Goodbye to July

Rhett Gregory spent the night with us last Friday

Life of late has been a blur of witheringly hot days.

Columbia, South Carolina, long ago adopted a tagline: Famously Hot.

Our city has lived up to its name recently as though that were its only job.

It's not a birthday without balloons

The family birthday that we celebrate in July, amidst the scorching heat and soul-crushing humidity and the primal shrieks of a trillion cicadas, is our grandson Rhett's.

He turned four last week.

Rhett is deeply into the states. As in, the United States. The genesis of that interest may or may not have been a large wooden puzzle that I keep in our TV room for the kids to play with.

Someone at church contributed CFA chicken nuggets

I think the puzzle was acquired several years ago for Dagny's enjoyment, but I can't be sure.

It features all fifty states in sturdy wood, brightly colored and removable so that the child can dump them out and then replace them all, learning some geography as he goes.

Rhett has been fascinated with the puzzle for as long as I can remember. And that fascination has expanded to a general and overall love of the states, so much so that his mother used it as the theme for his birthday party.

There's nothing quite like a soft slider roll

Also, nearly all of his gifts were state-themed. 

For my money, the slam-dunk was the gift that Rhett's Aunt Stephanie gave.

Have you heard of Stuffed States? It's just about the cutest thing you've ever seen related to love of our beautiful country.

Lit'l Smokies in the crock pot are a must

Naturally, since Rhett was born and is being reared in South Carolina, our Stephanie bought him the South Carolina stuffed state.

Just seriously adorable.

He also got a variety of state puzzle edutainment type toys, all so clever. I also gave him the book Jack the Cat, about a cat who lived on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.

I bought it for him at the Fort Sumter gift shop when we visited there for my birthday last March.

Fritos are costly but necessary

Since he's into fridge magnets (what kid isn't?), I got him the Classic Magnets for New York, California, and Texas -- three states that, three or so weeks ago, he proclaimed to be his favorites.

I think there are new favorites now -- Vermont, New Hampshire, and Nevada have received honorable mention -- but that's okay. He loved his magnets.

We had two parties for Rhett. The first one was on his actual birthday, which was last Wednesday.

He posed in his special t-shirt

At our church we have a snack table that groans with treats both savory and sweet, before every service.

In keeping with that tradition, I wanted to provide the goodies for Rhett's birthday.

I ordered a cake from Walmart. Then I made Lit'l Smokies with grape jelly and chili sauce, barbecue pork to make slider sandwiches on soft rolls, and freshly homemade potato salad. There were also Fritos, to round out the feast.

The Walmart cake had strawberry filling between the layers

We had balloons and someone else had brought chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A, so overall it was quite the festive spread.

Dagny hung with me the night before and all through that sweltering day, to bring everything together and get it all in place.

It was a great deal of work but Rhett was properly celebrated and our church family greatly enjoyed it.

Second official party and an elated Rhett-man

His second party was at the Chericas' house, on Saturday. Stephanie, along with Melanie, traveled down from North Carolina to attend, and of course the rest of us were there.

The night before, Rhett stayed with me and TG at our house, freeing up Erica to clean and decorate without the presence of the birthday boy. We wanted Rhett to make an entrance on his party all put together and ready to go.

For our meal we had hot dogs and cole slaw and baked beans and chips with dip.

Erica had found state-centric party supplies

Chad had made his boy's birthday cake -- chocolate with chocolate icing, from the recipe off the Hershey's cocoa can. 

He remembers his mother creating that same cake for him on his boyhood birthdays, and he wanted to make one for his little son.

Erica had stenciled a big number 4 plus several states in blue on the front of a green t-shirt, and the entire United States map on the back. So of course he wore that along with a birthday boy badge.

Chad the Dad made his boy's birthday cake

We had a great time eating and talking and watching Rhett open his gifts.

Aren't birthdays wonderful? And grandchildren -- a whole new level of wonderful.

And now August beckons. A mere four weeks and change, and it will be September! Let that sink in.

We keep the birthday flame alive

The last of the summer birthdays will be our Mike's, in early August, and Baby Guy's, in late August when he turns two. 

TG and I will be traveling to Knoxville to spend a few days with Andrew and Brittany and Ember and Guy on that occasion, to take him his present and see what new things he has learned since we last saw him.

Then as summer is completely on the wane, we will fête our Stephanie in early September.

Rhett, earlier today, with his Stuffed State

Just as we mark Erica's birthday on the Memorial Day holiday, we mark Stephanie's on the Labor Day holiday.

At the end of September, our Elliot (a/k/a Skippy) will turn two. Can you believe? 

As I said at the beginning of this post, it's all been a blur.

What have you been doing during these dog days of summer? Let me know in the comments.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Thursday

Comments

[Mari]

This post is filled with cuteness! First of all is Rhett - this child is adorable and as always, I love his beautiful eyes. I'm glad he had such a wonderful birthday.
Being a fan of states is a good thing, he'll be way ahead in geography. :) However, you better start talking to him about Michigan so he can add it to his list of favorites. :)
I've never heard of stuffed states, but how cute are they?
It's been so hot here too, but today it's finally a little cooler and we actually got a little rain yesterday.
Now - we are not going to talk about how fast the summer is going, and certainly not even thinking about September. It goes too fast! You just enjoy Summer for now!

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... Yes I'm so proud of Rhett for being obsessed with states. And if you get a chance, look at the Michigan Stuffed State ... it looks weird to me. Not enough like a mitten. Anyway it's supposed to get much, much cooler here too -- the forecasts insist there will be a high in the 70s on Sunday, but I'll believe that when I see it. It's funny how, summer being only one-third (or so) over, it seems when August comes that we're peeking around the corner at fall! You won't catch me complaining ... it will be hot here until Thanksgiving, hahahaha! xoxo

[Donna]

Quilting,,, bought a new car...finally, after 12 years...bought a new bed after almost 30 years...looked for a new church as the one we belong to has allowed "accepting and affirming"...we found a proper good old Baptist one that simply believes in God's words, none of that "funny" stuff... We won't change over until after the last week of August. Larry has commitments we simply refuse to leave. We are sad but can't stay.
Happy birthday to your little sweeties! Time is really rolling by! Can't wait for Fall!!
Happy weekend sweetheart...
hugs
Donna

[Plain Jane]

Wishing Rhett the happiest of birthdays. It feels like just yesterday you were announcing his arrival—hard to believe how much he’s grown.

[Lori]

Hello! Happy belated Birthday to Rhett. He just continues to be absolutely charming. How awesome that he has such a curiosity about the United States. I love the stuffed states and hadn't heard of them. Very cool. It's always so nice to see all of your pictures of your family adventures.
TBG or my brother are usually the ones that make my birthday cakes and it always means so much to me so I'm sure Rhett loved Chad making his.
It's been a hot and muggy summer here but today I woke up to a cool front and it feels amazing. More heat and humidity will make an appearance but I'll take any break I can get.
I wish time would slow down just a bit. This year has flown by.
Take care and stay cool!!

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... I read on your blog about the new car but didn't know you and Larry are changing churches. I fully understand when you just have to leave. I hope you'll be happy and make lots of new friends at the new church! I'm excited about fall too! xoxo

@Jane ... Isn't that the truth? Turn around and they are another year older! And so cute! I hope you're doing well. xoxo

@Lori ... How precious that either TBG or your brother makes your birthday cakes! I cannot imagine my TG making a cake ... mercy that is a visual. Hahaha! We're expecting a cool front this weekend too and all I can say is, I'll believe it when I see it! But if it comes true, I'll be sitting outside for sure! xoxo

[Dianna]

Oh, that Rhett is SO adorable! And I love how he is enamored with the States! I find it quite the blessing that his dad wanted to make his cake...from scratch, nonetheless!

Happy belated birthday to Rhett and hugs to YOU! xx

[Jennifer]

@Dianna ... Agreed about that cake ... I was so touched by Rhett's beloved daddy making his birthday cake. I'm sure that happens but I had never known of anyone doing that, and it's just precious. I did not taste the cake but wow, it looked and smelled so good! You can't hardly beat chocolate on chocolate, hahaha! And it is so darling the way Rhett loves the states, and learns so eagerly about them. I hope he gets to visit every last one of them someday! xoxo

[Jim and Barb]

You guys do not do anything halfway do you. I think I am going to hire you to plan our 40th anniversary party next year!

[debbi]

Jenny, I can't believe Rhett is ALREADY FOUR!? How did THAT happen? LOL. Its been a hot summer. I love summer and all the things growing and the late late days, but I'm almost ready to turn it all in and get onto FALL and some cooler days. Rhett's parties looked great and all THE YUMMY FOOD! He sure got some fun presents. He's adorable! Looking forward to seeing Mike's and Guy's birthday celebrations too. I didn't know about the State stuffies, but they are ADORABLE! Enjoy your upcoming trip to Knoxville. Make lots of pictures for us. Hugs! PS...this summer has went by FAST.

[Gayla Pappenfoht]

What a cutie! I loved hearing about your parties. Now I wish I could send some Missouri shaped treasure..
Hugs!

[Gayla]

I thought I commented earlier! Your birthdays are so fun! Everything looks really festive and delicious!

[Debbi]

Jenny are you ok???

[Barbara]

What a fun blog you have created! Visiting you from Mari's blog. You've got so much pithy wisdom in the sidebar on the right. This one is something I've been coming to grips with in recent years:

This will go better if you

check your expectations at the door.

Thanks for making me smile.

[Jennifer]

@Jim and Barb ... indeed we do not! I am fond of saying, this is not a dress rehearsal, hahaha! It's the real thing. I'd LOVE to plan and execute your 40th anniversary party! Have your people call my people! Hahahaha xoxo

@Debbi ... Yes I'm good, thanks for asking! I've been somewhat preoccupied but all is well. Now YES, yes yes yes to autumn days arriving soon! What a blessing! xoxo

@Gayla ... you had commented but I didn't see it, so sorry! You can send a Missouri stuffy! Just go to the website, haha! Hope you are well, my friend. xoxo

@Barbara ... Oh wow thank you for stopping by and for reading! Yes I find checking one's expectations at the door heads off a myriad of problems, hahahaha! If only one can remember to actually do it. I'll stop by and visit you later! xoxo