It’s so hard to believe that our baby has turned one! She was born March 5, 2008. Since then she has moved across the country and even flown several times. She is walking everywhere and talking non-stop. We all adore her and I’m so glad she is in our family.

Eating her cake:

A couple pictures taken at Sears 2 weeks before her birthday:

For Matthew’s 8th Birthday party he chose a Pirate theme. We ordered our things from BirthdayExpress.com. They have lots of wonderful things there! We decided to do sort of a scavenger hunt thing where they find the treasure at the end….the treasure being the pinata in the shape of a treasure trunk.

Upon arriving they got their goodie boxes which contained their bandana, eye patch, tattoo, and telescope. Then we used eyeliner to add beards to their faces. We also chose names and tried to use that name for the whole party. Matthew was Captain Blackbeard, Alex was Shark’s Rage, Sam was Anne Bonney. The other children chose their names from a selection on the table.

*I probably have these clues out of order but this is pretty much what they did. LOL

Their first clue led them outside to the “Big Rock.” From there they had to escape the bomb. This little plastic bomb makes nice. They played the game like Hot Potato…when the bomb “exploded” in their hands, they were out.

Then they had get inducted into the Pirate Hall of Fame by drinking Shark’s Blood (punch mix with hardly any water…very thick blood looking) but I took pity on them and added some Sprite to make it taste better. After this they received their swords.

Then back outside to sword fight. We had 2 bubble makers going and they fought off the bubbles with their swords. I have no picture of this! It was so fun. When the party ended they went back outside and did this for so long!

Their next clue led them to a pooper scooper box across the street, where they then had to “swab the decks.”

Then they traveled by ship around the houses to find their next clue. They had to walk the plank (boards on the ground) and then cross alligator swamp (pool w/ a little water and rocks to cross on). They then found their next clue which eventually led them to the treasure chest.

We hung up the pinata and let them take turns. It didn’t take long for it to open!

After that we came inside and Matthew opened his presents. He even got a Pirate puzzle!!

And lastly we had cake and ice cream. Matthew chose a white cake with chocolate frosting with raspberry filling. It was really yummy. We put “Treasures” on the top.

It was a fun party…most importantly Matthew loved it and he loved having a few friends and his siblings celebrate with him!

Leah loves cookies! She also loves anything in a box. She is really good at just reaching into boxes and pulling out her own treat.

Last week we were in Idaho visiting Roy’s family – these pictures were taken at his mom’s house (aren’t those gorgeous wood floors??).

Here Leah is..so happy..just walking around and around. Notice the yellow box in the lower right hand corner.

And she discovered the box. The second picture cracks me up…I love the look on her face.

Someone noticed what she was doing and picked the box up and set it on the bench. Course that didn’t stop her!

We’ve starting putting a “whale spout” in her hair. So cute!!

Last week we found hair on the floor. Fine, blonde hair. A quick check of Hannah’s head and sure enough, a nice chunk of hair was missing from the front. It mostly looked like she had wispies so I left it alone.

A few days later Hannah gets her hand on some gum. After failing to get the last chunk out, I just cut it out. It left an even bigger hole on the left side of her head. I decided to just cut it all shorter..and put in bangs. She’s pretty cute.

I don’t consider myself a fun mom. I dread holidays. and birthdays. And then it’s almost like…I try to make up for having these feelings by going overboard. LOL I just hope I’m making some good memories for my children in between the lunatic times.

Carla says it well, “One of the things I like about holidays, even “Hallmark” ones is that they provide an easy way for me to bless my children.” I agree.

And sometimes I don’t do much for Valentine’s or other “smaller” holidays. But this year there were some cute little stuffed animals at the exchange and so much yummy candy and pencils and stickers and oh I just couldn’t resist.

We were having Matthew’s birthday party later in the day and I knew I’d be exhausted by dinner time so I planned a Valentine’s breakfast instead of dinner. I put all their goodies on the table the night before and bought yummy breakfast items that they don’t normally get – bagels and cinnamon rolls.

Are you a homeschooler moving to 29 Palms?  Welcome!!  There are many of us here.  I have enjoyed getting to know the families here…I have been surprised by the numbers for such a small area.

Over 30 families are part of a group called Growing Palms.  You can check us out at this Yahoo Group. We meet at the park on Fridays, do field trips, holiday parties, etc. I’m also hoping to start up a Mom’s Night Out next month.

Not homeschooling but are interested?? Let me know! I’d love to give you more information. Homeschooling is most definitely legal in CA and it’s very simple. To get you started check out Just the Facts from the California Homeschool Network.

Sometimes I forget that we have moved to California.  Recently I purchased a book from someone that lives in CA..a mere 3 hours away from me.  We’re on a message board together.  Many people purchased this book from her as she’s the AUTHOR!  I’ve read 2 other books of hers and love them and can’t wait to read this one.

Anyway….someone else, who lives near Tuscon, AZ, posted today that she received the new book.  I was so excited that they were arriving..the sightings have begun..and then thought..”Well, I’m all the way across the country..so maybe 2 or 3 more days until I get mine.”

It was minutes before I remembered that I’m in California now! And close to her!!!

The sad part of this story…I sent Kayla down to get the mail…no book.  Please tell me how someone in Arizona received her book before me!!!

This is Condor Housing and it is for E-1 to E-3. One of these days I’ll post a map with each housing area labeled. Condor is near…..Condor Elementary! If you come in the Condor gate, go past Adobe Flats, and turn right at the first right, you’ll then pass housing on the right…community center on the right…Condor Elementary on the right..family pool on the left…and then…it’s Condor Housing (Sunflower Terrace is across the street from Condor Housing – I’m posting those pictures next).

These are apartment style homes. I forgot to count how many to a building. I believe there are 1- and 2- bedroom units. I know for sure there are 2-bedroom units there. No garages but there are storage closets. Several playgrounds.

I don’t really know too much about these. I did call housing a couple months ago about some future renovations and I was told that Condor is the next housing area to be torn down and replaced! There are no dates yet though but that is what is scheduled next. They don’t want to have “apartments” anymore. Just the regular townhouses.

Here you can see the carports that are out in the middle of each little parking area/loop.  I don’t know how many parking spaces you get.  The units are either downstairs or upstairs..like apartments. 

Same units as the ones above..but facing straight ahead and pointing to the left of the complex.  Now that I look at these pictures again, you can see that there are 2 sort of “L” shaped buildings there and they share that parking lot.

The upstairs units have a balcony.  The downstairs units have a patio with a wall around it.  The wall is not enclosed all the way but it does make for a nice private area if you get a downstairs unit.

This complex and Sunflower Terrace are nice if you have school-aged children.  The school is just across the street.   Very convenient.  And there are several playgrounds..lots of grassy area.  Condor has the big parking lots and wide streets in between each of the little sections…good for riding bikes or taking walks.

Condor housing is also within walking distance to the community center (there’s a small gym in there), and the family pool!  The family pool is super nice.  It has one real big pool..with a deep end.  And then it has a kiddie pool that is HUGE with a mushroom and a little slide.  There are lots of chairs and on one side there are a lot of benches that sit under an awning.

Next is Adobe Flats. This is NCO housing, though nothing surprises me on this base anymore, so don’t hold me to that if you see other ranks living there.

There are 4 sections, though I’m not sure where the lines are drawn. I’m sure it’s between the types of housing that are over there but you don’t see specific signs telling you are in Adobe Flats III or what not.

This housing area has its own clubhouse and pool! Isn’t that great??? The pools are open sometime in May and stay open until September. There has been talk of opening slightly earlier…I know the one near me was open when we moved here in mid-May, but just on the weekends and afternoons. During the summer they’re open every day, all day long.

Adobe Flats is near the Condor gate. It’s just minutes from the commissary, home store, community center, and the elementary school. Hmmm…most housing is just minutes from there. Even Ocotillo…WAY on the other side..is still only 7 minutes to the commissary. So I guess Adobe Flats would be more like one minute driving.

One of the nice things about Adobe Flats is being near the gate. Zoom Zoom and you’re out the gate and at 55 m.p.h. heading for town.

Oh and another thing I thought of. The street going in and then out further up is one way. Please keep this in mind. ONE WAY. Don’t ask me how I know. LOL

In this first picture I have just turned right into Adobe Flats on the ONE WAY STREET.  If you look past the sign you can just barely make out the gate.  Just before the gate is where the ONE WAY STREET comes back out onto Del Valle (the main road).

This is the first housing you see.  They are 2 bedrooms.  I’ve never been inside one.  If you’ve been told you’ll be in Sunflower Terrace (E-1 to E-3 housing) these are the same.  One car garage.  Little backyard/patios.  There are several streets of these.   Notice how the road off the ONE WAY STREET is not ONE WAY.  Very confusing…to me.  LOL

The back of the units.  Little fenced in areas.  Nice.

This is probably Adobe Flats III or IV.  They are 3 and 4 bedrooms, 2 car garages.  I have been inside one of these. It’s nice!  The living room is really big.  Average dining room.  The kitchen isn’t huge but it’s decent.  Typical base housing..typical kitchen for this size house.  Off the kitchen/in between to the garage is the utility room.  Nice built ins there.  Extra storage.  Upstairs is a small loft area that is in between the bedrooms.  It’s not huge by any means but in the one I saw they had some toy shelves there, a little kid table, beanbag.  It was nice.  Decent bedrooms.

Here is the back.  So.  The downside.  No backyards!  You have those closed in patios and that is it.  You are allowed to put things outside the gate.  I’ve seen little playsets and so forth but they can’t be there during mowing (this is my understanding) and you can’t do anything about things being stolen.

There are lots of playgrounds though! And the streets are super wide!   And because of the 2-car driveways there were not many cars on the street. Great for riding bikes and taking walks and such.  In the newer area of Adobe Flats the trees are really little still.  Not much shade.

Here you can see one of the older areas…big trees..the leaves will be back soon. It does get cold here in the winter.  It even snowed!!!

I’m not sure what size these are.  There was a whole section of these one-story.  By counting windows they seemed like 3 bedroom units but I can’t know for sure.  These streets are quiet, and very nice with all the trees.  They have back yards similar to the first house I showed you on this page.

Another of the front of these little houses.  Cute.

Here’s the backyards again.  These story ones are 3 bedrooms I believe.  I was told the ones with no windows o nthe upstairs were 2 bedrooms.  These have 2 windows i nthe back AND one in the front so I’m thinking they’re 3 bedrooms.  But if they’re 2 bedrooms also someone please let me know so I can update! 

I have more housing to post and am getting there little by little.    As I learn more about each of these housing areas I’ll update the posts.  Adobe Flats is a HUGE housing area but looks like it is well-maintained and actually pretty quiet.  The ONE WAY STREET seemed a little busier as it’s the main road around..and the older units just have one-car spaces so there were more cars parked on the street.  The ONE WAY STREET explains why all the cars on both sides of the street were facing the same direction. 

I went out this morning and took a bunch of pictures of housing. Previously I posted about the Shadow Mountain Housing. These pictures are of Joshua Heights. When we were first moving here, we were told that the housing was being used for everyone, as people were being moved out of housing that was being renovated or torn down or what not. I “heard” from people living there that they had all ranks, including officers, living around them.

When we moved here last May, housing told us it was for E-6 to E-9. We did not have an option for this housing as the next 5 available houses were all in Shadow Mountain. Recently a friend that lives there told me that they are now offering these to E-4 and E-5’s as reenlistment incentives. When I called housing last week to ask where an E-5 with 2 children would live, I was given Joshua Heights as one of the areas.

What will it be for when you move here??? Who knows! I recommend calling housing, give them your stats, and let them tell you what housing you’re eligible for!

Joshua Heights houses are big. They are the largest on base. The stats I was given when we were moving here was 1600 sq ft, not including closets, stairs, or garage! The garages are all 2-car..decent space. Lots of storage inside, good sized closets. The kitchen isn’t real big but is nice, and there is a large pantry area on the side of the kitchen. There is a “loft” area at the top of the stairs that has a built-in desk. Super nice. All the landscaping is desert. Which means rocks. There are small backyards that are fenced already…rocks in the backyard.

Unlike Shadow Mountain, I’m told they don’t have an issue with flies over there. However, they do get a lot of pigeons and one can often see pigeon doo-doo on the roofs. There are a few covered playgrounds. Very nice. There is a community pool and clubhouse just before you enter Joshua Heights. It’s convenient to the commissary and hospital. Really, all the housing is convenient to everywhere..but those are even closer. LOL

Before we moved here, we were really hoping for Joshua Heights. Big houses, more storages, 2-car garages, not as many cars in the street due to 2 parking spaces in the driveway, close to pool, etc. We’re content with what we got and I’m glad to have a one-story. If you get Joshua Heights, I would think you’d be really pleased with your house!

And now on to the pictures…they are duplexes.  Most are 2-story.  There are 3 and 4 bedrooms units.

There are not many 1-story units and they are reserved for those in the EMFP program in which one  requires a one-story.

Back of the house with the “yard.”

Some of the units are situated sideways to each other when there is a curve in the road.  Here is the unit on the left.

And the unit on the right.  The sideways ones have long driveways!