Life and Times with the Thatcher Family: June 2008

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Happy Birthday Ava!

Our Ava turned 2 years old today! We celebrated her birthday at her favorite place for french fries--yes, McDonalds! Fancy, I know, but she LOVES french fries. I made her a cake and we had a small family party at the McD's on the base. Her favorite thing was the card that Emma picked out for her--it was one of those music cards and it sang Happy Birthday to her when she opened it. I bet she listened to it 100 times tonight. Please enjoy a few photos of the big day.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Summer Fun

Hi Everyone! We have been keeping busy with moving plans and summer activities. My mom and Paige have been here for 10 days now and it is so nice to have their help and company while Scott is gone. We are trying to keep the girls entertained and keep up with the move schedule too. Ava and Emma are becoming quite good friends and developing a great relationship as sisters. Please enjoy the photos, I will write more later.

Meme and the girls playing with the sled in the back yard.

Ava LOVES to get wet if there is water any where near her!

Hiding under the covers with Meme!

Playing in the bird bath with Emma.

Emma enjoying lunch in her make shift cabin.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Emma's New Passion

During the last month of Kindergarten, Emma and her class enjoyed reading a chapter book about a young New Mexican girl named Josephina. There is an American Girl doll that is modeled after Josephina. Scott and I got Emma this doll for her kindergarten graduation. Josephina grew up at El Rancho De Las Golondrinas--the living museum we just toured over the weekend. Emma picked out a Josephina skirt and sash at the gift shop and has been obsessed about it ever since. Here are some photos of Emma as Josephina.

More Photos from the Field Trip

Daddy and Ava enjoying a snow cone.

El Rancho De Las Golondrinas, the living museum we went to with Emma's class, had an old school house with a volunteer that conducted a mock class for the kids. They loved it!

Ava couldn't stand it, she had to join the class. Let's hope she still feels that way when it's time to start pre-school in a couple of years!

Ava joining her big sister, Emma, for school.

Hey, is anyone up there? I sure am digging this lolly pop thing!

Suprise Visit By Daddy!

Hi everyone. Scott called us last Friday night around 7:00 to tell us he was an hour and a half from home! We didn't expect to see him for several weeks because of his Saturday class and simulator schedule. Altus Air Force Base lost power during a severe storm last Thursday night, so his Saturday schedule was canceled and the base didn't expect to get power for several days. Lucky for us, Scott decided to come home instead of sticking around the base with no power.

Emma was so excited to see her dad, especially since she didn't expect it. Saturday, we went to a living history museum with Emma's former kindergarten class. They usually have their end of the year field trip a couple of weeks after graduation to coincide with the children's festival at this museum near Santa Fe. We had a great time and enjoyed having Scott there with us. We didn't like having to say good-bye to Emma's teachers and friends. She has blossomed so much at her Montessori school over the past 3 years. The teachers and staff there are so caring and professional. We love you all and will miss you so much.

On the down side, Emma was devastated when Scott had to leave on Sunday afternoon to go back to Altus. She cried for an hour and I couldn't console her--it was heart breaking. She LOVES her daddy so much. Ava was so sweet and was very concerned about Emma's tears. She just hugged Emma and looked at her, like "it's okay". These occasional weekend visits from dad are bitter sweet!

Emma (pink hat), Ms Robin, Emma's teacher (beige hat), Emma's classmate Eric (orange hat) and his mom Kristy. They were checking out the white arctic wolf. He was huge!