Potty Training and a New Year

Well it is a new year and there are many challenges ahead for the Slay family this year. Dave is getting ready to go to Afghanistan for a pre deployment survey. He will be gone for 2 1/2 weeks scouting out how VMA-513 will logistically be deployed there from May to November of this year. It will be our first deployment since Brenden was born and it will be infinitely harder. Our family has become quite close and Brenden just adores Dave to pieces. How do you explain to a two and a half year old that his Dad is so far away and for so long? We will have to work it out as it happens but for now we are enjoying our life in Arizona.

It's January and the temperatures are in the low 70's during the day which makes it so very very nice. We can go for walks and enjoy the sun without being completely obliterated by 120 degree temps like the summer brings. Now I know why all the Snowbirds come here from Canada. The population literally doubles during the winter here - so strange!

Brenden is going full speed. Potty training is going so so. He gets one M & M for pee pee and two for poop. I see why parents pull their hair out during this time! He has started pretend playing with his toys which has been an interesting transition to just playing with them. Now he roll plays and sometimes I just sit back and watch in wonder at how far he has progressed since his second birthday.

Dave was packing for his preliminary trip to Afghanistan and Brenden of course wanted to 'help Dada' out. He discovered our scuba gear which we got out to inspect because we are going to Kauai in late January with my parents. He was very interested in the scuba masks because he knew what they were because of Finding Nemo. He wanted to wear mine all night long. So here is a picture of Brenden and Dada the day before he left for Afghanistan. He also wanted to wear his green boots that Aunt Katherine gave him for Christmas. I love how kids just don't have to worry about things like how silly they look to the outside world. They are just all about fun!

Here is to a new year with your loved ones and enjoying every second you can!