Breakfast with Madi

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America, Kenya, Mexico and Overton Park

May has been chock full of goodness. Two weekends ago we started with Peabody's AMAZING International Festival. Each grade learns about a country (Kindergarten focuses on the U.S.) Then each classroom is divided into stations, and the children man the stations. In the stations they lead visitors through games, puzzles, maps and more--some even perform short plays! This is Meredith with her station team (Tyler and Lea). They learned the regions of the U.S. and what food is grown in each region.

The whole festival was so impressive; we could have wandered the classrooms all day. Dad was a particular fan of Kenya. (That's a Kenyan flag tucked into his glasses, not a head wound).


After a little craft time with Keddi we headed out for Mexican food on Summer Avenue. After giant helpings of guacamole, burritos, and more, we walked over to the Mexican popsicle (paleta) store--La Michoacana. Honestly, you can't ask for much more out of a Friday night.

The next morning we celebrated cousin Hadley's second birthday. It was cold and windy at Overton, but the kids had the time of their lives and napped for hours afterword. I call that a success.

Hadley was pretty happy.

And Madeline quickly set to work "borrowing" Hadley's presents. Good times.

Memphis, Spring 2011

It's been an amazing spring in Memphis. Our city—so often plagued by the poor self esteem of your average 7th grader—is bouncing back. Honestly, I don't know if you can call it a bounce. We've been down a minute, as we say here; and by "minute" we mean 'round about 1878, when the yellow plague hit. All of that only makes the recent surge of hope feel all the more powerful.

THE BASKETBALL: Our basketball team displayed amazing heart—and the fans displayed just as much spirit. And I know none of you are silly enough to think sports don't matter. If you are, just be quiet and go watch Hoosiers.

Photo credit: www.espn.com

THE RIVER: Our river is stunning as ever, and despite some drama queen national news outlets, we're perfectly fine here in the Bluff City. That doesn't discount those who are hurting as a result of the flooding--and thanks to loving churches and a city government that is paying attention to all the right things for the first time in a long time, I know that those who are hurting are also receiving assistance.

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, and one more thing: President Obama dropped in to visit a school that many of us love, in the neighborhood where I'm blessed to work.

Photo credit: http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/be-still-my-beatin-heart/

I love Memphis. And, girls, since this is all for you—I pray that when you read this it baffles you. Because I have a hunch that you'll be mostly unaware of the inferiority complex and the stifling past. You're just going to know the beauty that's being forged from those things.

Happy Birthday, Hadley!

In honor of cousin Hadley's birthday, we'll post a few overdue Easter pics. We love you, beautiful girl!

The Zoo! And Ice Cream!

Surprise trip to the zoo after school. Meredith almost levitated with joy.


Then downtown for some river watching and some Maggie Moo's. Not too shabby, as spring days go. (Meredith had blue).


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The Rain Stopped

The river is still rising, but the rain stopped. The illness that has plagued our family for days also seems to be abating. The girls and I headed outside to soak up some Vitamin D.

Here's a performance that I recorded, the likes of which I am lucky enough to get to enjoy QUITE frequently. After this, Meredith also had me interview her about her showbiz career. Turns out her stage name is Alabama Tripper. I'll just let you contemplate that, because I have no idea what to say about it.

Rainy Day Commercial

This is Meredith's commercial for her rainy day invention. And, no, she hasn't seen Grease.