Bubblecake & runny nuts

Every time we drive south to visit Audrey & Josh, we go by this military exhibit. You can see tanks, helicopters, and battlements from the interstate as you drive by. This trip, we decided to stop in Carlisle, PA and discover what exactly we were seeing.  It turns out  it is the Army Heritage Education Center and a completely free museum.  They do accept donations through plastic boxes placed throughout the exhibit. 

There were several school and 4-H groups visiting so many of the exhibits had soldiers present explaining the history, weapons, conditions, etc.  It was probably one of the most interesting military museums I've been to, and covered wars from the Civil War to Vietnam.  They are developing an exhibit to provide information about more recent conflicts as well. The pictures I've included are from the encampment replica from Vietnam and a German pillbox tunnel from WWI. The American trenches were wood and dirt and quite a contrast from the very finished & enclosed German site. The picture of the two of us is from the Civil War exhibit.  After our tour, we continued our drive south.

The best part about Virginia (besides spending time with Audrey & Josh), is going to Bubblecake.  We had heard rumors that Viva la Cupcake was better, so this time we tried BOTH. Yeah, my waistline is thanking me.  But the verdict is that Bubblecake takes the frosting, literally.  Then Audrey told me about a visit to a local ice cream shop where she discovered "runny nuts" (or "wet nuts").  For us northern girls, this seemed odd, but we're never ones to back away from trying something new. So we topped our ice cream one evening with these syrup covered nuts. Amazing.  Today when I went grocery shopping at home, I searched the stores for them without any luck. :( Guess it really is a southern treat. Did I mention we also visited Josh's parents and had a fabulous dinner of grilled chicken, corn on the cob, potatoes, pasta salad, and of course, S'mores? Yes, food is a big part of visiting. Audrey made us homemade blueberry pancakes two mornings, and we had chicken enchiladas one night that were utterly delectable. 

Besides all the eating and visiting, we spent a day at the town pool, the Frog Pond, which looks nothing like our local town pools. This is Belle sliding down the frog slide.  It has several different swim areas, but we spent most of the time in the circular pool surrounding the island.

We also went to Virginia Tech to see Rumpelstiltskin. 

When we returned from all the visiting, my laptop had arrived as well as Rob's passport. Woohoo! The Tylers' are ready to go to Abu Dhabi! And we are looking forward to introducing Audrey, Josh & ourselves to some of the food we'll discover when we get there.  I miss them already (Audrey & Josh - not the food).

What's cooking?

Since moving into our "summer home", we have struggled to have normal meals. I don't think the move is entirely to blame, softball and swim lessons certainly didn't help with maintaining a normal schedule. But now that I am out of school, OMG - I think it is time to set a regular meal schedule & time. We need to make it through the groceries I've brought, and eat real food again - not the fish sticks, pizza, chicken nuggets and mac & cheese  (sounds like an 8 year old has been planning our menu) that have comprised the majority of our evening dishes. Sadly, we have had a lot of these foods in recent weeks and I'm beginning to feel like a wretched parent (although I have added in pork chops, chicken breasts, and other healthy dishes).  Wow, see the need to justify the diet? Belle & I went shopping at Big Poppa's tonight and bought a bunch of fruits and vegetables, and tomorrow, I will cook something healthy and delicious for my darling family.

Earlier this week I made some yummy pasta salad, but I struggled with cutting up all the vegetables. Turns out the reason my wrist didn't feel better is I have a radial fracture.... Yep, I now have a beautifully hot splint to stabilize my wrist until it heals (which I hope is quickly) - and with summer temps arriving it is the perfect time to have non-breathing plastic on my arm.

We are up to FOUR suitcases for the family - which means two more are needed, and of course, our carry on bags. I am so excited because I ordered my own laptop - my first one that is mine, all mine.  I feel a bit like Gollum and can picture myself crouching in a corner with it calling out "my precious".

Oh, and Belle decided to get a major haircut this week.... Isn't she adorable?  It was such a nice experience to comb her hair this morning without the normal drama that accompanies it, plus it should be cooler for our new climate.

Firsts & Lasts

I can count down the days remaining at WHS on one hand - which is good, because right now I've only got one good hand. Tomorrow, I'll find out the verdict on why it is still aching, sore, and hurting a week after my klutzy manuever to sit and lecture about behavior at the same time.

My last group of NH seniors have graduated and we're planning our last trip to Virginia before the big move.  At the same time we are also planning Belle's first week-long sleep away Girl Scout camping trip, and I'm freaking a little because it is one more week without my little girl. I think that will be the hardest part about leaving first - leaving her behind. We've never been separated for that long before.

I received my university accreditation letter, so I am mailing out the last step to my authentication tomorrow and a student has indicated that she might adopt S'mores, who is currently cuddling with Rob as he watches the Bruins game.

Belle is officially 8 now, complete with her first American Girl doll, and a serenade by the serving staff at Applebee's.  We even had a family photo to commemorate the event. :)

Eight weeks to go....

It is hard to believe, but in about 8 weeks, I will be arriving in the UAE.  I can't wait!  Rob has applied for his passport and we've gotten our documentation back from the US Department of State. I am still waiting on the accreditation letter from Plymouth State - but I put in a personal request this time to a former mentor/adviser, so I hope that will do the trick. Then the documents can be sent off to the UAE Embassy (for $30 each) in their final authentication step.

Only 8 days left of school for the year. 

Tomorrow we are celebrating Belle's birthday (a bit early since next weekend is full of graduation events)...

Kicking off summer...

It is just after 2:30 am in Abu Dhabi and 90 degrees according to my widget.  For once, my NH temperature is almost the same as my soon to be home (95 at 6:30 pm).  I received an email from ADEC and filled out my travel information. It is hard to believe but I have only 2 months before the grand adventure begins! 

This past week, we've had 2 softball games, I did my parent duty by running the snack shack for one of the games, Belle learned to swim.  We went out to dinner to celebrate and Belle took a lovely picture of my new haircut. 

My students have contracted a serious case of senioritis. The only cure is graduation. For the first time in years, I feel it too.  This week, my seniors will take their final exams, I will approve the remaining speeches, and help them prepare for the commencement exercises that will fill the following week. Needless to say, don't expect to see a lot of postings until the end of the year calms a bit....

Yesterday, we went down to DHMC to visit our friends who have just had their first child, a little boy.  We didn't get to see them, but are so happy that they are doing well and should be able to come home at the end of the week.  Belle and I also got brand new Tevas - mine are teaberry and Belle's are cactus flower. Even better: they were on sale! :) They are very comfortable and should be perfect for all the hot weather we will enjoy this summer and in the UAE.

For our Memorial Day holiday, we remembered the soldiers that have died for our freedom, and then did our annual Echo Lake visit, where we saw a bunch of friends also enjoying the frigid water on this hot day.  The ducks were out, even if there were no lifeguards on duty. Rob took a bunch of kids around the shore to catch crayfish and minnows. Belle ended up with two minnows thanks to his & Emma Jean's efforts. 

Party planning and play dates

Friday evening, Erica & Jen came over to christen the summer home. We made delicious crab rangoons & fruit filled spring rolls (the recipe is from this delightful blog).  Belle had Rochelle sleep over after softball practice and I made them Belgian waffles in the morning.  After our breakfast, Belle & I did the weekly shopping, and then she was off to Nicoria's magician birthday party. Which reminded me that I have a little girl with a birthday coming up... and for the first time in her life, we don't have the space to have the party at home.  After spending a couple hours researching all the local fun spots, and remembering the uncertainty of NH weather, I selected an indoor venue and booked it. The invitations are addressed and will be delivered tomorrow.  And Belle will be able to show off her new swim skills!!! :)

After picking her up from the party - what is the first thing my darling daughter asks me? Yep, for a play date with Mackenzie because she has not seen her friends in oh, so long.... I completely understood her request, being the social person I am, and could not refuse it.  And after church today, I took Belle and her cousin, Ana, to the park to play and out for ice cream.  I even got in a short visit with Loretta, but it was only long enough to realize that we need some serious quality hanging out time in the near future. 

We are all settled into the summer home. What we need for the next couple months is unpacked, and I am going to start to pack the first of the suitcases.  Tomorrow we are back to school, and Belle has a softball game (of course).

Moving forward

This past week we have been busy ridding ourselves of many of the possessions we accumulated in the ten years we lived on Grove Street.  During that time period of home ownership, we celebrated many milestones and memories (both good & tragic): our wedding, September 11th, the birth of our daughter, the weddings of family members & friends, and the births of our niece and nephews... We celebrated a number of birthday's from Rob's 30th to Belle's 7th, the loss of several family pets (our first family dog, the cat, and Belle's mouse), and the acquisition of our rabbit; my two college graduations, and Belle & Rob's first days of school/college.  We learned how wonderful neighbors could be and developed a soft spot for the street we lived on and its people.  This weekend, with the help of some incredibly helpful and hardworking friends, Erica, Ashleigh & Liz, we emptied and prepared our former home for its new owners (who take possession on Wednesday).  I thought it would be hard to say goodbye and there were a couple moments in Belle's room where I got a little choked up, remembering the time spent transforming the space into a princess room.  I found out that it wasn't hard to move on. I'm ready for this new adventure, and eager to start it.  After selling our living room couch, I came back to our summer home and ordered the two suitcases that will carry my remaining possessions with me across the ocean and a continent.

I also celebrated the NH region's Scholastic Writing Awards on Friday (part of the work of the National Writing Project in NH), and had the honor of presenting a silver key to one of my own students (I did not take part in the adjudication) and received a teacher's pin as recognition for being a key winner's teacher.  We also had copies of Middle/High School Voices available for purchase or included in the registration fee for the earlier writing conference with local poet and Plymouth State University English Department chair, Liz Ahl.  During the conference, I learned about the Arabic poetry form called the ghazal and I am eager to use it in my creative writing class later this week (it seems like everything is pushing me towards my destination this summer).  I've turned in my award selections for the end of the year assembly and I'll be presenting three scholarships/awards on the behalf of my English department and teacher's union at the up-coming graduation ceremonies.  The year is quickly coming to a close, and I provided my senior students with their writing portfolio requirements for their now remaining 14 days of class.

Life is going to be busy in the next few weeks with end of the year events, grades, softball, and swim lessons (and probably one more yard sale to empty our storage unit), but it is nice to know that our first move is completed and we're beginning to prepare for the next one.  And today, the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Education announced the school calendar for next year. Off to update our checklist page...