End of an Era

Next August, for the first time in 12 years, there will be no Sparrow at the High School.

Bun graduated in 2010
Obi in 2013
Jon in 2016
And Oli-Chan last night.

My kids are all out of high school. It's been a long 28 years since I started Project Parent.
Now, it moves into the Advisory phase instead of the Active phase.

Project Grandparent has begun.

Jonner, Oli, Gabriel, Megan and Obi, with my grandson, Hunter Blackowl. He's Kiowa. His mom is Caddo. His little brother (Chris' son) is due in early November.

Hunter isn't sure about grandparents. He looked at Obi, looked at Jonner, announced "Sparrow!"--which is what he calls Obi--and glomped Jonner. He has been Uncle Jon's bestest buddy all weekend. He dapped Gabriel.
Me? I got a goodbye wave and felt accomplished. He's sweet, smart, opinionated, and very very patient with the grownups. He was also very tired when we said goodbye, and was probably asleep before they got to the hotel.

We're going down to see them for Thanksgiving, since Mama will be in no shape to drive 9 hours. My dad and I figure we'll manage the meal and all for her.

I have a grandson! And he's a doll. Can't wait to meet his mama and little brother at Thanksgiving.

Planning presents

I was thinking today of a Fisher-Price tape player Bun had when she was a toddler. She loved listening to the Cats soundtrack. When GrandBabyTBA arrives in November, we're going down for Thanksgiving (about 2 weeks later). There should be presents for Mom&Dad (nursing shawl, baby sling, several diaper packages), presents for the baby (hooded towels, special blanket) and presents for Hunter: bath toy and music. (Christmas gifts will also be delivered at this time to be tucked back for the holiday) I checked. there are childrens MP3 players.... Hunter may get a full player, with songs his aunties and uncle and Parrow loved, songs his grandparents loved and other fun stuff. What would YOU put on a playlist for a 4-5 year old? I'm thinking Cats Soundtrack A fair bunch of Disney Folk music: On top of Old Smokey Polly Wolly Doodle Erie Canal Clementine Puff the Magic Dragon Bicycle Built for Two Home on the Range John Jacob Jingelheimer Schmidt. Froggie went a courting I've been working on the Railroad Shenandoah oh Susannah. Old Dan Tucker Big Rock Candy mountain Wabash Cannonball The Muffin Man
A Daisy A Day Oldies:
Yellow Submarine This land is your land
Kokomo Stairway to Heaven Secret Agent Man Run run away On the Road Again
Daydream Believer
Silver Wings
Not Fade Away Kentucky Rain Bohemian Rhapsody Wichita Lineman
Little Old Lady from Pasadena
White Rabbit
500 Miles
Kid Music: Lollipop Tree Que sera sera Knick Knack Paddywhack Ballad of Davy Crockett Big Bag John. You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd Musical Theatre
Do Re mi My Favorite Things Edelweiss Rainbow connection The Unicorn Song Happiness Good Morning (Singing in the Rain) Shy (Once Upon a Mattress) Any Dream Will Do All good Gifts Candy man Seventy Six Trombones Gary Indiana I won't grow up Razzle Dazzle
They call the wind Mariah Camelot
Good morning Starshine Age of Aquarius Footloose
Corner of the sky
Beautiful Land
I am the Pirate King
Silly Songs Snoopy vs the Red Baron Hot Rod Lincoln Monster Mash Hello muddah, Hello Faddah Eat it Old time Rock and Roll Auld Lang Syne Dancing in the Street Ghostbusters Purple people Eater Etc. oak and ash and thorn
Firebird's child
Rabbit's Song'
Graveyard picnic
Shiver my timbers
Taking suggestion before I start in on my music collection