Dunson Adventures

Snow Much fun!

2012-02-12T12:49:00.001-05:00

Oh what to do on a cold Saturday in Moscow? Well first of all there is always the playground. Even though its covered over in snow, the kids don't seem to mind.

They just finished the snow hill on the embassy compound. All the kids got sleds for Christmas.

Back of snow hill .

Top of snow hill.

Ready, set.....

...Go!

I want to go with Daddy!

We are really high!

I'm ok!

Don't let go of the string!

There's snow on my face!

He took the baby and they loved it!

Yes I was screaming.

Thanks Mom!

One stop over

2012-02-12T11:33:00.000-05:00

Who knew just one Metro stop over was a mall and McDonald's. What a fun family outing! So glad our friends the Lackey's took us with them .

In front of the Metro Station.

We're Loving it!

A Russian McDonald's.

The Metro system here in Moscow is very efficient. Longest wait time I have heard is 3 minutes. The few times I have got on it was less than 2. This stop was beautiful but I didn't get a picture. Darn train came too fast!

Jacob 20 months old

Jacob was the first of the Dunson's to get a little Russian hat.

Kids in Metro.

Resting there feet. Kids aren't use to all this walking.

Mike in the Metro.

Me and Tina in the Metro.

On the train.

Silly Mommy I don't need to hold on to the rails!

Welcome to Moscow!

2012-02-04T13:50:00.007-05:00

We finally made it! After years of not knowing where the Army was going to send us next we are finally here! This is one adventure I don't want to forget so, hopefully I will record a lot of things on this blog.

Welcome to Moscow! Everywhere we go people great us with this lovely phrase. It also seems to be the default explanation for anything that may seem a bit off.

Outside of our apartment building on our first family outing to the market.

Outside of a Metro Station

The kids got hungry on the on the "short little walk" so we decided to stop and grab some dinner at My My (Mu Mu).

I have no idea what we ate but it was really good. When we were done eating they gave the kids these little balloons which were a hit.

Kids outside of My My

After a fun afternoon out we are headed back home!

On the way home a Seven Sister Building and Metro in the background.

A Day out With Thomas

2011-05-25T13:57:00.000-04:00

May 2011

Posing with sir Topham Hat.

In line waiting to go on our first train ride!

On the train.

It's Thomas!

A couple of very useful engines.

Carousel ride.

Cruising in comfort.

Dizzy Ride.

Can't forget the cotton candy. Yum.

WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE!

2011-02-22T11:16:00.000-05:00

Remember the movie Horten hears a Who. There's a part where the Whos have to gather together and shout WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! They have to band together one voice united to show the rest of the world that they really do exist. That's how I'm feeling. I'm not a tiny Who. But rather a mother of 4 small children. My blogging time is a luxury. But I want you all to know: WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE !

Well 8 months ago our Jacob was born at 36 weeks. Now that makes 2 Boys and 2 Girls!

Here's a picture of him a couple of him a week old.

Life has been very fast paced ever since. So far it has been a very big change to going from a family of 5 to a family of 6. Jacob is a very welcome addition to our family but as I often forget, babies can be hard work! Life just now is just now starting to feel a little normal. Here's a picture of Jacob at 3 months.

I think that is in part due to the fact that David started preschool in the fall.

It's so hard to get out and moving with a new baby in the house. Alexis misses her big brother but David really need the time to prepare for kindergarten. Olivia my little reader started first grade this year. Here's a few photos showing her excitement on the first day of school.

It's been a very busy school year thus far. But we can accomplish anything as a family!

Hey where's Jacob?

A Big Snow

2010-05-01T19:01:00.000-04:00

Oh what did the new year bring? Snow and lots of it. My kids loved it! Me 19 weeks pregnant with Mike gone to BNOC (Army school) not so much. David and Olivia were just too excited. I was waiting for the snow to stop but, it didn't look like that was going to happen any time soon. I let the snow get way to high for our little Lexi. She much more preferred the view from the porch.

Late Again!!!

2010-05-01T18:09:00.000-04:00

If there's one thing I can't stand that's being late for church! I just can't stand how people look at you as you try to quietly slide on to the pew. With 3 children in tow our sliding in usually isn't that quiet. Alexis has been known a time or two to run to the front of the Chapel.

Well on this particular Sunday morning was our Christmas program. Even more reason to be on time. Well...not to Mike. He said we've just got to take a few pictures. He does this every holiday really. If there is a holiday the Dunson family will be late for church.

As I glance through our pictures, almost all of my favorites are the ones that Mike just had to have us stop and take. I am so thankful that he does. I always want to take pictures after church but either someone is sleeping, they spilled snack on their clothes, or something that wouldn't make for a nice picture.

Christmas Morning 2009

2010-02-01T11:01:00.006-05:00

The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care but Santa came anyway!

Big Snow Storm of 2009!

2010-02-01T10:28:00.002-05:00

We got 16 inches of snow in Stafford, VA! I think that is more snow than I have seen in Fayetteville,NC in my entire childhood. Chances are that things are still going to be white for Christmas!

Christmas Memmories

2010-02-01T09:29:00.011-05:00

This Christmas Season was interesting due to the fact that I was 13 weeks pregnant! The nausea was in full effect.

We didn’t go caroling, visit Granny and Grandma, or bake cookies for the cookie exchange.

So what tradition was in full effect at the Dunson home? Why Santa hats of course!

Oh Christmas Tree!

2009-12-08T20:42:00.004-05:00

Tonight was a very special Family Home Evening. We sang carols and Olivia and David did their own nativity plays. Olivia was all dressed up and dramatic while David used our little people nativity for his play. Alexis was just dancing around.

Excitement was certainly in the air! We then decorated our Christmas tree. Well, they did and I passed out ornaments from the couch. It is our first real Christmas tree. The house really smells of Christmas! The kids picked out the tree themselves and that was a really special moment.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree, how long until you fall and get knocked over.

9 weeks 4 days!

2009-11-26T10:23:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had my first OB appointment. Well it was my registration and physical. I have been so sick :( I had an ultrasound and the best part was that Mike and the kids were there! We saw the baby moving around. We even got to hear the heartbeat! We are calling this baby SPECK. I found out about a month ago in the Emergency room. I had a cyst rupture and my blood work showed I was pregnant. It was way too early to see anything though. Mike and I are excited. The kids are hoping for a little brother so we can have the same number of boys and girls in our family.

On December 16 I will meet my doctor. The midwife told me that at 20 weeks I would go in every 2 weeks. She said I would have at least 3 more ultrasounds and at 28 weeks I would need to start coming in twice a week. We live in Stafford and the closest MTF is Dewitt at Fort Belvior. It looks like this pregnancy is going to be a real adventure for sure!

School Time

2009-09-24T15:45:00.005-04:00

So, Olivia started kindergarten on September 8, 2009. I had the hardest time with it. I felt as though my heart just might brake if she went. She has been in preschool but this is full day kindergarten! After much hesitation on my part I got her enrolled in school. I toyed with the idea of homeschooling. My husband felt very strongly that we home school only if we feel in our hearts it's the right thing to do. I knew it wasn't I was just scared!

Olivia is in room 8. Her class is the "Smarty Bears". She loves her school and her teacher! Even more she loves riding the school bus! She checked out her first Library book on Monday. I was so proud. My little girl went to the Library with her class and checked out a book! Every little thing she does I'm so impressed with. I think it's because she is my oldest. This would have been so much harder if she would have been resistant at all. But she hasn't been.

We are in the first month of school and there have been numerous emails for volunteering, fundraisers, and upcoming activities. I am trying to be involved in her school but man I know I can't do everything! I have been to the school twice this month for Parent Night. This whole kindergarten thing is a lot more involved than I ever imagined!

................ Back in the old Days..................

2009-07-29T08:29:00.006-04:00

So it all started with the kids Dr telling me to use cloth wipes "like they did in the old days". I had no idea what he was talking about so I asked my Face Book friends and did a lot of Googling. What I ended up with was being on cloth diaper web sites. I liked the "green" aspect and money saving aspect but it just seemed weird that I was still throwing my diapers away. So my search began for cloth diapers. They needed to be economical and easy. So I searched and searched and found G diapers. They looked easy enough and they had a cloth insert or a flushable insert. So I thought these would be perfect for my youngest Alexis who is 17 months old but still in 12m and weighs 19 pounds. My David who is 3 is in pullups and has no intrest at all in using the potty. I stumbled apon a company called Antsy Pants. They are training pullups that are also suppost to be diapers. I thought that was purfect because there is nothing like that on the market. I have had the GDiapers for about a month. I have only used the cloth inset and like it pretty good. There have been a few leaks especially when I use another brand insert. I bought G flappers to go inside but I bought the material hat can not be put near the skin so I have to cover it with a thin prefold. (My mistake) I really don't like using them and wish I would have bought more G inserts. They are sold out until fall:( The one good thing about the Gdaipers is that you do not have to change the outside cover every time you change the diaper. You in therory just change the liner and insert. That usually doesn't happen to me because my Alexis is talented at getting the outside of her diaper dirty as well as the insidde. I have had my Antsy pants maybe almost two weeks now. Things aren't going too well and we are having lots of leaks. Apparently my David is a heavy wetter and it is possible that I bought too small of a size for him. Antsy pants custumer service has been excellent and they are working with me to help resolve the leak issue. The Antsy pants have and inside pocket and I put a folded micofiber cloth folded inside for extra absorbancy. I think if we were actively potty training they would be able to hold his accidents no problem but he does not want to go potty at all.

Stay at Home Mom

2009-07-08T21:58:00.003-04:00

So I am a stay at home mom of three ages: 5, 3, & 1. I know I'm not alone out there but when I talk to other moms or read their face book status's they are always out doing something. I am wondering how this is even possible. I have little ones and it is so hard for us to just go and be out. After lunch time we just have to get home so that Alexis can get her nap. If we are out she is a pill, and no she doesn't sleep because there is so much to see out there. David on the other hand needs time where he can just run around crazy and the grocery store isn't exactly the best place to let out all that toddler energy. Olivia my oldest just needs to go to school to be around other people. She has way too many questions and it is time for her to share that with other people :)
Another thing that has been on my mind is all the classes that are out there. There are so many to choose from. The costs are pretty high and I wonder how people afford them. What would you do with your other kids? I think maybe part of me is jealous that it isn't even an option for me to put my kids into all those classes. I like my kiddos and I want to spend time with them.
I want to be at home with them. Complain about the many messes they make. Watch them when they figure out something. The other day I was folding laundry and Alexis my little helper was unfolding everything . I felt like I was making no progress. Then I decided that I would put my girls to work. I gave Alexis clothes to give Olivia to put away. It was so cute. I wore them out! I gave them one piece of clothing at a time. That's something you don't get in a class:)

Back from Summer Vacation

2009-06-28T20:52:00.003-04:00

Well we are back from our wonderful summer vacation. One big thing that is different is that my niece, Aviana is back home with her mom(Steph) so my family is back to 5 with a part time Uncle David! I really loved all of the quality family time. In South Carolina we stayed at the Breakers! The kids loved the lazy river and kids crafts. My favorite part was the view! So I would say our highlights were Medieval Times Dinner show, Nascar Speed Park, and of coarse the beach!

Now that the dust has settled from the trip I've decided that I want to be able to have more family vacations like that. It was a lot of fun but can be on the expensive side. I have been looking at ways to cut costs and be a little greener. The worm farm is doing good as well as my topsy turvies. The aero garden lettuce died. I forgot to change the water level before we left so it was all dried out. (On a side note I've been working all week on how to put pictures on the blog.)

Alexis has had a bad rash on her mouth and girl parts. No more Luvs diapers or cheap wipes for us.I bought some cloth wipes and a wipes warmer so we will see how that goes. I'm excited about the idea of having less trash. I have also been thinking about doing the gdiaper. It's not a cloth or a disposable. They call it a hybrid diaper. It can be both. I'm waiting to see what the reviews are about the cloth inserts. The cost to do the flushable inserts is a lot more than we are currently paying for huggies diapers. I'm trying to cut costs and be a little greener! The idea of doing cloth diapers is a little scarey. I guess the main reason is that my two in diapers do not have firm stools. The doctor thinks that they are lactose intolerant. That would explain a lot! So I'm gonna see how this whole cloth wipes thing goes.

I have also been researching the whole potty training boys thing. David will be four years old in November! I also keep in mind that he had two tummy surgeries which messed things up a little bit. Now that I think about it I think I should make a gastro follow up for him because they said it would take his body a little while to make "normal" stools again but now it's been like...two year! I can't believe that! Yeah I 'll defiantly be scheduling that follow up. That is way too long!

I am also trying to incorporate vitamins and exercise into this greener me. I joined a gym with childcare. Week one I went about 5 times :) The vitamins...well let's just say that I am forgetful. I have to figure out something because I really haven't been feeling well lately. I'll see what the doc says in a couple of weeks.

Williamsburg with the Dunsons

2009-06-14T20:59:00.003-04:00

We went to Williamsburg and were excited! We stayed at the Patrick Henry Square a Blue Green Resort. We really enjoyed our room. We stayed in a 1br W/den. It had a little mini kitchen and two fold out couches. It comfortably accommodated out family of 2 adults and 4 children. (my niece was with us) It was a good thing that we liked our room because that was where we spent most of our time. We tried spending the day at Colonial Williamsburg. I had done research online and asked around and was told it wasn't the most toddler friendly place. My husband really wanted us to go, so we did. We came home feeling bummed. And spent the rest of the time in our room. We were going to go to the pool but...I felt like it was motel quality and didn't want to get in it. It was also at another building so walking across the parking lot with wet tired kids wasn't my idea of fun. I know I'm a party pooper :) We ended up leaving early. If I had to do it all over again I would have pushed harder for Water Country USA or Bush Gardens. One more thing about Patrick Henry Square was that they had a nice little continental breakfast. That was another unexpected plus. I think the highlight of the trip for my kids was that they got to see a horse close up in a nearby field.

Rain rain go away!

2009-06-05T13:20:00.004-04:00

Rain, rain, and more rain! The kids are going crazy inside the house.Next week will be the officical start of our family's summer! We are heading to Williamsburg, Myrtle Beach, and last but not least camping(in a cabin for father's day!) I can't wait! All the worms are alive. Thankfully our most high maitenance pets are our fish and we can just put in some fish feeders. We bought 3 topsy turvies and they seem to be doing well. I'm not liking the strawberry one because the birds think that it's for them. We are also growing some lettuce inside with the aero garden. It's fun! Mike said it's the most expensive salad we have ever eaten. I'm sure over time it will pay for itself. Maybe ;)

We are in the process of having our backyard cleared. The rain just won't stop! Our backyard looks like a huge mud puddle. Olivia wants to plant more seeds! She is too cute. We've been planting on the game farmtown on face book because the weather is so nasty. All I can say is "Rain, rain, go away!"

Going Green?

2009-05-24T22:47:00.003-04:00

Well the other day our worm farm arrived! I don't know who was more excited me or the kids! So I'll say this is the end of week one. They are still alive and no major incidents. We have a small farm of about 200 worms. I think the idea of vermicomposting is really cool. I would love to get a large composter to put the worms in but I want to wait and see how this all turns out first. I am trying to find small little things that my family and I can do to help the enviroment.

All is well?

2009-05-18T15:16:00.002-04:00

There are no doctors appointments currently on the calender. It's a miracle! Kids seem to get into all kinds of things. I think my problem is that there are too many young ones at home."(Ages 5,3,2,1. 2 is my niece Aviana) I'm at a really yucky point in my life right now. I really don't like transitions. I'm wondering when I will feel settled.

Day before MRI

2009-05-07T23:53:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow Alexis will be getting her MRI at Walter Reid. I'm scared because they are going to put her to sleep. She is such a wild little girl and I know it's going to be hard for me to see her slowing down. I'm going crazy waiting and watching to see if anything is going to happen. Her face hasn't done the drooping thing anymore. Maybe what ever it is it is gone. Well it's going to be a long day tomorrow and I know I need to get some sleep but my stomach is all tied up in knots!

Here we go again!

2009-04-24T23:51:00.003-04:00

So it's late . All the kids and the husband are asleep and what am I doing....on the internet. I thought I might as well make it productive. So I'm on facebook now and twitter. I have not logged into twitter though. Mike my computer savy husband does that. This blogging thing just hasn't caught on for me. Then I saw on probably Oprah a person described her blog as an online journal. That sounds pretty good to me!

Right now our family is dealing with medical stuff. That's always nice going back and forth to the doctors office with 4 kids in tow. (my niece Aviana is staying with us right now) I have had some pain in my tummy for a couple of months now. I hope that they can find whatever it is and I can get on with things. Mike working on his back.....I think that will always be an ongoing battle for him. Alexis had something strange happen to her face. The doctors are all freaked out and trying to figure out what happened. I on the other hand, think that there's nothing wrong with my child. I'm no expert so for now we just test and see.

here we go

2008-10-03T14:32:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure what I am doing but here goes. First it was facebook now a blog. What next? I am inspired by Lindsey Cheatham. I thought it was so cool that I could see pictures of her new family online! Hopefully this will be a way for me to keep friends and family informed of our many Dunson Family adventures.