Louisville Wrap

I have just a few more things to commemorate about our trip to Kentucky before I move on to more recent events. First of all, we went to a really unique spot downtown; I think it's called Waterfront Park. This place is sort of hard to explain, but try to picture a long, two-tiered, hip-deep fountain with people wading and swimming in it and water cannons going off every now and again. I don't have any decent pictures of it, but it was pretty cool. Our kids were terrified because the water cascading down the fountain is quite loud... but with lots of time and some gentle coaxing, they did warm up enough to at least get their toesies wet. And of course, I, being a water-lover, had a great time! It's also an interesting people-watching spot. I'd recommend stopping by if you're ever in Louisville on a hot summer afternoon.

We got to see Grandma Wilcox twice during our stay; once we went to dinner at her lovely assisted care facility, and another day we stopped in for a late-morning visit. The kids kept it lively and amused themselves (and us) by: flirting with the other residents (Matthew), racing around the room with Grandma's walker like it was some sort of push toy (Meg), trying to push Grandma in her wheelchair (Matthew), and climbing on her bed (both). With these two around to keep us busy, we were short on meaningful conversation, but long on laughter.

Here, by the way, is this year's "Four Generations" picture... the best I could do. Sorry that the resolution is lousy.

We are happy to report that Grandma is doing very well. She's experienced ups and downs with her health in the last three years, but currently she is strong, attentive and engaged. Plus, she's cracking jokes like... well, like a Wilcox. She is taking an art class and had a fine painting of a race horse (good, solid Louisville subject) to show us. And she taught Meg a little rhyme about a pelican--the subject of another of her paintings, rendered some years ago.

Oh, what a bird is the pelican!
Its beak holds more than its belly can...

Most evenings after the kids were down, Dad, Jan, Dave and I sat on the back patio and played rummy. We kept a running score. And let me just tell you, though I'm not usually a big winner at any kind of game, this time I really outdid myself! After a strong start on the first night, I hit a streak of bad luck (or bad playing?) and continued along so poorly that by the final evening, I was fully 500 points behind the leader. Of course, my husband, Mr. Midas, played brilliantly and was the obvious one to win the whole thig. But then, in a surprise upset on the last evening, Jan swept in and hit 1,000 first! Go, Jan! (She's a triathlete, ya know. That fightin' spirit doesn't get left behind when she gets out of the pool.) Anyway, the games provided great opportunities for us to laugh, converse, make fun of each other, and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Which reminds me--while we were there, Dave installed an outdoor ceiling fan under Dad and Jan's pergola! It was already a nice spot, but the fan is a finishing touch that really makes it. Sitting out there on a warm night, I was quite comfortable in my long-sleeved t-shirt--such was the refreshing breeze created by my husband's industry! (He amazes me, really. Is there anything that he doesn't do well?)

A few more fun memories from this trip:
-a just-the-girls shopping trip with Jan, Meg and moi
-redefining "YOG" for Dad
-watching Meg careen through Dad and Jan's house with blue wagon in tow
-seeing Matthew warm up to Dad and Jan (they were getting BIG smiles from our mama's boy by the third day or so)
-our little family trip to Graeter's for super-yummy ice cream
-running (literally, at Meg's behest) around Dad and Jan's neighborhood together

Oh, and here's our favorite Meg story from the whole time: It's Thursday morning, the car is packed, and we're almost ready to leave for Virginia. Dave, Meg, Matthew and I are eating breakfast. Dave's Dad is in his room (located right next to the kitchen/dining room) getting ready for work. Through the closed door, we hear him blow his nose... somewhat loudly. Meg's ears perk up and her brow furrows. "What's that?" she whispers intensely. Then--mystery solved. Her face clears and she exclaims with certainty, "Lawn mower!"

Dave just about died laughing.

All Done, Car Rides!

No more of this for a while, little girl:

Yes, we are finally back at home. It's funny that it feels like "finally"-- after all, we were only gone for nine days. But when three of those days are spent road-tripping with little ones, let me tell you, home seems like an awfully good place to be. Time to dig back in to work, to cooking, to laundry, to routines, to friendships... and to blogging!

Farewell, Louisville

This morning we're saying goodbye to Kentucky and bound for old Virginia. (Sweet, sweet Virginia--my dear home state!) Thanks a million-bazillion to Dad and Jan for your generous hospitality and your time. We enjoyed our stay so much. Love y'all!

The Louisville Zoo (Again)

Yesterday we made our second annual (how many years do you have to do something before you consider it "annual"?) trip to the Louisville Zoo. The weather was unbelievable! I kept thinking about how hot it was last year when we went and marveling that it could be so much lovelier, despite the fact that this trip takes place a month later in the summer than last year's!

Another comparison to last year: seeing the zoo with two-year Meg was rather different than seeing it with one-year old Meg. One year old Meg was content to proceed at the pace set by her adult companions, content to be lifted in our arms, to gaze at one group of animals for several minutes at a time, to listen to our observations about the animals' stripes, teeth, neck, swimming ability, etc. But two-year old Meg set her own pace, leading the rest of us through the zoo. Giraffes? OK, seen 'em, let's move on. Lions? Yeah, yeah, yeah, what's next? Elephants? Very nice, let's check that off the list and get on with it, shall we?

In all seriousness, Meg did seem to enjoy the trip, she was just a bit more... um, businesslike than Dave and I expected. But she didn't stay quite that brusque through the entire morning. Eventually she even spoke up with requests that we visit two specific animals: the turtles and the tiger. And I think my favorite line from the day was when, as we left the zebras' coral, Meg bid them farewell with: "Bye-bye, Zeebas. Have good day, sweet boys!"

A few pictures, now, to wrap this up. I didn't really get many shots of the animals this time around, but we'll start with the few I did take.

Warthogs are truly one of God's most amazingly bizarre creations, wouldn't you agree?


Daddy and Meg checking out the rhinos, which this picture miserably misrepresents. They are magnificently huge beasts.


I love the fact that this zoo has an old-fashioned carousel. Romantic that I am, I loooove a good carousel and still find them wonderfully magical, as I did when I was a child. What a treat to take my own children on them now! Here's Meg awaiting our turn.


And my boys, waiting too:


Dave says to Mathew during our spin, "Yeah, this is pretty tame, huh, buddy? Next time I'll take you on Top Thrill Dragster." [That's a Cedar Point coaster, for our fellow coaster fans.]) After I gave my husband my best "don't-you-dare-destroy-the-magic" icy stare, it was gratifying to witness Matthew crying when the carousel ride ended.


Meg astride her noble steed:

I wish I could have captured her expression when the ride began; her eyes lit up and she inhaled slowly, looking all around her... I know I'm a sap, but watching her made my eyes fill up with tears.

And a family shot, taken by a kindly stranger who said just before he clicked, "OK, now try to look like you're having a good time." It seemed odd at the moment, since Dave and I were grinning our faces off. But after seeing the photo, we realize that he must have been addressing our children. :)