Work Sleep with the Navy

Will is a Navy Reservist - that means, he commits one weekend a month and two weeks during the year to the service of our country - and for that we are grateful.  But, with higher responsibility in the Navy comes a higher level of commitment.  He travels more frequently and for longer periods of time.
When Freweini first came to us, trying to explain that dad was in the Navy was challenging.  You see, the only people she had ever seen in uniform were the police in Ethiopia, who were not always the nicest - either in person or in situation.  Her experience with uniformed men hasn't been great.  So, we've worked really hard to help her understand that the police in America are good and are here to help and protect.  Same goes for firefighters, EMS personnel, security guards, etc....So, when Will first got dressed one morning in his uniform to go on a trip, she freaked out a little bit - "Is Dad a police?  Why do he have those clothes?"  We did our best to try to explain that Dad is in the Navy - how to explain what "the Navy" does to a 5 1/2 year old?!  We came up with "the Navy swims with the dolphins".  That worked for a while.....then, when we would Skype with Will when he was out of town, she would ask where the dolphins were - like there are dolphins in Washington, D.C.!  It was hilarious.....
The other thing we had to try to explain was Dad traveling for business.  That gets called "work sleep".  Yes, he is going on a trip.  Yes, he is staying in a hotel (one of her very favorite things!).  No, his friends are not sleeping with him.  No, (sometimes yes) he doesn't have a dolphin in the bathtub.  Yes, he is coming home.  What does he do during the day?  Well, he talks a lot (meetings) and has dinner with his friends.  I'm sure all of our explanations have done little but confuse her, but with each successive trip, she's understood a little bit more and Reserve Duty has become easier to manage in our home.
Will even writes her notes when he leaves before she gets up, and if she's lucky, he gives her some money, too (which she puts in her frog bank).

What does Freweini want to be when she grows up?

Teacher/Doctor - Freweini has said that she wants to be a teacher doctor.  She wants to go to school and be a teacher and then go to more school and be a doctor and then do both!  She's had some great examples of all of those in her life so far - Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Wickham; Dr. Ellyn; and Sosi.  And, of course, she wants to be an Aggie!  Although, she did tell me that she thought about Rice, too, because it's close to home and Texas A&M is a looooong car trip.  So, we'll see - we consistently say that she can do/be anything she wants to - but she has to wait to get married and have babies until she's finished with school and has a job and can support herself and only then if her Dad and brothers approve.  And, Freweini applies all those rules suggestions to everybody else, so get ready for her questions - we're always on guard :)

The Best Mom!

Freweini will every once in a while bring home pictures from school like these....

I love them!  Not only for the little ego boost they provide, but also because I can see just how crafty F is!  I usually receive these gifts before we go to some promised event (like out to dinner at The Spanish Village or for hamburgers) or after we've done something fun and cool.  I know, I know, she really just may feel like I'm the best mom, but I'm also sure she's workin' it!  The other thing I like about these is that she grades her own work - notice the check marks?!  Making me smile all the time.....

BFF at Christmas

Who would have thought that Margot and Freweini would be BFFs? (and even know what that is?!)  These two have been glued to each other since the first day of kindergarten - Margot:  very worldly, articulate, petite, very pink faced, Jewish, daughter of a Russian immigrant mother/attorney and a successful entrepreneur.  Freweini:  worldly in a different way, very rough and tumble and athletic, street smart, kinda bossy, brown faced, loves Jesus, adopted daughter of a Navy chaplain/priest and successful entrepreneur.  Wow.....they have forged a bond that has yet to be broken.  Even when Freweini learned that Margot doesn't believe that Jesus is God's Son.  It was a rough week, but we made it through with some help from our neighbors (one of which is a rabbi) and lots of talking and understanding.  These two write love notes to each other weekly talking about how they will miss each other over the weekend.  Margot figures things out when Freweini gets stuck and Freweini stands up to everybody if need be on Margot's account.  They protect each other at all costs; get into trouble together taking the long way around the school to go to the bathroom; hang out in the nurse's office together when one loses a tooth.  It's pretty amazing to behold this relationship.  My hope is that they know and remember and love each other always like this - innocent and understanding and loyal.  What an example.

Marine Corps Ball 2011

Happy Birthday Marine Corps!  Will and I celebrated in New Orleans this year and had a great time.  The keynote speaker, General Kelly, gave a rousing and inspiring talk - so much so, that I was willing and excited to let Will go abroad again to serve - it was really that good.  It's always a pleasure to remember those who are currently serving in the military and those who have gone before.  A review is conducted of all Marine Corps involvement from its inception - let me tell y'all who have never heard this read or seen the list - it's amazing!  I am proud to be the wife of a Navy Chaplain who has the honor of serving with the world's finest force.
While in New Orleans, we had a terrific time - we went to the Aquarium, the French Quarter - and Freweini got to meet one of our friends, Katie, who so graciously took her to dinner and a movie (and bungee jumping!) while we were at the Ball.
PS:  if you notice, I'm wearing my cowboy boots - really couldn't pass up the opportunity to wear them with a ball gown! :)

The Mayflower

American history in first grade......Christopher Columbus, the Mayflower, pilgrims.....how foreign this must be to Freweini who comes from a continent and country of such ancient origin.  But she totally gets that people need people for help (see below about how the Native Americans helped the pilgrims).  We do all need help to discover and learn and explore.  Go America!

No More Top Front Teeth!!

Freweini worked really hard this morning to pull out the second of her top two front teeth - she is really digging the whole Tooth Fairy thing!  She sat on the counter in our bathroom for 45 minutes working it out. She got to the point where she could rotate the tooth from back to front - it was gross.  Of course she was laughing the whole time!  I asked her if she wanted me to pull it out with pliers (that's how two of her other teeth have come out), but she wasn't ready for that yet.  So, she used a washcloth and held on and pulled and it came out.  And, because she pulled her own tooth out, the Tooth Fairy brought $3 (and didn't even have to steal it from the Laundry Fairy!).  She's our Snaggletooth....