Soccer Mom (May 2010)

Both kids played soccer this spring, which meant that I was in the car most afternoons (after work) transporting to and fro with any number of neighbor children along for the ride to practice and/or games. I wouldn’t have traded this time for the world! It was Grayson’s first season and she seemed to take quite well to the sport. Her coach immediately placed her at goalie, although she covered some ground on the field too! Harrison continues to enjoy most anything outside and is a great team sport. He encourages his friends (the uh-hum… soccer stars) from the sidelines with enthusiasm. I’m so proud of both of them.

Mud Pies and Mulch Piles (May 2010)

April showers bring May flowers, but, before they do, my kids like to play in the dirt. Well, mud. And mulch.

Grayson's First Recital (4.27.10)

Grayson played the violin last semester, but decided mid-year to switch to piano. (It’s all about exposure at this age, right?) Her first recital was shared between Mrs. Bella’s students and Mrs. Tiffany’s students (both very talented musicians that we love and go to church with). Grayson played “Ode to Joy” which ironically was Harrison’s first recital song to perform, and she also played with Mrs. Bella a piece they composed on their own. Due to Helga’s illness, Lloyd and I had to leave town to be in Montgomery and we hated to miss this night! But, Nana was there, and friends say Grayson did a spectacular job.

Happy Hunting (Easter 2010)

We participated in several Easter Egg Hunts this year: St. Mary’s School, a birthday party in our neighborhood Cherry Grove, and in my parents’ front yard after church on Sunday morning. I came away with a different feel from each one. At Grayson’s school, there were orders, rules, and regulations. The girls filed out in a single file line, only could pick up 6 eggs, and were only allowed 5 minutes to seek. The birthday party was a free for all, where Harrison and Grayson ran like mad to find as many treasured eggs possible. And, finally, a laid back version of them all (which was like ones I remember growing up). My brother Andy and I would have hunts with our cousins Maris and Sara in either their or our front lawns. This year, my kids helped Maris’s daughter Kaylan find some very colorful prizes. Generations repeat themselves with older cousins sheltering and mentoring the younger.

Modern Fishing (4.3.10)

Gone are the days when Dad would pick us up from school early-- where we’d all pile in the pick up truck and travel to the lake for a day of fishing far away from any one who might want to reach us. Quiet, serene surroundings with no interruptions except for a slight nibble on the end of the hook. No, cell phones have put an end to that era of tranquility. Daddy Joe is accessible most of the time these modern days. Even while fishing on the banks of his pond with his grandchildren. I just thought this picture was funny. Don’t you?



I wonder what this conversation was about.

Flying High (4.3.10)

We spent Easter weekend in Martin with my parents on their farm. The weather was perfect with just enough wind to fly a kite. I have wonderful childhood memories of playing in these fields when stalks of corn or wheat were not in season. Now our children have their own memories, too.

Sakura Spring (March 2010)

I’ve recently learned that in Japan it is an important Spring custom to gather and celebrate under the blossoms of Sakura (flowering cherry trees). This social phenomenon of flora viewing dates back centuries and included imperial households, poets, singers and other aristocrats. Now, Memphis is not home to over 200 different varieties of cherry trees like Japan, and we are certainly not aristocracy, however, I can tell you that the process of gathering around these trees has become custom in this family. The Cherry Grove in Chickasaw Gardens was undoubtedly the most beautiful I’ve seen in the nine years of living here. The only negative is that Sakura blooms do not last long enough! We played almost daily under these clouds of white until no more blooms remained.