Family Times = Good Times

These "Family Times" are specifically Thanksgiving, 2009 and the Short Family Reunion, 2009. Let your mind drift back some three weeks . . .



Thanksgiving Day, 2009. Jennifer and Matt, Emma and Jessie, trying to tell Claire about the first Thanksgiving.



"Whaddaya mean," says Claire. " This is the first Thanksgiving."




Stephen say, "Brianna, today you'll learn about the strong connection between Mommy's family and the word turkey."



Amanda says, "I know this isn't my baby, but at least she's A baby."

"We'd take 'em both home, but I think Jenn and Matt might have something to say about that."

Jessie proudly displays one of my mother's aprons which was passed along to her. She looks the part of a chef, doesn't she. A Pilgrim? Not so much.

Guess what this is. Nope. Not Thanksgiving dinner. I was so busy snapping photos of people I didn't get one shot of the Turkey Day meal. And once I started chowing down, I don't recall picking up the camera again.

So, this is part of the spread TWO DAYS after Thanksgiving at the Short Family Reunion.

It all took place in the Southern Pines Civic Club, near the town park.

Judy's Aunt Helen displays a beautiful plate which depicts the entire Short family tree. Even two little apples way down under the tree. I'll give ya two guesses as to who they might be.
I did dual duty of documenting the array of fine vittles and guarding the same.

Here's the part of our little branch that was available for the reunion.

Amanda wonders, "When will I get to hold my baby again."

Judy's dad, Jack, with siblings Elaine, Sandra, and Helen. Meanwhile in the background, Amanda has reclaimed Brianna.

Helen's family, the Allens, has by far the largest representation this day. The rest of us have some catching up to do.

Todd and Amy are glad we're near the park. Someone else looks happy, too.

Jack and Thelma Short-- Judy's parents, Amanda, Brianna, Judy, and Ken (me)

Dickie and Beverly are plotting something with Sandra. We may not find out what until next year.

Some of the younger generation could really get into this "reunion" thing. Not just for old folks.

Reunions are for sharing, fellowshipping, eating, and negotiating.

Judy cautions Scott and Sandra,"I won't tell everything I know if you won't tell everything you know."

And that makes for a happy reunion.

December Baby Bonanza

December 7, 1941. 68 Years ago today, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese, an event that would launch the United States into World War II.

So today I'm blogging about-- you guessed it-- THE GRANDBABIES! (Someday I'll tell them all about Pearl Harbor and World War II. But not yet).

This blog isn't chronological-- it's going to be a back and forth of babies Claire and Brianna. I can't believe it's December 7 and I'm just now getting around to posting some of these darling pictures. Well, let's get with it!

Claire: Yeah, this is great Grandpa. But you ought to see how high Daddy tosses me-- when Mom's not looking.
Brianna: Grandma, it's hard to smile for the camera with this pacifier in my mouth.Claire: Grandma, this is my favorite chew toy. Oops-- those are for dogs. I meant "teething facilitator devices."

Brianna: Okay, I think I'm ready for the road test. Now will you help me learn the signs? Especially the ones with words.
Claire: I predict this is where my first tooth will appear.

Brianna: Aw, what a cute little manger scene. I'll bless it now and eat it later.

Claire: So Grandpa, you blow on your fist to get Santa Claus cheeks. See?

Brianna: Mama, Grandpa-parazzi has found us again.

Claire: How to take apart these washable cloth books-- these things must be done delicately!

Brianna: Me and this Santa guy have a lot in common. We squeak when ya squeeze us.

Claire: Grandma, how do you like Mama's new jogging stroller?

Claire: What do you mean, 'Jogging is of the Devil?' Giddyup, horsie!

Brianna: If you don't mind, Grandpa, I have to pose. Then I'll get back to 'London's Britches Falling Down,' whatever that means.

Claire: So, is THIS what you guys mean by 'laid back?'

Brianna: I know he's just waiting for me to plop over backward to take my picture. Well not this time, Buster!

Uh. . . Dat's All, Folks!

Singalong at Good Old Sandhills Farm Life

I don't have pictures to post from yesterday's singalong, so I'll just tell you about it. Okay? Okay. Well, I've had a standing invitation from Pam Cameron and Lisa Dumas to come have a singalong with their second graders. I've had some schedule conflicts and knew of some more upcoming conflicts, but I was determined not to put them off until after Christmas. The year just gets away too fast, and I'm hopeful of joining them for more singalongs before year's end (the school year that is--June 2010).

I don't believe in "fate," but that said, Lisa Dumas just happens to be in my old classroom, where I spent about the last decade of my career, and where some of the sweetest memories took place. I may not have a KEY to the room any more, but I felt right at home there. Part of that is the enthusiastic welcome the students and teachers always give me. I'm glad I'm still part of the family. The Grandpa, I suppose.

I brought along my old pal Chipper. Some of you know that Chipper is my stuffed monkey (once Jennifer's). During my last several years of teaching he became my class mascot, dressing up for every season, holiday, or special event that came along. Hmmm. . . maybe Chipper will get his own post someday.

Anyway, Chipper and I recognized many familiar things. The wonderful carpet from J.B. Short Carpet One (don't say I never did anything for you Tim and Renee), The Invisible Bookshelf (thanks Amanda!), and hundreds of books that I donated when I retired. Technically, we didn't see the bookshelf, just evidence that some mysterious force was supporting books in mid-air.

Back to the singalong. I was delighted that Pam had prepared the kids by introducing some of the favorite songs before my arrival, notably The Desperado and Boom Boom, Ain't it Great to be Crazy. There were also some students who were siblings of children I taught, and they had requests ready from songs theirs brothers or sisters had taught them! That's how it should work.

So we started with The Cat Came Back. The humorous, if not politically correct tale of how a man tries all means to get rid of his cat, but it ALWAYS comes back. We sang She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain, Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Titanic, It's a Small World, and several more. We also sang several Christmas favorites: Rudolph, Up on the Housetop, Feliz Navidad, Silent Night, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

I like to have the students stand for a lot of songs, especially those that have motions. Even a singalong could get boring if you just sit in your seat for an hour like in Math or Reading class. And there's no reason to stay in your seat all the time even for those classes. We all know that "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" (if you've seen Jack Nicholson in The Shining).

So we did Jingle Bells with motions, acted out the desperado with "a big sombrero and a gun beneath his vest," and provided sound effects for the Titanic when "that great ship went down--HIT the bottom!"

We sang songs that were from 40 years old to well over 100. And it was proved to me over again that children always love a good song if it's presented to them properly. Us old folks certainly get tired of the same old songs. When we saw Doc Watson, that's why he didn't sing "Deep River Blues," he just played it. And he didn't do "The Tennessee Stud," probably because he's done it till he dreams about it. But it's incumbent upon us adults, especially those who have a role in teaching children, to pass along some of our musical heritage. Believe me, they're not born knowing these songs, and they get just as excited about a fun tune or humorous lyrics as children did 35 years ago.

35 years ago. Hmmm. In 1975, I began teaching at Farm Life. There was an old clunker of a piano in the cafeteria. But on Friday afternoons, I would take my fifth graders in there and lead them in some of the songs that would remain on my song sheets for my entire career. Zelda Blue and her kitchen staff would be doing their Friday cleanup, and my students were raising the roof, singing at the top of their lungs. We got some smiles from Zelda and the others. That's the power of music, you know.

That's not to say that things never change. That old cafeteria, which seated only about 80 students at a time, is not a cafeteria any more. It was saved from demolition because a visionary art teacher, Cheryl Stuckey, thought it could be renovated. When New Century Middle School was built, and the sixth graders moved out of that renovated building, Principal Nora McNeill allowed me and Betty Lou Stewart to move in with our third graders. We didn't ask for it, and almost every other teacher had asked for it.

It was perfect. We called it "The Outback." I was able to create my "Adventure Classroom" there, for singalongs and much, much more. So you see, my very FIRST singalongs and my LAST singalongs were all in the same building!

But I don't believe in "fate." Should I? Do you?

This picture is from a Christmas singalong before I retired.

And Chipper still loves the part of "Santa's Helper."

For those of you who love the old songs of your childhood or want to recapture that love, the lyrics to ALL the songs of my class songsheets are found at this web address: http://schoolcenter.mcs.k12.nc.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=309.

Thanks to our wonderful media specialist, my old school website, with some fun stuff, is tucked away in Farm Life's website, under "Classrooms and Special Areas." I'm in "Resources and Special Areas." Pay me a visit.

Bubblin' Over with Blog Ideas

So many blog ideas, so little time. I'm not blogging as frequently as I did during my first year of retirement, but it's not for a lack of ideas. I get ideas not only from my many family activities, but from articles I read and issues that are near and dear to my heart. But many of these stay in "seed" form, sometimes for weeks on end. Some will fall by the wayside and never reach cyberspace. But hopefully the most important ones will.

Here are some topics I hope to post on before Christmas:

• Claire (babysat for the dear child Thursday and finally got more pictures)
• Brianna (babysitting her for a while today and hope to get more pictures)
• Friday's Christmas singalong with 2nd graders at Farm Life School
• School Construction progress at SFL
• Wise words from an early 1900's history book
• Photo essay on cemeteries of my Loyd ancestors
• Thanksgiving get-togethers
• Why Litterbugs should fear the techniques of CSI

Who knows which ones I'll actually complete, but I'm having fun turning over some of these ideas. I already have pictures for three of these topics. I guess I'd better get started.

Loyd-Taylor "Reunion"-- Part II

Monday was a day of anticipation at the Loyd house. Old friend Rachel was coming to visit, and bringing along her two children and her Nana. Jennifer and Amanda were coming over for this big event, because Rachel is one of the four Taylor girls who were best friends of our daughters for most of their growing-up years. In recent years, Rachel has lived farther away than the others, so this mini-reunion was a real treat. We had seen Sally and Grace and their chillun several weeks ago. (Jane, you don't have to wait till you have children to come visit--we'll party for you, too!)

Jennifer and Claire arrive first. Grandma Judy tells Claire about the history of the Loyd-Taylor friendships.
Rachel and daughter Maddie meet Claire for the first time.

Rachel's almost-five year old, Jack, is more interested in Hot Wheels and dinosaurs than babies.

Carla, Rachel's Nana and a great friend of ours, is delighted to have some lap time with Claire. Who wouldn't be?

While Rachel kicks back and converses, Maddie rebuilds the Twin Towers with Tupperware blocks.

Jack's curiosity won't let him stay in the other room for long.

Jennifer hangs on tight while Claire explores alternative viewpoints.

The Loyd living room begins to look like bygone days. Nice.

WOOO! Amanda and Brianna are here! "Two more girls," thinks Jack. (Get used to it, Jack.)

Babies, babies everywhere.

Claire tries a position that Jennifer and Amanda always loved. Best seat in the house.

Ten people, five conversations. That's typical for this group.

To hear the five conversations, watch this video. : )

Maddie's proud to show her princess dress. With accompanying elegant moves. All hereditary.

Jack's giant viper threatens the fire-breathing dragon.

Mom Rachel launches a surprise counter-attack.

That's right, Brianna. You may chew on anything you can't swallow.

"Ah, this is heaven," says Rachel. Both kids entertaining themselves for five minutes!"

"Look out, Mommy. Mr. Ken has another snake!"

Everybody say "Bye-bye" to Rachel and her crew. Please come again soon!

Believe me, Judy and I can never have too many of these reunions! The invitation is always open (we know you're listening, Charlie and Liz).