Why You Can't Turn Your Back on a Toddler . . .

The other day we had the Wizard of Oz on while I was preparing dinner. Sadie loves dancing to all the songs and is usually thoroughly entertained . . . usually. On this day, I was doing something and just remember having a sudden feeling of unexplained nervousness about what Sadie was doing. Call it mother's intuition or an old teacher's habit. Whatever it was caused me to peek over the counter to behold this spectacular image - my daughter standing on top of her toy, dancing to "We're off to see the Wizard . . ."

Hi, Mama!

You can see she has no concerns as she looks at me and then smiles for the camera. "CHEEEESE!"

Happy 60th Birthday, Granddaddy!

Happy birthday, Granddaddy! (August 22)

Play me a tune!

Granddaddy has recently really enjoyed planning his own birthday parties. He decides exactly what he wants to do and is therefore always delighted with the outcome. I remember one birthday party (I believe when I was pregnant!) we ate at an Italian restaurant (Mia Bella) downtown on Main St. then headed to the movies to watch a Tarantino film, and finished the night by having dessert (and maybe fried pickles?) at Katz's Diner on Montrose (open 24 hrs a day). Then after Sadie came, we changed the pace. Granddaddy decided on dinner at their house and had coloring books, colors, movies, and games for all the immediate family (plus Granny, as usual) to enjoy. So, when Dad's birthday was coming up this year, I was excited what the night would hold.

We started off the evening with a big jam session with Uncle Steve, Uncle Austin, and Granddaddy playing guitars. Sadie was in toddler heaven as she danced around the room, clapping with Great Granny, and grinning with delight at all the euphonious sounds of the stringed instruments.

Birthday Jam Session!

"Great Granny, I got the rhythm!"

Brittany - Our Drama Queen

After dancing and playing with the instruments (including Sadie's dueling harmonica action with Uncle Steve), we feasted on BBQ from Randy's BBQ on Highway 3. That restaurant has been there for as long as I can remember living in Clear Lake and there never seem to people droves of people dining in, but always people carrying food out. DELICIOUS.

Uncle Austin and Aunt Katie must be REEEALLY funny!

Eating dinner together (notice Sadie is too messy to wear clothes to the table...)

Mia attended the party. She never misses one!

After dinner Granny brought out the cake. Sadie still is amazed at birthday parties by the song. Think about it; how strange for everyone to be talking normally only to (seemingly) spontaneously break out into song - in unison! To the mind of a toddler, that must be amazing. She scanned the room, happy with the singing then helped Granddaddy blow out the candles by pushing his face close to the cake. We cut the cake and served it up with Blue Bell coffee ice cream - a family favorite.

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!"

Helping Granddaddy blow out his candles!

Granddaddy letting Sadie taste it before cutting!

A staple at all Cox family parties (and Granddaddy's favorite)

Cake, Granny, and Granddaddy? Does it get any better?!

After cake (or maybe before?), we opened presents. We bought Granddaddy a ship in a bottle to build and a message in a bottle. We all joked about what Granddaddy could write before he goes and tosses it out in to the bay. We bought both of his gifts when we were in Galveston for our summer family vacation. They seemed like perfect Granddaddy presents. Once all presents were opened, Granddaddy said he had something to say. One of the wonderful things about his birthdays (or occasionally holidays) are the exceptional speeches Granddaddy gives. He is a wizard of words - excellent in elocution - and his monologues mirror his sermons in that they always inspire and encourage. He pulled out three candles he lights for us. Now, if you are wondering if he switched denominations - no. Still Baptist. However, Granddaddy does not allow himself to become entrenched with the nit-picking and fighting between Christians. He believes that the Church (the body of Christ as a people) should treat each other with love and respect each other and he daily lives out this belief. He bought the candles because he loves candles and they represent his prayers for us. Even when I was little my Granddaddy always lit a candle when he worked. He said the dancing flame made him feel like he had a bit of company during his studies. I followed his example all through college (harder now with a toddler around), but still occasionally feel the urge to strike a match along the wall at my local Starbucks haunt. :)

Joyful Granddaddy - A picture of Christ's love 

Granddaddy's "Jesus Candles"

Granddaddy read a passage from the book, The Encourager. Afterwards, he proceeded to go around the table and tell each one of us how he prays for us each day. Do you know what a blessing it is to hear the prayer someone utters for you each day? He then went on to explain how important family is and how there is power in relationship. Christ made us as relational beings and we should honor and cherish that.

Reading from The Encourager during his birthday speech

Sadie eventually cozied up to Mommy and Daddy, but not before she sat on the couch with Uncle Austin and Aunt Katie eating ice. We watched a Cox cult favorite, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. We quote this movie ALL the time and enjoyed watching it over and laughed hysterically at several of these favorite phrases (some of many!):

1) Weeee thouuuuught youu waaas a toooaaaadd!

2) A whole gopher village!

3) He's a suitor! and He's bonified!

3) I'll only be 82!

4) Cow killer!

5) Where's the happy little tire swing?

6) We got to beat that competition!

7) I believe it's more of a kickin' sit-ea-tion.

8) Heaven everlastin' is my reward. Come on in boys, the water's fine!

We can't wait for next year's festivities to unfold as we celebrate another wonderful year for Randall Henry Cox. Loving father, supportive husband, gentle Granddaddy, and many more titles too numerous to name. :) Happy birthday, Big Cheese. We are all proud of you. Love, your Little Spinach

Visiting Mimi and Paw Paw

On Granddaddy's actual birthday (August 22), we went out to eat with Mimi, Paw Paw, Aunt Sandie, Uncle Virgil, and Granny. We ate at Luna's and then headed to Mimi and Paw Paw's house for a little cake. 

Happy birthday, Granddaddy!

Hugs for Mimi

Awwwwwww

Sadie always looooves the little weenie dog and wooden pair of kitties that sits by their fireplace. She come in and immediately gives them both kisses. She also likes their TV screen (lower to the ground) and dances in front of it like a mirror. Mimi and Paw Paw also enjoy sharing their singing sunflower with her and receiving lots of hugs. So after playing, we brought out the cake and Sadie blew out the candles for Granddaddy! What a great second celebration for Granddaddy. :)

Sadie blows out the candles by herself!

Lunch Date with Aunt Margie

One of the joys of staying at home has been the extra time afforded to Sadie and I during the day. We especially like going and visiting friends and family during this time and this day was no different. We called Aunt Margie and asked if we could go to lunch and come play. She was delighted and we went to pick her up to go eat at Del Sol - a favorite restaurant of our family. I especially loved the chicken caldo and Sadie likes the quesadillas.

Making friends at Del Sol!

After a delicious lunch, and making friends with a little girl sitting near us, we walked into the restaurant bakery to take home some delicious treats. We loaded up as there was a $5.00 card minimum. While I piled the cookies high on the large silver platter, Sadie and Aunt Margie played hide-and-go-seek by the stacks of cookies.

Where are you, Sadie?!

Yum! Yum! Our cookies! Sadie especially liked the sprinkle cookie

Peek-a-boo Aunt Margie!

Here I am!

After a wonderful lunch (Aunt Margie insisted on treating us!) we went to her house to play. Sadie played with the tiny dolly bed and dolly, showing off for Aunt Margie. Since she had just had a little fall out of her wagon, she kept dropping her baby doll, then covered her eyes, exclaiming, "Ohhh nooooo!" Then, she would lean over the baby doll and say, "K????" - asking her baby doll if she was "OK?" She must have gone through these motions at least 20 times for Aunt Margie. Then, she went in Aunt Margie's bedroom and played on the bed with her. What a wonderful day together. Sadie sure loves her Great Great Aunt Margie. :)

Loving on and playing with Aunt Margie!

Visiting Granny at School

Before Granny's school year started, Sadie and I went up to her school to say hello to her friends and take her to lunch. Sadie loved walking around the school and especially liked climbing all the stairs. We said hello to several of Granny's friends and were even invited to eat lunch with some of Granny's teacher friends!

Eating lunch with Granny's teacher friends!

Before heading out for lunch, we played in Granny's classroom. Sadie found this giant bear and was immediately attached. Granny was nice and let her have it to take home. Sadie exclaimed, "beahhh" (bear) and hugged it.

Granny, Sadie, Mommy, and Sadie's newest bear!

Coloring with Granny in her classroom

Checking out the desks

Awwwwww, bear. :)

This last photo is actually how Sadie look when we arrived. We picked Granny up and drove around for at least 45 minutes while Sadie took an unusually early nap. We even planned our visit around Sadie's nap schedule, but you just can never tell!

Passed out as we arrive to Granny's school

Inspecting Granny's classroom decorations

Book Review: Ethan Frome

My latest read was by the masterful Edith Wharton. Her prose is so brilliant and plot so delectable that I have found it difficult to turn off my kindle app - even when it is late at night and I really should  be sleeping. This work was equally brilliant. Ethan Frome may be one of her best known works, so I felt excited to engage with the text. 

The story opens to a narrator interested in the life of an unusual man named Ethan Frome. At the end of the first section, the reader is transported back in time to allow Frome's story to unwind. The story centers around desire and reality. Ethan finds himself trapped in a loveless marriage, while having to live every day with the woman of his dreams serving in his home. It is a short tale and a quick read, but I could not help being sucked into his seemingly unavoidable fate and was delighted then shocked by the surprising ending. Wharton's characters and plot are crafted so well that this will no doubt not be the last work I read by this great American author. Good book - made me sooooo happy to have a great marriage to a wonderful man! Poor Ethan Frome!

Then Sings My Soul: Sadie's Love for Music

Sadie is extraordinarily musical. Now, I know it is the parent's duty to wax eloquent the immense (and advanced) accomplishments of their children. I think she puts puzzles together unusually fast and with great ease for her age, she has been very coordinated from early on - willing herself to put all her weight on her legs regularly at 3 months. However, no one else is really  interested in these facts. It makes you seem supercilious and can even annoy your friends. However, if you are reading this blog and still reading this post, then you must be immensely interested in our family (or are bored and have found yourself with a couple of minutes to spare!).

Either way, I must boast unashamedly in Sadie's musical inclinations. She loooooves music. We all do, really. Don't we? Human beings are naturally drawn to music because it makes us feel...well, human. It enlivens our soul and restores our spirit. It can be rebellious, worshipful, encouraging, or inspiring. Sadie might not understand the depths of its ability yet, but she knows she loves it. She has been dancing for months on end and has an immense affinity for all types of instruments. Not just banging on a drum  type of interest - more like a kazoo-playing, harmonica-blowing, guitar-strumming, piano-tinkling, microphone-singing, dance-while-you're-playing-your-instrument kind of affinity. Looking at her heritage, it is no wonder why she harbors this love for all things euphonious in her tiny body.

All of my family is musical. My father plays guitar and sings--even moonlighting as somewhat of a music minister for a tee-tiny church very early his his career. My mother sings and plays the piano. Not just plays, but plays anything entirely by ear. James is always impressed by this as we can sit by the piano, shouting out songs as she quickly thinks about it and finds the melody (and all accompanying harmonies/bass lines) in a matter of seconds. My brother plays a whole slew of instruments - guitar, drums, harmonica, wooden flutes, trombone, and sings (All-State bass). I grew up singing, playing hand bells, guitar, and competing on flute. Then there are the great grandparents on my side. Sadie's Great Granny had a beautiful voice (and will tell you this much) and sang on the radio when she was younger, while her Great Great Granddaddy Sharp was in a singing group that was rather successful. This was in the era of singing "shape notes" as he described to me when I was younger. Even into his nineties, he would show up Sunday morning and inform the pastor that he wanted to sing a song that morning and had his music ready. Who could deny a ninety-something year old man who could still carry a tune?!

I have thought long and hard why Sadie's musical ability speaks to me so much. Perhaps it is because she looks so much like her Daddy and I have wanted to see something of me in her. (Giving birth makes you envious for some sort of resemblance.) Of all the parts of me God granted, I love that Sadie has this one - an ardent love for music and (seemingly) natural ability to enjoy it. I cannot wait to see if it will remain a central part of her life. Play on, little girl. Enjoy the sweet gift God has granted through song.

Couldn't help adding the following clip. Her harmonica battle with her dear Great Uncle Steve at Granddaddy's birthday's party.

First Day of School - MDO

Sadie (still sleepy!) brought along her kitty clad in TCU shirt!

School days! August means the start of school for students everywhere and Sadie is no different! This is the second year she has attended University Baptist Church's mother's day out program. She attends on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 - 2:00. This gives me just a couple of days I have schedule to work on my thesis and after I graduate, I can use this time to prepare meals, visit with friends, or clean the house without watching Elmo!

Anyway, her first day is always hard because she would rather stay with Mommy. She brought along her kitty that seemed to help a little. Apparently, she even shared her kitty with a classmate! It was also hard not to see Miss Erin and Miss Sylvia's smiling faces from last year. These sweet teachers have both moved away! One to Alaska! So sad. However, her new teachers are Miss Donna and Miss Michelle. Hopefully, this year will prove just as fun and she will make some new little friends!

In the parking lot, about to go to school!

First Day of School Ice Cream

It has been a long-standing tradition in our family (and probably countless others) to go get ice cream on the first day of school. When I was much younger--maybe around first grade or so--we would go with our dear friends, the Wrens. Lynnai and I went to school together, later were in each other's weddings, and our moms have always shared a special friendship--even after they moved away to beautiful Colorado when I was about 11. Considering all this, we found it fitting to carry on the tradition with little Sadie. Now, I admit, I'm a bit of a "crunchy granola" kind of mom--offering Sadie organic fruit strips (which she loves, by the way) and very little sugar. However, as she closes in on her second birthday (in January), I am learning to relax for the sake of ice cream fun. :)

My mom decided Baskin Robbins was just the spot and Sadie was elated to go somewhere with Granny. I ordered coffee (Jamoca, according to BR) and my mom got her favorite, pistachio almond. If I'd had my druthers, I would have actually ordered coffee and orange sherbet--a strange favorite I created when I was just a child and still love to this day--when I can find it.

Sadie took a few bites of my ice cream. She is still not sure about the whole "licking" tactic, then tried Granny's. Granny's won. Although Sadie has tasted (and liked!) my coffee ice cream, Granny's flavor won out on this particular day. So Granny and Sadie giggled and laughed and I enjoyed carrying on this very important and sugary tradition.