Jesus Loves Me

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

Grayson at Camp Toad Hall inspecting the Flowers

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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"

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...

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

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

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

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

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

Just another Tuesday mornin'

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

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

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

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

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