Thursday, May 31, 2007
Welcome Home Soldiers
This morning Mom and I drove down to the airport and welcomed home the soldiers coming in from Afghanistan and Iraq. It was quite an experience. When we got there, we picked up some flags from the USO volunteers--they remembered me from my last trip to their office! We waited until it was announced that the plane had landed, then we all lined up in front of the door. The patriotic music began, the doors flew open, and soldier after soldier, about 150 on this flight, came through our assembly. We shook their hands, waved our flags, and said "welcome home heroes!" The family members got to stand at the front of the line so there were lots of hugs and kisses too. These soldiers are all on long deployments but get to come in for a 2 week r&r. All r&r flights come in to 1 of 2 airports--Dallas or Atlanta--but Dallas is the only one that has a welcome reception. Those that aren't from Dallas are met at the end of the receiving line by a volunteer who directs them to their connecting flight or to the USO office where they can have a snack, watch tv, or get on the internet. It was so neat, and we're so close to the airport, we're definitely going to do it again soon. Here are some photos showing the setup.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Mom's Triathlon
I got up early this morning with Dad to watch Mom in her first ever triathlon. It was lots of fun to watch all the athletes-- about 130 people participated in the race. Dad and I positioned ourselves at different locations during the race so we could cheer and take pictures during the run, bike, and swim. It was really rainy and muddy, but it didn't start pouring until right before Mom completed the cycling. Luckily, the swim was inside a natatorium. Mom completed the race in about 1.5 hours. She was really excited to become a triathlete--and just 1 week before she turns the big 3-0! Afterwards, we went to eat a huge breakfast at IHOP--omelets, pancakes, and hashbrowns. I don't think I've ever seen Mom eat so much. Here are some photos of the race.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Trip to the USO
Mom and I took a fun trip today to the USO office at the airport. I think I told you how I asked all my friends to bring a book instead of a gift to my bday party. Well, today I got to deliver all the books to the soldiers heading overseas. They use the books to read a story to their kids before they take off. The reading is videoed, then the video is sent along with the book to their kids. We learned that most of the soldiers arrive at the DFW airport early from all over the US, and they don't usually depart until after lunch. This gives them time to go to the reading room to make their video. The USO at DFW airport creates more videos of soldiers than any other location in the US! I carried the books all by myself in my new Cars rolling suitcase. I even got to hand deliver them to a group of soldiers getting ready to take off. It was really a magical moment. Mom and I thanked them for their service to our country, and I gave them all a high five! I've including some photos of the visit, along with some other photos of my new tricycle--my birthday present from Grandmother and Grand Dad. I haven't really taken to the trike yet, since I won't part with my new suitcase from Aunt Laura and Uncle Reeve. I take my bag everywhere--the grocery store, playgroup, outside. I won't leave home without it. I got a lesson yesterday in stealing when Mom found some items in my suitcase before we left the sports store--oops! We now do a bag check before departure. Enjoy the photos.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
2nd Birthday Bash
Well Jack's Pizzeria In the Park was the place to be on Saturday. All my friends joined me to make our very own mini pizzas in the park behind my house in celebration of my 2nd birthday. Mine had lots and lots of cheese! We even had a very special guest--Stringbini the Clown! He put on quite a show, and guess who was the star?? ME! We played with all my toys, including my new lawn mower, and swung on the tire swing. All my friends brought books to give to the USO's United Through Reading, a program that videos soldiers who are being deployed reading a book to their kids. The book and the video are then sent to the kids to have special moments while their parents are away. Don't worry, I got really great presents from my family, too like a sand and water table from Mom and Dad! To cap everything off, everyone sang happy birthday to me around my ginormous cookie cake and helped me blow out my candles. After the party, I took a long nap, then swam the rest of the day while we cooked out on the deck. It was a great weekend. Here are some pictures of some of the highlights.
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