No Photos Necessary

One of my fondest childhood memories is digging up potatoes with my brother Michael and Grandpa Workman on the hill behind their house. I couldn't believe that my grandfather had grown these potatoes...that it was possible for just an average person to GROW potatoes. Of course, I know now that Grandpa Workman was nowhere near average and that he had been an honest-to-goodness farmer before I came along. But that day, on that hill it was like magic digging into the ground and pulling up real potatoes that we could actually eat. Grandpa was so tickled by my amazement each time I found a potato or each time I asked for reassurance that we really could eat them. There was also a wonderful satisfaction in finding those buried treasures and a wonderful comfort in the feeling that my grandpa was so magical.

I was reminded of that long-ago potato adventure today when my father -- Gus and Sam's Grandpa Workman -- stopped in for an unexpected visit. Gus looked up from his dinner and said, "Grandpa," with a shy smile and Sam ran over from the couch to give his grandpa a big hug. Eventually, and not surprisingly, we all ended up outside. We walked the yard of the new house and discussed plans for removing exotic and bringing in native plants. We eventually ended up by an old cement pad that we're told once housed a shed. Ozzie said we'd probably just tear it out and I said I had thought we could put a basketball hoop there for the boys. Soon, we were all picking up and stacking old stones that had been covered from years of growth. We pulled a few weeds and discussed our plans for our new basketball "court". Some of the stones -- which we planned to use out front -- were too embedded to pull up by hand. "Those are going to need a shovel," said Ozzie and Daddy said, "I happen to have one," and before I noticed he was gone, he was back and using the shovel to peel the rocks from the earth. Sam and Gus were close by and at the ready to move and stack the stones. Then they both clamored for the opportunity to use the shovel as well. And their Grandpa Workman was patiently amused with them just as mine had been with me. He helped them stack bricks that Ozzie dug up and then he dug up grass that had overgrown onto the cement as Sam hauled it all to a pile. Before long we'd cleared the outline of the court and the better part of two hours had passed by. The last hours of the day that are usually full of fighting and fussing flew by peacefully in the unseasonably cool breeze which we enjoyed while we worked. Were we working? It sure didn't feel like work. Alas, it was time to return to our routine and get the boys in the bath tub. As we said our goodbyes, that's when the potato memory came back to me and I was thinking how lucky my boys are to have a Grandpa Workman...just like I was. And then, I wished I had thought to grab my camera and snap a few pictures. But, then, I don't have any photographs of the day we dug for potatoes and that memory remains clear as a picture for me.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Carol! And a Tiny Update (Finally!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA CAROL!

Today we celebrated Grandma Carol's birthday by having our first swimming lessons of the summer. Sam did great, Gus not so much. Neither of them want to get their faces wet. My goal is to have them both swimming by the end of the summer. Well, Sam anyway. Maybe by the end of summer Gus will at least not cry in the pool.

Now both boys are resting on the couch. Sam not feeling great and Gus exhausted from not swimming. A nice thunder storm is brewing and I love watching the rain come in off the river. I have to go get the laundry going and unpack some boxes! How are there still boxes?!!?

Ozzie celebrated his mother's birthday by coming in first place after day one of the Flatsmaster's Redfish Tournament. So, he'll be celebrating the day after by fishing again instead of mowing the lawn. Hooray. Ozzie will tell you that mowing the new lawn is a heinous experience!

Speaking of the lawn...we love the new house. However, moving and getting settled has been keeping all of us very busy so there's not much time for blog updating. Sorry Grandpa Barry. We know you check for updates. I think I'm to a point where the updates can come more regularly now...at least until your granddaughter arrives in September. Oy! In the meantime, some pictures will have to do.

Carol, we'll call you to say Happy Birthday when Ozzie gets home from the tournament.

xoxo

This is the day before Sam's FIFTH birthday in March! Look at how cold it was in March!

Sam got a butterfly house for his birthday. We grew butterflies from the larval stage until the full butterfly stage and then released them. The boys LOVED watching the process.

Sam's last day of preschool! Gus will have his first day here in September.

Gus enjoying the new yard. He's at the top of a mini-hill that he LOVES to run down and up and up and down.

Last week the boys got haircuts! Where did all Gus's curls go? Never fear. They are already starting to grow back. And, Sam is soooooo tall!

Donuts With Grandpa

Sam's school had Donuts for Dads in February. Ozzie had to work so Grandpa Workman filled in for him. Sam was thrilled his Grandpa was coming to his school and was delighted to show him around. Gus was sad that he wasn't able to stay and play, but he did get to be in the picture. And, as Aunt Sally says, his time will come.

And Gus is TWO! How Did That Happen?

So, three weeks ago today, my little bear turned two! I just can't believe it!

We had a very small party with family and just a few friends. Originally, I'd intended to have a big party for him, but we had a change of plans and we put together a small celebration at the last minute. Of course, a party isn't a party without a favor, so we passed out Lolli-PUPS to go with our theme.

And, a puppy cake! Got to love the Publix Bakery. And yes, this cake was mostly all frosting. I'm not sure I got an actual piece of cake with my frosting.

The sweet two-year-old still talks about his puppy cake.

Happy Birthday, Dear Gussy Bear! Happy Birthday to you!

Sam was a BIG help opening presents. Presents? We did put no gifts on the evite, but nobody paid any attention to that.

Finally, it wouldn't be a birthday without just a little more puppy cake (frosting) and Cheerios before Night-Night!

Oh, Babiest Boy, we love you so much. You are sunshine and delight each and every day of our lives and these past two years have been a dream -- a dream that moves much, much too fast, but a sweet, wonderful Gus-filled dream.

Sam's First TBall Game

Today was Sam's first Tball Game. It was a hoot! He did really well! He was nervous before we left this morning and said he was afraid he would hit the T instead of the ball. So we had to

explain to him that it's okay to make mistakes as long as he keeps trying. At the game it turns out that he did hit the T instead of the ball a couple of times and, you know what? He was fine

with it and he just tried and tried again. It's a great team and he has a great coach -- a friend of ours whose son is in Sam's class at school. It was a lot of fun to watch -- all the kids were fighting over the ball and piling up on top of each other. Some of them ran the wrong way, some of them (including Sam) spent a lot of time sitting on the field and some of them had meltdowns, but it was great fun and they were all good sports!

Check out that uniform:

Love this face:

Uncle Michael, Grandma and Gus came to watch the game:

SWING, Batter!

One of the pile ups:

Good Boy, Mommy

Last night, Gus wanted me to help him build a train track. So, he grabbed my hand and dragged me with surprising strength over to the track pieces. "Go, Mommy," he said as he pulled me along. He then pointed to the floor, "Sit." He repeated "sit" until I complied and then he said, "Good Boy, Mommy." He's so funny! He says the most amusing things. One of his favorite things to say is, "Ride in Daddy's car/truck/boat" or "Where Daddy go?". When Gus does have the opportunity to ride in Daddy's truck (his most favorite activity) he is so happy and will tell you all about it all day!

Today, Sam was playing with a garbage truck and Gus wanted to play with it too. I took Gus to the truck drawer and showed him all the other trucks he could play with. After I pulled out about six or seven of them he said, "Thank you, Mommy" with the sweetest sound of true appreciation in his deep little voice.

Tomorrow, Sam plans on having a lemonade stand and I've sent out email requests in hopes that we'll have some lemonade purchasers.

Every day is an adventure.

Birthday Brick

Last March for his birthday two of our family friends gave Sam his very own engraved brick to be placed near the train station at our local park -- they have one of those mini-trains and the boys LOVE to ride it. When Sam's not in school we spend a lot of time on the train. Anyway, after much ado and almost a full year later, the brick has FINALLY been placed.

And, it will be something Sam can treasure always.

Even if he does, as my father predicts, have to scuba dive down to visit it once the results of Global Warming have taken hold of Florida and sunk our dear state.