In Memory of Uncle Stafford

Growing up, I didn't know my Uncle Stafford very well. He was my mom's younger brother, the closest sibling to her in age, my grandfather's namesake, who made the rare appearance at holidays or family gatherings. But over the past couple of years he seemed to be slowly finding his way home, and we are very thankful that he did because this morning he lost his battle with lung cancer.

I don't know much about Uncle Stafford's life, but I do know that he liked making jokes and laughing as much as the rest of of the Bolton clan. (Any family gathering is filled with uproarious laughter.) I also know that he inherited my grandfather's ability to work with his hands. He was selected to work on special construction teams to build several bridges and overpasses in the Richmond area. He spoke with great pride about his involvement in these projects.

My favorite story about Uncle Stafford is one about him and my mom when they were children. Apparently one year all the children got baby ducklings for Easter. As happens with ducklings, they soon grew into ducks. Perhaps most families would then find a nice farm where the ducks could live...but not the Boltons! Over the years a number of cats, dogs, a pig (named Sam, who got run over by a car and lost his tail...but that's another story), and even a squirrel took up residence at 3717 Moss Side Avenue, so of course the ducks were welcome too! One day mom and Stafford decided that they were going to take their ducks for a walk and along the way they passed a house with two small, twin boys playing in the backyard. Mom and Stafford decided it would be funny to scare the boys, so they announced, "We're going to get our ducks to BITE you!!!" The boys ran screaming and crying into the house and mom and Stafford took their ducks and high-tailed it home! I think this is just one of the many times that this brother/sister duo made mischief together.

The Bolton Children
 Beverly, Stafford, Susan, Marshall

Marshall, Stafford, Beverly, and Susan

We were very thankful that Uncle Stafford joined us this year for our much anticipated Turkey Day extravaganza. There were 29 of us this year, including 7 of the 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Four generations of Boltons were represented. The oldest family member was 93 and the youngest was 5 months. What a blessing!

Time with family is priceless. Here mom is chatting with Uncle Stafford who was the spitting image of my grandfather.

 

 Monk (Marshall), Beverly (Mom), and Stafford

 The Bolton Matriarch and Patriarch with their children

Beverly, Susan, Lillian (Mema), Stafford, Marshall, Stafford (Gran)

Happy St. Patty's Day!

HAD to wear green today...didn't want to get pinched! :)

Showing off their St. Patty's Day Green

Finn was totally trying to pose like his sisters!

This little monkey cracks me up!  Check out his over-the-shoulder pose!!!

Miss Grace in delicate fairy green

Love, Love, LOVE the shirt and that great big smile!

One more "CHEESE" with sissy

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY, EVERYONE!!!

No Fun on the Farm

This week NCSU is hosting its annual Farm Days. We went last year and had an absolute blast...there were turkeys, baby goats, bunnies of all shapes and sizes, chicks to hold, cows, horses, sheep, and even farm equipment that you could sit on. So, of course, when I found out it was time for Farm Days again, I loaded Lily, Finn, and Baby Jordan (who I was keeping for the morning) in the car and headed out with my friend Kristy and her two monkeys for some fun on the farm!

But fun was NOT had. The unending line of cars and school buses pouring into the farm should have been my first clue that we were in over our heads. While all the great exhibits were still there, there were also hoards of excited, rambunctious school children running, jumping, pushing...it was a little overwhelming for our small herd. We were pushing our strollers through rolling fields and muddy barns (I was also carrying Finn who refused to walk OR ride in the stroller with Jordan)...I think that counted as today's exercise. Finn was crying to be held, poor Jordan just wanted a nap, and Lily was ticked because there was no room in the stroller for her! I thought I was going to give the kids a great experience...apparently instead I was torturing them! Kristy and I laughed and shook our heads at the ridiculous situation we found ourselves in. We took a couple of pictures to prove we had been there, and trudged back to our cars carting our 5 children. I'm sure the video of it all would be hilarious! :)

Fortunately, Hudson's Hardware has baby chicks in their store in preparation for the Easter holiday, so we salvaged the outing with a quick trip to pet the chicks. Thank goodness for best friends like Kristy with whom to share days like these...and many better ones, too! :)

After much encouragement, Finn finally got up to the fence to see the bunnies.

He didn't want to move - even though there were children wildly pushing for his spot - but he refused to touch the bunny!

"Seriously, Aunt Tracey, what the heck are we doing here?!?!"

(Finn looks like he's high...and a surfer...)

Trying to get them excited about seeing a cow and her calf 

Group shot to prove we were at Farm Days

Ahhh, now this is more like it! No crowds and LOTS of fuzzy chicks to pet!

Finn was fascinated...but he was careful not to drop his apple...the boy loves his food!

Jordan was VERY interested in the chicks, too. He was trying to climb into the tub with them! :)

"DISCOVERY" 

My Favorite Shot of the Day

How cute are the cousins together???

A Party Fit for A Princess

One of Cassidy's Kindergarten pals celebrated her 6th birthday today. Joey escorted Cassidy to Grandma's Princess for a morning of princess pampering and a birthday luncheon. (Cassidy insisted he take her as every princess needs a prince!)

Princess Transformation Step 1: Find the PERFECT dress.

(Even though Cassidy normally loves all things pink, she chose an elegant blue gown that matched her eyes.)

Princess Transformation Step 2: Sparkly, Strappy, High-Heeled Shoes

Princess Transformation Step 3: Fancy Up-Do

("Grandma" - the kind woman who owns Grandma's Princess - took one look at Cassidy's thick curls and said, "Oh, you don't even need my special princess hair!" She put the extensions in anyway!)

Princess Transformation Step 4: A delicate, jeweled tiara

Looking lovely...

...and very lady-like.

Cassidy with friends, Olivia and Aislin

Princess Transformation Step 5: Nails and Make-up

(Do I even need to mention that she was in HOG HEAVEN?!?!)

I think Joey almost had a heart attack when he saw her with make-up on...he said he had to hold back the tears!

Princess Transformation Step 6: Gorgeous Jewelry

(With Joey's help she chose the perfect pieces to complement her gown.)

Patiently waiting for the other princesses

With her buddy Olivia

Before they sat down for their princess feast, each princess was introduced as she walked the "red carpet."

Pretty Princesses

Seated for the luncheon. Aislin chose Cassidy as one of her Maids-in-Waiting, which meant she got to sit next to the birthday girl in a special chair.

She was thrilled to be able to pour her own "tea" (pink lemonade) from the silver teapot into her fancy teacup!

Chatting with friends

Princess Luncheon

Delicately licking a birthday cupcake

Our little lady patiently watching as birthday gifts are opened.

Class Pictures

Lily had her class picture this week and insisted on dressing up for the occassion.

Everything she is wearing - except her undershirt - is a hand-me-down. The adorable spring chick jumper was made for a cousin by Aunt Brenda. The tights and boots were passed down from friends down the street. We have been exceptionally blessed with wonderful friends and family who pass on these treasures to us!

And here's the SILLY Lily that we know and love! :)

Thoroughly Modern Lily

Two years ago the high school fine arts department performed Cinderella for their spring musical. Joey took Cassidy to see the show for their very first Daddy/Daughter date. Lily was 20 months old at the time and although she was much too young to go and enjoy the show, she was more than a little ticked that she was left out of all the fun. Ever since she has been asking, "When do I get to have a Daddy/Daughter date?"

Last night it was finally her turn. The high school is presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie this year - one of my favorite shows - so Lily got all dolled up for a night of musical theater with Daddy.

 She was beside herself with excitement to go to the "movie" with Daddy. I explained that it was a musical play...and she did understand that it was a live performance...but she kept calling it a movie anyway! :)

 All smiles on her big night!

 The girls posing together...this seems to be Lily's new pose...not sure what it's all about! :)

My Monkeys

We met Daddy at the school because he had a tennis match...he didn't have time to change into his "theater attire" but we did bring him some snacks so he didn't starve during the show! :)

 Miss Lily and her Prince Charming

(She was SO excited she couldn't even bother to say goodbye. She was too busy chattering as she dragged Joey by the hand towards the school!)

 Treats from the vending machine...equally as exciting as the show! :)

 I LOVE that my girls have already developed a love of music and musical theater! :)

 Joey said she seemed to really enjoy the show...but it was long and she drifted off about 10 minutes before it ended. :)

In the lobby at intermission, Lily gave her rendition of the dance steps from the show! Below is a video of her impromptu performance...LOVE IT!!!