Hayden's Birthday Observed...

Sometimes we fail at being grandparents. We try very, very hard to get it right but, every now and then, things just don't go as you planned. Hayden turned 12 this year and we just blew it! 

I requested ideas for him for a present for his birthday and for Christmas. He went through his hopes and dreams and sent me links to Amazon for items he wanted. I made a grid with all this information. Then, I sent it to Andie to be sure I didn't duplicate their plans or other grandparents plans. Andie said she would get back with me after talking with Michael to cover all bases. I asked three times and never got a report back. In the meantime, my poor hubby had a relapse of his cold. As luck would have it I was getting a bit of his cold by Saturday. Sunday was Hayden's birthday. Claude and I both stayed home from Church to try and get some rest and heal. In addition my sister was coming to visit with Papa and was arriving Sunday evening. With all that, we just completely forgot to even call Hayden on his birthday. Such rotten grandparents. Goodness. I remembered Monday morning and sent Claude a text from Papa's. Junie had taken Papa out for a long drive and, while he was gone, I took the opportunity to empty out a cabinet in his apartment he never opens. While doing that it hit me. Couldn't believe it. 

Monday afternoon we called our young man. I was home by then and Claude was also at the house. When Hayden answered his cell phone we both sang Happy Birthday to him. He was happy. There was lots of noise in the background. Turns out he was on the school bus headed for home. I said to him we just forgot to call on his birthday. I said, "Isn't that awful?" Hayden's matter of fact reply was, "Yes, yes it is." He wasn't upset. Just matter of fact. This is why Andie calls him Captain Literal and is one of the places where his autism manifests. Love our young man and his frankness. He also knew we were coming on Thursday for a Veteran's Celebration at his school and we would bring his birthday presents at that time. He was happy we would both be there on Thursday more than he was frustrated at our forgetfulness.

The major portion of our day would be the Veteran's Celebration. After it was completed we went to the Marx home to rest and then back to the school to picked Hayden at 3:40 and then on to pick up Bailey at her school. She stayed for Volleyball Club after school.

When we got to the house, Hayden had a YouTube video clip he wanted us to see. Bailey wanted to see it also. Hayden set it up to stream from his cell phone to the television. What a world these kids live in today. This is Bailey and one of their cats watching the video. They love these cats and the cats love them. Nice to see kids enjoying their pets.

Hayden's birthday present from his parents was a VR. It makes a 3D image out of anything you watch in it. Hayden set me up and I sat on the love seat and learned how to use this new device for me. Claude had already used one at a meeting he attended. Hayden managed to take my cell phone and get a video clip and some pictures of me using this gadget. I was grateful Andie warned me to be seated when I used this toy. Hayden was having so much fun taking pictures of my experience with my camera that he took a selfie of us. 

Then we used my cell phone and made a video for Raelyn. She has just learned to grin and wave 'Hi'. We couldn't do a video phone call because the kids were in school while Katelyn and Raelyn were home and we were home when Katelyn was at work. So the next best thing was make a video of all of us waving hi and eMail it to Katelyn to show to Raelyn later. The Mini's really enjoyed doing this. They just love having a cousin that is a baby. Claude was also in the video but the picture just shows me, Hayden and Bailey.

Andie got home from work and we opened presents. Hayden opened his Girl Scout Cookies first. They always know that first gift is the Girl Scout Cookies. We also got him a book he wanted and it turns out Bailey also got him that book. Geez!! Then he opened the big Lego kit. 

Hayden chose Red Robin as the place for us to have a Birthday Observed Dinner. We were off in two cars because Claude and I would leave to return home after dinner. The kids ate well but after eating Hayden did not feel so great. He had a pain in his stomach and he felt it was from eating too fast. He really was looking a little green around the gills. He and I went outside to get him some fresh air. It had turned cool. I was shivering. So Hayden watched my purse and sat on the bench while I went to the car and got my jacket and Claude's jacket. When I returned we both put on the jackets and snuggled on the bench in front of Red Robin. Nice time for us to chat and catch up. 

Claude and I said good-bye and had great hugs. Then we were off to Sadieville and Andie and the Mini's were off to the grocery store before heading home. I reached in my craft bag for my Kindle and realized I didn't have my charging cable that charges really quickly. Claude found another road and we headed back to Andie's. Sure enough it was still in the wall. Now we were headed to Sadieville for real. 

It was a good Birthday Observed. Hayden was happy and that is what matters the most.

Teaching Patriotism...

Hayden called Claude. Claude was in Paducah, Kentucky with the Kentucky League of Cities. When he saw the message he called Hayden right back. Hayden is now attending Oldham County Middle School. Each year they have a tradition of honoring veterans on or near Veteran's Day. The kids are all asked to invite a veteran from their family. Hayden knew his Grampa served in the Air Force and that was the purpose of his call, to invite Grampa to attend this thank you to veterans. Claude canceled some things and told Hayden he would be there.

Thursday, November 10th, the day prior to the actual Veteran's Day observance across the country, Claude and I left home early again to be at Oldham County Middle School before 9am. This would turn out to be the most memorable Veteran's Day we have experienced in all our years of marriage.

There were tables set up for the Veteran's to sign in. There were patriotic badges or pendants the kids made for each veteran to choose one of their choice to wear. There was even a tree decorated in red, white and blue.

We were guided to the Library where the Veteran's would be oriented as to how the day would proceed and to whom they could direct their questions.

After orientation, all the veteran's spouses were first guided to the gym for the assembly. We walked past the flag of the United State and the flags of each branch of the military.

The gym also had wonderful decorations. This flag banner was made by the Art Teacher and her classes. The white strips have the words to the Star Spangled Banner and the red stripes are actually pictures of Veterans with had a red color emphasis. Very, very clever and appropriate.

These streamers represent the wars fought by the United States over the years. The ones in blue have no living Veterans. The white ones still have Veterans living. One Veteran next to me said, "So, this means I just have two more rows to go before I turn blue!!" We shared a chuckle.

This is Hayden's class entering the gym for the assembly. Hayden is in the middle waving at me.

The 8th Grade Band of OCMS played music for us as everyone entered.

The first of the Veteran's to enter couldn't actually enter. They began with the POW flag to remember all those Prisoner of War and Missing in Action military. Good way to begin and excellent to remember these Veterans.

The Veterans had been in the Library waiting for their time to enter. They had been sorted into groups as to the branch of the military in which they served. They would enter the gym to a recording of their branch of the military theme song. This picture is of the Air Force entering. Claude is in the rust colored shirt on the right.

After all branches of military service entered, their colors were posted at the front of the gym.

Then the 8th and 7th Grade Choirs sang the Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem.

Hayden was able to sneak down from his class and give Claude a hug. I was sitting with the wives and left them to get this great picture of my boys.

This is the first of the Mr. Griffin's we would meet. He was the key note speaker. He served in the Coast Guard, is a leader of the VFW's post, and also has served as a leader in the LaGrange community for many, many years. Very will respected man and a great choice for keynote speaker.

He brought this original poster from World War II requesting everyone purchase War Bonds. The actual poster is in the frame on the right and the picture is so everyone can see it from their seats.

A special recognition was given to the 2nd Master Sargent Howard Griffin. He was surprised by this. He served in World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam War. There are sure a lot of ribbons on his chest. He gave a few brief remarks for the kids.

After the program, we got a 'thumbs up' from Hayden.

Claude graciously and cheerfully accepted my request to get a picture of him by the Air Force logo.

The Veteran's were divided into two groups. One group was guided back to the library where they were fed a catered lunch by Chick Fil-A. The other group stayed in the gym. Through out the next hour and a half the kids would come through the gym after having their lunch and shake hands and thank the Veterans. Having the Veteran's in two groups allowed the first group to eat while have the second group remained to shake hands, then the second group of Veterans went to lunch while the first group came back to the gym and shook hands. I stayed with Claude until he went to lunch and then I waited for Hayden's class to come to the cafeteria. I would visit with Hayden while he had his lunch. Here are a few of my favorites of the kids thanking the Veterans for their service. This was just the best part. These men who have served or are now serving were just happy as these kids thanked them. It was truly a great moment.

Claude went to lunch and after Hayden finished eating we went to the gym so he could have his turn to thank the Veterans. They cheerfully paused so this Gramma could get a good picture of our young man. They struck up a conversation and Hayden amazed them with his articulateness. It is always amusing to watch this interaction. Again, this was a tender moment.

Claude came back from his lunch and Hayden was able to stay with him and then march in the parade with Claude. There is also a picture of the close-up of Claude's medal the kids made. Each Veteran gets a poster with their last name on it. The family member walking with them in the parade carries the poster. We knew Buckner Elementary would be out watching the parade, so I left my boys and walked over to Buckner Elementary to find Bailey.

As I got to Buckner Elementary School, the first and only group out at that time was a Church Day Care group. They were sitting on the curb talking to the OCMS band teacher and singing him songs. Cute. Then the elementary kids started to pour out of the doors with their classes. I saw Ms. Pitcock's (Bailey's teacher) head first over the kids and knew Bailey would be in that group. Sure enough, she saw me and came running for her hug. Love that. Absolutely love that. Hope they never grow out of that. Her class found a place on the curb. Bailey turned to me pretty quick and asked for my sunglasses. I gave her a my favorite pair. Her friend said, "Do you have any more? The sun is in my eyes too." Well, I happen to carry a spare and fished them out for her. Here is Bailey in the cat ears with her friend sporting Gramma's sunglasses.

The parade begins just as the march into the gym did with recognition for POW's and MIA's. They quietly walk this banner down the street. When they get to the end of the street, the OCMS band teacher plays taps on his trumpet. Very moving experience.

Then the rest of the parade can begin. There was a police escort, the fire truck drove past, the Chick Fil-A cow even marched and Bailey and her friends where cheering at the top of their voices, "Eat more chicken! Eat more chicken!" That girl is totally uninhibited. The banners and logos marched in front of their military branches. This is where I messed up. I took video of the entire parade. I can capture a shot as I take the video. I did that at the beginning of the parade, hence these pictures. However, when Hayden and Claude came I was busy cheering and videoing and watching Bailey interact with them and forgot from that point forward to press the 'capture a picture while videoing' feature on my camera. Silly Moi! Now I really need to find a way to take a picture out of the video.

Oldham County High School, Oldham County Middle School and Buckner Elementary are all right there together. The kids marched from the front of the Middle School around the outside of the Elementary School and along the back of the High School back to the Middle School. We were done after Hayden and Claude reached me back at the Middle School. We set up that we would pick up Hayden at 3:40 and then go pick up Bailey from her Volleyball Club meeting. Then we would have time with the Mini's to observe Hayden's birthday which had occurred the previous Sunday.

This was just a marvelous celebration of Veteran's and Patriotism. These are the words Claude posted on Facebook regarding this events:

"I had the BEST DAY EVER yesterday. Hayden, my grandson invited me to his school, Oldham County Middle School, to participate in a remarkable and moving day long program honoring veterans. Music, speeches, letters from the students, lots of red white and blue, music, and even a parade of the veterans attending with their "student." It gives me hope. I think we're going to be OK here folks."

As we see it, Hayden has two more years of Middle School, Bailey will be there for his last year then she has two more years of middle school. That gives us four more years to attend this celebration. We will cheerfully do that and greatly appreciate all the effort taken to teach these young people to honor those who served so they could remain free and to honor this great country. Happy Veteran's Day!!

Old Noah He Built Him, He Built Him an Arky, Arky...

And...he built it in Williamstown, Kentucky, less than 1/2 hour drive from our home!! How convenient is that?

It opened in July and we have wanted to take the tour. We found our opportunity October 31st. A quick drive and there we were...turning into the parking lot and no Ark in site. How can one have an "Ark Encounter" without an Ark in site? This attraction was strategically placed so you can't see it from I-64 or from the very brief time you spend after the exit off I-64 to get to the entrance to the parking lot. When you get in the parking lot area you have to get into the lot before you even catch a distant glimpse of the Ark. This was definitely built in a location that one would have to pay to see the Ark to even get a quick picture of it. So, into the parking lot and to the counter to pay our admission. You can see the Ark from there quite a distance away. There are big buses one is loaded on to take you from the parking lot to the Ark Encounter. Nice little drive and then...there it it...in all its magnificent, gigantic beauty. Simply AWESOME!

This display was along the ramp you walk that goes through the center of the Ark. The ramp in used to walk up floor by floor from the bottom to the top and then to walk back down from the top to the bottom floor by floor. This was actually before you get to the first floor of the Ark. Since we had just done two chili cook-offs, I assured Claude this big kettle was Noah's entry in their chili cook-off. He was amused.

When you get to the Deck One, there is this cutaway section showing the wall construction between the inside and outside of the Ark. The Ark itself is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. The Ark has 3.3 million board feet of lumber. The Ark is the biggest timber-frame structure in the world.

After going through the cut in the wall of the Ark, you see this beautiful carving. I can't remember what it said but it is a beautiful piece of artwork. You tour the First Deck of the Ark first. Order in all things! The title for the First Deck is "The Flood Begins". This deck has an exhibit of Noah and his family praying at the start of the Flood complete with the sound of thunder and flashes of lightning, a variety of animal exhibits showing all types of creatures and how many of each were brought on board.

These huge timbers are situated from top to bottom along the center of the Ark.

Claude is standing outside some of the pens for small animals. Please note the clay container and the wood container attached to the front of each pen. The clay would have dispensed water as needed and the wood would have dispensed food as needed. I am also sure that God would have commanded Noah to put an Exit sign in appropriate locations through the Ark for safety purposes. I mean, there were a lot of animals to leave that Ark when the time came and an Exit sign would have been very handy to have.

This is Claude near some racks filled with storage containers. Can you believe all the pots and containers match. How cool would that be? My dishes are a hodge podge of all kinds of things and I just this last week replaced all my plastic storage containers so they match. And I've been married 46 years.

This is the display of Noah and his family praying. I admit I jumped a little every time that thunder came followed by the flash of lightning.

These containers would have held reptiles that lived with lots of water. The clay pots have a cloth stretched and tied over them so water could be pours through it into the container. In the bottom of the container was a plug that could be pulled to drain old water out. I'm sure they didn't have Noah's architectural drawings but whoever thought this through and reasoned out what might have been should get kudos for their hard work and effort.

I have at least four pictures like this. Poor Claude would walk and read everything and still have to find a spot and wait for me to catch up. I took a picture each time I found him sitting or standing waiting patiently for me to take my pictorial history of our adventure. We were also fortunate in the few people who were touring that day. Don't get me wrong, there were lots of people. But this is one HUGE vessel and it was not at all filled to capacity. So it made picture taking a lot neater with fewer people to be in the pictures.

On up the ramp we went to Deck Two. Deck Two is titled "Technology of the Ark". There are depictions of the Pre-Flood World and exhibits detailing with how Noah's family could have maintained the Ark and cared for thousands of animals during the Flood.

The animals pens on Deck Two were for larger animals.

Another of poor Claude waiting for Sandi.

The next four pictures are of people caring for the animals on the Ark. I liked the clever walkways above these larger pens. Food could be poured down the funnels into the pens.

Lots of information was given about Noah taking 'kinds' of animals. Not species of animals but kinds which would be a smaller numbers than one of every species. The idea was also presented that Noah started with young animals which would grow over the time they were in the Ark. Less food would have been needed. Just thoughts but interesting nonetheless.

This deck had a suggested area with things they would have brought with them. This room was constructed to house scrolls and a few trinkets they may have kept.

There may have been a wood working shop to maintain all the wooden things on the Ark.

 And there may have been a metal working shop to maintain the metal things on the Ark.

Then we are on to Deck 3. There were a lot of Amish people touring ahead of us. It occurred to me after we got home that they were all husband and wife. And...all the men were in electric carts while the women were all walking. I think this means Amish men wear out faster than Amish women...but I could be all wrong about that as well. Once again, I caught up to Claude and he was waiting with the Amish to go to Deck 3. They pulled out ahead of us and we had an Amish parade of sorts with the men in their electric carts and the ladies walking beside. I wonder if that is how Claude and I will travel as we age. Still get out and about and he'll ride in a cart and I'll walk beside him. Maybe we'll even be holding hands. Now, that is a nice image.

Down the center of the Ark. Fascinating to see the construction and the vastness of the Ark.

Claude was totally in awe of this construction. Here he is inspecting one of the many huge timbers supporting the interior top to bottom.

Deck 3 is titled "After the Flood". It has the possible living quarters of the Noah family. A room for each couple, a kitchen area, a place where fresh plants might have grown, and a room with bird cages.

Deck Three also has displays of the construction of the Tower of Babel, the different Ark stories from lots of different cultures (the orange map has brown depictions of what each of these cultures Arks would have looked like), a monument to the Rainbow Covenant made by God that he would not send another flood to cover the earth and a collection of scriptures. I'm only posting two pictures of scriptures. The first is a real Torah Scroll and the second is a Polyglot Bible Leaf from London in 1655. The Polyglot is really cool because it had the same passage of scripture in several different languages and was used to deeply study and compare the different wordings in scriptures. I find this fascinating.

Time to descend those center ramps. As we got to the First Deck again, I was amazed to find Noah built a vending area in the Ark. That is one clever man!

We visited the gift shop. You have to go through it to get out of the Ark. We watched them making fudge and bought me a beautiful basket made in Ghana.

There is a nice restaurant with reasonably priced, good food called Emzara's Kitchen. Emzara is Moses wife's name. I don't know how they knew that but that was the name they gave her. I had an excellent veggie wrap.

Then we walked down a hill to Ararat Ridge Zoo. This is a small zoo but it does boast a place to ride donkeys (for a fee) and a place to ride camels (for a fee). We observed but did not ride either. We road camels in Egypt to a Nubian village. That is the top of the camel riding experience for me. I was amused that they have a ramp that you can climb up to be at the camel's back level to get on the camel. There are two men there to help you on. They were helping a man on that was in our age bracket or maybe a little older. He was having a little trouble getting on but they helped him and he got on just fine. I reflected back to our lesson on how to get on a camel in Egypt. They had the camel sit down on the ground. You climbed on his back and there was a saddle of sorts with a handle in the front and one in the back. Once you were on you grabbed the handled and you needed to rock the way the camel was wobbling as it stood up. Quite an experience. As we walked away from this man walking in figure eights and enjoying his camel ride I reflected on how cool it was to ride across Nubian desert sand on top of that really tall camel. I felt like I was on top of the world. Loved every second of that ride. Then we walked past where the man had parked his electric cart he was using to get around the Ark Encounter. Hmmmm...That camel ride was quite a different experience for him. I truly hope he enjoyed his ride as much as Claude and I enjoyed ours.

There were lots of emus in the Ararat Ridge Zoo. Once again Claude got ahead of me. When I rounded the corner I was able to get this great shot of Claude having a moment with one of the emus. Love this picture...and my guy!

As we left the Ark Encounter, I took two more pictures to show perspective. That man in the first picture is Claude and he is 6 feet tall. Then I got one more picture of the length from the bow of the Ark to the stern. It is HUGE.

 

If you want to put the Ark Encounter on your bucket list, this information will help:
ArkEncounter.com is the website. There is a sister attraction about 45 minutes north called the Creation Museum. We have not toured that. You can buy tickets to both events and save a little money. They are still building on this attraction. There will be a theater built on the back side of the Ark and a Nomad Village and a Walled City will also be added. There is already a Screaming Eagle Zip Line and Aerial Adventure at the site. We opted out of those as well this time.

Claude and I both highly recommend this attraction. It was fascinating and makes you really appreciate Old Noah and his Arky, Arky!!