lately...

Do you remember these...

well, they were blanched, cooled, packaged, and frozen until...the freezer came unplugged and they rotted. So, if you would like to know how my ultradomestic phase is going...just know that it is over, at least for this year.

On a more exciting note. Here is what little James is up to these days. He is obsessed with firetrucks, choo-choos and diggers (is he a boy or what?). Mom took him to see the firetrucks in Kosciusko. It was a big hit.

 We spent a morning at the Neshoba County Fair with Marianna and Benji. Do you think James is getting too old for me to encourage him to kiss everyone??

 James rolled (literally) in sawdust, saw the sad animals at the petting zoo, and ran around like a wild man. It was great to see friends and catch up amidst chasing a toddler.

 After the fair, James and I headed back to Kosciusko where James had an encounter with a bee. See left eye! He was a trooper but screamed for quite a while.

 This is him the morning after...you should see the other guy.

 As you can see by my documentation, our summer has been full of minor injuries. See right eye. James crashed into the back of the couch (after throwing all of the pillows off). He also has mastered looking into the camera and saying "cheese."

 This is what we did this morning while enjoying not getting dressed until...well, too late to mention.

By the way, guess who slept on a mat at parents' day out this week....impressive!! Nothing too excited, just a little glimpse into our humdrum daily life here on Wallace Rd.

summertime

Time is flying and I've neglected a lot of things...my house, the laundry, and my blog. So here are a few of the highlights.

1. Gardening. Isaac has provided food for our table in may ways this summer. We have picked and eaten tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, bell peppers, jalapenos, squash, zucchini and beans. If you are impressed...you should be. Isaac has worked hard (with a little help from some friends). James and I are counter productive, as James prefers to throw the tomatoes and dump out the buckets.

 Isaac's homemade pickles have been a hit!

 I spent more time than I care to admit and sweated more than I would ever tell, as I put up 5 cans of green beans. It was not glamorous, I complained as I did it, and I am not even sure if I did it right. I guess we will find out this winter when we eat them!

2. Trips to Mississippi

 James learned to jump on the trampoline and jump into the pool while in Kosy. He also got in some good cousin time.

 (Doesn't it look like we own a daycare?)

In Louisville, James saddled up and went for a little horse ride thanks to cousin Lori.

3. Fun in Memphis. I have enjoyed discovering the city through the eyes of a 1 year old. We have loved the zoo, botanic gardens, and children's museum.

 Elephants and the zoo

 Digging for fossils at the zoo.


This little clown has kept us on our toes...he goes non-stop, laughs a lot, gets in trouble a lot and is quite a delight.

Memorial Day weekend

James found these boots in his closet this week and refused to take them off Sunday morning. I had to do a little distracting to change shoes before church. They are a little too big; therefore, he falls a lot while wearing them. This does not discourage his efforts. They look particularly good with his pj top and diaper.

 The Byrd family ventured out to explore the city yesterday afternoon. We sweated, we were a little disappointed, but we were glad to get out of the house. James, Isaac and I went downtown to Mud Island River Park. They have a model of the Mississippi that you can walk through. What I didn't plan on is that the Miss River has varying depths, which makes it challenging for a toddler to maintain balance as he walked down the stream. I also didn't calculate all of the "big" kids that would be playing in the water with no awareness of those around them.

 It was fun to watch the barges pass, oh so slowly. James has learned to say "boat" (although, Isaac reminded me...it's not a boat, it is a barge).

 Here James has arrived at the "Gulf of Mexico." He really wanted to get into the swan paddle boat...we firmly said no.

It has been a treat to have Isaac home today. He has worked hard in our backyard and it is looking pretty good! Happy Monday!

we know who has the green thumb in this family...

it is not me. Isaac and a couple of friends have labored long and hard at their Shelby Farms community garden plot. They plowed, planted, watered, weeded and have this week begun to see the fruit of their labor. James and I have "helped" a few afternoons/mornings. James is good at weeding until he mistakes a "real" plant for a big weed. This morning, I was excited to see this...

 So, we hurried home and make a little of this for lunch! I don't know if it is just knowing that your veggies were literally picked hours ago or if they really do taste that much better...but these were quite yummy. James even tried them (which is impressive considering his anti-vegetable stance).

Thanks to my mother-in-law, I'm learning to love cooking with a cast iron skillet. I may never go back to non-stick.

While gardening isn't quite as fun as sitting by the beach (Mom/Dad and Ed/Emily), we are enjoying a nice/slow day at home (only slightly jealous).

Hope you all are having a wonderful long weekend.

I can remember having a 6 week or 9-week session at school and thinking, it was such a long time. Six weeks goes by in a blink of an eye these days. We are in a busy season of life at the Byrd house. It seems that there is constant activity, which makes time go even faster. James is growing and changing weekly. He is becoming more verbal by the day. He has added "no" to his repertoire (oh goodie!). He has spent time with cousins from near and far.
We celebrated ZD's 100th birthday.
We watched the final game of the Grizzlies playoff season.
We showered Halley Williams and the twins with gifts, food and fun.
We celebrated birthdays and mother's day.
Life is full.
I hope I am soaking it up and not just getting through it.

My computer is acting up and I can't seem to find my pictures from the last few weeks. So here are some photos to make you smile!

 James gave himself to Katy for graduation.

 He has discovered his creative side. Maybe he will be into body art...his Big Daddy and Poppie will love that!

the Byrds lately

You would think with all of the packing I've done over the last several weeks, I would be efficient. Not the case. Last weekend we traveled back to Louisville to visit with the Adam Byrd clan. It was cold, I went to Wal-Mart and James and I wore the same thing all weekend. Thankfully, our family didn't seem to notice or mind. (On the positive side, winter clothes at Wal-Mart, while not abundant or attractive, were on sale!) We had a blast watching these cousins interact, play and get to know each other. And as always, we love seeing the Brownlee clan...they are great babysitters and entertainers for James. Leah and Tal Hendrix also made the trip up from Jackson to see the Byrds. We were sad to say goodbye to our family up north, and we eagerly await their move back to Miss in 5 short years!! Here are a few pictures.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hearing my niece and friend, Katy defend her thesis for the Honors College. She did a fabulous job, as expected. James and I enjoyed seeing most of the Hartman kiddos and Nana and Big Daddy. James played with some cool college kids in the Grove while I heard Katy present. He was so entertained, he didn't want to leave. It wore him out, and he slept long and hard this morning. But, his energy is back and this is where I found him earlier today...what a helper!

Isaac and I are gearing up for the NBA playoffs game Sunday night. Isaac asked me to make sure my jersey is clean (yes, I have a jersey and I will be wearing it).

Happy Saturday!

Haircut and artwork

The week has flown by, as they seem to do these days. We have unpacked, and I'm currently packing again to head to Louisville to see some very missed cousins! It has been an eventful week at the Byrd house, at least for James.

Wednesday, I took James to the High Point Barber Shop for his first "real" haircut. I tried to take a picture, but in the midst of holding his hands down, putting food in his mouth and trying to keep everyone calm, the picture on my phone was only a blur. But, I did get an after shot. He looks so much older. I hope to not have to relive the haircut experience for a while.

 Today, while I attempted to get the kitchen clean, James attempted a little artwork. He's about as neat as his mother. After this was taken, he proceeded to draw on the table and his stomach. I'm thankful for washable markers.

Well, back to I-55. We should invest in our own gas station. But, it is well worth it for a visit with some of our favorite people. Happy Friday!

P.S.- Toby, this makes 2 posts in one week...I'm trying.