Ace is on book tour right now--tonight Tampa, tomorrow, St. Pete, then Montgomery, then finally home late Saturday night. Everything's going well--good buzz, nice crowds, excellent reviews. But he misses us. And it's a tiring schedule. Still, I find it hard to feel sorry for him when he sends me photos of his luxury boutique hotel on the beach.
Our house, what with the baby, 12 dogs, nine cats, and my full-time job, is simply unmanageable by myself. I got through all right a couple of days last week all by my lonesome, but if one tiny thing goes wrong (as it often does), then everything goes to hell. So my parents arrived last Thursday to help out (supposedly) and visit Billy (their real reason for coming).
They have been playing and working non-stop. My dad completely serviced our lawnmower--new blades and everything--and then mowed and trimmed about four acres. It looks beautiful. My mom has vacuumed and mopped and generally helped keep things running. Most of all--free childcare for the week. It's a tough job. Last time they saw Billy, he couldn't really move out of the spot you'd put him in. Boy, has that changed. Now, I think he is physically incapable of staying still. See:
I'm biased, but what a cutie. He turned eight months old yesterday, and I have no doubt he'll be walking before the month is out. He's already cruising--moving from chair to coffee table to whatever. Gran sent a Tonka truck for his Easter present, and he can roll it along the floor standing behind it making "vroom" noises. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aosu83ohDD0When he's not playing with toys, he goes right for what he shouldn't: the fireplace, the bookcase, etc. So he must be supervised at all times. He's really fast, too.
He's a lot to keep up with. And although Mom and Dad are fairly well preserved, they're almost worn out.
I rewarded them on Sunday with a trip to Taylor Grocery, which has the best catfish in the world. (Ace and I had our wedding reception there) Billy ate cereal, teething biscuits, and lemons:
But after a week keeping up with the little man, we're scheduled for a return visit Friday night. They deserve it.
