Camp Toad Hall and Camp Riverbank

The Longest Day - The First day of Summer - The First Viewing of Fireflies

2011-06-21T22:10:00.000-04:00

We were just about to get Grayson into bed -

child loves to push the staying up as long as she possibly can

When I was walking downstairs and saw the front yard blinking like crazy.

Grayson had never seen a lightning bug.

I announced back to Peeps "COME QUICK" and he knew what I had seen.

AMAZING was her total description with glee.

I asked how many she thought we saw in the brief time we stood there, 20?

21! she quickly said. She went to bed excited but happy as could be.

We love having her & her family here at Toad Hall for June.
Justin and Millie had gone out to celebrate Anniversary #8.

Life is good where the fireflies are!

Wild Wooders Have Moved into Toad Hall

2011-06-20T20:41:00.000-04:00

Justin Millie, Grayson, Finley Cate, and Maggie(the black lab) moved into our home over Memorial Day weekend - Maggie's bed was even in our room when we got home from Riverbank
where we had been sitting for the girls.

It has been great for us to have them with us.
There is nothing quite like the squeals of joy that the girls greet us with every morning.

We have had a lot of al fresco times on the back porch, Peeps has purchased another splash pool and Grayson loves each and every flower we feed and/or water.

It sure is going to be quiet when they move to their new home and I know we will miss them.

Summertime at my favorite spot

2010-07-01T14:24:00.000-04:00

What could be more fun than catching up the last few chores before the summer gets into full swing! We arrived late Tuesday night and have been working hard to make everything look inviting for us and family and friends. We took a long boat ride last night - not a soul on the lake - it is our little slice of paradise. Will attach photos soon.

Allen Levi's Blog

2009-08-05T12:39:00.003-04:00

Allen has started blogging. For those of you who know Allen - he really likes paper and pens and stamps & he likes to get stuff delivered by usps so this is BIG for him, in my opinion. Anyway we are in day 3 of 10 days where Allen is giving us a song a day on his blog. It is really fun to hear him again. Our grandkids listen to his lullaby cd(no longer available that I know of) and they are the 4th generation to do so. Click him, be a little patient as wordpress doesn't exactly have it alltogether (or I don't have it together on how to use it or I am short on patience) - on the click and play thing - but it is well worth the patience - see it in my blog list to the right.

Wanna Drag your paw

2009-08-05T12:19:00.003-04:00

Peeps says 'wanna drag your paw in the water Grayson?' She replys 'uh huh' and drops her hand right in.

2009-07-20T17:34:00.000-04:00

MayMay and Peeps love having the kids and their kids down to Riverbank and they bring their parents with them - Nothing could be any more fun.

Justin & Grayson ** Ali & Avery

2009-07-20T17:26:00.000-04:00

Jackson drives us to Fireworks

2009-07-04T10:23:00.000-04:00

Jackson helps Peeps drive to the Fireworks last night. His favorite word is BOAT and he said it all the way down the river to the Fireworks Display which is awesome.

2009-06-21T23:42:00.000-04:00

Here we are Weekend II - putting Camp Riverbank in order From the top left, Grass at dock, Lattice repaired, plants planted, seawall swept up and debris removed, ready to plant behind the wall, Tomato plants ready, Pines trimmed back, Walkway walkable, View from Porch after trim, More photos of wall area, View From Porch before trim. It was a great weekend, Not really hot as predicted and a wonderful breeze all day Sunday.

long time no post - camp riverbank SPRING CLEAN

2009-06-14T22:24:00.003-04:00

Here we are - left to right top to bottom - working like a dog - who ever came up with THAT expression _ Cooking Landing - planted, irrigation system in place - THE SKYLIGHTS - ALL CLEANED UP - did I mention that PEEPS spent most of Saturday ON THE ROOF with a leaf blower and SHOP VAC _ yes he had them ON THE ROOF - paper towels, windex, and ant spray - squeegie to boot and it was 100 degrees - YIKES - it was a bit scarry even for me..... next shot - exterior street side - all spiffied up - is that a word? - cleaning products safely locked away from little curious toddlers and toddlettes - Screen door - replaced - Maggie next one is yours :) Sling Chairs - all fixed from past mishaps...- old screen door - ready for recycling. AND SO MUCH MORE.... Just returned from boat ride, eating dinner late but no PIZZA - it is after 10 - HA........FOR the record, we finished all the things on our A list, there are still some B-Z things for the rest of y'all who are coming down to do. MUCH LOVE- MayMay and Peeps

2009-04-07T21:30:00.000-04:00

Peeps Grayson and Georgia pose next to K's Springtime Flowering Bush. We brought a sprig - no longer than 12" from my friend K's yard in KY about 5 years ago. It is the lovliest thing in my yard this time of year. I wish it bloomed all summer.

Multi Generational Couponing

2009-03-30T21:41:00.000-04:00

So Millie calls and directs me to stop drop and go to the HT - get the coupons out of the aisle vendor and buy 8 count them 8 boxes of cereal and the HT will end up paying me $3 to take the cereal and 3 gallons of organic milk off their hands. NO FOOLING. So here I am in true Millie fashion with my items, my receipt and coupon for $10 which I will get in the mail later. It was fun. I can't tell you how many funny looks I got while wheeling and dealing my stuff at the self service counter on a Sunday afternoon. Gotta love it.

IT's official _BUNNY DAY

2009-03-29T21:34:00.000-04:00

The day we wait for ALL YEAR. Bunny Day at the natural science center. Here are a few photos of Grayson with just a handful of the zillions of rabbits which were there. She wanted to pat them again and again and again.

um, dad, I'm sorry I forgot to call you and mom, can I spend the night at georgia's and river's?

2008-12-07T22:54:00.002-05:00

It's 11:00 pm, do you know where your pups are?

These dogs do: Georgia Brown, River, and Maggie warm themselves in front of the fire, listening to Handel's Messiah, end to end. "The government is on His shoulders," and they know Handel wasn't talking about Peeps.

And when the Psalms say, "let everything that hath breath praise the Lord," they know David the shepherd had dogs in mind. Made by the One who cared so much about His creation that he asked the maker of the Ark to gather them up, male and female, two by two, into his care.

Thanks, Dad, for letting me stay with my cousins. We had so much fun.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-04T21:54:00.001-05:00

We had a wonderful time with yummy eats - with Justin, Millie, Grayson and all dogs. Here are some photos to show off the fun!

Ta Da - Just from Fixing Breakfast

2008-11-22T23:45:00.000-05:00

Looks simple on the schedule where it says...smoothie and 2 slices of Zuchini Bread lightly toasted. This is a photo from JUST the smoothie after about 5 minutes of prep time. I guess it is all in what you used to doing in terms of food prep.... It was fun and she did like it and of course I just made a couple of extras for Peeps and me and it was a good way to start day II at the Tree House and thereabouts. MayMay

Mesmerized by video on ReadDaddyRead

2008-11-22T23:28:00.001-05:00

Avery must have wanted to watch this little video on ReadDaddyRead a dozen times. She just loved it (and ate dinner) TV in any form is just flat popular...

Peeps feeds two at once with commentary

2008-11-22T23:26:00.001-05:00

MayMay was fixing food as fast as Peeps could get it shoveled in. We both think the boy has an excellent future as a linebacker ---

Mast Farm Inn and Carmen Road Trip

2008-11-22T22:54:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful time at a wonderful place. I had seen where Carmen was playing in Boone of all places and decided to surprise Jonathan with a little early Christmas present. Everything was PERFECT. The opera - the meals- the company and the break.

Lost and found

2008-11-18T13:15:00.011-05:00

Cell phones, hand held recorders, and digital cameras are big with the under three crowd. Toddlers feel a certain glee at being able to change your ringtone, set an alarm to off in the middle of the night, or call someone with the tap of a button.

My Sony hand held recorder is my favorite gadget. I take it everywhere, and of course, have recorded lots of special moments. The recorder's hold switch locks the unit doing whatever it was doing, one reason why it's a perfect gadget for grandaughters Grayson and Avery to play with. Can anyone tell me why toddlers turn handheld devices over and over and over? Do they think whoever is making the sound is going to fall out? As Anne blogged about earlier, Grayson visited Camp Toad Hall week before last.

On the living room floor, laughing and playing, I figured this was as good as any time to record her happy voice, and so I gave her my Sony. Locked in "play" mode, Grayson looked quizzically at the recorder, hearing her cousin saying what every dog says, "Huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff." And yes, she turned it over and over and over as if expecting a little Avery (or a little dog!) to fall out.

Grayson moved on to riding her little red Fire Truck that makes lots and lots of pre-recorded sounds at the tap of a button. Then we moved on to blocks, reading, and then we went for a wagon ride.

Come Monday, I couldn't find my Sony. I figured I must have left it on my desk at work. When I didn't find it on my desk, I figured it was in my car. When it wasn't in my car, I figured it was in my top right drawer in the front hall table. And when it wasn't in the drawer, I gave up.

Two weeks later, at home with my first bad head cold in several years; bleary eyed, I was lying on the soft staring at nothing, when I realized I was looking at the little red Fire Truck. And then I remembered how Grayson had recently discovered that the Fire Truck has a trunk, the seat lifts up, and that she could stash her Little People, blocks, balls, and you guessed it, my Sony IC recorder.

Anne said, "You should have just asked her in the first place, after all she's a woman, and we both know women find things better than men."

Fearless

2008-11-12T15:31:00.001-05:00

She is a real fun little girl...the higher and faster the better :) MayMay

Bubbles

2008-11-03T09:14:00.001-05:00

bubbles make bathtime fun...note water music in background --- new standard for bath time :)

Where's Grayson

2008-11-03T09:12:00.001-05:00

On the way to the park - having fun all the way there.

Again - again -again

2008-11-02T21:35:00.001-05:00

She knows what she wants - to go down again again again.........

At the slide

2008-11-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

Grayson Just loves the slide....we didn't know whether she had been ---we should have known from the looks on her face should have told us she seems to have NO fear.

Get some coffee - start another day

2008-11-02T15:03:00.000-05:00

WELCOME TO STANDARD TIME _ or what in the world to you do with a one year old's schedule when you have a time change??? Oh Dear ++++ Millie said we could just stay on DST but that just seemed to much like taking the easy way out....Grayson really likes to smell the coffee every morning...she must do it at home...it seems like the way she believes the breakfast gets going - or at least that is what she has us believing :) Waffles, rasberries, banannas,eggs, and scones we forgot to eat on Saturday YUM YUM - then it's off with Tyler to Walmart...she says it just isn't a Sunday without a trip out to Wallyworld......

Bubbles

2008-11-02T14:59:00.000-05:00

Dad and Mom - things have changed...I am expecting Water Music for bathtime from now on...Love, g (little G)

The ending of a happy day !!!

2008-11-02T14:55:00.000-05:00

We were pretty sure it had been a swell day when Grayson laid right out on the floor as she was playing with Peepsie. Then she had a bubble bath in the kitchen sink and was just a slight bit fussy - we think because the day was closing in quick on her... So Peeps ever the amusement park in the family....put her nighttime diaper on his head and then MayMay read 3 books to her before saying her prayers and nighty night. She is a peach...no trouble at all. One is a really really sweet little age...

Signs of the Season ----

2008-11-02T14:47:00.000-05:00

Just a few rare sights in the neighborhood....A real honest to goodness house voting for McCain.....
A seasonal visitor noting how many Obama signs there really are on Ridgeway Drive
What Jonathan calls perhaps the lovliest tree in all of Greensboro in our friend Janet's yard
Yep - it Truly is an azalea blooming in November........the world has spun off its axis...

Collecting Fall leaves before lunch

2008-11-02T11:32:00.000-05:00

Before lunch in that little mini time slot - we gathered leaves for fall decorations.. then we had a good lunch. She is so agreeable.

Grayson at Market

2008-11-01T15:54:00.001-04:00

Fun and games every Saturday morning at a long loved Greensboro tradition. Grayson has been going to the market since she was old enough to be out with all those people. She seems to know just what's happening there and loves every minute of it. You can hear here singing in the backpack. It is fun to travel with her...

Breakfast - CampToadHall Style

2008-11-01T14:46:00.000-04:00

Is that wittle girl drinking coffee, Peeps? Nope he says - just smelling it. She seemed quite interested in smelling the coffee as they say - She did a great job with her mini waffles - asking for more in sign language - which I don't see her use much with her mom or dad...hmm. Maybe she thinks we are hard of hearing... don't know... But here we all are eating our respective breakfasts watching the time carefully so we could go to market....to see all her friends...

Halloween 2008 Tu Tu Cute

2008-11-01T14:40:00.000-04:00

I normally don't go to the door on Halloween since Peeps LOVES it and I can take it or leave it but when he said "Come Quick" it's Millie and little Grayson in her TUTU - I sprung outta my seat...found the camera and this is what I saw. She LOVED the Jack O' Lantern
and coming to the front door of the famous Toad Hall. CAMPTOADHALL at its finest with Grandchildren. We had about 1,000 or so Trick or Treaters come after she did but she never even stirred with dogsabarking and doorbellsaringing she slept right through till 8 AM on Morning #1 of CampToadHall for her.

Avery and Bob

2008-10-29T17:09:00.001-04:00

she knows the words...

Happy Birthday Justin

2008-10-28T16:58:00.003-04:00

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

Psalm 147:3-5

Justin, you are an awesome father, a loving husband, a true brother and brother-in-law, a loyal friend, a devoted uncle, a grateful son-in-law, a true friend of God, a formidable warrior, a credit to your profession, a gifted team member, a wonderful star, and a precious son. These are words from a letter I wrote to you June 13, 1999, just a few days before Mom and I took you to college. Love, your Dad

Images of Wordles are licensed under

Mast Farm - VIEWS Outside

2008-10-22T21:55:00.000-04:00

Everything about the Mast Farm Inn is just great. The grounds, the area, the rooms. It just couldn't have been better

Peeps, let's do sidewalk chalk.......

2008-10-19T21:41:00.000-04:00

One of Peeps and Avery's favorite things is sidewalk chalk...never mind that this is really MayMay's kitchen chalk - and we don't currently know the location of the sidewalk chalk. It's fun to hear them chatting and drawing and having fun. It's fun to be 2 1/2 :)

After lunch and naps...

2008-10-19T21:38:00.000-04:00

Part of Jackson's routine is in what MayMay calls the tilta whirl. He likes it for a while after any meal. Here are the girls posing with Millie after lunch then another shot of Jackson in the Tilta Whirl later in the day - note the change in clothes. MayMay was giving him a little juice in his sleep sack and the above white onsie and all of sudden felt everything was wet....seems that she forgot to put in the inner workings of the bottle..oops...it went everywhere in a hurry.....we all survived and it turned out ok.

Pancakes Anyone???

2008-10-19T21:30:00.001-04:00

Great way to start the day at Camp Toad Hall. Avery's cooking show. FoodTV will be calling soon.

Avery and sweet baby

2008-10-19T15:53:00.000-04:00

Avery woke singing and talking to baby - so sweet she had cecily parsley wrapped up in her silky blankie...we love hearing her sweet cooing voice early in the morning.

Rainy Day at Toad Hall

2008-10-19T14:43:00.000-04:00

The day was pretty rainy and we stayed in for the most part. The three kids played with the toys and each other. If I hadn't told you it was raining - I bet you could have guessed it with Little Grayson's cutie pie curls... Later on Peeps took Avery to the pet store while I stayed with Jackson. They saw lots of critters. Justin and Grayson and Millie came over for supper - and some more playtime for the cousins...Justin wore Jackson around in the Ergo and Jackson said thanks........for getting me outta that packnplay....

Tate Street in the rain

2008-10-19T14:31:00.000-04:00

The next morning we packed up all the little kids and everyone's raincoat and headed off to Tate Street Coffee - everyone's favorite breakfast place. We visited and Ali and Johnathan left their two little ones with us to Toad Hall and took off for Raleigh.

Happy Birthday Little Bunnie

2008-10-19T14:24:00.000-04:00

We had hoped to go to Asheville for Ali's birthday but Johnathan had an idea to whisk Ali
off to their old stomping ground - Raleigh - Wake Forest - Chapel Hill for a getaway and
wondered if we could keep Avery and Jackson so they could go...
We had a dinner for her Thursday night (after the kiddies were asleep) Justin and Millie
came too - put Greyson down and we enjoyed Ali's favorite and requested meal...steak..roasted
potatoes 'my salad' and Italian bread.

Sunset Hills Greenway Park

2008-10-15T22:27:00.000-04:00

Sunset Hills park is a fun place for a little one. We loaded up the stroller and off we went. She liked the swing but it was different than hers at home. She really seemed to like the tubes to crawl in. She is exploring life and we love her so. MayMay and Peeps...

Pat the bunny - fish go zoom zoom

2008-10-15T22:23:00.000-04:00

One of the things Peeps and MayMay like to do when the grandchildren come to Toad Hall is to load everyone in the car and go to Friendly to the pet store and the toy store. Bunnies were fun - birds were tweeting - fish were going zoom zoom zoom.

Grayson and Millie visit Toad Hall

2008-10-15T22:19:00.000-04:00

It was a most wonderful weekend. Millie and Grayson and Maggie spent the weekend at Toad Hall while Justin was at the beach with his buddies catching fish and having fun.. We read, took baths, played with Tyler, and hung out.

West Asheville Block Party

2008-08-26T21:45:00.000-04:00

When we were visiting the Norths in Asheville - ALi said
Let's go down the street to this block party I saw - It
advertised a petting zoo - making us all believe things like
bunnies and goats and the likes would be there but there
was a bountiful supply of scarry pets like lizards, snakes,
and hairless dogs...so we went for the zoo but stayed for
the fun!! LIke face painting, golf, and a man who make
about anything from balloons.

Monkey in the middle

2008-08-24T22:31:00.002-04:00

MayMay and Peeps, Ali and Johnathan, Millie and Justin, and Avery, Jackson, and Grayson were sharing the love one summer Saturday on the deck at Ali and Johnathan's West Asheville home. MayMay and Peeps drove up for their first visit since May 1, when Ali and Johnathan moved into their new home, and Mimi, Hoosh, and Grayson stopped by for a visit on their way to Cashiers, NC, to take part in the 100th annual reunion of the Zachary family. MayMay and Peeps could have had no gift more precious than to see three happy-hearted grandchildren, full of life and love.

"Hurry up, MiMi, Grayson and I want to play Monkey in the Middle." Jackson, it seems, has no choice, at least for today. You can bet it won't be long before Jackson is big enough to twirl both girls up over his head at the same time like two little batons. Jackson is Peeps #1 pick to be the first pup to knock down the whelping box door. Words to the wise big sister and big cousin, "What goes around comes around."

The Tree House last Saturday

2008-08-23T21:33:00.000-04:00

Here we are at the Tree House - where Avery and her brother Jackson live with their parents Johnathan and Ali. We are having a wonderful lunch - reading Llama Mama - and just generally loving the family time. Justin and Millie and Grayson were on their way to Cashiers to the 100th Zachary family reunion. It was something that would have been hard to plan - all of us being there at once and all - but it just happened and it was fun fun fun. MayMay

Eight ducks, one duckblind, one Boykin

2008-07-30T08:20:00.001-04:00

Memorial Day weekend we discovered Mama duck and her nest of nine white eggs in the wooden planter that Peeps built to grow ornamental grass on the dock.

Baby ducks grow fast - check out these four:

and four more -

Duck blinds are offered on a first come first served basis, this Georgia Brown knows. See if you can find the camouflaged Boykin in this picture -

Give up? Can you see her now?

Happy Birthday Dad

2008-07-20T09:19:00.008-04:00

This is me, 10 months old, exploring every inch of planking on this 10’ x 12’ dock. He, 28, waiting for my first splinter, could not imagine the boundary lines of his 79 year life falling in such pleasant places.

You'd be proud, I'm still exploring.

Today is July 20, in the fifteenth week of Ordinary Time. I miss you.

Henry Wilds Smith, Jr. was born on July 20, 1923 and died on September 29, 2002: "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:5-6 NIV.

Sunny Girl

2008-07-05T17:40:00.000-04:00

Avery's father hoisted her off of the dock and into the waiting hands of Peeps, who steadied their precious cargo between his knees, before veering off downwind, hugging the shore, and shaking out the sail. On Avery's 2nd sail aboard Sunny Girl, Peeps vintage Sunfish, he showed her how to tell how fast they were going, by dragging the mainsheet's figure-eight knot in the water, creating a little wake and asked her if she ever saw Bunnies in the clouds. Yes, lots of them, she said. Johnathan, proud his little girl had been born with sea-legs, demonstrated lying down flat on his back, on a deck whose coaming had not yet been refastened to the faired hull. "Daddy, don't lie down," as if she wanted her Daddy to see the full enjoyment of her voyage. Upon returning to our side of the lake, Johnathan and Peeps spotted a georgeous yellow sunfish two docks down, turned upside down, getting her hull cleaned. A mid-1960's boat Peeps surmised from her bronze kick-up rudder attachment. "Let's go in for a closer look," not the first of simultaneous thoughts we two have had. Steering toward our neighbor's dock, Avery's actual words to her father and me were, "I need a boat." And with that we introduced ourselves to our new neighbor, Cecil. We're going back Sunday to give closer look and see if Cecil needs a hand putting his boat back together. Stay tuned.

today is Friday July 4th, the 13th week in Ordinary Time

2008-07-03T10:33:00.000-04:00

Avery and Peeps share one iPod and two ear buds and listen to the choir from Westminster Abby sing The Kyrie, from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices, Kyrie Elision, today’s featured devotional from pray-as-you-go, available in podcast for your MP3 player, for people young enough to be amazed with how an entire cathedral choir can fit into an earbud or old enough to wish fireflies lasted all summer.

Mom Dad Me and River's tail on the dock

2008-06-29T21:39:00.000-04:00

Here I am at Riverbank - training my mom and dad to practice dock safety. I like to watch the silly dogs chase tennis balls all day long - when I'm not napping, eating or other important things. I love Riverbank. Grayson :)

Come on Peeps - Let's go....

2008-06-29T21:36:00.001-04:00

Here I am waiting for Peeps to get off the computer and for my mom and dad to take me for a ride in the boat after I crawl around on the new carpet from AuntAmy over at Sharp Carter...

Jesus Loves Me

2008-04-20T21:24:00.000-04:00

this is what our time in LIttle ROck was like !!

Grayson at Camp Toad Hall inspecting the Flowers

2008-03-23T21:48:00.004-04:00

The joy and delight of little Grayson as she sniffed and enjoyed the daffodils. It is wonderful to have grandchildren to enjoy. We are so lucky. I LOVE IT!

2008-03-15T14:39:00.001-04:00

Grayson came to Toad Hall and brought her mom Her dad was at the famous 'oyster roast' weekend with his pals from NCSU (they didn't have to be distracted by watching the ACC Tournament this year.... We had Jonathan's sisters over for dinner Friday night and Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market and then on Saturday afternoon, we went to the Sunset Hills annual easter egg hunt in the park. Grayson found her first easter egg (see the green one (Avery's favorite color) she is holding!! I'm pretty sure she was by far and beyond the cutest little girl there. The bunnie was fun and had long blonde hair hanging our from under her 'head' It's fun being half of one....Grayson says........

It seems so simple

2008-03-14T17:55:00.000-04:00

When MayMay bought this at a consignment sale for all future grandkids....it seemed so simple to wash the seat and reinstall it. Not so. She and Peeps spent many hours trying to work a solution for re-installing the seat. Then
Peeps had an AH-HA moment and then MayMay put it back on with his careful directions.
Here is Grayson - Avery outgrew it before the installation was complete. Grayson loved it
so much she asked to take it back to Percy and of course the answer was sure honey !! She
seems to love it. As Peeps says 'If it's not fun, it won't get done'

Big Dog Little Dog

2008-03-04T18:03:00.002-05:00

Grayson loves for you to read to her. She really seems to pay attention. It is amazing to me. It makes her quiet and happy and Peeps and me like to read. It doesn't get any better than this....

Brigette - the French Rabbit

2008-02-17T18:09:00.000-05:00

MayMay & Peeps,If I like this rabbit that you brought me from France...i will pop it right into my mouth and sure enough that was next. She just loves to loook at things. Cute little one. She makes me smile. MM

Camp Toad Hall goes to Asheville.

2008-02-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

Stikkah - if there ever was a little girl who likes stickers -this is her! When we got to Asheville she was nearly covered in stars - all colors everywhere. She even put some on us and Frontier who had come along for the ride. Avery was very curious when MayMay and Peeps pulled up without Georgia and River to see her new house. What an unexpected treat to see her when we got back from Paris.
Camp Toad Hall Asheville style.....

Sweet Little One - snoozing comfortably

2007-10-14T10:10:00.000-04:00

This is what it looks like --sweet little baby resting happily in MayMays care. It has been so fun having another little grandaughter.

Grayson has already shown parts of her own little identity and precious little personality. It is amazing --- it 4 days from today she is a month old. Time has really flown by. Each day a blessing and a miracle of its own.

Carmen

2007-10-07T20:30:00.011-04:00

A truly georgeous weekend - light wind, crystal blue sky, and 75 degrees...not your usual October weather.

So after lunch Anne, dogs, and I wandered down to the dock. After adjusting her adirondack chair and foot bench, Anne set out to crack the NY Times crosswords.

I set out apply fairing compound to several dings and holes in our Sunfish. Georgia, River, and Maggie set out to what water dogs do best; swimming, diving, shaking off, and fetching tennis balls (all three dogs fetch). River, the family's sole rock-diving dog, collects big rocks from the bottom of the lake.

After making sure that what I was getting ready to do wouldn't shake Anne's crossword puzzle-solving neurons loose, I plopped the CD of the opera Carmen, which our friend Daniel Hassell loaned us, into our boombox.

With no other human within five docks on either side, I cranked up Carmen about as loud as she would go. Any wineglass on the opposite shore would have surely shattered, had there been any. Our dogs, who actually like classical music (don't ask me how I know), got to hear their first opera; all I can tell you is that they lapped it up. And so did we, who didn't move off the dock, except for when I paused Act III to climb the steps back to the house to fetch a chilled bottle of Edna Valley Chard, and two wine glasses.

And three hours into Carmen, the Sunfish just about done, Carmen just about done in (literally) and the heavy orange sun accellerating downward , I said the four words every water dog loves to hear, "Get in the boat."

And get in the boat they did. A sunset cruise with three dogs and my wonderful and beautiful wife. A perfect ending to a perfect day. Did I tell you she is the best boat driver? She is.

The Canine passengers -

River, in his own thoughts:

Maggie, thinking abour River:

Georgia Brown, thinking about nothing, passed out from swimming all day:

Today is brought to you by the letter "G"

2007-09-26T22:22:00.000-04:00

MayMay and Grayson both wearing the same color green. Though it can't be explained, the bonds connecting Grandmothers and Grandchildren is powerfully beautiful. I get to see it often.

If I had two popsicles...

2007-09-22T10:12:00.001-04:00

Hey Grayson! If I had two popsicles I'd give you one. Hey, I know this cool place called YumYum. They have ice cream and hot dogs. Let's go down there when I come to see you. I can get Peeps to take us there for sure. He'll do anything I ask. Love, your cousin Avery

pink bandanna day

2007-09-20T14:36:00.000-04:00

Three dogs wearing three pink bandannas, in honor of Grayson, patiently sitting as Momma gives out "cookies.". Georgia's attention span wanders, see here looking at the camera

18 hours old

2007-09-19T12:47:00.000-04:00

Grayson catching up on her rest, barely 18 hours old. Zoom in on the congratulations card, behind her head. One of Grayson's doctor, Dr. Rubin, was Grayson's Daddy's doctor; he, along with Drs. Fore and Kaplan, delivered Justin, one sunny October day 27 years ago.

Chick-Fil-Avery

2007-09-19T10:37:00.000-04:00

Hi - My new cousin came last night. Yep, at 7:33. Uncle Brother must have been the doctor because I saw a picture of him wearing a doctor's mask and surgical gown. This morning, my Momma and I went to Chick-Fil-A to celebrate; she is trying to teach me how to say my cousin's name: g-r-a-y-s-o-n, it sounds like r-a-i-s-i-n with a "g" in front of it. Yippee!!! I can't wait to see her. I love here already. MayMay says I look like Aunt Libba when she was this size.

Frontier finds Panda

2007-09-17T10:15:00.001-04:00

Don't worry, Avery, I found Panda and I'm sending him home to you. Peeps

Just another Tuesday mornin'

2007-09-04T07:49:00.000-04:00

Hi. it's 7:49 Tuesday morning. My Daddy and Momma should be at work in less than 40 minutes. Instead, my brother River and I are flying down the lake, smooth as glass. The wind in my hair makes my top curl fly to one side. In a rare moment, I look straight into the camera. I'm no fool. I'm Georgia Brown and this is how we start our workday.

Just thinking

2007-08-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

I'm just thinking, that's all, and looking at Peeps take my picture. MayMay and Momma just moved our suitcases and backpacks from Peeps' Suburban to the curb. We go to Memphis. Then we wait. Then we fly to Little Rock. Then Daddy comes to get us. But right now, I'm at the PTI airport. Peeps and I are looking at each other. I know he loves me, and I love him. My heart and mind are filled with so many fun memories from this weekend. I want to stay...but I want to go. Is life always going to be like this? I just found out I get to be a big sister. So when? Where is the baby? More later when I figure out what big sister means. I also found out my newest cousin will be here in about a month. Well, it's time to get on board. I love you Peeps and MayMay. Avery

MayMay's little boy fountain

2007-08-26T21:57:00.000-04:00

One of the things my Peeps lets me do is to play in MayMay's fountain. Here I am splashing...hugging....kissing...and feeling all there is to do here at CTH. PS there was a BIG party going on for my Uncle Houst and Aunt Mimi and my soon to arrive cousin ---we don't know yet whether it will be a boy cousin or girl cousin---Susie(one of MayMay's bestest friends does this kewl thing called a ring test and it sez it will be a boycousin) Susie claims that she has a 50% chance of being correct. I don't understand percents yet but when she says it everyone smiles and some laugh so it must be something funny. Susie always likes to see me when she is around when I am. I call her Susie and she likes that I know her name. I think she is the one they say is like a second mama to my mama and my uncle Houst and I don't know how all that works but it must be kewl.

Avery convinces Mimi's friends that kids are fun

2007-08-26T19:15:00.000-04:00

Here I am cruising the crowd of Mimi's and Houst's good friends from college who came over for a cousin shower. Kristen is holding me now with Hannah and Amy looking on. I am showing off how good I can be so all of them will have little ones soon. Amy and Brad have already joined the trend. Yea kids!

New Shirt Announces New Arrival

2007-08-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wowsie Bowsie - What on earth does this mean. I don't know but Mommie and Daddy seem real excited and let me danace all around Baskin Robbins to announce the news!!!!!!!!! As usual - I am pretty happy - whatever it means-I'm guessing it will just mean more fun for me and the family. Posted by Averykins

2007-08-25T10:23:00.000-04:00

HEY - How about this bike(my name for Peep's delux stroller). This is me and MayMay out for a little stroll. Peeps and the pups are with us too. They are taking our photo. I am looking at my feet, making sure they are in just the right position. Usually I like to put them up on the steering wheel. Camp Toad all is fun for all. All we do here is play-play-play. I heard my Peeps say this today ----"Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” Theodor Seuss Geisel

Did somebody call housekeeping????

2007-07-16T08:56:00.000-04:00

Four huffs assemble just outside the makeshift gate announcing that today is brought to us by the number four (for four dogs) and the letter b (as in blackberry) and that they're reporting for "housekeeping" duty. Georgia Brown, the shortest houskeeper, is "locked and loaded" on the first target, a chunk of flat egg and a handful of Cheerios. The big dogs have not a clue what's going on, they mostly play "follow the leader." Georgia has somewhat of an advantage as she can skinny thruough the wire wickets, something these big dogs can't quite do.

World's smallest Egg McMuffin

2007-07-16T08:42:00.000-04:00

Peeps shows Avery the world's smallest egg McMuffin, a 1/2" square piece of flat egg squished between two Cheerios. Avery pretty much hangs on every word her grandfather says, not knowing whether to believe him. Four dogs (drooling in background), await their turns at cleanup.

Peeps puts everyone to work

2007-07-15T14:13:00.000-04:00

Hi Mommie Hi Daddy, Peeps is putting everyone at Toad Hall to work...you might want to stay down in the islands a little longer...Love, Avery

ps. note the time, he's making me work past my nap and the end of this yardwork isn't in sight!

HEY It's Saturday Morning 7:45 AM (Yikes, Am I Ever Up Early)

2007-07-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

Last night Peeps and MayMay said - Avery, better go on to sleep 'cause we gotta go 'farmering' ??? at 7 tomorrow - and yes, breakfast will be on the fly - you may even go in your jammies. Well i wake up at 7 (on my own - first day since I have been at camp) and off we went - they did put on my coverall skirt just to make sure I would fit in! What fun we had - we saw huffs, friends, and yummy food (squash, corn, green beans etc) and blackberries - the biggest I had ever seen(they were weird through) Here I am with Peeps viewing a Huff Huff on our way in.

It's gonna be hard to top this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huff to the max

2007-07-13T23:08:00.001-04:00

HighFivin with the Chick-Fil-A Cow----Need I say more than this. We followed the cow all over the parking lot with 1,000,000 huffs being said with shrills of laughter and many smiles...oops...is it bedtime yet? This is MUCH MORE fun than going to bed on time...which is highly overrated. We didn't miss it by too much and we had more fun than the legal limit.

Carolina Cafe - Time for dinner

2007-07-13T22:57:00.000-04:00

Peeps and me and MayMay went inside for dinner during the concert to the Carolina Cafe at Friendly. We saw several friends of theirs and I showed off my teeth and toothiest smiles. We had turkey and the usual side items....pretzels, a couple of chips shh - don't tell my Mom and some SoyYo and SoyMilk of course. I can hardly wait to get back outside and see the ChickFilaCow(commonly known as a HuffHuffHuff) and all the people. I know many words now...MayMay Peeps Up Down Open Pool Boat Bike Huff MeMe Houst Stop Go & more i don't remember now

Somebody turned on the Bubble Machine

2007-07-13T22:55:00.000-04:00

Beats taking a nap

2007-07-13T14:32:00.000-04:00

Peeps and Avery are in the market for a tow-behind bike trailer, big enough to carry a couple of grandchildren, safe, and of course, good looking. Our Criteria? 1) Speed, 2) Price, and 3) Quality. First we checked out Cycles D'Oro. Then Performance Bicycle, where the Burley D'lite was on sale. But before we knew it, a hot bike caught our eye. You guessed it: Schwinn's Little Tigress!

It had to be the streamers because she went for them first. Peeps thinks four playing cards held on with four clothespins would be perfect.

New word for the day: Bike. Bike. Bike. Bike. Bike. Bike. One hundred fifty times. Bike.

Out to lunch with MayMay and Peeps

2007-07-12T12:48:00.000-04:00

Jason's Deli _ Yum. I just love to go to Friendly Center. Today's outing took us to REI then to Jason's for lunch. Everyone there was in a big hurry but us. We just sat outside and ate our turkey and wheat thins, our animal crackers, and some fruit. A little SoyYo makes everything more fun. The day is brought to you by the letter J for Jelly Jam Jonathan and Justin also Jason's and Jubilant - that's me. I am having fun with Peeps and MayMay who don't seem to have much to do but play with me. I wonder what they do while I am sleeping?

The kitchen and all in it are MINE-HUFF HUFF HUFF

2007-07-12T10:38:00.000-04:00

The kitchen and all in are Mine All Mine. The huffs 5 of them at last count lining up for breakfast this morning & I like to toss them the extras from my little tray (giggling) egg yolks, Cheerios, Banana, and SoyYo for sure with BaBa just for good measure. I just love breakfast time. Laughing,Playing and watching the huffs. What could possibly be more fun? Peeps acts like he doesn't like my little game of toss to the huffs but I can see him smiling and laughing with MayMay. They just don't seem so serious to me. Hey, Mom and Dad - Just stay in Jamaica another week, we are fine here. This morning is brought to you by the letter B for Bikes and the number 5 for Huffs.

Aunt Mimi & Her Mom visit Camp Toad Hall

2007-07-11T22:01:00.000-04:00

Aunt Mimi and her Mom bring Hot Pink Boa and Books to Toad Hall and we take Avery to Southern LightsMy Annt Mimi & Uncle Brother Houst are bringing me a cousin in September and making her Mom a MeMe or something or other cool like that.

Avery goes to GVP with Peeps and MayMay

2007-07-11T22:00:00.001-04:00

CampToadHall moves to the Green Valley Pool. Peeps and Mr. Turtle and Me and MayMay have fun in the sun(but don't worry not too much sun)

I am so tickled - I am about to split wide open - I'm not sure what is SO funny but i giggle up a storm and as usual MayMay has the camera ready to shoot all the good shots!

2007-07-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

Peeps reads to me about himself the dog. What a funny book and what a wonderful Peeps(written by MayMay - Peeps is her boyfriend) Aunt MeMe and Houst gave it to Peeps for Fathers Day. I say Huff Huff Huff a couple of dozen times just to make sure i still can!

Me and My Mom and Camp Riverbank with Mr. Turtle

2007-07-11T21:59:00.000-04:00

Fun at riverbank - Camp Riverbank that is - here I am with my Mom(Ali) and Mr. Turtle and Wivver's tennis ball. Most of what happens at Camp Riverbank is that MayMay Peeps Meme and Houst throw the yellow tennis balls into the water for the Huffs to bring back.

Camp Riverbank all decked out

2007-07-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

Peeps and MayMay decked out the deck at Camp Riverbank. Peeps has a little decorator in him waiting to get out. Fun!

Recycled Sunfish sails make great canopy shades

2007-07-11T14:00:00.002-04:00

peeps' gets in touch with his inner decorator by putting vintage Sunfish sails to good use providing shade for the dock. What's more, on a windy days the flapping sails makes one believe he's sailing, no small bonus.

Anniversary trumpet flower

2007-06-27T09:32:00.000-04:00

In honor of Peeps and MayMay's anniversary, the trumpet flower opened its georgeous first bloom of the season. Anniversary #36. Boy, are we grateful for each other, and for God, and that "the boundary lines of our lives have fallen in pleasant places."

Camp Toad Hall - another week on the books

2007-06-14T21:25:00.000-04:00

It just seems like yesterday that Avery was here in Toad Hall & guess what...instead of helping Avery's parents move all their earthly belongings (which weren't given away, sold or put in the care of one of their benevolent friends who have ageed to 'store' things for them) from Jackson, TN to Little Rock Arkansas, MayMay and Peeps have been given a pass and for that pass have agreed to open up Camp Toad Hall once again before summer vacation. We are just delighted and are already grooming up the huffs for her arrival. She has alerted us that she might just be bringing her own huffs to see us as well....final plans are not in place yet for her huffs but it is a possibility...her mom and dad are flying off to Jamaica or some cool place (or hot maybe this time of year, but who knows) right before the annual family trek to Flawada as ALison called it as a little girl and we still do. Avery's mom sent the drawing shown here as Avery's first art. Not bad for a 15 month old. Is it talent or timing?

I guess she has the genetics for being an artist, I can see many hours of shared drawing and coloring together for Mom, Dad, and little artist.

Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence!

2007-05-31T22:28:00.000-04:00

Uncle Brother and I are cut from the same cloth. How do I know? We both love to laugh, even though he's been laughing a whole lot longer than me Hey, laughter is contagious. Why not enjoy it for all its worth?

Tonight, sitting around the round table on the patio after supper, just chillin, waiting for lightning bugs to come out and play, Uncle Brother and I started looking at each other and laughing. I covered my head with my napkin. When I pulled it off to see if he was still looking at me, he howled real loud. That tickled my funny bone, and when my funny bone got tickled, that tickled his funny bone and that tickled mine all the more, and I thought we'd never stop laughing.

Did you know laughter is good for your soul? It is -

Psalm 100 says it like this:

1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

[A Thanksgiving Psalm]
from The Message translation

Where did all these Flamingos come from?

2007-05-30T22:48:00.000-04:00

We got Flocked. Thursday night. Avery had gone to bed, MayMay and Ali were upstairs hanging out. Peeps was chillin in the living room with the dogs...and all of a sudden the dogs go crazy, barking and carrying on. MayMay and Ali came downstairs and looked out the front door. Thirty pink flamingos in our front yard. There they were, in the Red Japanese Maple, on the lawn, hanging from the front porch lamps, hanging from the Flame Stitch Birch, there must have been 50 of 'em. And then there was this sign, explaining how all these flamingos had come to live in our front yard, and how you could, for a modest sum, "send them on" to some one else, or how, for $100, you could get "flocked insurance" so that they'd never come back again. So Peeps, who loves kids and loves Young Life, decided to give Young Life a check for $99.99. kist because he hopes he gets flocked again...Early Friday morning when Avery got up, she saw saw the flamingos, and she had to greet every single one of 'em. PS. Avery will need a Young Life leader in exactly 13 years. You better believe we have already started praying. Thirteen years will be here before we know it.

Going to Carolina in the Morning

2007-05-29T23:50:00.000-04:00

Oh Boy! I better get scrubbed and ready for bed. In the morning my Mommie and I are flying to NC to see my MayMay, Peeps, Silly Aunt Millie, Uncle Brother, Huff River, Huff Maggie, and Huff Georgia. Yipee!!!

Avery and Peeps Make an Invention

2007-04-27T10:45:00.000-04:00

Avery brought a spinwheel to Camp Toad Hall. She wanted MayMay to fly it out the window, but that wouldn't work, so Peeps and Avery decided to make an invention. They wedged it between the grab handle and the headline, positioning the spinner right beneath the a/c vent. Peeps said "propeller." Propeller is too big a word for Avery right now, but she gets the idea. Peeps has three outboard motors at Toad Hall. Three Evinrudes: A 10HP, a 6 HP, and a 3 HP. He also has a 2HP at the home of Avery's Mommie and Daddy. Avery's Daddy and Peeps fixed the 6 HP during craft time at Camp Toad Hall. They made lots and lots of blue smoke come out of the garage. Uncle Brother helped Peeps and Avery's daddy with the project. Mostly he kept the cigar lit and took pictures and videos.

The Reality, Not the Illusion

2007-04-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

Day 6

"The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can't lay a hand on them. We know that we are held firm by God." 1John5:18; great news to start any day.

After breakfast and bath, MayMay explains to Wittles that we will be taking a field trip to Barnes & Noble. "Oh, the places you'll go," she says.

Once at Barnes & Noble, Peeps and Avery stroll the stacks, aimlessly; somehow we got separated from MayMay. Let's go find her, where shall we start? Let's look in the Children's section. Peeps hums Allen Levi's song, If you Teach a Child to Read, and soon we find MayMay, standing in front of the Dr. Seuss books. She's holding three books; guess what they're about? "Huff," Avery says when she sees the books. Peeps' eye catches Avery looking at a copy of Clifford the Big Red Dog. "Want to see?" he says. "Huff," Avery answers very efficiently. Huff is a good answer for just about anything. Just then an announcement comes over the loudspeaker, "The children's will start in 5 minutes. Let's stay we say to each other.

The week is flying by TOO fast for us!

2007-04-26T15:48:00.000-04:00

This morning it was all smiles when she started cooing - it's time to get up - maymay and peeps. We gladly went in and retreived her(although she might have like to have cooed a little longer, judging from the squint the overhead light though dimmed produced.

We went downstairs, started with the soymilk bottle which she now requests with her cute little baby sign language accompanied by her little 'bas' and once that is done, we served up cheerios and banana on the patio. She seems to love it out there, what an awesome way to start up the day for us too. We joined her in breakfast and scurried out to do a few errands...we went to the drive in dry cleaners where our vendor said she looks like a doll. We ageed. After that, we went to the bank to deposit a check & the teller there exclaimed, what a cute baby....then off to the post office and finally to Earth Fare where we needed to pick up some things which aren't available at HT. Then Peeps pulled up to the garden center at Lowe's and let MayMay go in and see if impatiens were less expensive....while I was there I found some Hosta's on sale and that the impatiens were indeed about 1/2 or the New Garden price.

We came back about 10:30 and put her down about 10:45 she laughed and cooed and talked until about 11 so we let her nap till 12.

Fun Fun - Justin and Millie came over for lunch and she had deli ham(which was more fun to play with than eat...and some crackers, banana, and whole wheat pasta and more animal cracker pieces than she probably should have had!! We ate on the porch...it was sweet and fun.

Then we dragged down a blanket from upstairs and ratted around the back yard for about 45 minutes and shhh...we didn't have clearance from headquarters, but we did paint her cute little toenails which she mostly wiggled through. It was fun, she is cute as pie.

Back to nappie - down pretty quick and up at 4 just like clock work, then off to the Farmers Market to see the flowers and get some berries

Home again and off to a wagon ride, dinner, visit with the May family, who all wanted to hold Avery of course and even though tired, she had a blast with them, smiling and laughing and being her 100% cute self. What a fun day with her.

Then off to bed saying goodbye to the huffs as she went.