I Feel Good

Ok, I have to start somewhere to catch up for not writing for a while. I think I'll start with the trip to Publix this afternoon with Henry and Neil. We always have to get one of the "car carts" so we can drive through the store. They each have a steering wheel and both rock it madly back and forth just about the entire trip. Today, Henry immediately spotted a singing bunny in the Easter display. I immediately grabbed it as trip entertainment and handed it to them. So, the music begins, the song is James Brown singing "I Feel Good." After a while, Henry places it on the little space behind them in the cart. They both make certain that it never is quiet. Oh, and the long bunny ears flap up and down. At one point we pass the lady in the fish department and she is just staring--it appears that out car cart has a radio. From my point of view, whatever it takes to get through a grocery trip smoothly, I can handle. Relatively quick shopping trip, but lots of time checking out. I think all 40,000 U of A students choose Sunday evening (at this Publix) for their weekly needs. Henry asks for a squeaky doggy toy, so of course I hand him one. Now, imagine, "squeak, squeak, squeak, " then, "I Feel Good." Lots of looks. I smile back. Happy boys. I take the bagger up on taking my groceries to the car for us.

Parker's Confirmation

On Sunday February 14, 2010 Parker was confirmed at Canterbury Episcopal Church by Bishop Suffragan Kee Sloan. Beautiful day for us all to share this joy with Parker.

Speech Pathologist's Progress Report

Neil's speech pathologist sent home his progress report and I could not help smiling as I read it. Here is an excerpt:

Neil "says or repeats whatever he wants... He will not answer questions with 100% consistency but this is due to attitude not ability. He has the most expressive facial expressions of any child that I know. He also gets what he wants because he gets in your face until you figure out what he wants."

That's my Neil.

The Birthday Boys 2010!

Just catching my breath after Christmas and then the celebrations of Henry and Neil's 4th and Parker's 14th! Here are some photos of the festive celebrations before we're out of their birthday month and into February. If I can stop falling asleep at 8pm, I am hoping to get more writing done about the wild things that go on around here!

Merry Christmas Day!

What a lovely, wild, Christmas Day! Neil began our day at 6 a.m..

Here's a little slideshow until I get a moment to write.

Big Mood

Not much to this, but it was just too funny to not mention that when Henry got up this morning he came into the kitchen announcing that he was in a BIG mood. Whatever that means. Geez these guys are so funny sometimes.

Giving Thanks

It's not that nothing has been happening around here since Halloween, just a lack of some quiet moments to try to record at least some of it. Seems like everyone was sick with a little something the whole month of November--not enough to really to really bring us to a halt--just a couple of rounds of antibiotics, some cough meds, and a various assortment of cold remedies. For now though, thankfully, all are well. And, another BIG thing--Neil is officially off the oxygen as of our November 20th appointment with Dr. Colvin.

I had a great trip with my boys to visit Marian, Tom, and Alley in Hattiesburg. Such an easy trip from Tuscaloosa and so comforting to have a sister so close. And, so wonderful to hear Marian preach and watch these boys with their aunt, uncle, and cousin.

Nice Thanksgiving in Tunica (see above picture). Mama's presence sure was missed but I'm sure that she helped Susan and me in spirit to get the feast on the table. Richard had a nice outing to the Tunica museums (Tunica and River) with John, Jacob, Parker and Henry. Neil and I had a great outing at the John Deere store where I heard lots of "Mama look." We had a really nice visit in Oxford on the return trip with a saunter around the Square, lunch/picnic from Bottletree Bakery, and a leisurely stroll around Rowan Oak--trying our best to get these boys to cooperate for a Christmas picture.

Gearing up for Christmas now. We now have a tree in the living room and as of tonight it has lots of big fat colored lights and a box full of ornaments. I didn't want to fill it too full of ornaments too soon because I have a feeling that Henry and Neil are about to come home from Rise with a pile of them. So nice to sit down at the end of the evening and look at a Christmas tree.

Parker's guitar playing has really taken off. He has a new teacher who goes above and beyond and has taken a real interest in his playing. Tonight I requested "O Holy Night" for Christmas. I feel certain he'll come up with it beautifully. I can hardly wait.