The Burn vs. Thunder Chickens

Greg and longtime friend, Dat, are playing indoor soccer this season. Yes, those really are the teams' names. No, Greg (#18) nor Dat (#20) had anything to do with the naming.  Honestly.  (note: They play for "The Burn.")

Dat about to score a goal

Wells Fest and Birthday Fairies

Saturday was Wells Fest, an annual summer event that has all the ingredients of a good festival. Tasty food, live music, homemade crafts for sale, silent auction, a big sand mountain, etc. This year, the festival raised $40,000 for "MS Families for Kids," a program that helps find permanent homes for hard-to-place foster children.

Nina and cousin Roscoe

Aunt Susie has a good shoulder to nap on...zzzz.

Next stop was a birthday party for Maia and Bella, adorable identical twins who turned one year old. Happy Birthday!

These little birthday fairies had to be dug out from under their sea of  presents.

Furry Family

So far, I've only mentioned part of our family.  In addition, we also have four-legged family members. Meet:

Kaiser, Australian Shepherd, age 14
Fearless protector of the house



Rudy, age 6, from Gulport Animal Rescue League
Loves eating. Really loves eating.
We're not convinced that she's 100% dog... Maybe Tasmanian Tiger? Fruit Bat? Exotic Marsupial?



Tess, age 8, from Jackson Animal Rescue League 
(lives with Barry and Barbara, but visits regularly)
 Loves car rides, leashless runs, rain puddles, tennis balls

12 Happy Weeks

Simms turned 12 weeks old today!  

Happy, smiling baby



Well, we can't always be smiling....



The Countdown Begins

(sigh...) Less than 1 1/2 weeks before I have to return to work.  How did three months of maternity leave go by so quickly?! It sure is going to be hard to leave this little guy.  But fortunately, Simms will be in the BEST possible hands while Greg and I are away at work. He has not one, but TWO sets of grandparens who will be taking turns babysitting him.  What a lucky baby. And what lucky and grateful parents we are!  Thank you, Grandma Barbara, Pop, Lola and Dada!

Growing Like a Weed



1 month old





2 months old



zzzz....

It's playtime for one, naptime for the other. shhhh...don't wake the sleeping dad.

Front Yard Fun

Look out, world -Cousin Roscoe has learned to walk!

Family Time



Thanks to Grandma Barbara for sharing these photos



Like Father, Like Son

Monday was parent-teacher day at Murrah High School.  So dad, Simms and I took an opportunity to visit "Mr. Powell" in his classroom where he teaches AP Biology, Zoology, and Botany.




"...and this is the sepal, stamen, pistol"

 

ooh...critters in  formaldehyde



This is where the magic happens...




No student leaves Mr. Powell's class without learning some chemistry



Loading Up on Nectar

Last weekend, Barry and Barbara invited all the kids, grandkids and my parents to join them at the Annual Hummingbird Festival in Holly Springs, MS.  Here, we watched Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds load up on nectar for their southern migration to Mexico and Central America. Some of these hummingbirds will fly non-stop for 20 hours, covering over 500 miles over the Gulf of Mexico.  Average speed of travel is 50 mph.  zoooom!

above photo by T. Sohl

Our niece, a budding naturalist, holds an American Toad and Green Tree Frog 

Celebrating the Seasons

The weather is beginning to cool down here.  Finally! To welcome the new season, I handmade my first wreath. (Plus, our door was in desperate need of an accessory...)   My creative and crafty friend, Sarah, tutored me in wreath making.  Thanks, Sarah!




Front Door Flair

 

All year long, Greg does a terrific job of planting seeds, harvesting herbs and vegetables, nurturing the flower beds and feng shui-ing the deck.  Below is our final cucumber of the season. munch munch.

Happy Labor Day!

Being a Dad

No explanation needed...
 

Jerel,  father of Roscoe  (13 months old)  and Greg , father of Simms  (2 months old)



 

Thank Goodness for Grandparents



Nora aka "Lola" (Tagalog word for "grandmother")

Barbara aka "Grandma Barbara"

Upa aka "Dada" (Gujarati word for "grandfather")

Barry aka "Pop"







little things

Never Too Early



At 3 weeks of age, Simms was already getting his first science lesson.  And they haven't stopped since...  




First Zoology Lesson: Amphibians (American Toad:  Bufo americanus)







Second Zoology Lesson:  Mammals (Big Brown Bat: Eptesicus fuscus)

  

The first night I spent alone with Simms (Greg had to attend a workshop in Oxford, MS), I woke up to two barking dogs, one crying baby, and a bat flying madly through the living room. Fortunately, uncle Jerel lives right next door and came armed with  leather gloves, a ladder and a butterfly net. He caught the bat with his first swipe. Thanks, Jerel! 





Binoculars in one hand...baby in the other

Greg recently spotted a pair of screech owls in our backyard. He's been waiting for them to reappear ever since. They haven't shown up (yet), but fortunately, we have many other feathered friends including towhees, blue jays, mockingbirds, brown thrashers, cedar waxwings, red-headed woodpeckers, hummingbirds, Misssissippi kites, cardinals, crows, nuthatches... It's a good backyard for birding.

 



Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Oh My

Simms had his 2 month checkup and everything looked good. He was very brave and went home with 2 bugs bunny bandaids. His pediatrician was especially impressed with his tone and neck strength.  The stats:

• Weight: 12 lbs, 8oz
• Height:  23 inches
• Head Circumference: 40cm

Happy Birthday, Roscoe!

It's hard to believe that cousin Roscoe turned 1 year old (on July 13th).  Veteran parents often advise, "Enjoy them now. They grow up fast."  Now I finally understand what they mean. 

Happy Birthday, little Roscoe! And congrats to Nina and Jerel on their first year as new parents!

A New Nest



Back at home from the hospital. Simms first day in his new nest.



It Takes a Village

 Just one day old, baby Simms already had lots of friends and family welcoming him into the world...


Aunt Susie

 

Uncle "chu" Dat and Son