So, Beau has returned! Last Wednesday I left for Fort Bragg to pick him up. After a long trip and yet another fun "adventure" in getting lost (what is it with me and getting lost in Fayetteville!), I finally arrived on post. Thankfully, our room was close enough to Beau's barracks so that when his Cadre eventually did decide to give them free time (6:30pm- good thing I didn't get there early) he was able to just walk over and meet me.
We visited for a little while then he had to get back to his barracks before lights out (ninja- style). :) We found the auditorium the next morning where the graduation was held and met up with Jason and Jeanette- they both looked so great and it was awesome to be able to visit with them.
During the ceremony Gwen was pretty good- we just kept sneaking her goldfish crackers even though the sign clearly read "No food or drink allowed." Hopefully we didn't leave crumbs... She clapped after the songs ended during the slideshow and said "Yea!" and everyone giggled. Then- I tried to get up to take a closer picture. Bad move- Gwen started shrieking for "Momma" and I rushed back to quiet her down. Eventually she couldn't take anymore sitting in her stroller and Jason scooped her up and took her outside the doors so she could walk around in the foyer. So I was able to listen to the rest of graduation and Gwen was much happier. Thanks, Jason. :)
After graduation, we took lots of pictures, visited with Jason and Jeanette, and with Beau's fellow soldiers. It was nice to be able to relax a little. After Gwen's nap we headed over to visit with Niki and Todd. We let the kids play together and enjoyed some good home cooked food. Once we put the kids to bed we were able to hang out- just like old times. :) Thanks for sharing your home with us, Niki and Todd.
The drive home was easier with two adults and the portable dvd player we parked in the backseat. I wouldn't use it for short trips, but it was a definite help for this car trip. However, if I hear one more Elmo song... I'm going to have to find some less annoying kids dvds- maybe Baby Einstein? But since Gwen asks for Elmo now when she wakes up in the morning, I don't think I'll be getting rid of these anytime soon. Marketing genius...
It's great to have Beau home. It took him a few days to get used to not having to be somewhere every minute of the day. Gwen is slowly adjusting to having Daddy home. She's a Momma's girl right now and we're considering a "vacation" for me on a Saturday so Gwen can spend some quality time with her Daddy without me around to distract her. I'm all for it except I wish I had won a spa trip or something... Good thing a quiet trip to Barnes and Noble and a pedicure will do the job just as well. :)
