Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Photo Updates

It's been a while, and there are a few things on my mind, but before I get to all that, here are some recent glimpses into life in Cackalackie.



Emma and "Ama" modeling their shades. The two of them are double trouble! And here's Nicky and I on Father's Day. People seem to be split down the middle as to whether he takes after me or Doug. What do you think?



Emma coloring with Grandpa Tony on Father's Day.



Nicky's first "buzz cut" (done by yours truly). And let me say that it is quite difficult to buzz a baby's head while he is screaming and trying desperately to turn so he can see the clippers from every angle, while simultaneously pulling on the chord. Given the circumstances, I thought I did a pretty good job. Ok, it's a little on the short side, but it got cut didn't it!?! And Doug and I couldn't resist the pictures of the hairy back. Let's hope this is the last of it.



Here is Emma with her first nightgown. This was purchased after she had spent the night with her favorite cousin Genna who is completely enthralled with Disney princess and owns several of these. And since Emma idolizes her, naturally she insisted that she had to have some of her own. I gave in and took her to Kohl's where she picked out "Ariel." And by the way, I had NOTHING to do with the pose in that second one. She must've gotten that idea from Genna too. A week later, we were back for the Cinderella nightgown after I realized that she would never again wear her "boring" shorts pajamas, and I was tired of having to do a load of laundry every time "Ariel" got dirty. So now, much to my chagrin, she has two princess nightgowns, but at least I can put off laundry for a few more days. And incidentally, what happened to the little girl who wanted "Cars" and "Nemo" underpants?!? Oh where has my little tomboy gone?



And here's the culprit. Genna is a beautiful, very bright 5 year old (slightly more than 2.5 years older than Emma), and she and Emma are like peas in a pod when they're together. It's so great, and something my brother and I never had (never had any cousins). So it's so nice to see our kids getting along so well. It's one of the few perks of Cackalackie life.



Aaah. There's my tomboy and her hoodlum brother. Doesn't it look like he's saying, "Yo. What up dawg?"



And here's Emma in a dress that "Nanny" sent her that I just love. She looks so sweet. And Nanny always has great taste! Thanks Nan.



And this is just the two kiddos playin' around. They are so affectionate with one another, and I just love that. It makes my heart melt whenever I see them hug, kiss, or cuddle one another. My hope is that they will always remain close so that when they're older, they can rely on one another in ways that my brother and I now do. Seeing my own children grow reminds me so much of my childhood with my brother AJ. He and I have come so far. And in the recent months, we've really been able to lean on each other when we needed to vent, needed a break from the kids, or just needed a laugh. He's a cool guy, and I'm lucky to have him in my life. I hope my kids will feel that way about each other at my age. And at the very least, they'll each have someone to whom they can complain about me! HA!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Take Me to Your Leader

While driving on one of South Carolina's many two lane, tree-lined roads this past week, I noticed that the state's natural history museum is proudly advertising their latest exhibition: Aliens, Worlds of Possibilities. And I couldn't help but think, as I passed endless abandoned trailers, rusted-out cars in overgrown grass, and worn-out movie marquees in front of cinder block warehouses advertising redemption for my soul, that the aliens aren't in the museum, I'm pretty sure they're right behind the cinder block warehouse doors, finding Jesus, who was hiding behind the rat-infested sofa on the front porch of their trailer all along.

And then I thought, this is their version of a science exhibit. And my children are going to be educated here.

Ahhh...South Cackalackie. Gotta' love it.