Fun places to visit around Oxford

One of our favorite places in Oxford is Square Books, Jr. It is an awesome kids' book store. Several of the employees know Isaiah by name because we visit so often. I always find about 10 books that I think might be crucial to Isaiah's education and development when we visit, but I usually do a pretty good job of holding myself back from buying them. I have to remind myself (in the words of my Dad, the wise Rick Catlett) that I shouldn't buy a book when I could check it out from the library for free. Now, they don't always have these very important board books at our local public library, but they have enough to choose from, so I try to contain myself.

Anyway, at the entrance of Square Books, Jr. there is a collection of stuffed dogs surrounding a table. The table is quite large, so there are about 10 or 12 of these dogs. Most of them are bigger than Isaiah. They are made by Melissa and Doug, some of our favorite toy creators, and many different breeds are represented. Isaiah LOVES to go around the circle and pet each dog. He makes very sweet and/or excited noises when he sees these dogs. Yesterday, he picked up the Bichon Frise and carried around the store. He even tried to carry it out of the store. I have posted a picture of the black lab here; it's another one of Isaiah's favorites. He calls it "Big-by."

So I guess if you're looking for a somewhat frivolous gift that you know will be a big hit with Isaiah, this is it. Of course, in the words of my dad, the wise Rick Catlett, why should we buy that dog for Isaiah when that would take away the fun of visiting Square Books, Jr.?

Summer time... and the livin' is easy

We have made it to summer! It is glorious. So very glorious.

So far this summer, we have participated in some new and exciting activities:

This past weekend, D. and I left Isaiah with his Aunt RiRi, went to a Braves' game in Atlanta, and spent the night at the Hyatt in downtown Atlanta! (Thanks, priceline!)

I made a stuffed dog for Isaiah out of a pair of socks. I will have to post a picture after I give the dog eyes and a nose. I am crafty--it's true.

We bought a kiddie pool, inflated it, filled it with water, and Isaiah wouldn't get in. He did enjoy splashing, though.

I took a nap. More than once. :)

Isaiah and I went to my professor's house yesterday so she and I could talk about my directed reading. (19th century American Women's Fiction, because I know you were dying to know.) She has a nine-year-old and a six-year-old daughter. They LOVED Isaiah and he loved them right back. They had him pushing all kinds of animals around in a little shopping cart, dancing, and carrying around a toy guitar. The (almost) six-year-old insisted on inviting him to her birthday party next week. I am not so sure that we will go, but we will definitely draw her a picture.

We have been playing with sidewalk chalk on our driveway. I have been drawing with it; Isaiah has been eating it (or at least putting it in his mouth.)

We have been going for long walks as often as possible. We stop to gaze at all construction sites and admire all construction equipment, especially when it is in action.

Last night, I went out to dinner with two girl friends! It was so fun. We talked for 2 hours. What a gift.

We are doing our best to participate in saving the planet--we are trying to go all cloth napkins and all cloth diapers for the summer. So far, we've been fairly successful (traveling doesn't count).

Everybody needs to work at a university right--how amazing is it to still have summer at 29? I am so thankful to Jesus for the gifts he has given me!

Bi[g]-by

Isaiah is saying more and more words....or at least trying to. This morning, Corrie put Rigby up because a storm is brewing (again), and when she came back inside Isaiah started saying "Bi[g]-by...Bi[g]-by...Bi[g]-by." The 'g' doesn't always make it out, but as you can see, this is clearly Isaiah's word for Rigby.

mother's day

Does this boy look like his mama or what?

This is my second mother's day as a mom, and I am so thankful for the gift of motherhood. Every day I see myself in Isaiah, and it never ceases to surprise me.

I have learned a few things as a mom, and I am sure that I have a lot more to learn:

I should thank my own mom more often. Being a mom myself makes me realize how much she has sacrificed for me.

It is really impossible to control another person, regardless of how small that person is.

Going for a walk as a family can be a really special event--especially if the destination is Holli's Sweet Tooth.

It really does not impact my life significantly if I see a movie at home on my couch via Netflix instead of in the theatre.

Being a mom makes it easier to talk to strangers, especially if you have an outgoing toddler around to make introductions easier.

Babies change so fast. I cannot believe how different Isaiah is from just a few months ago, and it really makes me a little sad to think about how fast he's grown.

Sleep is such an amazing gift from God.

The Jacket and the Bus

The other day Isaiah and I were hanging out waiting for Corrie to get out of class. It's amazing to see how he can turn anything in to a toy. In this case, it was his jacket that happened to be hanging on a near by doorknob.



The Jacket and the Bus from D. Merricks on Vimeo.

Pastimes

Our church hosted a night at the Ole Miss baseball game last night. The grilled hot dogs and hamburgers in the outfield (not literally, on the other side of the fence beyond the outfield). It was great time to just hang out and enjoy the Oxford spring weather (70+ degrees and beautiful). As many of you know, baseball is one of my favorite pastimes (let's not talk about Braves right now), but what you may not know is that one of Isaiah's favorite pastimes is playing with pebbles. He loves picking them up, dropping them, picking them up, giving them to others, picking them up, dropping them, etc. etc. Here are some pictures...

Sharing pebbles with our friend Rajesh.

Is Alvin looking for another chipmunk?

Corrie forgot to smile. (She's thinking, "I love him soooo much!")