Meeting Miss Lowder, Dalton's kindergarten teacher

I am very pleased to announce Dalton's teacher to all of you, Miss Lowder. She has been teaching with DoDDS for 20 years, the last 7 in Korea, and 10 before DoDDS. She is very structured and loves what she does. Here are some pictures of Dalton during his classroom visit this week. The only downside right now is there are 25 kids in Dalton's class. I almost missed teaching as I walked around her room.

Miss Lowder, Dalton, and the classroom assistant Mrs. Aldo (spelling?) Miss Lowder showing Dalton the rules of the classroom and the clip system, reading a story, and finally the kindergarten screening. I was very pleased to see how Dalton fared. He knew all of his upper case letters, all but 10 lower case letters, all of his shapes, colors, including grey, numbers 1-10 except 6 (called it 9), wrote his first name, and knew all the letter sounds except 6 (THANKS LEAPFROG). I feel that he is at a great starting point. He knows enough but will still have so much fun learning more.

I asked his some questions today in our time together. Some of his answers are pretty funny.

M(Mom) D(Dalton)

(M) What do you think you will learn about in kinder?

(D) Trucks, colors, TVs, neighborhoods, light bulbs, and emergencies.

(M) What do you think you will learn to do?

(D) Write letters, words, write with a pencil, read, and write my own stories.

(M) What do you think you will enjoy doing the most everyday?

(D) Singing

(M)How do you feel about going to kinder?

(D) I am excited. I am going to wear a short sleeve shirt, a pair of shorts, and my new tie tennis shoes. Miss Lowder said tennis shoes and comfy clothes are the best things to wear.

I didn't realize he was listening so closely to Miss Lowder speak at kinder open house. It's funny what they pick up on. Miss Lowder said exactly as he stated. Tennis shoes and comfy clothes are best because they will spend a lot of time on the floor. More photos on Tuesday,

the first day of kindergarten!! We can't wait!!!

Raising military children....

You know you are raising a true military child(ren) when they hear the National Anthem and immediately stop what they are doing, place their right hand on their heart and stand perfectly still. Dave and I were catching the Dream Team's Metal ceremony and the boys'

heard the anthem, came running, stopped, hands on their heart and listened.

It was a proud parenting moment.

Even though we are off base, we can still hear the anthem at 5:30pm each evening. If we are indoors or out and Dalton hears it, he will tell everyone to get quiet, put your hand on your

heart and stand still. I just love that boy! Truly we don't have to do this because we are off base, but who can resist when you have a five year old who is passionate and respectful for his country and the anthem.

A Classic and one of my favorites!!

Growing up, I remember going to my grandmother's house and reading this book time and time again. Today, as I was looking through the books at the BX with Dalton and Trenton I saw this and couldn't pass it up. We read it after dinner and the laughed and laughed watching the

characters try and balance all the apples on their head. What a great memory for me.

Now I just need to get my hands on The Digginest Dog. I love that one too.

Red Peppers

This is what I see as I drive to the base. The second picture is so pretty to me. Red peppers are very popular here because the Korean's eat red pepper paste with bulgolgi. It's spicy and very good.

I'M POTTY TRAINED!!!

Soccer Camp!

Soccer camp was a lot of fun for Dalton. The first day was a little chaotic but Tues-Friday was worth it. Below are pictures of Dalton learning to dribble, pass, and throw in. In the end, he got a certificate for his hard work. Soccer season begins Sept. 6. He can't wait.

Whew! Refreshing!

Way to go Dalton! Trenton got in on the fun too.

Pool Fun!

We have be spending a lot of time at the pool. I am not a big fan of life jackets but the outdoor pool on base doesn't have a shallow end or a kiddie pool so life jackets it is. Dalton is getting more confident with each visit. Trenton is care free and loving every minute of the pool. He wanted to jump off the diving board but wasn't alowed with a life vest on. BUMMER!

Trenton swimming. Trenton with face in the water and kicking too. Dalton floating on his belly.

I met the President!!!

Today Dave, myself, one other spouse, and 16 soldiers went to Yongson Army Post in Seoul to meet the President of the United States. What an honor. Dave's job has SOME perks after all. It was such a wonderful experience. We left at 7:45, had to go into several briefings so we all knew what to do when and what not to do. Then we were shipped to another location where we waited three hours for the president to arrive.

Thank goodness for the 8Th Army Rock band. They totally rocked the house. This is the 8Th Army Symphonic band. Phenomenal!!! My friend, and soldier Gretchen Goodrich and me as we waited with anticipation. GEN. Sharp, with hand in air and the NCO of the Year,

who announced the arrival of the President. President George Bush sporting his Army PT jacket. GO ARMY!!!

We were right up front and it was so exciting. I will never forget this experience. Thanks, Dave! To our right sat Barbara (the daughter) and Laura Bush.

After President Bush spoke, he walked into the crowd of soldiers, airmen, marines, and seamen to shake hands and talk a little. he took his time and shook a lot of hands... Including mine. That is my blond head in the left corner of the photo. People were pushing and really wanting to get face time so Dave couldn't get a picture. He winked at my friend Ashley and talked to Dave. It was fantastic. Dave told Pres. Bush that I was the best Army wife and Pres. Bush smiled at me and said, "Fantastic." Again, what an honor.

Tea Party!

Boys can have fun at tea parties too.

Dress up!

Just too cute as a monkey and a pirate.

Trenton....

Some sweet lady that came to my Pampered Chef party is

trying to figure out what happened to their lip stick.

Dalton's Responsibilities!!!

My little man is growing up so fast. I love it but at the same time, it's very heart wrenching because he is so responsible and doesn't need me as much anymore. About 6 weeks ago I was at Bible Study and saw this Melissa and Doug Responsibility Chart hanging on Diane's wall. I had to have it. I know I could have made something very similar but this was fantastic. I came home and ordered the chart that night. Dalton was very excited to have a chart that he gets to fill in each night before bed or as soon as the responsibility is complete.

Right now his responsibilities are:

Make bed

Get dressed

Take care of dog

Put toys away before bed

Brush teeth

Keep hands to myself

Put glasses away

At the end of each week, Saturday night we look at all of the things he completed and he earns 5 cents per item. So far he has spent his earnings on a Mega Blocks vehicle, Army Soldiers play set, and his last purchase was a police play set.

We have a few stipulations that are placed on his purchases. If I know that the toys is something I don't like/want him to have, any character item, Batman, Spider Man, guns,etc... I can tell him no. Secondly, if the toys is not worth the money, I try to discourage the purchase. However, he also has to learn what products/brands are trash and which are worth the money.

Now because we are over seas, I have invented, (taken the idea from a mom of 5 boys) "Mommy Lay-A-Way." Basically, if Dalton sees an item that he wants, and I know it won't be there next time, I will purchase it and he will pay me for it until he has enough money to by the item. This is really teaching him the value of money and the BIGGIE, we can't always have what we want immediately. We have to work for the money to buy the item we want.

The Box???

I just love seeing what the boys will do next. I had a HUGE box and the boys turned it into a ....

race car, bus, van, taxi, etc...They had so much fun playing in the box today.

Critters

I am not a bug lover, and for that matter any creepy things. In Korea, there are many critters that we come across daily. Here is a picture of the Korean earth worm. Dave said they get much bigger but this was big enough for me. I wasn't sure if it was a worm or a small snake. Trenton wears a size 8.5 shoe, 7 inches long just to give you an idea of the length of the worm.

How cute is this. Do we have an athlete in the making or what?

I forgot to add farm equipment

These are just a few pictures of the korean farm equipment. Directly behind Dalton and Trenton is a rice planter. You can see a regular tractor in the back ground.

I am not sure exactly what this is, a tractor of some sort???.

I have seen a plow hooked to it where the trailer is in this photo.