April 2016-Spring.."Will you still love me when I'm 64?"

Beautiful Rotter Family

Cousin's birthday party & Granna

Azaela blooming at Granny's house

Movie at Summit Theatre

One of first times across "monkey bars" Overton Rd Park

Sunny Day in April

Flowers from parents left before they went to Nashville overnight

Classmates at Hilltop!

Spring Festival at Mt. Laurel

Spring Festival

First time to ride "adult" ride! With Georgia

Beautiful Willow

Baby Sister

Bumble Bee toy picked out by Lyla!

Beautiful Willow

Probably first time in Swing at Mt. Laurel park

Beautiful Lyla

Celebrating Granny's 64th Birthday

Sisters!

“When I get older losing my hair, Many years from now. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When I'm sixty-four?”

To say the least, the Beatles were big when I was young. In 1967 when this song was released I was 15 years old. Only 2 of the Beatles (Ringo & Paul) lived to 64. This year, I made it! And my hair is thinning, but fortunately I don’t need anybody to feed me…yet! “The days crawl & the years fly”…I may have already used this phrase in a posting. But it’s true. However now the days fly by also! Although the best thing about growing older is being a grandparent, there are other good things too…including a sense that “I’ve made it”, which many people do not. And, so far, I’m okay financially & my brain remains functional. Although tests in 2015, including an MRI, revealed I don’t have any evidence of impending Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), there is no guarantee it will not eventually take me away. My father died at 75 from pneumonia & he had probably had AD for years. At his funeral his business partners said they noticed changes in his ability to do work prior to his retirement at age 68 in 1984. Your great-grandfather James Hastie was a smart man, an Auburn grad, a WWII veteran & President of his company Air Conditioning Engineers in Mobile. April 2016 was a good month…On Saturday, April 2 I took you to your cousin Sydney’s birthday party (the child of your Dad’s step-sister). It was at a wonderful park in Gardendale on a beautiful day. We stayed at the park after the party until 5:00 pm and you had a great time! You are never shy asking other children to play with you and that was the case on this day. You spent the night with me on Saturday instead of the usual Friday night! On Sunday we went to see the movie Zootopia 2 which you really enjoyed. Then we went to the Overton Road park where you went all the way across the “monkey bars” for the first time. Although they weren’t as challenging as the ones at Mt. Laurel park, it was an omen that crossing the ones in “your park” would happen soon! After a great Sunday we ate at Lee Branch Taziki before taking you home. Monday, April 4 I stayed with Willow while Angela worked a half day. Willow & I met you & your Dad at the park and I went home before supper. Wednesday I spent the morning with Willow until your parents left for a few days in Nashville together while your Dad was there for a work-related event. I enjoyed my time alone with you. Your parents left some flowers for you in your room. You missed your parents but you were very good & slept well (although Annie the dog did not!). On Friday I worked in the garden at HMS with Miss Cindy who will be your kindergarten teacher next year. Saturday was a wonderful day at the Spring Festival in Mt. Laurel. It was a beautiful day and you bravely rode rides with Georgia and spent a lot of time bouncing & sliding & petting animals & eating things you don’t normally eat! You were happy to see your parents return Saturday evening…and they were very happy to see you! As I write this I realize I often summarize my time with Willow rather than being specific. However my time with Willow is very specific…holding her as much as possible, watching her play with toys & bounce in her “bouncy things”, feeding her, walking with her inside & stroller riding outside, watching her fall asleep, and seeing her beautiful smile when I get her up from a nap & watching her do more & more things like sitting up. I mix up pronouns when writing about “you” and Willow. For 4 years there was just Lyla (“you”) and I haven’t transitioned well in writing about the two of you!  On Monday I returned to your house & spent the night. Since it was raining Monday, we went to Chic Fil A to play but Tuesday was beautiful & we went to the park until only 4:00 pm since it was a ballet day. Thursday, April 14 was another day I got to read with you & your classmates. After school we saw a snake in the stone wall on the way to the park where you had fun playing until 5:00 pm. The shy snake only poked out his head from the rocks! I picked you up at school Friday and we did our “double parks” before you spent the night at my house. Saturday you went home early because Papa Wayne & I went to Anna Katherine Stuedeman’s wedding in Demopolis. Monday April 18 I went with Angela for Willow’s six-month check up & shots & stayed with her until “park time” with Lyla then returned to Angela’s for a typical Tuesday which was notable because we saw the smoke of a big fire as we headed home for you to get ready for ballet. In my time at home I watched two meaningful things on TV; the PBS story of Jackie Robison who was the first Black professional major league baseball player and the HBO movie “Confirmation” about Anita Hill’s role in the hearings related to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Of course Willow’s middle name Anita is in honor of her great grandmother, Sabba Rafi’s mother, but Anita Hill was also a strong woman. Jackie Robinson was before I was born (he integrated baseball in 1947) but his story & a quote “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives” resonated with me. I am hopeful my life will have a positive impact on Lyla & Willow as well as a few others. I clearly remember the 1991 Anita Hill hearings as well as the challenges of all women in those days. Although things aren’t perfect now, there certainly have been a lot of good changes related to the opportunities for all women and people of color now. Willow & Lyla will have many options as they grow up. Friday Brock took Lyla on her first “wilderness, backpack” camping trip. I kept Willow while Angela rested. It was a sweet day. I spent the night and stayed until the babysitter Lacey arrived after Angela went to work. Then I went to Mobile for Myle’s last performance at USA in the operetta HMS Pinafore & a birthday dinner for me & Mother (who turned 96). April 25 I went to the park with Willow & I think the picture I took captured her first time in a swing at the Mt. Laurel park! Monday afternoon we went to the HMS (Lyla’s school, not His Majesty’s Ship) Musical performance of “Negro spirituals” which included Lyla & her classmates. On Wednesday I spent the day with Willow while Angela did errands & napped then we all went to eat at a Mexican restaurant to celebrate my 64^th birthday. It was a beautiful evening & a delicious dinner. You gave me jewelry as well as paving stones with Lyla's handprint & Willow's footprint. Friday was a beautiful day with Willow then “double parks” with Lyla after school, although we had to leave Overton early due to rain. Saturday we went to the movie Jungle Book after eating at Johnny Rockets and buying Annie a new collar at a “dog festival” at the Summit. You sat in my lap for the whole movie and although you wouldn’t wear the “3 D” classes, you seemed to enjoy the “live characters, not cartoon” version of the story. As the “month Granny turned 64” came to an end, I took you home & stayed to “listen out” for Willow while your Dad put you to bed. I hope to “listen out” for both Willow & Lyla as long as my ears can hear!

February Leap Day & March 2016

Willow's & Lyla's toys upstairs

Willow enjoying bouncy toy!

Beautiful smile; beautiful Willow

Daddy-powered transportation!

Sisters!

Conversation & looks of love!

Grandparent's Day 2016 at HMS Ms. Shelley's class

Shower with Maggie Rae & Eggs to take to Aunt Roseanne's to dye

When I finished my February post, I didn’t turn the calendar page to see there was one more day! Leap year is always an interesting year…it includes an election for President and the summer Olympics. When your Mother was young & she realized the 1996 Olympics would be in nearby Atlanta & she would be 16 that year so she would be able to drive & go to the Olympics. Of course she didn’t get to do that, but since Lyla will be 16 for the 2028 Olympics I’m sure your Mom make up for that & will let you go…and maybe take Willow with you. The location will be decided in 2019 and you can begin to make plans then! In 1996 the torch in Centennial Park was lit by Mohammed Ali and there was a bombing on July 27 by Eric Rudolph who also bombed an abortion clinic in Atlanta 1/17/1997 & another clinic in Birmingham 1/29/1998. He managed to hide in the Appalachians until May, 2003. Hopefully in 2028 the Presidential election will be non-controversial, having a female and/or Black president will be routine & abortions will be rare, safe & legal. I’ll be 76…maybe I can go to the Olympics with you? I spent Leap Day at your house enjoying nice weather & taking Willow on a walk & staying at the park with Lyla until 5 pm. Then I went home so I could vote in the primary March 1. In Alabama Donald Trump won the Republican primary & Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary. Wayne & I “voted for her”. Maybe by 2028 Alabama won’t be a “red state”? In March I started spending fewer nights at your house which was bittersweet. I know there are many child-related events in life that are especially “bittersweet” and it seems the grandchild-related events will be even more so. March 2 was a beautiful day with time with Willow until 3:00 pm when Lyla-park-time began. Friday was a “no school day” and Lyla & Angela made a trip to UAB while Willow napped in the Baby Bjorn with me at my house then Willow & Angela went home and Lyla spent the night with me. Saturday we went to Wilder’s 5th birthday party at his house. At first you were shy & didn’t want to get out of the car. Fortunately Wilder’s sweet mother Kristen came out to the car & encouraged you to come in because you had an awesome time in the “bouncy house” and we stayed until 6 pm when I took you home to your Dad & Willow. Monday-Tuesday I was at your house for two lovely days and went home after Nitza & Koplan arrived from Florida at 4 pm & I headed home. I spent my time at home to catch up on chores & TV shows (Netflix “binge watching” of House of Cards & Making of a Murder) & dinner with friends & income tax etc. and returned to your house for the day Tuesday, March 15. I went to read at your school and you were especially sweet to me…and read well! I returned Thursday am and you & I watched your street being paved before school. The weather was beautiful & Willow and I strolled outside while your mom got her hair done. Friday was a play date with Maddie and after I picked you up at her house we went to Overton Park where we had a great time until going to my house to spend the night. Saturday we went to Toys R Us on the way home to your house where you picked out the yellow “bumble bee” toy for Willow…a great choice!. Also got something for your “half birthday”! The last week of March was busy..I was at your house for a “routine” (but always special) day with a  morning with Willow and afternoon at the park with Lyla. Thursday I spent the day & night at your house while your mom went to a 4 pm-1 am ACLS class at UAB hospital. I can imagine your Mom is one of the best nurses in Labor & Delivery! I wonder how many babies she has seen born? I also wonder if you and Willow will be attracted to a healthcare profession? Friday was Grandparent’s Day at your school. Raffi & LeeAnne came too and it was a really nice event. Friday afternoon was another “double park” day with time at Mt. Laurel & Overton Road before overnight at Granny’s. Saturday we met Kristina & Maggie Rae at a bridal shower for cousin Anna Katherine Stuedeman. Then dinner followed by egg dyeing at Roseanne & Vincent’s house and overnight with Browns at our house too. On Sunday you had an easter basket at our house & went to church at Southside Baptist with the Browns & me & Papa. You were very good. Then we went to lunch and, because it was raining, an inside-the-house egg hunt at Roseanne’s house. Cousin Stu hid the eggs & you had a wonderful time with your cousins! Papa Wayne & I took you home about 5:00 pm and my last March day to spend with you ended. Since it was spring break & you went to “The Smokies” with your parents & I went to visit my mother in Mobile where another month ended.

                                                                                                                                              

February 2016...Sunrises & Sunsets

Spectacular Performances in Lyla's Room

Sisters sharing a moment

Happy Baby!

At Let's Play with Friend & classmate Georgia

February 16 Birthday!

Sisters Posing for camera

One of costumes from Georgia

Saturday at Granny's with dog Sunday

Last night (June 12) I watched the Tony awards and took a break from watching the coverage of the massacre at The Pulse nightclub in Orlando (the worst shooting in US). The Fiddler on the Roof was nominated as one of the best “Revivals of a Musical” so a performance of one of the songs “Sunrise Sunset” was part of the program. The words made me thing about how quickly Lyla & Willow are growing up…Lyla is becoming a tall beauty & ready to start kindergarten and Willow is sitting up & clearly no longer a newborn...a seedling blossoming overnight into a sunflower. And I am getting older too…

Is this the little girl i carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older,
When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly flow the days,
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
Blossoming even as they gaze...

Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset!
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears...

The first week in February I stayed at Angela’s Monday-Friday and then after 5:00 pm post-park-Lyla-dropoff I went to Mobile for weekend to attend Myle’s senior vocal recital. This week was also the “Iowa Caucus” which is the beginning of the 2016 presidential election…Willow’s 1^st and Lyla’s second. The days were routine, but also special; carrying Willow in the Bjorn carrier while she slept, stroller rides to the park & lunch at Jimbo’s, afternoons at the park watching Lyla play & one rainy afternoon at Chic Fil A indoor play area. For her “share” at school Lyla had a book about Chinese New Year. The second week included snow flurries and Tuesday-Friday at Lyla’s with a day too cold to go to the park, preparing Valentines for school party and reading books with Hilltop Montesorri School (HMS) students and a beautiful day alone with Willow while Angela was out. Since I didn’t routinely help during the nights at Angela’s, my times were literally “sunrise to sunset” and watching the Rotter girls turn into sunflowers! Friday was a school holiday spent with Lyla & her classmate Georgia. We went to Georgia’s house where Lyla was given several "play dress up" costumes Georgia had outgrown! Lyla loved wearing them. We went to lunch at Panera Bread & “Let’s Play” before I took Georgia home and headed to “Friday night at Granny’s”. On the way home Saturday we stopped for dinner at Taziki’s and Valentine shopping at Publix grocery. The week of the 15^th Monday was a school holiday for Brock & Lyla and an “errand day” for me. Tuesday-Friday included a pediatrician visit with Angela where Willow got 4 shots and visits to the park with Lyla and stroller rides with Willow. Friday night & Saturday at my house with Lyla was spent watching TV and playing games before Taziki’s supper and holding Willow while Brock bathed Lyla. The last week of February had one exception to the routine Monday-Friday at Lyla’s followed by Friday night & Saturday at Granny’s: a nap for Willow in the baby bed at my house while Angela’s house was cleaned & Angela went to a UAB appointment. Hopefully one day Willow will also have Friday nights at Granny’s even though Angela’s schedule of working every Saturday will change. In the future, our precious routine would  be altered as Willow began to sleep more at night; I would have more days at home & fewer nights at Lyla’s. Although every phase of a child’s life is special, there are some things more special than you realize...until they end. But fortunately life goes on and new & different special things will begin to happen. February’s last Friday & Saturday were beautiful days with fun at the park (where I left Lyla’s scooter!) and outside & inside playing at my house followed by Panera Bread supper before going home to Dad & Willow to get ready for bed before Angela got home from work.

January 2016--A New Year Begins

Owls bought January 29-same day as new shoes!

Willow napping

Lyla asleep at our house

Playing "Candy Land" and "Shoots & Ladders" with Papa

At Let's Play

At Chuck E. Cheese

Happy Willow!

Sisters in Lyla's bed

Waking up Saturday morning at Granny's

BFF Madi's 5th Birthday Part

January 26-over 3 months old

Beautiful Willow

Sometimes it’s hard to realize it’s actually 2016. If my Father, James Henry Hastie, was still alive he would be turning 100 this year. And “just yesterday” it was Y2K, which was unexpectedly uneventful! On Monday, January 4 Lyla played with Maggie Rae & Eli at our house. After Wayne took them to Tuscaloosa so they could ride home to Starkville with cousin Vann, I played with Lyla then took her to eat at Taziki’s and spent the night at Lyla’s. Tuesday, January 5 was “back to school” for everyone. I stayed at Lyla’s & Willow’s until Friday and then took Lyla to our house until Sunday afternoon. The usual daily routine was to help Angela with Willow & often take her on a walk. We went to the “people” & the dog parks & all around Mt. Laurel. And in the afternoons I would get Lyla at 3:00 pm at school & go to Mt. Laurel park until 5:00 pm. Except on Tuesdays when we had to leave at 4:00 pm so Brock could take Lyla to ballet lessons. Thursday January 7 I went to the pediatrician with Angela & Willow because Willow had some blood in her stool which will necessitate a change in her diet. Although relatively minor, it’s still tough to have anything out of the ordinary happen to a baby! Lyla got sick during the night Thursday & stayed home from school Friday. Unfortunately she also got sick at my house on Saturday while eating a Ritz cracker in the bathtub. I’m writing this in June and Lyla still occasionally mentions vomiting the cracker…usually when she notices the Ritz cracker box in the pantry. She has not had any more Ritz crackers at my house! January 8 began the routine of Lyla spending almost every Friday night with me & sleeping with me on our sofa bed in the den. Fortunately she always sleeps well. Saturday, January 9 was the first time Willow had a bottle because that was Angela’s first day back at work. On the way home from my house on Sunday Lyla & I stopped at Chuck E Cheese & she had a great time. I love to watch Lyla interact with children she doesn’t know & get them to play with her. She is a little shy but also very outgoing & loves playing with other children. Monday, January 11 Alabama defeated Clemson to win the National Championship & on Tuesday, President Obama delivered his last State of the Union Address. Angela & I watched his inaugural address January 2008 in my office at UAB. A lot has happened since then! On Thursday I went to Lyla’s classroom to read with the children. I enjoy doing it every month & seeing how Lyla’s reading skills are progressing. I also took Willow to breakfast with me at Jimbo’s restaurant in Mt. Laurel. After spending the week at Angela’s, Lyla & I went to my house Friday, January 15th. On the way home we stopped to play at Chic Fil A and then had a wonderful evening at Let’s Play. Saturday we played at my house & had supper at Taziki’s before taking Lyla home & staying to hold Willow until Angela got home from work. Monday was MLK holiday so I returned to Angela’s Tuesday and stayed until Friday…helping with Willow until time to pick up Lyla at 3:00. On Friday there were snow flurries! Lyla went home from school with Madi where she had a great time until I picked her up to go to my house. These snow flurries were the only “winter weather” in 2016! Lyla spent Friday & Saturday night at my house & we went to Madi’s birthday party at “Head Over Heels” on Sunday afternoon before I took her home. I stayed at Lyla’s again Monday-Friday with generally the same routine of helping with Willow during the day & going to the park with Lyla after school. Although I never get up with Willow during the night, it is easier to sleep at their house & be rested to help the next morning. After school Friday, January 29 I took Lyla to buy new shoes & then went to the toy store where she played a long time…and bought 2 new owls (see picture above). Saturday was our last January day together and we went shopping at Sam’s, had grilled cheese sandwiches & milkshakes at Johnny Rockets, got a book on Chinese New Year for “share” at school, visited at Kristen’s house where we picked up “bouncy walkers” for Willow, went to Let’s Play then had supper at Taziki’s and then I got to hold Willow while Brock got Lyla bathed & ready for bed. Then I went home and spent the last day of January without Willow or Lyla. How lucky I am to be able to spend so much time with these precious girls & watch them grow. It is also wonderful to watch what good parents Angela & Brock are. I’m grateful for my years at UAB so I could afford to retire and not work anymore when Willow was born!

December 2015-The last month of a wonderful year

A beautiful "jacket day" at the park with Lyla & a cute picture of Sisters!

Lyla sick. To MD. Painful finger stick! Willow on playmat Lyla had...the tune it plays will always be in my memory!

A lapful of granddaughters!                                Lyla in her new Frozen Castle

2 December birthdays-Angela 36 & Brock 41

Christmas Eve in Mobile-Cousins & Great-Grandmother

Willow 2 months old

December 2 I took Willow to Jimbo’s & walked inside & outside while Angela rested and Lyla was at school. After school I took Lyla to Georgia Nicholson’s birthday party at the trampoline place. Georgia is a year older than Lyla but in her class & a regular “park buddy” and friend. The next day I went with Angela and Willow to UAB where Angela had a MD appointment. It was fun to take Willow back to the place she was born. I had a nice afternoon at the park with Lyla & spent the night again at Angela’s. (It was also the day of the San Bernadino shooting by a husband & wife at a holiday party!) Friday was Angela’s birthday. After a morning with Willow we got Lyla at school & shopped for Christmas presents for the girls at Toys R Us. Monday, December 7 until Friday Lyla had a fever & stayed home from school. Brock continued to take a day off each week to help with the girls and I had a day off Tuesday. Because Lyla was still sick on Thursday I took her to the doctor. She was upset about a finger stick but happy to not have a throat swab! Although not a fun thing, it was sweet to take Lyla to the doctor. One of the special things I get to do with her. Friday was a beautiful day & Lyla went back to school & I took Willow walking & then after school took Lyla to the park. During the week of December 14 Thursday was my “off day”. The other days of the week were “routine” but still very special with helping with Willow until time to pick up Lyla at school followed by “park time” with Lyla. Friday, December 18 was “pajama day” at school and Lyla’s last day of school until January when she will start staying at school until 3:00 pm every day instead of just 2 days a week. She is growing up! On Sunday, December 20 Angela, Brock, Lyla & Willow came to our house to open holiday presents & have Mexican food for lunch. Annie the dog stayed with us because Angela, Brock and the girls were leaving for Florida December 22 to visit Nitza & Koplan. My year with Lyla & Willow ended on December 21. It was a rainy day & Lyla & I played at her house then went to Chic Fil A where there was a big group of kids to play with after her milkshake! Then we went to Let’s Play and had a great time before dinner at Taziki’s then home by 6:30 pm. Wayne & I went to Nashville for a wonderful visit to see Abigail dance in The Nutcracker then we went home for the night before going to Mobile for Christmas. Jacob rode with us &  Wayne made a trip to Demopolis to drop off Jacob for a hunting trip and then met Kristina & Frank and Maggie Rae & Eli and me for church at Springhill Baptist followed by family dinner at the Waffle House & presents to open under the beautiful tree at Mother’s home at Crowne Assisted Living facility. We had Christmas dinner at the Garvers. Mallory & Josh and Myles were there as well as Sara Garver & Becky & Dave. December 2015 was almost over. It was a wonderful year!