Here's another silly Kenny story: He was playing in the side yard with Chase and my brother, Shelley. He made a "hook" to replace his hand out of a stick and a broken bungee cord.
Shelley asked him, "How would you pick your nose?" And he said, "Duh! With this hand!"
My mom and I took the boys to the Corning Museum of Glass. Although it made me extremely nervous to take Kenny into a place entirely made with and filled with breakable objects, he did very well. Most everything was behind large, thick sheets of glass so he couldn't even get close enough to cause any damage. I made him keep his hands in his pockets through the part of the gift shop dedicated to expensive, fancy souveniers. He got to take his hands out in the "normal" gift shop.
This glass spider was only one of several tiny bugs and insects in a display of "bed bugs". The little glass figures were all on top of a mattress. The boys really liked this display.
This picture was part of the "Curiosities of Glassmaking" exhibit. There were tons of displays that we could play with to experience the interesting things that can be done with glass. Chase was looking through the periscope down into the town of Corning. 
Here Kenny is creating a telescope with two hand-held microscopes.
This picture was also part of the "Curiosities of Glass" exhibit. When you stand about 12-14 feet from the mirror you can see yourself upside down. As you get closer you get larger and larger and then all of a sudden your reflection flips right-side-up.
Unfortunately our good luck ran out in NYC. I opted to give up our seats on our 1:15 flight in exchange for seats on the 4:00 flight and three $400 flight vouchers. It was pretty exciting until our 4:00 flight was delayed until 6:00 and then we sat on the airplane until 8:30 waiting for a storm to pass. Then at 8:30 they cancelled our flight and we stood in a customer service line until midnight. Kenny fell asleep on the floor a couple of times. Chase made conversation with everyone around him that wasn't so angry at the airline that they wouldn't talk. At midnight people were being told that the next confirmed flight to Syracuse would be on Friday (yes, three days later). Passengers were being given stand-by spots on other airlines for the next day. And nobody was getting hotel or meal vouchers -- they were handing out tiny blankets and pillows so that people could sleep in the airport! 
It was our turn in line and the customer service rep was having trouble finding us a flight because there were three of us (and a dog!) when all of a sudden a woman came running around the corner asking for four people for seats that were empty on a flight that was leaving for Syracuse -- right then and there. I fought for three of those seats! I mean, I yelled and argued until I won them ... it was very unlady-like and very mama-bear like! 30 minutes later we were in the air and at 1:30 am we finally landed in Syracuse. My dad got up in the middle of the night to come and get us. The boys had fun playing in an empty airport while we waited for him. We got to Oswego around 3:00 am -- exactly 24 hours after we woke up in our hotel in Austin to make it to the airport on time. We were exhausted, but glad to be here. Kenny is still telling everyone who will listen that it is "all my Mom's fault" that we were stuck in the airport for 12 hours. And then I tell anyone who will listen that it was worth it because the next time we decide to embark on a flying adventure it will be $1200 cheaper!
We had a pretty good time and I am relieved to say that my social duties as a 1SG's wife are done until the Christmas party. (The boys and I are conveniently going to be in Missouri during the company picnic)
From left to right: CPT Will Jumper and Precious Jumper (B Co Commander), CPT Scott Starr and Jennifer Starr (A Co Commander), 1SG Eric Ludwigsen and Kelly Ludwigsen (B Co 1SG), Brian and me (A Co 1SG)
This is Scott, Brian and their senior drill sergeant, Drill Sergeant Furman. She is tiny, but tough! And smart. And nice. And very, very organized (which Brian loves!)
Here is a student taking pictures with Brian and Scott. They were like celebrities all night. Jennifer and I started teasing them about their paparazzi following.
Here are some classy examples of good Army soldiers!
Now we can focus on getting ready for our big trip. We're heading to Austin tomorrow and flying to New York from the Austin airport on Tuesday morning. We're really looking forward to a nice, long visit with my parents, my brother & his girlfriend. It's always great to be home -- especially during the summer when the weather is pleasant (70's) and the snow is all gone! 
So then I poke it's tail with my foot just to check if it is stiff enough to pick up without getting all grossed out. And the damn thing moves!! Towards me!! With it's tongue out!!
Chase later explained that meant that it was only smelling me, but I didn't care. It looked like a threat to me.So one nano-second after it moved I really started yelling ... and I mean LOUD, SISSY, GIRLY SCREAMING! And running. Which was followed by laughter from Chase & Kenny. Lots of it. Then they had to practically run down the hill so that they could see it before it slithered away. Not my favorite experience from the weekend.
