Austin Visits His
Granduncle, James
July 2, 2002

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About June 26 of 2002 Austin's grandparents, Richard and Kate picked Austin up in Arizona for a month's visit with them here in California. July 1, Carrie picked him up for an overnight visit with her. She was supposed to have returned him earlier in the day but phoned and got permission to bring him by for a visit with me. I was sure glad it all worked out.

I had a great time with Austin. First thing he wanted to do was go for a ride on my "scooter". We pretended to get lost and I let Austin "drive" me and my scooter all over the apartment complex until we found our way back home. He drove pretty good except for running off the sidewalk whenever he got side tracked (which was quite often) so I had to keep my hand near the controller at all times. I kept telling him that I didn't have a 4-wheeler to which he only giggled.

Austin and I after finding our way back home. Carrie watching TV
Carrie took this one of Austin and I after we "found our way back home". I snuck this one of Carrie while she was watching TV.

Austin asked if I had any more toys so I brought out a bag of some I've been collecting. He was content to just sit there in the chair playing with them for a while. Carrie was watching TV.
Carrie watching TV.

I offered Austin some ice-cream; of course he didn't refuse. Carrie tried to dish some out but my little freezer froze it so hard that she had to tell Austin he was going to have to wait until it thawed out a bit.
Carrie opens the box of ice-cream. Carrie tried to dish it up but it was too frozen.

So, Austin and I went back outside. By then several of the apartment complex children started to gather on the playground. Austin had no problem walking right up to them and trying to join in. Quite a few of the pictures are of him at play. A few of the older children even allowed him to join their marble game. Austin had no idea what he was doing but it didn't seem to bother the others. They just quite politely ignored his little marble he kept flicking around. I was quite pleased how well they treated him.
Austin (squatting) watching them play marbles. Austin shows them one of the toys I gave him.
Austin (squatting) watching them play marbles
Austin shows them one of the toys I gave him
He lets them check out his new toy. Austin has been given a marble to play with.
He lets them check out his new toy
Austin has been given a marble to play with
Austin playing marbles.  He's waiting for his turn here. Austin playing marbles.  It's one of the girls turn to shoot.
Austin playing marbles.
He's waiting for his turn here
Austin playing marbles.
It's one of the girls turn to shoot
Austin moved to the playground equipment. He climbed all over the place.
Austin moved to the playground equipment
He climbed all over the place

Later, an ice-cream vendor came down the sidewalk ringing his little bell and pushing his small ice-cream cart. I saw Austin run up and watch as another child purchased a popsicle. At the same time I was showing some of the other children the images I had taken with the digital camera. Next thing I knew one of them said Austin was crying. I had seen him walk over to the playground equipment and sit down beneath the slide but hadn't noticed anything wrong. When I wheeled up to him and asked what was the matter he said sobbingly, "The ice-cream man wouldn't give me any ice-cream". I told him that was because he needed money to buy the ice-cream with. He then stuck both hands in his pockets and pulled them back out making sure to show that they were empty and while continuing to cry said, "But I don't have any money". I was feeling pretty bad by then but didn't have the money either. So, I told him we had some ice-cream waiting in my apartment.
Two small bites and he was done.
When we got back, the ice-cream had thawed and Carrie dipped him out a small bowl. I hand spooned him a couple of small bites and he was done. I finished what was left. We then went back outside where he played some more. I forgot to take my camera with us.

It was time to go. Carrie helped to put his shoes on. He offers me one of his toys.
By the time we came back in, it was time to go. Carrie helped him to put his shoes on. When she was done Austin offered me one of his toys because I had given him one of mine. I thanked him and then told him to keep it for me because someday I was going to come out to Arizona and visit him where we could both play with the toys then. Shortly after that, they were out the door. I followed them to the car but forgot to bring my camera for a few parting shots.
I miss him again already..................love you, Austin!!!

Thanks for bringing him by, Carrie!!!

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Document Created July 2, 2002
Last Updated June 28, 2005