A Lotta Culottas 2006

Abby and her kindergarten class went on a field trip to Gross Farms.  They were able to take a hay ride, wander through a corn maze and pick a pumpkin to take home!

 

Abby's 6th Birthday

We had a surpise party for Abby. Miss Rebecca told Abby she was taking her on a "birthday walk". While they were gone, we threw out the balloons, Miss Kim brought out the cake and in less than 10 minutes we set up the party and was waiting for Abby to make her grand appearance. She was surpised! And wanted to open her presents BEFORE the cake. We stuffed the neighborhood kids with cake and ice cream, gave them bubbles and balloons and was back inside in less than an hour!

Two Months Down.....

.......Ten More To Go. 

 

The Girl Next Door

Ok, let's hope Andrew never looks at my journal......this is the girl that Andrew throws water balloons at.  He helped her clean up her back yard a few weeks ago........he picked up the dog poop with his bare hands because he thought it would impress her.......(I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE HE CAME UP WITH THAT).

The Hungry (Almost Eaten) Caterpillar

The hungry, hungry caterpillar almost became the all gone caterpillar.  But tonight he is safely in the oak tree munching on three yummy leaves.

I LOVE THIS PICTURE

Shaving Balloons

The kids went to a birthday party this afternoon, for their friend Breana.  They shaved balloons and did a mummy wrap.  Shay and his friend Alex ended up having a shaving cream "fight". I am SO grateful for the friends that my children have.

POSER

The kids went bowling this morning.  Abby thinks that every time she seems my camera, she needs to pose.  I keep telling her "don't look at the camera". 

They did it again!

They dressed alike again.....I think they are adorable!

Things have been pretty busy here.......just trying to get into the swing of being the taxi driver......I feel like some days all I do is drive.

 

Chuck E. Cheese's: Where a Kid Can Be a Kid!

Modeling

Abby wanted Daddy to see some of her new school clothes.

A Future in Fashion?

Abby is now making hats, they come in every color!

Court of Honor

Shay and Andrew had a Scout Court of Honor today.  Shay received his last merit badges that he needed to complete the requirements for EAGLE.  He will be submitting his paperwork for his EAGLE PROJECT soon......

Andrew received his first merit badges and his rank advancement.

The boys were also given an award from camp this year.  Andrew received the William Tell award for Archery and Shay........oh Shay..........how proud we are.........Shay received the Slush Puppy Award...obviously he was able to chug several slush puppies before the rest of the competition! 

One Month Down........

One Month Down..........11 more to go!  The kids and I thought we would try something different than the normal paperchain.  Each day that Daddy is gone we add a link, and each week on Wednesday we add a star.

Sugar Cube Temples

The little ones went to a Primary Activity this morning. They built Temples out of sugar cubes and icing!  So much fun!  On the chalkboard was written:  "Don't eat the Sugar Cubes"......................

You guessed it:  lots of sugar cube licking!

Youth Dance

There was a dance tonight for the youth at church.  Shay was able to go with a group of friends.  Last night, a little girl down the street made Shay a cake for his birthday.  Where does time go? 

Happy 16th Birthday Shay!

A Good Friend

     A good friend is someone who is truthful, listens to your problems, doesn't talk about you behind your back, doesn't laugh at you when you fall and is friendly to you when you're scared.  A good friend is also loyal, doesn't bully you around, accepts you for who you are, is there for you when you are down, helps you with your problems, offers solutions, and doesn't laugh at you if you get a bad grade.  A good friend also doesn't make fun of you when you do something wrong.

~ Melissa Culotta, 4th grade~

My Shadow

Dirk had decided that since no one is home, he will follow me around everywhere.  He has also claimed Sam's side of the bed..........don't know who will have a bigger fit when Sam comes home.........him or the dog!

And yes, his shirt says "Who's Your Doggy?"

Dressing Alike

Melissa and Abby decided that they would dress alike today. They've been planning this since they bought these dresses. Each time one or the other was mad at the other, then they would threaten "I'm not dressing like you". It's been so funny! Now they've dressed alike and it will probably never happen again........They even have on matching sandals (which you can't see).

OUch.......

Ok, I know this is not a picture for everyone.......but since Daddy cannot download pictures, this journal is the easiest way to keep him updated too.

Last Wednesday, Abby had her last school shots in her upper leg.  On Thursday night we noticed a small reaction and gave her Benadryl.  On Friday morning the small reaction was a big reaction..........and we promptly made a doctors appointment. We traced around it with pen and marked the times (see picture).

The results: it was NOT a reaction to the immunization...............it's a BACTERIAL infection FROM the shot........resistant to the "cillin" family.  So since Mommy is allergic to Sulfa we decided not to go that route, and she is on a super duty antibiotic.  The medicine is yucky, but we've tamed it down a bit with some highly concentrated cherry Icee syrup!

It looks so much better this morning, but still 28 more doses of antibiotics to go!

Abby's First Day of School

After all of the waiting, she didn't want to get on the bus this morning. She wanted me to drive her to school.  She finally agreed to get on the bus ONLY if she could sit with Melissa.  Silly girl.

She is in the frog class this year, so look for lots of  "froggy" stuff.  We went to Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, she seemed to like her classroom and loves her teacher.

Address Revision

Salvatore Culotta

HHB 1-319th AFAR

3rd BCT 82nd ABN DIV

COB Speicher

APO, AE 09393

Comparison

What a difference a year makes.  Shay doesn't have to wear uniforms this year so he's very happy about that!

First Day of School

It was the first day of school.  Need I say more?

Funny things.......

"The keyboard has no letters on the keys, all rubbed off.....lol...thank goodness for keyboarding class....lol."

This was part of a letter that Sam just sent.  Just thinking about all the letters that were sent home from soldiers.......so many that they rubbed the keys off of the keyboard....makes you grateful for the silly things like keyboards.

Sam's Address

Salvatore S. Culotta II                                                              

HHB 1-319th AFAR

COB Speicher

APO AE 09393

As you can see there is no rank or social security numbers this time! 

 

 

 

 

To address current demand, the Postal Service has created a special “kit” that contains the necessary mailing materials based on the most popular items ordered to send care packages to the troops.

This kit may be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734 and requesting CAREKIT04. The kit contains 4 Priority Mail boxes, 6 Priority Mail “Flat-Rate” boxes, 10 Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape, and 10 customs forms with envelopes. There is no charge for the kit.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, in accordance with U.S. Department of Defense regulations.

 

Meet the Teachers

Tonight was Open House at the Elementary and Middle Schools.

We have the greatest teachers this year!  They are all teachers that we have had before....hmmmmmm.....wonder how that happened ;)

Abby is in Kindergarten.  She is in the Frog Class.  She has been waiting forever for the first day of school.   Jacob is starting second grade, he hates to read, but hopefully this year he will want to read a little more.  Melissa is in all her glory.  Mrs. Kelly gives homework every night and Melissa couldn't be happier!  Alexander is at the Middle School in sixth grade! He gets to join band this year and wants to play the sax.  Andrew is starting school this year at Albritton Junior High, still playing the trumpet.....and Shay is heading to EE Smith for 10th grade (although mom is not too excited about EE Smith).  Shay will be participating in the JROTC program.

Tomorrow is the first day of school.......Sam and I always teased the kids that we would have a party on their first day of school..........so much for that plan.  Instead, my friend, Rebecca and I are celebrating with lunch at Fat Daddy's since all of her little ones are in school too!

Biazza Ridge Livin' Large Back to School Luau

Friday night we had our second annual back to school luau.  It was a long day.

Melissa loved the Fayetteville Police Band....they let her help with the sound and one of the officers sang "My Girl" to her.  The band's equipment is paid for from seized money and items from drug raids!

Abby was really good, she played with her pink flamingo that she named "Chicky".

Jacob just kind of hung around and did his own thing and made many trips to the snowcone stand.

Shay and Andrew spent most of the day setting up.  We started at Noon and finished with clean up about 9:30.  I'm glad the Luau's are only once a year.

Alex passed out the leis, in the end we just handed out two and three to get rid of them!

School starts on the 25th!

 

 

Abby's Journal

Abby has decided to put her birthday list in early, she wants a digital camera, a real one.  She's been taking pictures all day with MY camera.  She wanted me to put her pictures on the journal so her daddy could see them.

Sometimes I'm amazed that she's only five. 

I signed on earlier today and Sam was online, she came in and saw the background and said "Dad's online, move over, I need to tell him something".  She told him about school shopping.  Her school shopping included a purse and 6 pairs of shoes (NO, I am NOT kidding)  She told us earlier in the year that she couldnt' wait to go school shopping and she was buying LOTS and LOTS of shoes.

And yet she's only 5...........scary.

Phone Call

Sam was able to make a 10 minute phone call last night.  He is doing well but said he forgot how hot it really is over there!

He should have a permanent address in about three weeks.

Kuwait........

Sam emailed this morning.......he arrived safely in Kuwait.

Hurry Up and Wait.......

Sam left on Tuesday.......NOT.......their  flight was delayed 24 hours.......we were VERY HAPPY to see him, but Wednesday morning was even tougher than Tuesday morning...........

It really stinks to say goodbye twice. 

Thank you to friends and family for all of the support and all of the prayers.  I will update Sam's address as soon as I get it!

2 days down.........363 to go..............

Deployments Stink!

Sam left this morning for a year "vacation" to Iraq.  I will send an address when he gets to where he is going.

We're doing good......just starting to get ready for back to school.

 

Fort Bragg/ Smith Lake Horse Stables

Shay's Summer Job

Shay worked this summer helping to install new playgrounds in the housing areas.

The heat made it yucky, so some mornings he would go out at 5:00 to beat the sun!

He hated the mulching!

 

Hilary Duff

The kids (and Sam and I) received VIP Passes for the Hilary Duff Rocks for the Troops concert last night.

We had a great time.  We were able to meet Hilary and have our pictures taken with her. We even had second row seats!

(The other girl in the family picture is not Kayla it is our friend Courtney Russell!  Even though Shay has a thing for redheads both sets of parents reminded their kids that this was NOT a date......it's a good thing we've been friends for a LONG time)!

Look Ma and Pa.....Dinner

Graduation, Report Cards and Astronauts

Whew!  Another school year over.....

Kayla graduated from EE Smith (she actually graduated early 1st sem).

The kids did really well this year.  Alex made staight A's.  Melissa did too.  Melissa also scored in the 98th percentile on all Terra Nova scores. (Of course this comes from her mom!)

Yesterday, our family was presented with the AUSA 2006 Family of the Year award.  Along with a savings bond they gave us a statue of Iron Mike.  The highlight of the day was meeting Army Astronaut Shane Kimbrough. He was the guest speaker at the AUSA Family of the Year Luncheon.

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/preparingtravel/ascan_bio_kimbrough.html

Melissa and Shay had their pictures taken, but the rest of the family left early.......Andrew was receiving an award for Citizenship at Irwin Middle School!

 

 

A Boy's Best Friend

Drop Zone

Abby and Kayla and I went yesterday to watch Sam .  It was supposed to be his last jump before he deploys.  But, because of winds the jump was cancelled.  Which was actually a good thing- my camera batteries died.

Notice the West Virginia Air Guard!-

Abby's Favorite Pose!

Even the threat of her face freezing like that doesn't stop her from striking her favorite pose!

Face Painting.....Aren't they BEAUTIFUL?

A/B Honor Roll, Report Cards, and Jr. Beta

The kids did really well on report cards this semester.........nothing below a C !

Melissa had straight E's ( in her case "working above grade level")

Andrew and Alexander both made the A/B Honor Roll and were selected for induction into the Jr. Beta Club.  Andrew will participate this year and Alexander will begin participating next fall.

Kayla made A's in her four classes.......and Shay did really well (guess who got the C's)

as for Jacob he's doing ok.....loves math .........HATES reading....I've even tried to bribe him into reading with Spiderman comic books.....doesn't work though....

 

Lorie's New Toy