U.S.S Dwight D. Eisenhower-Tour

Lieutenant Smith.....AKA "Daddy" gave us our own private family tour of the aircraft carrier this afternoon. It worked out well since the majority of the ships crew was all on leave for the extended Easter weekend.....Not Mike of course, the Admiral is always "working".

We met him at his floating office and climbed aboard!! Literally!! Many flights of very narrow stairways while each holding a kid....awkward and probably dangerous. But it worked.

 U.S.S Dwight D Eisenhower

 The floor insignia through the strike group's hallways. They are a beautiful bold blue color with the gold specks, known as the "Blue Tile". And were amazingly clean and shiny! Mike informed me because its the Admirals hallways, not to be used by just anyone. The other walkways are a boring slate gray paint, like the rest of the ship, so it stood out!

 

The girls did a great job traversing the corridor ups/downs over the thresholds.

 

 Upon arrival at the dock, the first gang plank is for the ships crew.

 

The second gang plank at the rear of the ship is for the ship's Strike Group! That is where we entered.

 Another sign you are entering the Admirals area......The 1 Star drapes! 

Awesomeness starts on the other side!!

 First stop was to daddy's room on the boat. Its a 2-man room, so there is one set of bunk beds, a sink and some storage for them to share. Oh, and this chair that the girls enjoyed climbing into.

 Abby playing peek-a-boo in daddy's "rack" (aka- bed), behind his blackout drapes

 

Next up was daddy's office on the ship. A narrow space with a few computers, phones and chairs, and a couch, oh and 100 wires/cables strung above. Abby's first question....."Why do you have computers and phones?" Guess we didn't explain that daddy's new job doesn't involve flying, but instead a bunch of paperwork and communication this time around. BELOW: Maddy of course went straight for the telephone...."Hello"....Before Mike ripped it from her hands :)

 Next up was a visit to the Flag Room, Admirals' staff only of course!

There is a full kitchen, couch area, TV and more.

 Right off the Flag Room (dining room) is the Admirals personal office, bedroom and bathroom that he has all to himself. This is a shot of his desk and couch.

 And here is his entertainment center/tv below!

Not bad when you are living a good chunk of the year/life at sea when you have that many successful Navy years under your belt!!

 Then we made our way up to the flight deck.

While docked there are no planes aboard so the deck is empty and seems endless.

 Still can't get this kid to obey photo rules of standing still with a smile. This was close enough.

Egg Hunt Fun

As usual my friend Danielle was on cue during our fun Easter Themed playgroup with 18 kids today!!! No joke, 18 kids....and about 8 adults. We were outnumbered for sure.

But we hid a ton of eggs in our backyard and the kids had a blast.

I was busy playing hostess, so I wasn't behind the camera. When I get more photos from friends, I'll share them too! Its fun seeing Maddy be old enough to truly take part in things this year.

Bubbles Everywhere

$15 WELL SPENT!!!!

Every parent knows you get tired of blowing bubbles for your own kids, then once they are old enough to blow their own they spill a small jug in no time. Then comes the solution......a bubble machine. 

No work, no fuss!!

Flowers in her hair.......

 "Flowers in her hair......" 

Maddy picked flowers from the backyard and insisted on them being in her hair

"Yankee Doodle"

"Yankee Doodle Dandy"

"World's Army"

"I'm in the World's Army......Yes Sir!!"

This is probably the hardest to understand, and the one in which I never knew what Abby was saying when she would sing it at home. Finally the salute "yes sir" tipped me off and I caught onto the words!

....."I may never fight in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery, I may never fly over the enemy.........I'm in the worlds Army, Yes Sir" 

I thought Mike would have loved this one! Maybe he will start having Abby salute him when she is told to do something.......:)

"Working on the Railroad"

"I've Been Working on the Railroad....."

"Pledge of Allegiance"

I should also mention that the videos sound LOUDER and more screamed than they really were in person. They really encourage the kids to sing loud since so many are shy and reserved. So just turn down your speakers a bit :)

"PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE" (they have been practicing this all year, and say it everyday!!)

"God Bless America"

"God Bless America" 

 (please bear with me on all these videos with their wobbliness as I took them with our regular camera and didn't bring a tripod!! Oops! Next time that will come with me to help!!) 

Patriotic Performance

Abby's school had a Patriotic Show today, to showcase all the songs they have been practicing since the 1st of the year. She did a great job learning them all and really impressed me, since they don't send home song lists. So for the first month or so I had no clue what she was trying to sing....but it all came together in the end!!  Unfortunately daddy had a VERY busy work schedule and couldn't attend, as they honored the parents in uniform that attended!

She posed a bit this morning before we were leaving for school.

Our little shining star.....third from the right ont he bottom row (red shirt)

 Abby did great with all her singing! And even gave me a great shot here at the end looking right at me. I sat in the balcony section this time to stay clear of parents heads!!

Videos to follow this post!

And so it begins.....

 Mike's new job is in FULL swing! He was gone the last seven days out on the boat during part of their work-up training exercises at sea that they perform prior to a deployment (one of many).

One week down.......50+ more to go......seriously :)

But on a lighter note, he is home now, a day here and there, a week here and there, and then deployment will be upon us before we know it. Luckily for the girls and I, summer hits at the same time so we will have swimming and friends to keep us occupied.

 

 First official work business cards.

 Photo from the Eisenhower during a boat exercise last week

 And just in case you were curious what Mike's new boss looks like......he is the one in the mustache!

Rear Admiral Mike Manazir. Receiving this award in the photo is the outgoing Aide who Mike is replacing. With only a week under his belt, Mike had great things to share about his experience....slightly different from those on previous cruises since he now shares some privileges that the Admiral receives (personal laundry service, and meals in the admirals private dining room, are just a few).

Next stop.....Italy and abroad for a week!! Should be quite the adventure.

Rainy Day Snack/Movie

Its a rainy Saturday here....and the rain is welcomed, to help wash away the layer of yellow pollen that is covering everything outdoors and wash away some allergies!!

Posing for their dad so he can see his girls while he is away!

And they play!

 Nothing like helping your little sister get dressed up! Stickers on her forehead and ALL!

Sand Box Revisited!!

And Spring has SPRUNG here in Virginia!!!!

And just in time too, because we are SOOO excited to start playing outside more.

Daddy put new sand in the sandbox and the kids couldn't be more thrilled (for the moment!!)

This messy contraption provides so much fun, even if it requires a bath and sweeping more often.

I caught Abby covering Maddy on this day, so the fun begins. Just looking forward to going to the beach soon so the mess stays there :)

My Posing Pair

So Spring has made its debut!! The flowers are blooming, the grass is green and growing!!

And best of all, the kids can play outside!!! YEAH!!!!!!!

Zoo in March

Our time with daddy is about at its end.....he starts his new job TOMORROW 3/19!!!!

Where did our 2 weeks of vacation go??? NO SERIOUSLY!!!! Where did it go? 

Lets recap......Day one of said vacation....Maddy gets pink eye, Abby gets pink eye the next day.

Then mommy gets pink eye.......Abby already had an ear infection, then we make it to our waterpark overnight, mommy has a sinus infection, the 2nd week of vacation both girls have ear infections.....

Now the weather perks up for early Spring, and we are all feeling normal again. 

Luckily Mike kept sanitized and healthy and avoided it all!! Good thing because he had a lot on his honey-do list the last few weeks as he prepares to leave.

So this past Friday while Abby was at school, we took Maddy to the zoo by herself......a 1st! No big sister telling her what to see and pulling her here and there.

 All the animals were out and about, and very active

 So was this CUTE little otter

 Special time with her dad

 Shhhh.....we told her not to tell Abby we paid extra to take her on the train ride!!!

Brush Brush!!

 Maddy is a diligent tooth brusher! Of course she hates when we say its time to go to bed, but she patiently makes it through her dutiful chore of brushing. Now she has realized that if she stands on her tippy-toes, she can see herself brushing in the mirror. Love this age of learning and exploring.

Dress Up Fun

Dress up time NEVER ends in our house. With or without friends over, they love to get creative.

Abby at the park

 Abby at the park the other day while my friend Danielle had her camera!

Toes!!!

Maddy caught me painting my toes the other day, so of course she insisted on having hers done too!

Her FIRST time ever with painted toes!!! She sat so still and loved it!