Halloween 2018
Greetings and "boo" to all!
Earlier this year Xavier discovered a 1997 film called Mouse Hunt. Since then, we have watched the movie several times.
When asked a few weeks ago what he wanted to dress up as this Halloween, he said he wanted to be the mouse in Mouse Hunt.
Armed with this knowledge, Rebecca's creative side kicked in.
A pillowcase dyed grey for the body and soft, fuzzy material for the tummy. Felt ears attached to a stocking cap. Rope tail stiffened with a little wire.
Xavier did not want to do the olive on a toothpick prop, nor would he let Rebecca paint his face with eyeliner whiskers (eyeliner we learned is makeup, and Xavier thinks makeup is only for girls—he was quite adamant about not having it applied).
He wore his costume Monday night for his school's trick-or-treat event.
This morning, he wore the costume to class. A parade shortly after the bell, then a party, then costumes off and down to the business of school.
Xavier was anxious about wearing his costume to school. He explained he didn't think people would like his costume. Of course, everyone did, especially the adults.
This was the first year Xavier went door-to-door. Rebecca took him out while I held down the home-front.
Shortly after leaving the house, Rebecca and Xavier met up with one of our neighbors, who were walking their three year old and one year old around. The six of them spent an hours ringing doorbells. Xavier came home with a significant haul of candies.
I Can't Do This All By Myself, Dad
Greating to everyone.
The three of us, Douglas (Xavier's new best friend), Xavier and I, were up at 0300 this morning.
The light-rail trains could not get Douglas to DIA in time for his 0600 flight, so up we got to do what the trains could not.
The forecast boasted bitter cold and six inches of snow. Well, when we got up, not so much. Twenty degrees and less than a dusting of snow.
Upon returning from the airport, the snow began falling with more earnest. Xavier and I went back to bed at 0530, sleeping to 0900.
We were up less than ten minutes and Xavier wanted to go outside. We unpacked his snow pants and boots, then out we went.
After finding his snow shovel, Xavier went to work while I looked on. He stopped and looked at me.
"Come on, Dad. I can't do this all by myself."
All the walkways and driveways were clear of snow; the only place snow had any depth was about half an inch on top of the grass.
Xavier shoveled the grass, making paths all over the yard. Twice he dropped down and made a snow angel (good ones, too).
My job, as it turned out, was to make his trails wider as I had the shovel with the wider blade.
Xavier's New Best Friend
Greetings to everyone.
Today was the memorial service for Xavier's Great Uncle Con, who died in an automobile accident last weekend.
With family coming in from around the country, Rebecca and I opened our house for some to stay. One of my cousins, Douglas (left), took up the offer.
Douglas arrived at DIA Friday afternoon, then took the A and W light-rail lines to Lakewood, where Xavier and I picked him up.
Being 5:30, we headed over the the Texas Road House for dinner. Xavier was the most behaved at a restaurant as I have ever seen him.
Xavier took to Douglas quickly. The two wrestled and rough-housed. I had to pull Xavier out of the basement to give Douglas a chance to shower before the service.
All day and through the evening, Xavier clung to Douglas, even sitting in his lap to watch a movie. He could not get enough of him. Xavier even called Douglas his "best friend."
Rebecca is out of town and I did not think Xavier would last through the service, much less give me time to speak with many of the mourners, so I brought in a babysitter for him.
Upon arriving at the venue, I regretted not bringing Xavier along. Four of his cousins from my side of the family were there, all of them within three years of Xavier's age.
Xavier has only met some cousins from Rebecca's side. Both Rebecca and I would like Xavier to know more of his extended family, especially on my side, which he knows so little.
Wow, a perfect opportunity for Xavier to meet the closest in age to him (and closest in proximity) of all his cousins. I kicked myself several times at missing this chance. I also noted that we need to get Xavier a dress shirt and tie for occasions which require such.
Thankfully, God redeemed the opportunity as only He can (except for the shirt and tie part; Rebecca and I will see to that). His solution allowed me to visit and reconnect, while providing a way for Xavier to meet these cousins.
After the service ended, Floyd and Jeanie, the four cousins' parents, wanted to get ice cream. They asked me to suggest a shop in the area.
They also asked me how far away I lived. When they learned how close I lived, they suggested picking Xavier up bringing him to the ice cream shop.
Wonderful!, I thought, and Thank You, Jesus!
The cousins took to Xavier instantly, the youngest pouncing on him with a bear hug before I had fully introduced him. Xavier warmed up to his cousins a little slower while eating his ice cream with them.
They raced and played tag for and shared whatever five year-somethings share around an ice cream parlor table.
Potato Harvest
Greetings to everyone.
We entertained friends on Sunday. They were returning home from a weekend trip through the mountains and asked to stop by for a visit.
Rebecca and I have not seen Mike and Brenda for several years. Of course, Rebecca had to cook up a meal over which to visit!
Rebecca's and Xavier's gardens have produced enough this year that we did not need much from the store in the way of vegetables. Potato salad was on the menu, and Xavier had his potatoes showing above ground.
Xavier's Grandpa Danny gave him several Yukon Gold potato starts for his birthday. Saturday night was the time to harvest those plants which survived several bouts of hail, thick thistles and rabbits.
Wow, what a potato harvest this year!
More than twenty 'taters, all nicely sized and just asking to have their place in a potato salad. The potatoes made an excellent salad indeed.
We have many left over, and I think there is one of the three plants left to harvest. The Yukons did better than any potato we've planted over the last few years; we may be planting more of them in the future.