All posts in F A M I L Y

This past weekend we hosted our very first children’s birthday party, because we have…..a child! She is no longer a baby, she is definitely a little girl. She has preferences and opinions. She can get around to any part of the house. She communicates (sort of). She even eats peanut butter sandwiches and drinks from a straw.

There are all things that shock and amaze me, since a short year ago she was a blob of baby fat that barely opened her eyes! It has been so interesting to watch her lately because she has become a real person right before our eyes.

Thank you so much to everyone who could make the celebration. We had a fabulous day. I was overwhelmed with the surrounding of love that was there. I know that we are beyond blessed to have such supportive family and friends. And it is an amazing feeling to know you are not “parenting” alone.

Today during my fifth grade lesson, I was using my laptop and projector to show a slide show that went with the song we were learning. After the show was over, I closed PowerPoint and the following picture was left up on the screen (because it is my desktop).

Most of the kids went “awww” but after I closed my computer one student raised his hand.  “Yes, Ty?,” I asked. “What does she have in her cheeks?,” he said.

How do I explain jowls?

An example of the pitch I will go to, to make my baby girl smile. We are playing pee-pie (peek-a-boo, not sure why we say pee-pie, we just do)

Don’t forget to notice the two bottom teeth!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjiPtNzh3m8[/youtube]

Let’s all join in wishing Matthew Garon Washburn a very happy 30th. We celebrated Saturday night with our good friends at Pump it up. It is a playground full of inflatable contraptions that we were all too old to handle,but we did it anyway! Here is the birthday boy, complete with tux, after about 15 minutes of jumping.

Happy Birthday Baby!

I like to think of myself as a generous person. When presented with a gift-giving opportunity, I not only spend time considering what would ensure maximum happiness of the recipient, but also could be enjoyed by those who are around the gift-getter. It is in this spirit that I set out to find the perfect gift for my favorite brother, Michael, who turned 7 years old on Saturday.

I thought of the usual stuff that 7 year old boys like – superhero toys, sports equipment, live snakes – but nothing jumped out at me.  Every time I asked him what we wanted for his birthday, all he’d say was that he wanted some of those sneakers that have the roller skates in them. Seeing that I think those things are the worst invention ever, and are on my top ten list of things that are destroying our civilization, I quickly decided to pass on those.

And then, about a month ago, the hand of providence intervened. We were on our way back from Tuscaloosa, and had to stop to get gas at the Winfield exit. I was inside the Shell station buying some snacks, when I looked over and saw the perfect gift. Without thinking twice, I snatched it up and waited for the day that I could give it to him.

That day came Saturday, when I presented Michael with…

That’s right – we gave that boy the slingshot that he’s been talking about for, oh I don’t know, the last SIX YEARS. The look of joy on his face was ALMOST as wonderful as the look that fell on Mom and Dad’s face when they say what we had given him. It was the perfect mixture of dread, horror, and disappointment – and it was beautiful.

Of course, we were thoughful enough to provide him with targets, and were quick to lecture Michael on the importance of only shooting the slingshot at those targets and never at birds, dogs, windows, or parents. I think he heard us.

So if you’ve got a big occasion coming up and you need the perfect gift, just let me know, cause I really know how to pick them. Just ask my folks.

Yeah, it’s been a while since we’ve posted, but we’ve been pretty busy getting back in to the swing of things after the Great Floor Replacement of 2008. We’re back in the house now, with a house full of beautful new floors and walls withouth holes.

One of the unexpected benefits of having to move out of our house for three weeks is that, as we moved back in, we got a chance to evaluate what REALLY belonged in our lil’ tiny house, and what should probably just go live somewhere else. As a result, we got rid of old clothes, books, furniture, and tons more.

We also took this opportunity to start setting up Wesley’s room. Wanna see?

It’s still a work in progress, but not too bad for a start, huh? Of course, we can’t take much credit, with all the friends and family who have helped us get this far. Then again, we’re the ones who made Wes, so maybe we get a little credit…

Unbelievably, today is Michael’s first day of first grade. That’s right, the little man is already up to the numbered grades. This is completely stunning to me, and makes me feel more than a little old.

Since I’m still staying down in Olive Branch, I was fortunate enough to accompany Michael and Dad to the schoolhouse this morning. It was a little rainy, but that didn’t stop us from taking the traditional "First Day of School" picture.

If Michael was nervous, he sure didn’t show it. If anything, he was too excited about his cool new lunchbox, and new shoes (they are Air Raiders!) to be worried about anything. He’s also pretty pumped to have his very own desk, instead of the group tables like the little kids in Kindergarten.

Dad, on the other hand, was so nervous that, as we were leaving, he called out his goodbye to "Michael Garon." Not even close. I told Dad not to worry about it, cause I’m sure that his classmates would learn his real name after a few months, and then he could start making friends.

I’m sure I’ll get a full report when I get home, and if there are any great first-day stories, I’ll be sure to share.

Introducing the newest Washburn, Sir Buford D’Barius Washburn, or "Dobie" for short.

Dobie is a miniture pincher, just like his cousins Ollie and Lobi. He weighs in at a mighty 4 lbs. and is just precious. As you can see, Michael is already doing a great job with him.

So welcome Dobie, we already love you!