19-30 Mar: Command Leadership School, Newport, RI

 

After finishing up a month in Pensacola for Aviation Commanding Officer Training I reported to Newport, RI for two weeks of Command Leadership School.  Best part is Kim got to attend her own course for the second week.  

 We met up with two old Auburn friends and as usual, met tons of other fantastic people.  It was restaurant week in Newport and we made the most of great socializing opportunities.  I had fantastic weather the week I was alone, but Kim was greeted with temps down in the 20s and lots of wind.  Newport is a special place for us from our time here a few years ago and it was great to be back.

On campus in Newport with the landmark Claiborne Pell Bridge and Narragansett Bay in the background. 

22 Mar - Andy's First Front Tooth

 

It was so ready to come out

03 Mar - Andy's First Catch

Out at one of the neighborhood "water features" (rentention ponds) with the boys new Spiderman fishing rods.  About 5 seconds after throwing in a couple kernels of corn Andy hauled up this small largemouth bass - his first catch.  

Shortly after the catch we were attacked by completely rabid no-see-ums and had to boogey.  Too bad.  

01 Mar - Andy as President Obama

All the students in Andy's class picked a President to give a speech about.  Andy chose the sitting.

17-19 Feb: Grandma and Grandpa Visit

Grandma and Grandpa come down to check out the new house and watch Andy's Yankees play

 

And of course, go eat at a nice Italian place

16 Feb - Zach's Cast

At first Zach didn't want anyone to sign his cast, but a couple of older girls down the street sweet-talked him into letting them autograph.  After this it was game on. 

11 Feb - Zach's Broken Arm

Just as Kim and I had started a movie on Friday night Andy ran in and said something was wrong with Zach.  Boy was he right - Zach's right forearm was shaped like a "C".  Seems he had slipped while climbing down from his new bunk bed and either landed wrong or on the rail of Andy's neighboring bed.  No time to ask Dad-like questions, "why were you getting out of bed?"  We sat him down and Kim had a splint made from a cutting board and towel on him in no time.

He was x-rayed and splinted up at the ER last night and then went to Wolfson's Children's Hospital this morning for the reduction, setting and casting.  All went well.  Both bones were broken and he is now in a long cast for the next six weeks followed by a short cast for two more.  The only time he cried was when they cut the sleeve of his jammies off.  Andy was very upset by this aspect of the injury as well and told Zach he was very sorry about his jammie shirt.  

Came home this afternoon, lounged in bed for a while and was completely zonked by 5:30 this afternoon.  We couldn't get him up for dinner.  

Knowing Zach, he is going to love showing this thing off at school.  

 The break after it was set

 Getting ready to go in and "very nervous"

Back home "just resting my body"