Indian Summer

River relaxing in the Oriental Garden beside the koi pond at the Cincinnati Zoo - 11/13/10

By the Fountain

A quick, candid photo taken a few weeks ago by Memaw at the fountain of Belterra.

Virginia Beach

We took River on her first vacation last week away from home. It felt like our first vacation as well since it had been eleven years since we have taken one. Simply put; the wait was worth it. We all had a wonderful time.
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Naturally we were concerned how River would take the long ride in her car seat but she traveled the distance like a pro. On the way home we stopped only once in nine hours for River to enjoy a Happy Meal. Perhaps the next time I will ask her to drive.

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Don't let the Surfer Girl image fool you; River didn't really care for the ocean itself but she LOVED the beach. It was all about the sand as far as she was concerned. The boogie board saw more action in the hotel room with me dragging her back and forth on the carpet while she giggled uncontrollably.

. You don't always know at the time when you are making a cherished memory.. but sometimes you do. This is one of those times when we knew for certain.

. River was lucky enough to have her picture taken with a good lookin' lifeguard. Oh, wait a minute.. that's me.

. One of the many seagulls who either wanted you to give them food or just get the h#ll off of their beach.
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We kept hearing an odd thumping sound in the trunk for the first 200 miles but it eventually faded away. We had originally thought that the luggage was uneven but, much to our surprise, Memaw Marti popped out of the trunk at a rest stop in West Virginia. As it turned out, she was a godsend and a blast to vacation with. (She rode in the backseat on the way back home.)

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Jo: The Planner, The Budget Maker, The Navigator. The.. Everything. Thank you Sweetheart.

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She worked really hard to get those toes in the sand.
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River took her sand construction work very seriously.

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Naval vessels were always just offshore and military jets always overhead. Virginia Beach must be one of the safest stretches of American coastline. God Bless America.

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There is nothing more comfortable.

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Hurricane River destroys a beachfront town! News at Eleven!

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Sunrise on Virginia Beach, 09/09/10, 06:44am.

It is easy to forget how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful country. Remind yourself once in a while and just get in the car and drive. Our land is a treasure that I hope River never takes for granted.

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Stolen Moments

Staying Cool

The Slip-N-Slide has its place along side Mr. Potato Head, Slinky, the Hula Hoop, Barbie and the Radio Flyer Wagon as classic toys that every child should experience at least once. I remember a summer in the late 70's when I enjoyed running and jumping on my cousin's S-N-S during a family visit to Florida. Of course there always comes a time when someone will slide over a stick or rock (or piece of petrified dog poo) resulting in a scratch that can only be healed by a band aid, a popsicle and a kiss from mom. I think my cousin Hope was the unlucky one who received the boo boo that day. She healed just fine I hear and has managed to continue with her life despite her injury. She always was the strong one.
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With the super high temperatures recently we decided to buy River a Slip-N-Slide all her own. She managed to make it through the afternoon without a scratch. As you can see below, she and Daisy had a very good time.
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Can You Guess??

The pictures below were taken just two hours ago. The injuries she has were sustained yesterday. Can you guess what happened?

Severe second degree burns? Raw rubbed places? Blisters?

This, my friends, is the work of a few mosquitos. MOSQUITOS! .
I had noticed when playing in her pool yesterday evening that a mosquito had landed on her back. I squished it and thought nothing more of it.
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The next morning she had a few dimes sized marks on her that I mentioned to the staff at school so they would know that she might itch.
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By 10am the owner of the facility was calling me and requesting that I take my child to the doctor before letting her return.
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According to our doctor, River is just one sensitive girl. The last time we had to visit him she had a rash all over her. It looked like she had Fifth's Disease. It wasn't an ailment, her skin just has a hard time with the heat. Apparently this was along the same vein. She has an incredibly strong immunity response. That's supposed to be a good thing even though it sure doesn't look like it.
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For those of you who are worried, she is fine by the way. It was a little itchy this morning but she doesn't even notice or complain about them. The doctor did say this could take up to two weeks to disappear.
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Let me know if you can suggest a good baby friendly bug repellent.
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No kidding. Mosquito bites.

Porch Swings and Popsicles

Memorial Day Weekend, 2010.
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River spent the holiday in Eastern Kentucky. Enjoying all the sights and sounds that make such gatherings the treasures that they are. These are the times that she will look back and remember her family all being together at once. Carefree days of creaking porch swings and the slam of a storm door repeating itself over and over as she and her cousins run in and out. Days of popsicles, strawberry shortcake, watermelon and sweet tea. She will remember the laughter of all the generations gathered as they reminisce over country ham and cornbread. At night she will remember the sounds of crickets, whippoorwills and the gentle braying of cattle off in the distance as fireflies flicker outside her bedroom window on her grandparents farm. No worries just happy times.
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As she grows older, River's mother and I will make sure that she understands that these days were brought to her, and insured, by the men and women of the United States Military, many of which made the ultimate sacrifice so that little girls and boys could grow up and enjoy times just like these.
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Memaw and Pepaw's Farm.

. A couple of modern day cowgirls coming in from feeding the livestock.

. Sharing the swing with Pepaw.

. At the playground with Mommy and Uncle Monkey.

. Taking a break at the playground in the shade.

. Time for a quick dip on Memaw's deck.

. Ahhh! That is better!

. JoAnna and her Pappaw Clarence.

. Future Wildcat?

. She means business!

. Watching the game with Memaw.

. River's cousins, Ashley and Mikkah.

. River and her cousins. Taking this picture was like catching lightening in a bottle.

. On the railroad.. just like Pepaw.

. Watching the clouds roll by. Is there a better way to spend an afternoon?

."There is no place like home." - Dorothy Gale

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Impromptu Pool Party

River has been dying to splash around in her wading pool for days now. So much so that she talked us into bringing it in the house so she could sit in it without any water. I think this was just a ploy to make us feel sorry for her.
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Today the weather was warm enough to enjoy a quick splash. Naturally, Daisy had to join in.

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"A, B, C, D. MOMMY LISTEN! A, B, C.."

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Look how much she has grown since her first pool party!

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