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.
No Longer Afraid of the Train
Hello to everyone.
For the last several years, Xavier has not wanted to ride little barrel trains. The annual NICU Alumni picnic always has this ride, but Xavier runs from even the mention of riding it. Of course, Daddy (and even Mommy) are too big to fit in one of the cars by ourselves, much less sitting with Xavier.
This year, while Rebecca was out of town for Drill, Xavier and I attended a carnival at a local church. A woman I work with, knowing I was single-Dadding this weekend, suggested it as a fun outlet for Xavier's energy.
Xavier was excited to go. We spent a couple of hours there, where Xavier went from bouncy house to bouncy house. All the while, the barrel train pulled by a riding lawnmower drove kids all around us.
After eating a Kona Ice near the "train station", Xavier decided he wanted to ride the train. It became his favorite ride, and he rode it three or four times before we left that evening. He rode in the back, then in the front, then in several middle cars. The smile on his face shows his excitement for the ride.
