Grownup Kids

Today my little brother turns 23. Happy birthday Allyster!

It is extremely surreal when you realize you and your siblings are all of adult age. Growing up as the oldest of three the siblings were always "the babies" of the family. How strange is it to wake up and realize they aren't quite babies any longer, and maybe they now look at me as "the old one."

This all has me reminiscing about summer and the old days. I have some of the best memories of my brother, sister, and I during summer vacation. Of of course there was the usual yelling, pushing, and tattling that kids do, and then there were all the moments in between. Moments that consisted of jumping on the trampoline so high you felt like you could fly, swimming at the water park for so long our skin becoming tan and wrinkled like a prune, and lunches at CiCi's Pizza because it was cheap and mom needed a break from cooking. Then there were the family vacations. Oh how I miss being a kid and enjoying these without the cares of money or travel logistics!

As much as these sweet memories remain, they slowly lose the clarity and detail that they once possessed. Like dreams fading into a mist, I can still feel the essence, but those little kids come into focus and I realize they are not really children any longer.

Gotta Love Burl Ives

You know it's Christmas when you flip on the t.v. and hear the unmistakable vocals of Burl Ives belting from a snowman. Yes last night was that time when the story of beloved Rudolph is told in glorious claymation. I was a little excited to introduce Kaylie to this yearly tradition. As a child I always eagerly sought out the weekly t.v. guide during the holidays to pinpoint all of the Christmas specials we would be watching. Rudolph was always a favorite. I have to say watching it again has turned many of those rosy, nostalgic memories into a more realistic picture of quirkey animation with a silly storyline. With all of its flaws nothing can put a smile on my face faster than a tune from Burl Ives. Rudolph does the trick with a rousing song of Holly Jolly Christmas. Something about Burl's deep but warm voice. He just seems like a grandpa that would sit around the hearth with his pipe telling Christmas stories to all the grandkids. So here's to you Burl Ives. I may get older, but your Christmas spirit makes me feel like a kid again.