This Reminds Me

Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

Just returned from a quick trip to see “The Cousins” in Houston.

My sister Judy (pictured), my brilliant niece Sarah and I did quite a bit of thizzzz.  We are always ready to settle down for long winter’s naps.

This was my usual view of the kids this week – the backs and sides of heads clustered around whatever iPod, DSi, Nook, Android, iPhone, etc. was handy.  Laura – age eight – picked up Rachel’s Android tablet for the first time and had pulled up Netflix in moments.  They all amaze me.

And now we’re on countdown for the happiest of birthday parties.

Merry Christmas!

Tonight all six of us clapped for Julia, one of the fifth grade Arabian dancers in her school’s performance of “The Nutcracker.”

Lean to the left!  Julia is front and center.  She thought her placement was because she was not as tall as some of the other performers, but Rachel assured her only the good dancers made the front row.

This was the last elementary school play for Keith and me, having attended our first in 1996 enduring enjoying kindergartener Rachel belting out “Baby Beluga, Under the Sea.”  More memorable Woodworth moments on stage included Lois-the-sheep “molting” while white cotton balls slowly loosened from her shower cap, Hannah-the-Greek Goddness singing a duet of “Greece is the Word,” and Rachel portraying a sausage in a play (whose name escapes me) about food products.  Seldom had I seen pork played to that depth.

We’re entering a season of “lasts” and “firsts” at home.  “Last” school play.  “First” child” preparing to leave for college.  “Last” child in the children’s ministry at church.  “First” summer we could just stop somewhere on the way home from work if we wanted to.  “Last” Sister’s Day coming up where all four girls will be home.  “First” year of serious boyfriends.  And the beat goes on.

The chorus struck a chord with me:

Desert sands that spin and blow

Distant stars that gleam and glow

Desert midnight

Camels lie sleeping

Silver moon shines bright

Desert midnight

Silent sands keeping

Watch all through the night

I think those “desert sands that spin and glow” are the sands of time, swirling more and more quickly.

I’m watching.  Some days for the first time, and some days for the last.  But I’m watching.

Rachel – an education major at UTSA – was required to hand write and secure illustration for a children’s book.  Her “Writing Methods” professor returned hers today with a grade of 100.  Woot!  We ordered three copies of “Middle School on Monday” – one for the esteemed author; one for her illustrator (Lois); and one for the fifth grade subject of the tome (Julia.)

Boys and girls – put your hands in your laps and read along very quietly with me.  Try sounding out each word.  Raise your hand if you need help.

Illustrator Lois is known for her anime talent.

When Julia starts Middle School next year, it will be our first time since 1996 not to have a child (or two or three) in an Elementary grade.

Julia and I attended the Electives Fair a few weeks ago.  The idea of her choosing a few of her own classes is very strange to her.

Rachel-the-Shopper has found far more of Julia’s “cute” clothes than I have.

Julia has enjoyed  consistently excellent teachers in Elementary School.  We will always be grateful to them.

“Awesome big sister…”  Now whom could that be?!

Believe it or not, the Middle School administration says the biggest fear of new students is working the locks on their lockers.

“Shout” is such an ugly word.  I would have preferred her to use “reminding.”  DID YOU HEAR THAT, RACHEL WYOMING?  I SAID “REMINDING!!”

Yes, we will!

Gobble gobble!  We had a great Thanksgiving at Casa Woodworth.

Visiting out-of-town family included two members of the “Marie Club” – my sister Judith Marie and her granddaughter Laura Marie – pictured with our Hannah Marie.  When Hannah and her Scout troop enjoyed Disney World over spring break, she shopped for several (Aristocats) Marie gifts for Laura.

Great nephew James will start kinder next year.  Rachel adores him,   I took him, Laura, Julia and Hannah to play miniature golf Friday and let me tell you, I was ready for nap when we got home.  In fact – Judy and I napped together off and on all weekend, much to the amusement of indelicate spouses and children who muttered such gems as, “We’ll get you both rocking chairs for Christmas next year,” and “Soon it will be time for your medications.”  They better be more respectful or we’ll whack them with our canes.

Keith bought an electric turkey fryer this year, retiring the cauldron, broomstick and rope required in past years to cook the big birds.  Everyone agreed:  Best turkey he’s done.  Very moist, and the actual cooking is a lot less dangerous.  Our lunch for 18 included two fried turkeys, a smoked turkey (gift) and a ham – and we didn’t have an obscene amount of meat left by the weekend.  I used the scraps of the ham in a pot of pintos last night, and made a casserole with the last of the turkey today.

Our friends John and Linda – with whom we always do Thanksgiving – get two airmen trainees from Lackland each year, as do Keith and I.  So we enjoy the company of four airmen, all of whom – as six-year-old Hannah too-loudly commented in 2002 – are “good eaters.”  (l-r) Brandon from Kentucky, Ally from Arizona and Melissa from Missouri – all members of the Clean Plate Club.  Brandon asked, “Are we going to have pie?  I really like pie.”  What kind, I responded.  “Any kind!”  He had his choice of three chocolate, two pecan, two chess and two pumpkin – covered in foil behind him.

I gave the airmen my little Olympus to use during the day so they can take pictures of themselves.  Before Keith and John return them to base, I collect email addresses – parents, girlfriends, teachers, siblings, whomever – and push out a link to an online album.   Moms love it.  We got this lovely note back from the mother of Andrew (West Virginia):  “Thank you for the pictures.  They are our first photos of him since he left where we can actually see how he’s doing. How can we ever thank you enough for opening your home and sharing it with Andrew and the others.  It’s our first Thanksgiving apart and it was so much easier knowing he was with a family who would make him a part of their Thanksgiving.  When he called he was so excited and extremely thankful to have a day off base.”  Very kind, but really – John, Linda, Keith and I love hosting them.  Judy noticed an interesting trait all four shared and in retrospect, it’s been true every year – these kids want to not only serve our country, but also to improve themselves.   They know the military will provide opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.  They’re strong, smart and hard-working with an eye on whom and what they might become.  They want to improve their chances of success.   And they’re not “occupying” anything except a bunk until 4 a.m.

Friday’s Thanksgiving decorations had to make way for a Christmas tree yesterday, plus holiday Fiestaware.  My Christmas CD’s are now in my iTunes, so I’ll be humming with Trans-Siberian in the kitchen next time I dock my iPhone in its speakers.  In the meantime, I’ll just chair dance with this favorite while I think about going back to work tomorrow.