MIA

I've been MIA..  Life has been stuck on fast forward for the last month and I am barely able to keep up.  I can't remember the last time I picked up the camera, but luckily Mom did today while we were at her house for dinner.

Time for an Oliver update:  Oliver has become a young man, he's the smartest, sweetest child I have ever met.  He loves to count in English and Spanish and sing his ABCs on the answering machine.  He's learning letters make words and has learned to read a few words like on, off, and Oliver.. If the word starts with "O" he wants to learn what it is. :)  I hope soon he can read me books before bedtime.

Today Oliver got a belated birthday present from his godparents Anna and Chris.  It is the absolute spot on present for Oliver- a Ukulele!  He digs music, so I hope he enjoys learning how to play it.  Thanks Anna and Chris!!!

Livin' On The Edge

My first born four legged son, Rufus turned 7 on March 1.  Even at 7, he's still living on the edge.

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. 

For me they are the role model for being alive."

~ Gilda Radner

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel

In your honor, my family ate Green eggs, sans the ham.  We read your books (like we do every night) and shared your quotes with friends and family.  Thanks for being a part of my childhood and now my son's.

Happy Birthday To You! ~ Dr. Seuss
"If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you. If you’d never been born, well then what would you do? If you’d never been born, well then what would you be? You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree! You might be a doorknob! Or three baked potatoes! You might be a bag full of hard green tomatoes."	"Or worse than all that…Why, you might be a WASN’T! A Wasn’t has no fun at all. No, he doesn’t. A Wasn’t just isn’t. He just isn’t present. But you…You ARE YOU! And, now isn’t that pleasant!" "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive...		...who is you-er than you! Shout loud, “I am lucky to be what I am! Thank goodness I’m not just a clam or a ham Or a dusty old jar of sour gooseberry jam! I am what I am! That’s a great thing to be! If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!”

The NC Aquarium

Oliver 9 months

Oliver almost 3 years

We love the beach.  Since having Oliver, we started going to the aquarium.  I used to go every summer as a child with my Mimmie and Poppy, so taking him brought back so many memories for me.  We went again last weekend, and Oliver was so incredibly excited he went from one window to the next.  We stayed through the entire diving presentation with the sharks, and I think I answered about 100 questions he had about it.  It was definitely a day to remember.

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”

--Anonymous

Last Thursday at School

Last Thursday we spent the evening at O's school.  It was International Night, and Oliver was digging the drums in Kenya.  He also enjoyed showing off his dance moves during the "square dance."  I love watching my big boy in action!

Birthday Love

Birthday love is the best...  Who doesn't like to celebrate their day of birth?  This year I was spoiled.  Oliver  went to the store with Mimi on a mission to buy me a special present.  He had it in his head I wanted choo choo trains for my birthday, because, hey.. who doesn't?  So, that afternoon when I walked in the door, he was more than excited to take me over to my present that he helped wrap and tell me all about how he got me a choo choo at the store.  The excitement in his eyes melted my heart.  He could hardly stand how long it took me to actually unwrap my present.  Seeing the joy in his eyes made it by far the best birthday ever.

All Better Now

Finally, we are well in the Hickman home.  Oliver finally went back to school today, and he was so happy to see his friends.  It's nice to see that smile again.