Dickerson Garden 2014

As a biology major, you would think that I would be less than mesmerized by the garden.  Obviously, I've got a pretty good grasp on photosynthesis and respiration.  However, the garden truly amazes me. 

This past spring, my Uncle Tim and Aunt Candy came by to visit on their way to "check the cows".  If you've never lived in the country, that is code for "we are bored so we go look at our cows in various pastures".  Seriously though, we discussed gardens, etc.  Several weeks later, Uncle Tim showed back up with his tractor and offered to "break up the land" for my garden.  Although we have access to my Daddy's tractor in the barn, I'm smart enough to capitalize on free labor by an expert.  So, Uncle Tim broke up the garden.  My cousin Bobby and Chad built a fence to protect the garden from the cows and various other critters. 

Finally, we were able to plant some "ongions" (according to Farmer Blake).  All five of us spent about an hour and lots of laughter planting an onion patch because Blake Dickerson couldn't grasp the concept of rows.  Several weeks after that, we planted squash, watermelon, okra, cantaloupe and various pepper varieties.  I peeked in on my very first garden fairly often.  The plants were growing slowly.  However, in the month of June, the garden has really grown.  We've had what I would consider to be an unusually wet June.  We've picked more jalapeño peppers than I can even begin to eat, freeze, give away, etc.  The tomatoes are in abundance as well.  The onions were either mediocre or terrible.  We really didn't have great luck with large onions this year.  The squash were kind of small initially too; however, with the most recent rain, we've managed to harvest a few grocery store size squash.   My cantaloupe plants died.  I think with our sandy soil and a few 4 year old footprints nearby, the roots may have rotted with the water pooled around them.

The mesmerizing aspect of the garden is the simplicity.  Seriously, we tilled up a small patch of sandy, nothing fancy land and planted less than $50 worth of plants.  We sprinkled a little fertilizer and made sure there was water when God wasn't providing that free of charge.  Other than that, we've done nothing.  In exchange for a few dollars and a couple hours of manual labor, we've been blessed with hundreds of dollars worth of fresh vegetables for ourselves and some to share. 

I tried explaining my fascination with the garden to Kennedy.  I was thinking it was going to be one of those bonding moments. She simply said, "Yes Mom, water and sunshine and chlorophyll make plants grow."  I remember feeling similar amazement when Kennedy was born.  We all know that egg plus sperm and 40 weeks makes baby.  But until you have actually experienced MAKING another human being, it's hard to wrap your brain around God's miracle.  The garden is my newest miracle. 

 I do love fresh tomatoes and bacon wrapped jalapeño peppers. But, I'd be lying if I said they were my favorite part of the garden.  Seriously, who can resist a girl in her panties and boots with the "garden bag" waiting on her big sister's approval to "pick dis one".

Just Add a Little Dash of Spice to Your Family!

About a month ago, I had a moment of temporary insanity. Meet the newest Dickerson girl--Dash.

Now, the first question we get when we introduce her is, "What is her name?" We answer "Dash" and get that famous "aww". However, we can all see on people's faces that they are really thinking, "uh, what the heck were they thinking?". Here's the story. Dash became Dash because Uncle Roscoe and Aunt Stacey have a small dog named Flash. Blake can't say "Flash" so, she calls Flash "Dash". The moment Blake saw the puppy, she started calling the her "Dash". Kennedy and Taylor were not excited about naming her Dash. They made lists of names, created voting charts, and even conducted oral surveys. They were serious about the name selection process. However, after about a week of trying to convince Blake to call her anything between Pippy and Peanut Butter, they finally gave in and accepted that the dog responds to "Dash" because she hears Blake say it about 2.6 million times each day.

Dash was kind of stinky the first few days, so she had to have a bath. We all knew she was tiny, but seeing her wet really made an impression on the girls about how tiny and fragile she really was.

BADkid and Dash have become best buds.  Well, according to BADkid they are inseparable.  I have a strong suspicion that Dash doesn't really care so much for BADkid most of the time.  Although we've had a few scary moments when Dash was stepped on, slung, or thrown, for the most part, she has acclimated to life with a two year old quite well.

Blake is paying her bills while Dash is
passed out

BADkid even trusts that sleepy dog with her corn dog

Can't you read this expression?  You mean
I have to put her down long enough to eat?

Yes, this is the "easy" hug, Mom

Shhh!  When she's like this is the only time
she doesn't run and hide from me

Pool girls?

Aww is all I can say about this

See the cloth book?  Yes, she held her down
and periodically turned the pages as she "read"
the book to Dash...it was the Christmas story!

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BADkid says, "Dash play me with your hello".  Dash's face
looks more like, "Hello!  Is anyone going to help me?"

No!No! Dash!  These are MY shoes! (But they're Taylor's)



Momma!  Dash got my shoes!


And with all fabulous productions, a grand finale is required.  This picture just makes me giggle.  I'm sure one day those of you with a two year old in the Henderson area will see this again in a senior slide show or something just as fantastic.  BADkid L.O.V.E.S. her Dash.  She truly believes that if she can do it, Dash can too.  Obviously now we know that she also believes that if Dash can do it, then she can too!  Enjoy!




Monkey See, Monkey Do



She's got it all!

I have an amazingly, awesome nine year old.  She made me a mom and Chad a dad.  I never really thought a lot about that, but that's a huge accomplishment, right? 

Kennedy and I at her first Rangers game

Kennedy is beautiful. 

Deer Lease Days

I think all of my girls are beautiful, but something about her bronzed skin and striking eyes just make me stare at her in awe sometimes.  She has a heart of gold.  She is not perfect.  Her number one struggle at this stage of life is pouting.  Although pouting makes me crazy, I know that she is going to overcome this struggle.


Kennedy is SMART. 

See.  She knows to send in someone else to check it out first!

I have always been very cautious not to label my children as "smart" because I teach kids in a public school.  Approximately 99% of parents think their kids are above average, or even brilliant.  Now, I know my kids are above average.  Seriously, DNA like mine and Chad's...what else could they be other than phenomenal?  Oh, let me reach my arm back around from patting myself on the back and get back to the point.  Kennedy.  Kennedy attended kindergarten, first grade, and second grade at the tiny school where I work.  She stood out among many of her peers.  Her teachers would rave about how well she did in school. I've heard several times, "If I had a class full of Kennedy..." or "I just love having her in class". As a teacher, I know that often the well-behaved kids are considered to be the top students.  And even more often than that, the kids who have stable home lives and parents who read to them appear to be brilliant while the under-exposed children may need a few years to catch up on life experiences.  So, I have been skeptical.

She's really just a country girl

At the beginnin of third grade, Kennedy changed schools.  She attended the school in our town rather than the school where I work.  She went from a single class of each grade (about 22 students) to about 200 third graders.  I was a nervous wreck about such a change for her.  However, within her first three days of school, the school called.  They wanted to do some testing to determine her IQ, etc.  She was subsequently placed in the G/T program.  (Disclaimer--I know that many intelligent children are not accepted into the G/T program.  I know that most of us parents consider our "over-achiever" children to be gifted.  I think Kennedy probably hoovers on the border and definitely is an over achiever.  And to be honest, research shows that on average, the over-achiever type people are more successful than the truly gifted people based on ability to maintain employment, relationships, etc.)  I was proud of Kennedy for being selected for the G/T program because it gave her a dose of confidence in a scary new school.  And for the record, she has had a phenomenal year with amazing projects in G/T.  The real point here was that in her new school with a lot of third graders, Kennedy got an award for reading.  Yes, this is brag on Kennedy blog.  I am so proud that she is able to excel "in the big pond" and not just at the tiny school.

Fashion?  Well, she was going for the 80s look!

Kennedy is definitely one of the best big sisters on the planet.  Now, she has had almost seven years to practice this most important role.  She is incredibly mature and responsible when I need her to be.  She is not immune from the day to day fussing and instigating to irritate her younger sisters.  However, when it comes right down to it, I can always count on Kennedy to take the initiative to help her sisters and keep them safe.

Our "brother"-- Digger Nascar Dickerson

Sister Stars

Kennedy is intense.  She is passionate.  When Kennedy does something, she DOES it with all of her being.  Some of her favorite things to do right now are play softball, read, and fish.  She's pretty serious about hunting as well!  She is such a great kid.  She's what I would consider to be well rounded.  One funny thing about Kennedy that many people don't realize is that she is a chicken!  She can bargain her way out of just about anything if it involves thunder, the dark, or being alone.  Remember her desperate need for her own room almost a year ago?  Well, she has her own room now and hasn't slept in it alone yet.  Poor Taylor has become the corner sleeper on the floor while Kennedy enjoys the bed. 



Serious about the game



No time to play.  We are here to FISH!

All or nothing...including the jewelry

This is one fine kid!  She's funny.  She's intuitive.  She "gets it" when others may not.  If she figures out how to deal with her disappointments approriately and always has a flashlight for the dark, she will be unstoppable in life!

And We L-O-V-E Her...

Wow!  Two years! 

Blake Alayne made her appearance around noon on April 12.  She was welcomed by two super-excited big sisters.  Her gender was a surprise.  In typical Kennedy and Taylor fashion, one wanted a brother and one a sister. 

Blake Alayne 5lb. 7oz.

It's funny now that we can't even imagine life without her...or with a brother instead.  She has been a living doll for the older sisters.

My first pedi

Although she has been treated like a doll, she has also been exposed to many of Kennedy and Taylor's favorite activities.  She has been decked out in camouflage from head to toe, enjoyed the 4-wheelers, and "hunted" since she was six months old.

My first deer call shirt and my first Hershey bar

  You know that saying about the third (or fourth or fifth) child being treated differently than the first children?  Well, I have never been overly protective.  However, I can say that poor BADkid has had it rough.  I had a brilliant idea for an awesomely cute picture of her in the tire swing at the deer lease.  Well, about 30 seconds later her head slipped between the two sides of the tire and was stuck.  Yes, she screamed.  Yes, I was a little embarrassed, but I also took a picture before I got her out! 


Just swinging at the deer lease



When she's not being hauled around and "taken care of" by an older sister, she sleeps well.  She was a pacifier baby.  Bedtime required a pacifier and "the blanket".  Somewhere around this time we figured out that the blanket was more about the soft tag, but the tag does have to be attached to HER blanket...no substitutes, please!



Sleeping at about 9 months

 Although Blake was born with hair, it didn't last long.  When she was about a month old, it all fell out.  She was not as bald as the pictures make it look, but the fuzz was thin!  I cried when it all fell out.  She is the first "bald" Dickerson girl that we've had.



My First Easter



She is all of the amazing things that moms always say about their children.  I could write for days about how sweet and cuddly she can be--on her own terms.  I could also write for days about how persistent and hard headed she is about so many things.  She is a believer in the toddler's rules.

Author: Unknown

TODDLER’S RULES
1.1- If I want it, it's mine
2- If it's in my hand, it's mine
3- If I can take it away from
you, it's mine
4- If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
5- If it's mine, it must never appear
to be yours in any way
6- If we are building something together,
all the pieces are mine
7- If it just looks like mine, it's mine
8- If I think it's mine, it's mine
9- If I give it to you and change
my mind later, it's mine
10- Once it's mine it will never belong
to anyone else, no matter what

When you get into your sisters' room and stuff, they hold you down and "play" with you!  This is what I found in Kennedy's room one morning before school.



Look Mom!  She likes it!

  Remember that toddler's rules thing?  She is a believer, and we have all lost our cool with her over OUR things!



MY phone and MY boots!



I may still have a pacifier, but I can read and write

We are going to put all these lights where?

I know that the more children you have, the less attention each of them get.  Obviously we are taking a risk with THREE kids.  But I think we can all agree that this child has been "mothered" enough.  Seriously, look at those "mommy skills" with the eye contact and everything.

Don't cry baby, it's MY stroller!

As the mother of two very vocal children, I was a little concerned about Blake's speech.  The pediatrician wasn't concerned because he knows Kennedy and Taylor so well.  He laughed and said that Blake probably had no real need to speak because she could point, grunt, and get results.  He was right!  Finally, around 21 months old, she started to show more interest in talking.  It hasn't stopped!

Super sick baby still singing "your face will surely show it"

Kennedy and Taylor were attached to their pacifiers.  Blake, however, was even more attached (I'm pretty sure she was born with it).  I was s.t.r.e.s.s.e.d. out about the pacifier.  First, I knew that it was going to be miserable to get her to live without it.  Secondly, I knew she was my last baby and I didn't want her to grow up.  But, I was also concerned about her speech development. I'm "that mom" who was insistent that by two, we would be without the pacifier.  As ridiculous as it sounds, even the grandparents were asking what I was going to do because I was "the one" who had taken it away from the other two girls. 

In February (at 22 months old) Blake got sick.  She was very sick.  Although she was diagnosed with the flu at the Emergency Clinic, I'm sure it was really the lovely hand, foot, mouth disease.  She had a crazy high fever and an obviously sore throat.  She eventually developed and awesome rash that you can see around her mouth in the picture above.  She was miserable, and I was exhausted and ready to leave home.  She would not take the pacifier because her throat (mouth?) hurt.  Although it was the longest week of my life, in the end it was wonderful because the pacifier problem had resolved itself.  She asked a few times as she felt better, and we told her, "It was nasty and we put it in the trash".  She smiled and said, "Nasty.  In trash."   

Blake is into everything.  She is a climber like no other Dickerson.  I suspect that might have contributed to the broken foot at 19 months old.  I was going to insert a picture of her with the red cast, but I realized you can see them here.

Blake has recently began pulling the Barbie bucket around and using it for either A) a box to sit in or B) a stool to reach the things we've tried to put out of her reach!  Taylor is still short enough that we have stools around.  (Well, maybe I need them sometimes too!).  But, Blake is so bad about climbing that we've had to keep them picked up.  So, if you come to my house, you are likely to see a stool on the bar in the kitchen, the counter in the girls bathroom, and on the filing cabinet in the closet.  Just last week I found her using my new camera in the bag as a stool to reach the box of goldfish on the counter.

"CHEEEEESE!"

 Blake Alayne is precious, and we love her.  She is exhausting, and we love her.  She is funny, and we love her.  BADkid is "cheese", and we love her.  She is getting more hair, and we love her.



Baby Sit!


Blake Alayne Dickerson is T-W-O, and we L-O-V-E her!

The End...of the trip!

Yes, it is really April 23, and I am still trying to finish up the blog from a trip the last week of January.  I know.  It's pathetic.  But, this is my life...and I apparently thrive on the "if I could just get caught up" feeling.  It is my "normal".

After the morning at Statue of Liberty, we had to hurry.  The girls and I had a date on "Cherry Tree Lane" with Mary Poppins!  But, our lack of navigation expertise and my stress level landed us here!

 Amanda and I were a little nervous, but Taylor and Sophie thought it was awesome!

The musical was phenomenal.  I know that I am not an expert critic, but I love Mary Poppins.  If you've seen it (or anything else professionally performed), you know how ridiculously expensive it can be.  This was my THIRD time to see Mary Poppins.  Yes, I think it was even better than Lion King. 

After Mary Poppins, we finally made our way to one of the most anticipated stops of the entire trip--FAO!  Two years ago, Kennedy and Sadie were able to dress a Barbie on the computer. Then the Barbie came out on a runway and was announced in typical NY Fashion Week style with their names as the designers.  Taylor and Sophie have looked forward to this moment for two.stinkin.years.  We went up the escalator and immediately to the Barbie section of the store where we found...wait for it...the Barbie style show thing was G.O.N.E.  Yep, two broken-hearted little girls. 

However, the BIG Piano was still in action.  And, Kennedy and Sadie didn't get to see a live performance like Taylor and Sophie did.  Yes, it made me and Amanda feel better to point this out.  However, the little girls were not as impressed.  They wanted Barbie! 

The days were cool, but not miserable.  However, the early mornings and late evenings were C.O.L.D.  Taylor and I figured out pretty quickly that cuteness doesn't matter as much as warmth!

The final stop of the evening was The Top of the Rock.  This place is one of my favorite places in NY to visit.  It is amazing during the day and absolutely breathtaking at night. 



Empire State Building from Top of the Rock



At the very Top of the Rock is a "light room".  I'm not sure what exactly the room is other than fun.  For most people they come in and leave within five minutes.  However, Taylor and Sophie were in awe.  We stayed in this room for about 45 minutes and tried to make our colors "mix".  You can tell by Taylor's face that she was bored beyond belief with this concept.

Sophie trying to find her color in background and Taylor making hers light up



Finally after a long, busy day, it was the final ride "home".  I have no idea what was really going on in this picture.  However, the expressions on their faces are priceless!




End of Day Two

Since I clearly have a time management problem, I thought I would go ahead and close out the final post of the trip on one long blog.  So, just pretend it has been another month and a half (about June 5) and I am finally getting to this last day!

Day Three of NYC

Upon arriving in NYC, I was disappointed to hear that  in order to see the Memorial Fountains you have to have a pass and that they are "sold out" months in advance.  You don't really have to purchase them, but everything I knew about them suggested that I would not be able to get even a glimpse of the fountains.  But, while I couldn't sleep after such a busy day, I pulled out my handy-dandy phone and looked online.  I was able to get four passes for early the next morning.  I was SUPER EXCITED!  Sophie and Taylor didn't have a clue, but they smiled for a picture.

We were blessed by such a heartwarming experience while standing near one of the fountains.  A lady came up to the fountain and looked over the many names.  She suddenly flagged down the other two people in her group and shouted, "Here it is!"  The three of them gathered around and rubbed the engraved name, hugged, and cried.  I was touched and wished Taylor could understand the significance.  For just a brief moment I thought maybe she had an inkling of what the names meant.

We continued strolling around the fountains, talking about September 11, 2001, and reading names.  Taylor found someone with a last name "Taylor". She pointed to the name and asked me to take her picture.  I obliged.  As I removed the camera she said, "Mom, that's cool.  I got my name on here and I didn't even have to die!"  As preciously innocent as her comment was, I was terrified that family members there to mourn would not appreciate her innocence that I found somewhat humorous.  So,we moved right along. 

After such an emotionally charged visit to the Memorial Fountains, we headed back to The Rockefeller Center.  The girls were anxious to ice skate.  Amanda and I were not so anxious to ice skate.  But, we decided to suck it up and enjoy the opportunity.  I must say that it was truly one of the best times I've ever had in NYC.  Ice skating in Rockefeller Center.  I think it should've been on my bucket list--if I had one.  I was the last one off the ice saying, "one more time".  The little girls didn't even whine or cry when they got cold.  Fortunately, no one was soaking wet from falling either.

From the ice.  We were WAY UP THERE yesterday!

  

Action shot!  This was her only fall and I got it.

How many best friends will have this memory?  I love them both.



Look!  We do tricks!



Ellen's Stardust Diner is another "must do" for NYC.  This is a diner where the waitstaff sings and dances on the tables, etc.  Many of their former waiters are now on Broadway.  One of the waiters there was a finalist on American Idol (they said).  Sophie and Taylor lit up like Christmas Trees when this guy came over to sing to them.

And a final good-bye to NYC.  Here are the "little girls" who aren't so little, posing on a fountain.  I have no idea where this fountain is other than in NYC.  I do have a similar picture of the "big girls" on this same fountain.  Amanda and I thought it would be so neat to have an identical picture of the little girls.  The older girls sat facing each other with their toes touching.  We explained this as "sit down and put your feet together".  In typical Taylor and Sophie fashion, they interpreted the same directions completely differently than their sisters!  This is what we got!





Somewhere during the day, we had to stop and have a real NY hotdog from a street vendor.  Yesterday (April 22, 2012) Sophie Watson was still talking about the mustard on these hotdogs!  She LOVED the mustard.  I know I need a picture of her with her hotdog, but although I took a super awesome camera on the trip and took AMAZING pictures with it, it is must faster to email the ones from my phone to use on the blog.  Seriously, I am already almost 4 months late getting this done because I really wanted to use the "good" pictures and keep putting it off.

Day Four...the day we say Goodbye

The final morning was spent in Hoboken, New Jersey at Carlos' Bake Shop.  Taylor wasn't so impressed with the famous bakery, although she has seen the show.

But she did get excited about the vegetables at the store next door!

On the flight to NJ, they wanted their Moms.  On the flight home, the travelers were feeling much more independent!  They sat together, alone in their own row.

Home...

It was a fabulous trip with very few moments of whiny, irritating six year olds.  I know she won't remember all of the details, but I hope she will remember some of the highlights and know that the world is a big place with amazing places to learn, experience, and love.