September Afternoon

Thursday was a rare day when Ariel didn't have some sports practice after school (its volleyball season) so she was able to accompany us to Ric's parent's restaurant. Before we go inside, the boys always like to spend a few minutes trying out the tractors at Sears. Ric's mom and dad have invited us to come several afternoons a week, during their slow time, to eat 'real' Chinese food. There is always steamed rice, some kind of soup (this day there were mussels?- or something- in it), usually something dark green, and often shrimp. We often had shrimp in China where they are eaten by putting the whole thing in your mouth (eyeballs and all) except the tail and then spitting out anything you can't swallow onto the table. I never quite got the hang of it and was embarrassed to have to take my shell off before I put it in my mouth (what a wuss!!). Andy has been a little confused that here we put food we don't want back on our plate rather than on the table, but he is adapting. Ric often likes to stay at the restaurant for a little while. He loves anything to do with kitchens and cooking. One of the highlights of China ,for him, was seeing Ratatouille cooking at the White Swan Hotel. (He fixed our eggs and shook Ric's hand). When Ric finished helping his dad, Ariel picked him up so he could drive our grocery cart back to BiLo.

Ric's first violin lesson

Our wonderful violin teacher, Cathy Arps, will no longer be coming over the mountain to teach lessons. This year I have three children ready to begin lessons ( and a fourth when Andy gets just a little calmer - he can carry a tune beautifully, but isn't quite ready to be careful with a violin). The plan for the moment is for Everett, Ariel and I to get them going and join Cathy's students for recitals in Sylva. Our new bows have arrived, so we will begin at the Chinese restaurant this week with Brandon and Rachel. Anyone who knows anything about my musical abililty must be laughing (it took at least three years for me to tell the e string from the a string)...but after sitting through about 15 years of Suzuki lessons I must have picked up something...or at least that is what I am counting on. Unfortunately, I quit playing the violin many years ago to try the viola so I have a lot of brushing up to do....I will be heavily counting on Everett and Ariel , who can both actually PLAY the violin.

Talent

Everyone is gifted at something - here are some of the things we can do. ( Everett and I had some trouble imagining , at first, how Ric was able to keep that straw up. We think we have it figured out.)
In the medical realm - Andy's TB test was positive (not too much of a surprise since he probably had a vaccine in China - not given here) so he had to have a chest xray along all his blood work to test for various other exotic things. Dr. Berger agrees that it is probably Crouzons or some related syndrome.

Design Flaws

I always think anything is possible and there's probably an easy way to do it. Having strong Ge Ges (big brothers ) helps alot. Jay brought home the railroad ties and sand and Everett made the sandbox with the boys cheering him on. In retrospect, it IS possible I should have thought about it a little longer. Everett wondered if it mattered if it was level - it didn't matter to me. Jay wondered if the boys would get filthy on the railroad ties - oh well, I had already paid for them. It LOOKS great - should I cover the rr ties with polyurethane - would it ever dry? For the moment, I am going to consider it finished and move on to another project ( unless it rains and the sand slides out the one corner that isn't exactly sitting on the ground) ;-)

Firemen

Ric told me that he doesn't want to be Henry's uncle, he wants to be his grandpa. Maybe this is the reason.

Oh Henry!!!!

Henry finally decided to come out and play!! Yesterday I got to spend the day with my mom and my first grandchild - how cool is that !! Camila and Ariel joined us to drive to Chattanooga to get a first look at Henry. He is VERY adorable. I must confess, however, that when I arrived home and my father, who usually calls me his beautiful daughter, called me Grandma, I had a momentary shock.

insects

Ariel needs at least 17 insects for her biology class. If you would all please begin carrying a ziplock bag so that you will be prepared if you encounter a great specimen. Thanks.