Jo's First Piano Recital

She was not able to play during the recital but she did play the following day so we could record what she would have played.

HAPPY 9 YEARS!

Jo and Cole's Birthday this year was a blast!  The party weather on the 14th was not quite as warm compared to past years but the rain held off to allow us to play games outside.

Eat two of those new giant marshmallows without using their hands!

This was really funny to watch as you can see with Carol and Dan's faces.

After this activity we had to play a game that didn't involve food as a couple of the kids didn't look like they could handle more sweets at that moment.

But then onto the Oreo in the mouth race.

Move the Oreo from your forehead to your mouth twice.

And the balloon pop for some movement!

The laughter in the backyard was great!

Other games were Lampshade on the Head and Orange soccer race.

The Crew for the gift opening.

Dale, Francis, Nanny, Gma Marie, Connie & Rachelle, Oma, Carol & Gma Norman.  Mixed in with cousins and good friends!

Broke out the fire pit for s'mores.

The adults didn't last long as it got chilly quickly but it was still great to light the fire and visit.  S'mores were good too.

A little manipulation from the girls and we had an over nighter on our hands.

(We are going to have to learn these new girl tactics for future negotiations.)

The Animal Tea Party!

They were dang funny and had a wonderful evening giggling and laughing.

Good MORNING 9 Year Olds!

And the actual Birthday day was quite and restful.

(we adults were quite thankful for that)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO THE GREATEST KIDS!

Last of P. Conkey Trip

The last couple days with the Young/Conkey family we stayed in Savanna Georgia!  The first order of business was to watch Andrew unpack his sea bags and a fashion show! (shown below on the "Private Conkey" post)  Ahhh, but there was one package that had been sealed shut for three months that now needed to be opened.

His civilian cloths that he was wearing the day he arrived on Paris Island.  Yes, three long months to marinade in man sweat.

Andrew didn't think they faired too well!

So he had to share the pleasure of their essence with his sister of course!

She agreed with him on the assessment!

 

We ran down to town and walked
around a bit that first evening and
you wouldn't believe who I ran into!

Thank goodness I was there
to help with her dress!

TOUR of Savanna!

Wait?  Did I say "tour"?  Why then are we sporting bike helmets?

Because they didn't trust us on our Segways!

A tour on Segways!  WAY FUN!

Savanna is just gorgeous and like all of the East Coast so full of history!

1) A horse post to tie up your horst while visiting your Auntie along with a stepping stone so your Aunt will not trip on her petticoat while climbing into the carriage.

2) Many street signs were beautiful and attached right to the side of the houses.

3) The homes were just wonderful to look at, lots of iron work, details and items that were created for superstitious reasons.

And here we are with our guide leading the way.

Guide, Andrew, Mandy, Trish and Paul.

The Segway was so easy to ride that we zipped along the streets taking photos at times without slowing down.  When some one says it's like walking they are correct but more fun!

All that walking, I mean touring made us hungry so we stopped at a pizza pie joint to order just a small pie for the five of us.

OMG!  This was HUGE!  And yes, we just had to order it.

Trish snapped this photo.  We think this sums up how we all saw this pie.

We walked off some of that pizza on River St as it was just a beautiful day.

I not only love this picture because I love the subjects but I smile seeing how Andrew was holding the left over pizza like he does this Marine cap.

Up early the next day to drive 16 hours North toward home dropping me off some where in between for my flight home.  I think we all arrived at our homes around the same time the following morning.

It was a trip to remember, a little some thing different and fun each day.

Until next time!

Jo: "Do I have a Dad?"

I have found that the piano is more than learning/teaching and practicing music.  It has become a place where Jo talks about all sorts of things that have run through her head that day or any day in her life.  She opens up in all sorts of wonderful ways that a typical practice session will last a half hour with only fifteen of it being actual playing time.

Today marks the day I was asked, "Do I have a Dad?"

It was a wonderful conversation as Oma and I explain the process and she got excited as she realized that she has half siblings as well.  It was nice to see her have this understanding as she asked more questions and we provided the information.  Just as quickly as this topic started she noticed a sparkly was coming loose from her shoe and she said "Oh no, look."

I asked "Are you done with questions?"

Jo: "Yes, can I eat?" and she headed to the kitchen to have her fifth dinner because four servings of dinner were not quite enough tonight.

I love the time I spend at the piano with Jo.  Some day I hope she realizes how much she gives me during this time.  Her music makes me smile with pride and joy but her conversations and thoughts brightens my world.

Private Conkey!

Basic Training was in Paris Island, South Carolina.  Trish contacted me and asked if I would like to come out and join them for family day and graduation.  Honored and Proud to be apart of some thing so important to Andrew, absolutely!  (Thank You Trish!)

Landed in South Carolina to sunshine.  Oh the joy after such a long winter and wet spring at home.

I was quickly picked up by Trish, Mandy and Paul and we headed toward the island and our hotel for the night. (Not as quick of a pick up as we had planned as they had driven to the wrong airport, or my pilot landed at the wrong one.  Could be debated either way.  haha)

What do people do at a hotel while waiting for family day?

We make a sign so Andrew can find us amongst the rest of the families.

We decorate a small apple pie with "OHH-RAH" thinking Andrew will like his own apple pie to eat.

We each must have a decorative pie letter on our face so we all know what our first names start with.  (oh they tasted awful!)

And we painted our toe nails.  (Ok, Mandy painted our toe nails and gave Trish and I a foot massage for Mothers day too!)  LOVE YOU Mandy.

Thursday: Family Day

Our first sight of the Marines!

The Men came jogging out in the morning light.

"Do you see him?  I think so.

Where?  There!

Where? There! Are you sure?"

"THERE!  THERE HE IS!"

"WAIT?! Isn't he suppose to be standing at attention?  What's that smirk?"

"Yeah!  He sees us!"

After watching the new Marines stretch and warm up we then watched them run a final lap around the base chanting while all the family cheered them on.  What a sight and sound!

Later Andrew joined us and gave us a tour.

His home for the past three months.  "Tight"

The obstacles course.

I can only imagine and want to only imagine at my age.

We had to take this picture like this!  Many MANY photos have been taken of family / friends with Andrew and his tongue out.

Boy Howdy Private Conkey!  Your so serious now!

Paul, Trish, Private Andrew Conkey, Mandy and Tina

This is the spot Andrew was standing when they finished The Crucible and received his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

What is the Crucible for those who do not know?

For 54 straight hours, recruits’ endurance, teamwork and skills will be pushed to the limit. Through perseverance and courage, they will finish as platoons and earn the title Marine. 
During The Crucible, recruits face: 
• Obstacles that must be negotiated as a team
• Day and nighttime marches
• Night infiltration movement
• Combat resupply and casualty evacuation scenarios
• Combat field firing as a team
• Minimal food and sleep, simulating combat
• Leadership tests
• Core values training

Friday: Graduation Day

Tears of Joy as we watched all these new Marines march in together and my heart swelled with pride knowing Andrew was among them!

 Echo Co, 2nd RTBN class!

 

I cried, I did.

He stands taller and has a glow of pride and happiness that is beyond description.

 

 

Last stop before we drove out of the gates of Paris Island was his first stop and foot steps as a Recruit on this island.

When he stepped off the bus for the first time he ran and found an empty set of footprints to stand at his first attention!

Fitting to have this be his last stop.

  

 Look at him now!

OHH-RAH Andrew!