Many years ago when Vonda and I were younger (probably about 15 - 18 years ago) we would spend a couple of weeks during the summer with our cousins, Debby, Stacy, Kelly and their parents, Rita and Johnny Allen. We would have so much fun those 2 weeks. We would have themed dinners, we learned to bargain shop and the oh so many parenting lessons I learned from Rita.
Just a couple of examples, soon after Kelly was born, we were visiting and it was her bedtime. Kelly woke up and started crying, we were the first on the scene to find the paci. I was an amateur, I turned on the light because I could not find that small thing. I am not for sure how Rita knew I turned the light on because she was in the kitchen and were down the hall around the corner but she did. (Moms have eyes and ears everywhere.) Soon after that I learned how to feel around in the dark. That lesson came in very handy when Brody was young and I was feeling around for a paci at 2:00 a.m. Next was on the many trips to Fort Worth to go shopping (at Target, of course) and to the zoo. It never failed that Debby and Stacy would get into sometime of disagreement. Vonda was usually sitting between them but Rita's arm, my gosh how it grew, she could reach both of them with one sweep. I always thought to myself, how does she do that. Well, I learned. Now my arm can reach all the way across the back seat while driving. You can do amazing things when you are a mom.
Debby and Kelly were great singers also. They could make up songs about nothing and everything, especially Gan. Their Gan was always better than our Gan, or so they thought. I would think, those are some crazy girls. Now when I am driving down the road, I am listening to some great music. Some of it I understand but most I do not. Brody is quiet the little showman. He puts on lots of shows for us in the living room, dancing and singing.
Thanks to all the York's for the many parenting lessons I learned. They have come in handy.
Today started as a dreary day. No sunshine just clouds and mist but it ended with sunshine and good company. After cleaning the house and enjoying some play time with Brody, Grandma came to visit. It was nice having her out and getting to visit. We looked at pictures and learned a little more about each other. While we were busy visiting, Brody was outside playing in the mud. Aunt D would be proud!!! Contrary to belief, Brody is the one who does not like to have dirt, mud or water on him for any amount of time. I think he changed clothes twice. Bill finally watered him down with the water hose. Grandma enjoyed watching Brody ride his trike and play in the mud. She said he acted just like his daddy did at that age. We enjoyed a meal of grilled pork loin, baked potatoes and stewed squash. We ended with a fudgy brownie (2 points) and ice cream.
