VBS Concert Video Clips

Vacation Bible School

This was a busy week for us. Not only did we start swimming lessons, but on Monday Tyler started Vacation Bible School which was held every day. He was joined with his good friends Rachael, Kyle, and Shaun. This was year two for us to attend and Tyler couldn't wait for it to start. Unfortunately, today was the last day and the parents were treated with a concert of the songs they had been learning all week. The concert was adorable and all the kids did wonderfully. Tyler is pictured in the second row to the right. Kyle is in the front row directly in front of him. Once the concert was over, we finished up with an ice cream social. Of course, I took loads of photos and some video to share with you all. Stay tuned for some video, meanwhile here are a few photos from today.

Swim Little Fishy

Not the best photo I've ever taken, but you will see that Tyler is in the pool with an instructor. He had his first swimming lesson last night! We decided to sign him up after one of his best friends, Rachael, was also taking the course. When we arrived for the class we learned that Rachael was instead going into the next level class because she wanted to keep the same instructor that she had in the beginners class. So, we ended up going in that same class too, which I would rather him in anyway just because he already is familiar with the basics. Both Rachael and Tyler did an awesome job. They totally fit right in with the rest of the class. Tyler absolutely loves it too. They'll be taking the class twice a week.

Where is Newport?

Well, when we woke up this morning the cat was gone. We were hoping and praying that he was either found by his owners or took advantage of the quiet of the night to find his way back home. However, the rental office called later this afternoon and said the owners just called to report him missing. It's too bad they didn't call yesterday because it would have been a quick retrieval. So, Tyler and I looked around and tonight when we came home we were approached by a girl asking if we had seen a grey cat. I explained to her that I was the one who called the rental office. She thanked me for taking him in during the storm and together we looked around the complex. She said his name is Newport and had some treats with her in hopes that he might come out for that. We looked in a lot of bushes, but we had no luck. After awhile, we exchanged phone numbers in case one another finds him. Apparently, he had been missing since Sunday! Continue to keep him in your prayers.
Steve Update: Click here to read a touching story that took place on the ship.

Lost and Found: One Adorable Cat

On our way out this morning, we noticed a cat on the stairwell in our building. She looked quite frightened as we passed by her. About 45 minutes later when I returned, she was still in the same spot. This is when I became quite concerned for her. After giving her some tuna and going back inside for about 20 minutes to see if she would eat it, I checked on her and she hadn't touched a thing. So, I checked with everyone that was home in our building to see if they had perhaps lost a cat. Unfortunately, none did and the cat was still frightened and in the same spot. I sat down with her and she let me pet her. I tried to comfort her by talking to her and it seemed to really ease her nerves. Soon, however, it was time for me to leave and when I returned 30 minutes later, she was still there and the food still untouched. It was hot out and so, I gave her some water, which I don't believe she drank any. Maybe she was too upset to want anything. In my opinion, it was obvious that she was an indoor cat. Every little noise she heard outside made her very tense. And she was immaculate and friendly once she got to know you.

I called the rental office and asked them if maybe they received a call from someone. They didn't, however, they did check their pet logs for our building and the ones close by and none matched. I gave her some cheese to eat, but again she didn't touch it. Then this afternoon it started to downpour and thunder and lightning out. She came up to our floor and I let her into our apartment. She walked around for a bit and then hung out underneath my bed. Tyler was all excited about the cat being here. He was coming up with all kinds of plans, one of which was to  buy her a kitten so she wouldn't be lonely. He really wanted to give her a name and keep her. Unfortunately, we are unable to do that. Once the storm was over, we got her from underneath the bed and put her back outside. Hopefully she will find her way back to her home after it becomes dark and a lot more quiet. Please keep her in your prayers.

Pesce in Cisterna

Our base was hosting an Italian festival this weekend, so I invited Dawn and Rachael to come along with us because it was opened to the public. We were quite excited about it because the description said it was going to be food, music and merchandise. However, when we got there and found out that it was only a few vendors selling wine, cookies, and a few Made in Italy items, along with someone playing a keyboard, we were quite disappointed. In fact, it was quite lame. LOL

So, after a quick walk around the "festival", Dawn suggested that we go to the aquarium instead. They are members and got us in free using their family membership. We all had a great time walking through the aquarium exploring the wondrous sea creatures. It totally made up for not enjoying the festival. Afterwards we had dinner together at I-Hop. Good afternoon with our good friends. Here's some more photos.

An Official Teenager

Birthday celebrations were held for our friend, Cameron, who turned 13 years old. Cameron is Casey's older brother and the son of my friend Tina. Tyler had a blast playing in their pool with Casey and Rachael while the big kids played basketball. After cupcakes and opening of gifts we left the party and then later met up with Rachael and Dawn to see the movie Madagascar 3, which by the way, is absolutely hilarious. We gave it 2 thumbs up. Here are some more photos from Cameron's birthday party.

It took all these Lego People to catch the Lego Monster; in fact, 79 Lego People in total to do so.

Tyler Says the Darndest Things

"Mom, I think there are ants on that hotdog."

Making good use of his time while we wait in the long line at the post office.

Rice, anyone?

Trying out new kitchen gadgets is always fun, right? Well, we've owned this little nifty rice cooker for almost 6 years, but today was the first time I plugged it in and used it. I purchased it just before we moved from Sicily and it soon got packed away with the other things with our move. Then living in our small apartment in Syracuse, we didn't bother to unpack everything because it was a short time we would be living there. After that, we had two moves in Maryland. Anyway, with so many moves somehow along the way the cup and manual got lost over the years. Yasuko had an extra cup to give me and I looked up the instructions online. Today my rice cooker produced some perfectly cooked rice and my life has forever changed. It is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Yasuko and Yuki came over for lunch today to enjoy the first batch of rice with some chicken wings I made. Oh, sometimes it's the little things in life that gives us pleasure.

So, now you know what a steel beach picnic looks like. LOL 

This took place on Steve's ship on Saturday.

Father's Day at Sea

It would have been so nice to have Dad home with us on his very special day, but as you know duty calls. Steve did manage to have a good day. After all his work was done, he opened the present we sent him and as he did he had photos taken so we could feel as if we were right there with him. Tyler and I made him a shirt and we gave him cards. He said he loved everything and couldn't wait to get off the ship so he could wear his new shirt. Afterwards, he had steak, shrimp, and crab legs they were serving as a special Father's Day dinner. For dessert, they had some kind of banana cake which he said was quite yummy for a ship cake.

Tyler Says the Darndest Things

"Don't you wish you had a tail, Mom?"

We're Gonna Miss TLG

This was our last class of gymnastics. We sadly said so long to our friends and instructors. Miss Kayla was our lead instructor for Tyler's class and she did an awesome job. Tyler has learned so much from her. We are going to miss her class. As of right now, we have other plans for the Fall, but you never know things could change and we could find ourselves back at The Little Gym.

Steve Update: They had their Steel Beach Picnic today. Steve enjoyed some grilled salmon and hot dogs cooked right on deck.

Kindergarten Graduate

It hardly seems like the school year has past already, but indeed it has. Tyler graduated out of kindergarten this morning and is now officially a First Grader. He graduated making the Assistant Principal's list yet again and also another Outstanding in Math. Dad and I couldn't be more proud. Today was a half day of school. It was very touching to see all the teachers outside waving to the buses and cars as they left the parking. They have some really great teachers at our school that truly care a lot about the students! Tyler and I are truly going to miss Mrs Tyner and Mrs Jackson.
As promised, I told Tyler he could pick any eating establishment to go for lunch. He decided on Jason's Deli to have a salad. After lunch, we came home and he was super pleased to find a big surprise waiting for him in the living room. Steve and I got him a new car garage for his Grading Day present. We just donated his old car garage that he's had since he was 2 years old to Goodwill. It kept falling apart, so he was very much due for a new one and we wanted to reward him for the great job he has done all year. Tyler was so happy when he saw it and kept saying it was the best day ever and it was the best gift he has ever received. He helped me assemble it, which was a total pain, I might add. LOL There was one part that I just gave up on and ended up taping it together. LOL Dad will have to do the honors when he returns. Anyway, after we put it all together and he played with it for awhile we went to his favorite playground to end our special day. I still can't believe I'm a parent of a First Grader. I don't know where the years have gone.
Steve Update: Although it's not reported by any major American news agencies. This is what Steve reported to me today. Check out the link and please keep him in your prayers. LINK

Playing store.

Keepsake of Special Kindergarten Memories

Wow, Tyler brought home his school yearbook today. I was quite surprised that his school published a yearbook because I didn't receive one myself until I reached Junior High. Anyway, we had a great time this afternoon looking through the photos. He pointed out his other friends that he talks about all the time, but are not in his class. And the cutest thing is that they each autographed each other's books.
Steve Update: Today was the day of the ceremony for the Master Chief who passed away while on the ship. After the ceremony, they moved the casket to a plane. So, Steve was quite busy covering those two events. Everyone was also busy preparing for an inspection tomorrow.

Tyler found LOVE today while at the park.

The Big Show

After a lot of hard work and dedication throughout the year, the kids finally got to show us their stuff in The Little Gym Olympics Friday night. Each and everyone of the kids were super excited to do their routines for the parents to view and record the show. They all did a wonderful job and I was super proud of how well Tyler did. The children were even presented with their own Olympic medals. Sadly, we have one more gymnastics class left before summer starts. We'll definitely miss our Little Gym Friday nights with our friends. Here are more photos from the show, but first a Steve Update.
Steve Update: You may have had quite a scare yesterday if you read in the news that the USS Enterprise was under major attack while going through the Straits of Hormuz. Praise to God that it was a false report, but it was only after it had reached all the news media and even printed in a paper. Here's more on the story, click here. This is a reminder to please continue to keep my husband in your prayers.

Field Day/End of the Year Party

The first words out of Tyler's mouth this morning were "It's Field Day today!!!". Oh yes, this was a much anticipated day for us. I even got to participate myself doing some volunteer work. There were 6 classes of kindergarten students coming through to try out everything from shooting some hoops to obstacle courses to dodge ball. Tyler definitely had a "field day" with everything. The station that I was at was  Face Painting. I had an inside scoop that this was the station to work at since it was the only one shaded. LOL Totally worked for me and I had an absolute blast with the kids. Tyler wanted a snake on his.

After Field Day was over, the kids went back to their classrooms where they enjoyed a big party to celebrate the end of the year. The teachers treated them to a cookie sundae with lots of toppings. The parents were also invited to celebrate and take some photos. We even got to go home a little early. Our busy day continued with a quick swim at the pool and then we were off to our Big Show for gymnastics tonight. Today's post will continue tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Steve Update: My husband's morning didn't start off very good. A master chief on the ship passed away. He died in his sleep. Unfortunately, Steve had to print off the photos and burn them to discs. Not a very pleasant thing to do. His daughter was suppose to have her high school graduation tomorrow night. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Swimming through the bubbles.

Battle of Midway

The past few days, Steve has been mega stressed out over getting everything just right for a ceremony he produced for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Yesterday the ceremony took place commemorating the anniversary of the battle in 1942 that involved the USS Enterprise (CV6). On that date, the ship helped sink three Japanese carriers and a cruiser effectively destroying Japan's dreams of a Pacific victory. Here are the cool photos my awesome husband took. Enjoy!

That's Him :)

Steve sent me this photo today and it was kind of funny because it was titled 'This is me", however when I opened it I failed to notice the big yellow arrow with the words "That's me" written beside it. I thought he sent to me as a joke for me to try and guess where he was in the photo. LOL I think I need more sleep. LOL I'll add more photos from this ceremony tomorrow.