On the road again...

Today has been a busy day - we had to get ready for our big trip back east. After we finished packing, we took a quick trip to the Wash Tub to get the minivan a little bath - need to keep it in good shape for daddy's return. Sophie was mesmerized by the machine.

We ran home and grabbed a ride to the airport with our awesome neighbors, Scott and Jessica (and Tyler, too). The girls were very excited. We had a little delay but had fun passing the time coloring and watching sports. Eagles lost, but Phillies won - we'll take what we can get. It was priceless watching Emma walking up and down the halls of the airport cheering "E-A-G-L-E-S, go EAGLES!"

Grammy was there waiting for us when we arrived in Philly - we are so lucky to have such a wonderful, thoughtful grandmom. We loved having the time with her on the drive up to New York. Emma couldn't contain herself - she was just giddy about being back in NYC...

Stay tuned. We're going to try to visit some of our old haunts this week. A little sneak peek - we're going to see the Hunt's (our neighbors at 71 Broadway) tomorrow.

WE LOVE YOU (and miss you) DADDY!

Practice Makes Perfect

You know it's a good day when it begins with your little girl dancing in the halls...don't you love the beautiful ballet outfit from grammy and gumpa?


We're not only honing our dancing skills while you're away, dad, we're practicing everything! We went for a trial run over to Miss Mary and Jim's in preparation for Halloween / trick-or-treating. The girls loved it...and they are experts already.

We couldn't go to bed without a good bath in the big tub!

We said a special prayer for you tonight, daddy. It was so good to hear your voice last night...

We love you, daddy...

A Tale of Two Sophies...

We always knew that Sophie had a little spunk...well, she really demonstrated it today. She got her first "time out" in school - she's taken a liking to climbing on and standing on the chairs in her classroom. When her teachers tell her "no" (most likely with a little smile, because you can't help smiling at Sophie's impish looks), she giggles and climbs even higher - I wonder if this is a sign of things to come?

When we got home, we took our daily walk with our friend Tyler and his mom, Miss Jessica. Sophie had to bring along her purse. She reminded me of a little bitty old lady...

Ooh! Look, I think I found a lucky penny..

I could've sworn I put my bottle in here...

WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Too Cool for School

We decided to take a "field trip" this afternoon over to the gym in Alamo Heights. Emma, of course, needed to primp (you never know who you'll meet at the gym)...if this is any indication of what the teenager years will be like - look out!

I think we're going to have a brilliant beauty queen and the lovely mayor (that would be Miss Sophia). Everyone at school knows Soph. We can't pass a door without her knocking on it and waving to everyone - she is one social bug.

Our girls are amazing - they just love each other so much. They had a wonderful time playing together tonight...I hope we'll always be so lucky (I'll have to save this to share with them when they are teenagers).

WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

A beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Today was a wonderful day. The weather was beautiful and our girls had a good day at school.

After school, we came home and colored and made some "creations"...I think Sophie tried a taste of every crayon - when she learns how to talk I'm going to ask her if the different colors have different flavors! Emma is getting so good at writing her letters. She also loves to write stories - I have no doubt that she will be an author or journalist one of these days.

We had a little dinner then went out to enjoy the fresh air. We made the rounds and saw the neighbors, then went on our merry way. We came across a beautiful butterfly who was very still for us - Emma was mesmerized.

We met up with Miss Jessica and Tyler and finished off our tour of the neighborhood.

When we were getting ready for baths, Emma amaze me yet again. I walked into Sophie's room to find that Emma had already laid out Soph's jammies and a diaper (opened up and ready to go) and had set aside a diaper and outfit for tomorrow. I'm beginning to think I'm not needed around here! They are growing up so fast...(but not too fast, daddy, don't worry).

We LOVE YOU DADDY!

Back to the Grind...

We were back to school today! Emma and Soph were very excited. We kicked off the day with music as we drove to school - boy, do our girls love to sing. Emma remembers the words to all the songs and Sophie does a remarkable job keeping tune (far better than mommy) as she sings "la la la" to everything! These girls might have a future in show business.

Mommy's big helper...

Miss Independent: walking to school by herself (already!)

After school, we came home and made some arts and crafts, had a little home cooked dinner (yes, daddy, I cooked), then took a little walk through the neighborhood (our friend, Tyler, from next door and his mommy, Jessica joined us). Of course we had to stop by to say "hi" to our neighbor, Miss Mary.

Getting ready to ride...

Have a wonderful night, daddy, we love you!

Ballerina Girl

Today has been a busy day! We hurried off this morning to join Emma's friend, Nessa, for their Saturday morning ballet class. Emma is becoming a master at ballet and tap - we can't wait for her recital in November...

Oh I wish I could be a ballerina, too...



Passing time at the dance studio



An hour sure is a long time to wait. Mackay, do you mind if I borrow your lap to take a little snooze til those big girls are done?



Our prima ballerina



Who can resist a local mexican diner for lunch? Not us...we went in, chowed down and wrecked havoc on the place with our friends Miss Wendy, Nessa and Mackay.

We couldn't let the day go by without taking advantage of the beautiful weather here in Texas, so we took a quick dip in the pool - very relaxing.

Swimming makes me SO happy


One blackberry is never enough...



We finished out the day with a trip to the Commissary at Ft. Sam Houston (I AM becoming a military spouse!). By the time mommy got to the check out line I had all sorts of interesting things in my cart.

When we arrived home, the car was silent - a curious sound in the Stromberg car - I'm not used to being in the car without Emma and Sophie singing "Best of Both Worlds"...Lo and behold, both our little girls were sleeping - nothing woke them up and everyone was snug in their beds by 7pm...

Not event the deepest sleep will loosen my grip on my precious fruit loops...
Our two tired angels



I've never been more keenly aware of how very much I love my family - I am truly blessed. I already miss Mark more than you can imagine - but his presence is still so strong in our home and our children, that it makes things a little easier. Emma shares his quiet strength, deep compassion for others and incredible desire for everything to be clean and organized (thankfully!). Sophie shares his extraordinary personality - part comedian, part imp and 100% fun loving...

We love you daddy!

Daddy Deploys

Today was a big day for the Stromberg family. Emma, Sophia and mommy brought daddy to the San Antonio airport shortly before dawn this morning to send him off on his "work trip" to Iraq...the countdown begins...

Thank goodness daddy is a "light" packer...


An early morning farewell....



Our girls were in rare form this evening (the cat's away...)

Sophie at the wheel with her friend, Bronson.

Emma took a turn at the wheel, too, with her friend, Braylee.

We LOVE YOU Daddy....