Week 13-Cincinnati with Mandi

Cincinnati was definitely very excited to have Flat Stanley in town for a week and it was a really good week for him to come and visit. Although I will admit he startled me when he arrived Thursday afternoon.

Stanley arrived

Friday we spent lounging around the house with the cats. Although after their first introduction the cats really didn't pay Stanley any attention which didn't seem to bother him in the least.

The weekend brought the Taste of Cincinnati so of course we had to head down. Stanley rode on the motorcycle but demanded I didn't post any of those pictures. He said that although he looked terrified he actually had a good time in the end.

Stanley's Irish Nachos BEFORE

Stanley's Irish Nachos AFTER

On Memorial Day Stanley got to take part in a very American tradition. He got to help smoke pork shoulder for pulled pork. Stanley enjoyed getting in touch with his inner chef.

The last couple days of Stanley's visit went by rather quickly, but they were eventful. They included a trip to the amusement park, a visit with my niece who had quite the conversation with Stanley, and getting to see an American castle (I think he was feeling a wee bit homesick) and some general running amuck.

Stanley REALLY wanted this rubber ducky.

Stanley has GREAT shopping taste.

Stanley flirted with Smurfette.

Stanley took a swim to cool off.

The American Castle.

Stanley didn't feel he should have to pay admission so he was trying to sneak in.

My Niece talking to Stanley.

Stanley posing with the Eiffel Tower at King's Island

Had such a great time with Stanley. Hope he enjoys his week back in the UK.

ALOHA & E komo mai

That's Aloha and Welcome in Hawaiian!

I started my journey with Tracey and wanted to go to the beach right away! It was a cloudy day and told me that it was not a good beach day.  She gave me a grass skirt to wear and told me about the Hawaiian culture- did you know that men wear the skirts?! (Grass skirts function as the international symbol for hula dancing. Dancers adorn their grass skirt costumes for performances and ritualistic dances. The grass skirts sway with the dancer as she moves her hips, creating a fluid movement.)  After I tried on my skirt... I played with Barney. He was a lot of fun but very energetic- so Tracey kept him away from me.
  

 

Barney



Me in my grass skirt!










 









The next day we went to a baby shower!!! I helped Tracey put the finishing touches on her diaper cake for the mom to be. And I wanted a picture with the desserts!  I also got to meet some of her friends and went shopping too!



The diaper cake.




MMMM Cupcakes!!

 



At the NEX in front
 of a pretty waterfall







Playing at the furniture store on base

We also went site seeing on Weds!  I went and saw another part of the island called south shore!!  I got to ride in a convertable!!!

lookout of Sandy Beach

I FINALLY got to go to the beach on Thursday!! She made me swimmies so I wouldn't drown in the water.  She told me that this is one of the beaches on the base where she lives.  It is called Pyramid Rock.  It was so pretty there I was surprised she lived so close to a pretty place!  I put on my swimmies and played in the sand... I even wanted to get buried in the sand.

On Friday I got to go to  a MILITARY HOMECOMING!  It was very exciting to see the Marines reunite with their families after not seeing them for over 6 months.   I asked Tracey where her husband was and she explained to me that her husband still had a little while to go over there.  She also told me not to worry that he'll be fine and home soon.  We also had a scare with one of her friends- she ended up in the hospital so we had a lot of running around that day as well.  I found some beer but she told me it wasn't ours so I couldn't take one!



anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Marines!

 



Welcoming home a Marine!!



Well that was my week with Tracey!  I'm on my way to see Mandi now!

Week 11-Adventures in Mississippi with Nikki

Stanley was such a joy to have in our home for a whole week! We stayed busy the entire time but Stanley didn't mind! He tagged along to work with us a few days, played with our fur-baby all day, worked on his tan, watched the royal wedding and even played dress up! Here are a few pictures to capture all the fun we had!

April 28th! Our first picture, Can't you tell the excitement on our faces?!

 Dixie wasn't so sure of what to think of him! I think he looked tasty to her!

Dixie meeting Stan-Stan the first time!

Phillip and Stanley...watching TV

Board Shorts I made him for his visit to Hawaii to see Tracey! He worked on his tan in the Mississippi heat too :P

Top hat for the Royal Wedding! Stanley loved watching the footage of the wedding, and dressing like Royalty too.

Having a cup of Joe with Phillip at work! Stanley thought being a Police Officer was hard work

Stanley had a great time in Mississippi but was so excited to visit Hawaii next! Sorry for the late blog post :)

--Nikki Lasseter

Week 10 - Stanley's Adventures in Charm City with Kasey!

I first need to say that Stanley had a crazy week here in Baltimore, Maryland. We were busy every day, and we took so many awesome photos together, so I've pulled the best ones to include here. And the most appropriate. You see, Stanley and I had a wild week!

I had been waiting patiently for Stanley for WEEKS, and finally this came in the mail...

He's here!

I knew it HAD to be Stanley inside, and I was right! He popped right on out of the envelope. I immediately told him about our amazing plans for the week ahead. He smiled and seemed up to the challenge!

"I can handle anything!"

The very first thing we had to do was introduce Stanley to our fur-babies, Helo and Gaius.

Helo was curious at first, but wasn't all that interested. Gaius was a different story...

Why, hello Stanley.

I have never met a laminated creature like you before...

I love you!!!

Gaius's love affair with Stanley carried on throughout his visit. Stanley seemed flattered.

The next day, Friday, I took Stanley to school with me. I teach the 6th grade, and I needed Stanley's help getting things in order at school. He was a major asset to have in the classroom!

He helped me organize my desk...

He helped my students pick a good book to read...

And he helped me collect homework from the "In Bin." He particularly LOVED how well he matched it!

The next day was quite eventful. First Stanley went grocery shopping with my husband, and they returned with a special treat for me!

"Aren't they pretty?"

I think Stanley must have suggested it, since my husband usually doesn't think about flowers. WAY TO GO, Stanley!

Later that night, things got a little crazy. You see, I had a bachelorette party to go to for my wonderful cousin who gets married in less than two weeks! When she heard Stanley was in town, she decided she just had to meet him. Well...things didn't take long to get interesting.

First he met the bride to be, and he made friends FAST! See?

"I feel right at home!"

Then we went to dinner, where he helped us give some naughty gifts to her.

"What's a tassel?"

And then the drinking started...

"Mmmmm .... Pinot Grigio!"

"Ooo! Champagne! It's a celebration after all!"

"Awww yeah! Vodka, baby!"

Which ended up leading to Stanley dancing on the lighted table in the club!

"I'm partying like it's 1999!"

I can't say I didn't join him...

Dancing fools!

We had an amazing night! Stanley did a body shot, too, but hey... some things are just too wild for the blogging world!

Stanley with his wedding party groupies.

But a not so amazing Sunday morning. Whoops!




Our last big outing of the week was a much calmer and less alcohol-y one. We went to the Baltimore Orioles game! Of course, I had to buy Stanley a jersey to wear to the game.

"Don't I look fantastic in orange?"

Stanley and I doing his signature pose.

Stanley was so excited since he'd never been to a game before!

"Wow! This is an awesome view!"

"Heeeeeey batter batter batter!"

Even though the O's lost the game (we're used to it), he had a great ballpark experience.

All too soon, our time together was over. I've sealed him safely away and dropped him with the postman to go visit Nikki in Mississippi! We'll miss him here in Maryland, but I know he'll have an awesome time on his next adventure.

And, hey Nikki? I'd keep him away from the Vodka this time! He just can't hold his alcohol! :]