that her day went well, I was afraid that if it didn't go well yesterday that getting her back on the bus today would be a real challenge. But she was ready to go and was thrilled to hop on the bus again this morning!
I can honestly say my most anxious part of the day was when the bus brought her back home after school. I was terrifed that she'd end up on the wrong bus or would get off at the wrong stop. But there she was! I think Jason was a little anxious too, because he called just as she was getting off the bus to check on her!
Now I guess we just have to wait for the "newness" to wear off and her to declare "I don't want to go to school today." Little does she know, she's got 13 more years of this!

First Day of School!

Well, it's official....Erin is a kindergartener! Though the weather was dark and dreary, she was so excited this morning. She was up early and got dressed right away. It was cute. A couple days ago she started having doubts and totally freaked out about it. She declared she didn't want to go to school and went on and on about being afraid of getting lost at school and not knowing where the bus would take her, and being afraid that I would leave her during the day. So thank goodness she's over that, although I do have strict instructions not to leave the house while she's at school. :)

Jason's unit got the morning "off" to be home to send their kids to school, so it was great that he could be here. As she walked to the bus she kept looking back and saying goodbye. When she got around the bus to get on she popped her hed back around and yelled "bye dad!" Kids are so funny.

Despite everyone's predictions, there were no tears in the Riley house. Though I'll miss having her to hang out with (she's finally to an age that she's fun to do things with!) but she needs to go to school and start a real routine.

I'll let you know how the first day goes! Here are some pictures from this morning!

Kids can sleep anywhere

Erin's favorite show is America's Funniest Home Videos. She watches it every night before she goes to bed, and laughs endlessly. Last night we didn't turn it on right away and she drew a picture and told us that it was a picture of Tom Bergeron being sad because we weren't watching him.....kids!

So when we did finally turn it on, they had pictures of people sleeping in funny positions/places. It was pretty funny, but it also reminded me of some of the hilarious pictures we have of Erin sleeping in random places.

So, in the spirit of AFV, here are some of her funny sleeping pictures!

Of course, all kids can sleep in the car. Here's Erin (left) and Rebecca snoozing on the way back from Eskimo Joe's in Tulsa.

Buried under a pillow and sound asleep...

This picture is no joke...we still have no idea how she managed this, but she is sound asleep!

Techonology

I'm back from my quick Ohio trip, and trying to get back in to the swing of things here. Unpacking is the worst. Going through the pile of mail that gathered while I was gone is a close 2nd.
I had to laugh on the drive home at how things have changed. Our van is 6 years old, and still in pretty darn good shape, considering what we've put it through. It has two electrical plugs in it, and at the time we bought it I thought "what do we need two for? We'll only be charging our phone!" Well the plug in the back has been permanently filled with the little cooler we keep in the car (if you don't have one, you should get one! It was amazing when Erin was little for keeping bottles and milk cold, but it also has a heating function.)
It takes 10 hours to get from OH to NC. During that time I was juggling the front plug between Erin's DVD player, charging my phone (the battery is on it's last leg) and Bitchin' Betty (the GPS). Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be wishing for more!
I guess that shows how short-sighted I am, and how quickly technology can change!

Troopers everywhere!

Though this is a bit behind, the brigade that Jason is in had their change of command ceremony a few weeks ago. Erin and I went, and it was an impressive sight. There were roughly 3,000 paratroopers on the parade field (In the 82nd, our soldiers are called paratroopers!), as the adjutant Jason had a part to play in the ceremony (some of you may have heard the "run daddy" story...I'm still trying to get the video of that!).

Anyways, here are some of the photos of that day.


I also changed the song on here. If you don't have your sound on, turn it on. The 82nd Airborne Chorus is very good and while the CD is great, it really doesn't do them justice...they are amazing when they are live. The song that's playing is the Division song. Though most people think the 82nd is elitist and "mafia-like" the paratroopers are extremely proud of what they do. We've never lived anywhere that not only the soldiers, but the spouses and kids can sing along to the Division song. It's pretty catchy!

And I've apparently done something to my blog because I can't list comments about the photos, so here goes:
1st: Erin dancing (as usual)
2nd: Jason standing out there all on his own! Gotta love being the Adjutant
3rd: Again, on his own!
4th: Jason with the staff
5th: Jason's on the left during the Review

The Army makes me schizophrenic

I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I have alot of days where I really dislike the Army and can't wait to be done with the madness. Jason believes that whatever sacrifices we make are worth it for the chance to serve our country. While I mostly agree, I definately have my limits. Jason has been working some crazy hours, and it seems like no matter what we plan, family always takes a backseat to the "needs of the Army."
So I'm coming off one of those "ugh" weeks. Jason worked another insane week and to top it off we had a Hail and Farewell Friday night. I was tired and a bit done with it all.
The H & F was at probably the nicest restaurant in Fayetteville (we do have a few) and it was a wonderful time! I enjoyed chatting with the other spouses and dishing about our crazy lives.
We shared some of our insane horror stories of Army life (who's lived out of a suitcase the longest, who's lived through the craziest disasters when their husband was gone etc etc.) and the conversation turned to how wonderful the Army is with familes. We all agreed that very few companies in the "real world" care if you even have a family, let alone provide services, support groups, "welcomes" and "farewells" when you move in and out of units and other opportunites. I walked away from that night being reminded of how fabulous the Army is and what a great opportunity it is to be a part of such a wonderful organization. It renewed my "hooah" spirit and reminded me that Jason is right, the sacrifices are worth it.
Sadly, our memories are short. I am sorry and embarrassed to admit that in my own wallowing I had allowed myself to stop actively remembering the many soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. At the brigade's spring formal we honored the paratroopers who didn't return from Afghanistan with the rest of the unit in April. In a room of 700 people, there was not a single dry eye as a candle was lit for each of them. In attendance was the widow of a fallen paratrooper. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. If she can be proud to attend a military function after the death of her husband, I can certainly suck it up and stop complaining about Jason's long hours.
Not everyone is cut out for this crazy ass lifestyle, and many days I feel like I'm one of those people. While I complain about it, the Army has provided us with tremendous opportunies, not the least of which is serving our country. We are very lucky to be part of a volunteer force willing to do what so many others are not. We are also very lucky to have a wonderful families who support us and do what they can to help ease the burdens that sometimes come our way.
All in all, it's a pretty damn good life. Thanks to all of our fellow service-friends for serving along side of us, and thank you to our families for making it all possible!!!