California Care Packages

On two separate occasions, we received surprises in the mail. Each was a big package postmarked all the way from California. The note attached explained that Aunt Susan and Cousin Tyler were cleaning out closets and Tyler wanted to send some of his old toys, books and puzzles to his little cousins. It was hard to control the boy’s excitement. They had gained some experience opening gifts in December during their birthday and Christmas celebrations, so they appreciated the significance of the new toys in the box. Mommy assessed each item and allowed the age appropriate toys to join the others upstairs and held back the ones better suited for them later. All the Tyler toys have received much attention, especially the puzzles. These were our first puzzles and designed for hands just our size.

Are you not hungry?

It was time to draw a line in the sand, or in this case baby food. Mommy had had enough. The boys were rejecting their lunch, turning their face away from the spoon and fussing with each bite. We had learned from previous experience to hide the fruit because once they saw the sweet desert that was all they wanted. On this day, the fruit was hidden and they still were acting finicky. The tipping point came for Mommy when both boys began blowing raspberries and laughing. Sometimes they would do this with a mouth full of baby food and spray Mommy’s white sweater with their lunch. That was a game breaker for Sandy, who pronounced the end of lunch for our twins. Not coincidentally, both boys found their appetite and manners by suppertime.

Our New Trailer

This is our new trailer. It’s 10 feet long and tilts for loading. Daddy bought it for hauling things that he used to haul in his old rusty pickup truck. Yesterday when he sold the pickup, Mommy danced a jig. She was happy to see the ugly old thing go. Daddy also sold his Jeep. After we bought the minivan we didn’t need the Jeep anymore. So now we just have two cars; the minivan and Mommy’s Volkswagen Beetle. We keep the bug for economy. Daddy put a hitch on the minivan and we drove to Waverly, Kentucky to pick up the new trailer. He talked about buying a newer pickup, but a trailer was much less expensive and doesn’t have to be licensed or insured like another vehicle. Now with this trailer, we can take all our toys with us where ever we go (just kidding grandma).

Xylophone Solo Time

The xylophone has become Trey Davey’s new favorite toy and first musical instrument. At every opportunity, he’s pulling out a xylophone and hammering on it. We have two xylophones. The one pictured on the right is his favorite. It’s a wooden model that we bought at a garage sale. The one on the left was a gift from Cousin Tyler and is much older and better in my opinion. All eight metal keys ring beautifully in tune. We are delighted that both boys love music. At this point it looks like Trey Davey may be our musician and Benji our dancer.

Tenth State – Ohio

On March 14 we had dinner in Ohio on our way from Indianapolis, Indiana to Newport, Kentucky. This was the tenth state the boys have visited in their short 15 month lives. Born in Kentucky, their first out-of state trip was an afternoon ride through the Indiana countryside when they were just 10 weeks old. At five months we traveled through Tennessee and Georgia to visit the Roe Grands in Florida. A month later we visited Great Aunt Roberta and Uncle John in Alabama. Then, on our way to Kansas City in August, we drove through Illinois to Missouri and made a special run over the border to add Kansas to our list. The rate of nine states in nine months was staggering. This tenth state addition came after a six month gap, and no new states visits are on the horizon, but maybe a few are just beyond.

Hoosier Hold’em

Ok cousins, you’ve seen the Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments on TV. Well, I’ve invented my own game which I call Levi’s Hoosier Hold’em. Here’s how it works; each of you takes a hand full of puffs. Then, instead of chips, you anti up wooden alphabet blocks. When the bets are in you eat two puffs. Next, you can raise your bet, check or fold. Once the bets are in, you eat two more puffs. Then you do another round of betting. The first one who runs out of puffs looses the game and the winner takes the pot. Once you win all the blocks, you win the tournament. Good luck both players and begin.

Gator Dance

Aunt Susan bought this singing Alligator for our family’s “Dirty Santa” game this Christmas, and Daddy Dave was the eventual recipient. When his button is pushed, the realistic-looking reptile dances and sings "Later, Alligator", the iconic 1950’s rock and roll song. Louisiana songwriter Robert Charles Guidry tapped several popular contemporary catch-phrases to pen this 1955 classic. He originally recorded it under the name “Bobby Charles” with limited success. Not until Bill Haley & The Comets released their more light-hearted version and feature it in their 1956 musical film “Rock Around The Clock” did the song enter the national consciousness. Now well over a half-century old, the tune still inspires children of all ages to dance.