The Only Constant Is Change

Grams has had a couple of experiences lately that make me realize how different the world of today's teens is from the world I grew up in.

A few weeks ago I was subbing at the high school. We had finished the lesson and I was chatting about music with a student. I made a reference to The Beatles and he asked "That was a band, right?" WHAT! I explained to him that that was not A band, it was THE band. Good lord, I'm getting old!
 
My book club, The Book Snobs, is reading Pat Conroy's The Water is Wide this month. As I was reading today I picked up on a reference to the lack of telephones on Yamacraw Island where he taught for two years. I instantly wondered if no one had a cell phone on the island. Then I realized that the book is set in the 1960s. Duh!

In light of both of these facts, I started thinking about the world Our Little Princesses will know. Here's what I've come up with.

They will never have to drag the telephone extension into the closet to have a private conversation. Phones won't have coiled cords that you can twist around your fingers while you chat. In the rare event that they actually pick up a land line, they will probably think something is wrong with it. Their phones don't have dial tones. They will also never know the satisfaction that comes from slamming down a telephone handset in anger. Pushing a button just is not as fulfilling somehow.

Written communication is primarily written via email or text message. It's entirely possible they'll never mail anything using "snail" mail.

It won't be far-fetched to think of a person of color holding the office of President of the United States.

Women will always have been members of the Supreme Court.

Books will always come in electronic format.

It's entirely possible they will not learn to write cursive at school.

The Space Shuttle program won't be advanced technology. It will be obsolete.

They'll know who Princess Kate is, but not Princess Di!

They'll check the time by looking at their cell phone, not their wrist watch.

Video phones are not futuristic. All you need is a computer with a webcam and you can see and talk to anyone anywhere.

Cameras don't need film and pictures don't have to be developed.

Every year I look forward to Beloit College's Mindset List. It's a list they publish every fall to bring their professors up-to-date on what the incoming freshman class has experienced and what their mindset might be. I've linked to the list for the Class of 2014.

So what do you think. What else will be different about the world our grandchildren will grow up in?

How To Entertain a Princess

At our annual fall family gathering last weekend there were lots of activities for the older kids and adults. Some played softball, volleyball, horseshoes and washers. While the adults talked and played games, Our Little Princess found her own entertainment.

Look what I found.

I think I'll just move it over here.

This looks like a good place.

Wait a minute!

Hey look, there's a hole in here.

I wonder if I can get inside.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

A few weeks ago, Grams and Grandad were shopping with Our Little Princess in San Antonio. While we were trying on shoes, there was a man nearby who approached Grams and said "I bet your daughter looks just like you and this little one looks just like her Mom."

Anytime there's a new baby in the family, there's always a lot of talk about who he or she looks like. My father-in-law used to say "she doesn't look like anyone but herself." Mostly I tend to agree with him. Frankly, I've always thought Our Little Princess looks a little bit like her older half-sister who lives in Chicago; until recently that is.

I recognized a few months ago that there is a remarkable resemblance between Our Little Princess and her mother. Last weekend when she stayed with us, I had the chance to "do" her hair. Since it's so hot, I did it the way I used to do her Mom's ... pig tails. As soon as I finished, I knew there was no longer any question. In this photo, Our Little Princess on the left is 18 months old and her Mom on the right is 3 years old.  What do you think?

The Princess is One

On Saturday, February 20, Our Little Princess will be one year old. I can't believe a year has gone by already. Here is the story of her first amazing year as she might tell it.

My name is Ezra Allison White. I arrived in the world in San Antonio, Texas around 5 in the afternoon on February 20, 2009. The doctor was very surprised that I weighed a healthy 9 pounds 3 ounces. As you can see, I looked gorgeous as soon as they cleaned me up and let me cuddle up with Mama.


Mama and Daddy were very happy to see me. Okay, I don't know why Mama seemed so tired, I think she must have had a hard day. They were delighted that I was a beautiful, healthy baby girl.


All my grandparents were happy to meet me. Grams and Grandad were over the moon with happiness because I am their first grandchild.


Auntie Marie and Uncle Nick came to see me as fast as they could get from Houston to San Antonio. I had lots of visitors at the hospital. Some of my new cousins brought me this handmade hat that Uncle Nick is modeling. I have to say that my Uncle Nick is hilarious. He always makes me laugh.


A couple of days later, when I went home for the first time, Daddy took my first portrait and I met Minnie. Minnie watches over me and as soon as I learn to throw the ball, I think she'll really like me. Minnie makes me laugh at least as much as Uncle Nick.


Compared to my former living quarters, my new home seems so big and bright. By the time I was one month old, I was bright-eyed and interested in everything that was going on around me. Mom and Dad made sure my room is beautiful. It's painted a pretty blue color and there are birds that hang right over my bed. I love to sit in my great-grandmother's rocking chair that Daddy painted just for my room.


Mama and Daddy take me lots of places, almost everywhere. There is so much to do and see and they're really good at showing me new things. I know I can depend on them to show me how things work.

In the summer my big sister Mady came to stay. She was very handy to have around and helped Mama and Daddy take care of me. She's a great big sister and I can't wait to see her again. Mady and Daddy let me play video games with them. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to beat them by next summer.


I found my toes but wasn't quite sure what they were for. So I tried out a few different things. For a while I used them to hold my bottle. They also were a pretty good pacifier and kind of tasty. Now that I'm walking I know exactly what they're for. Last Sunday, I got to squish them in the sandbox for the first time. I really liked that!


Grams introduced me to two of her favorite things ... Starbucks and shopping. She loves to take me shopping and make dresses for me, but for some reason she won't let me have any coffee. It sure smells good though.


I must admit, I've had a few issues with my hair, but I think they're finally under control. Aunt B says I need some product. I'm sure she'll help me with it as soon as I get a little bit more hair.


My Mom dresses me quite fashionably. Some days I feel like a Barbie doll. Here are a few samples of my wardrobe. No matter what I wear, Grams thinks I look fabulous! By the way, I chose the tutu myself. I would wear it every day if Mom would let me.


Late in the summer, Mom and Dad took Mady to see Phantom of the Opera in Houston. Noni came too and we stayed with Uncle Nick. Uncle Nick babysat for the first time and it was so much fun. I made a dirty diaper just for him to change. You might notice in the picture that Uncle Nick wore rubber gloves when he changed my diaper. I told you he was hilarious!


My Aunt Catherine and Uncle Chad had a beautiful wedding last fall and I got to go. Grams and Grandad took care of me while Mama, Dad and Mady participated in the wedding. Grams made me this fabulous dress to wear. I think Mom and I looked beautiful.


There was so much to do and so many people to meet. I've already been to Gruene Hall with Uncle Mack, Aunt B and my cousin Eric and his son Jonathan. Uncle Charlie and Aunt Sandy were there too. I met some of my cousins and my great-great aunts and uncles at the Valenta Family Reunion in Corn Hill. My Great-Grandma Ruthie was there too. It was so much fun. But it wasn't all sunshine and roses this year; shortly after the reunion I got sick and had to be hospitalized; but I'm all better now.


On Christmas Eve we went to Great-Grandma Ruthie's house. All of Mom's aunts and uncles and cousins were there. We opened presents with Grams and Grandad on Christmas morning and then we went back to San Antonio and had Christmas Day with Dad's family. Christmas was so much fun. I hope we do it again next year.


Mama and Daddy love music and so do I. When Dad plays his guitar, I accompany him on the hand drum. And I really like singing Itsy-Bitsy Spider with Mama.


As you can see, my first year has been very busy. Mom and Dad had a little birthday party for me last weekend. My Noni came all the way from Louisiana and Grams and Grandad came from Corpus Christi. Of course, Uncle Nicky and Auntie Marie came from Houston. They gave me my first pair of cowboy boots. I ate my first piece of chocolate cake, which I shared with Uncle Nick and Grandad. I got so many new toys and clothes. I especially liked the shredded green paper that was in one of the bags.


So my first year has been fun. I don't know if I'm a "baby genius" or not, but I'm learning a lot and everyone is expecting great things from me. I know whatever happens in my life ... I'm going to be great ... because so many people love and support me, especially Mom and Dad.

Weekend Update

The weekend was great. Grams spent lots of quality time with our little princess, Ezra, and her parents. Along with that we spent Saturday afternoon with my brother, Charlie, his wife, Sandy, my sister, Bylinda, and her husband, Mack. Even my nephew Eric found a little time to drop by Gruene Hall for a short visit.

Our little princess, Ezra, has changed so much in the few weeks since we saw her last. She's sitting up on her own now with no assistance. And we were there on Friday evening when she figured out the whole crawling thing. That's right, no more rolling around on the floor to get what she wants. Now she just crawls right over. Minnie, the family's Jack Russell Terrier is in for a whole new world now that the little princess can chase her around the room. I even saw Ezra eyeballing the doggy door a couple of times right after Minnie went through it. I know it's only a matter of time until she follows Minnie right out into the back yard. It's just going to be too tempting.

We spent Saturday afternoon in Gruene where it was Gruene Market Days. We enjoyed a stroll through tents full of hand-crafted items and sampled some very tasty wine. And no trip to Gruene would be complete without a stop at Gruene Hall. We stopped there where the men enjoyed a cold beer while most of the ladies just stuck with ice water. It was much hotter than we had hoped it would be and by the time Hal Ketchum's band tuned up, we were exhausted and ready to leave. We headed back to San Antonio and stopped for dinner at Chuy's -- delicious.