19 Months Old Today!

...and exactly one month until you (Jack) are home! But who's counting? We had a lovely day. The storms which trampled Dallas the last two days are gone and in their wake, icky humid 97 degree loveliness. Someone told me that it was 105 with the heat index. What is the heat index, I wonder? Anyhow, we began our day in a pile of books. Walker was looking for the PERFECT book.

We were heading to a birthday in the afternoon for our friend, Jay. Here is his birthday baggy I sewed up for him. I filled it with juggling bean bags.

On our way to the party, Walker saw this parking lot full of buses. He began shouting and kicking his legs. "Mama, BUS! BUS! BUS!" So, of course, we had to stop and admire.

Walker borrowed a friend's sun glasses.

I think he looks like Tom Cruise in "Risky Business".

The birthday was held at a public indoor swimming spot. Susan and Mike brought all their party stuff in this great red wagon. Walker spent the majority of the afternoon siting in the wagon. With Katie...

and with James Charles...

and with the birthday boy, Jay...

Emmawyn arrived with crackers. And Walker can't resist a cute girl with a handful of Goldfish.

Of course, Walker doesn't yet know the meaning of "just one".

Jay having a go at his birthday cake!

Walker wasn't interested in cake. So he started rifling through bags to find those Goldfish crackers.

...and while he was at it, he might as well resurrect the red wagon.

After cake and merriment, Walker and the kids swam for about an hour. Then we headed to the locker rooms to wring out out wet swim trunks and dress. Walker found that he was a perfect fit for the lockers. Don't worry, I didn't lock him up or anything. But the thought did cross my mind.

Back at home: dinner was risotto and
mashed sweet potatoes. Mmm... gourmet!

I think the locker made an impression, because Walker spent the rest of the evening trying to squeeze into small spaces.


Can you believe its been 19 months since W was born? We did good, babe! Love you madly and can't wait to see you in a month. xo - Sarah and the little guy

Snacking

Hi Jack! Hi Family! Rain day today. Big, big rain day. It started storming at 7pm last night and continued on until 1pm this afternoon. Tornado warnings last night and flood warnings this morning. So Walker and I stayed in. Walker's favorite activity for the day? Snacking. We started with raisins, which Walker appropriately called "rainins".

Then we moved on to Cherios and milk.

All gone! Okay, what do we do when the bowl is empty?

We make a hat!

Then we try to get in the bowl.

Oh Jack, we miss you! ..oh, a big first today. Walker said "thank you" unbidden - all by himself when I put lunch on the table. Proud mama! He also said "water" with the 't' in the middle. No more "wawa". Oh, and he learned how to say "dark" which came about when we lost power this morning. Love you!

Yours - wife and child

Walker and Cameron

Dear Jack - One month and two days before you are home home home! We're missing you big time. There were so many sweet little happenings today that I know you would have loved. So, instead of missing out, I thought I'd give you the run down.

1. Walker said "bus" with the 's' sound at the end. "Peacock" was also fully pronounced with the hard 'k' sound at the end.

2. Walker got his first skinned knee. He was chasing Jim's son Cameron and slipped on wet rocks.

3. Walker jimmied the tool drawer open (don't ask me how) and found the screw driver. Then he opened the side board door and began to UNSCREW the door handle from behind.

4. Walker saw a picture of Obbie and said "Papa B".

5. ...and the thing I'm sure you'll be sorry you missed the most is cleaning up a plate of tiny pieces of scrambled egg that Walker dumped on the carpet. Ugh.

We spent the afternoon at the Arboretum with Jim, Cameron, Anne, Ashley and Mackey. Mackey was smart and stayed under cover (it was 96 degrees and dripping with humidity today) so there aren't any photos of her. However, Cameron showed Walker all the ropes and a good time was had by all. Below is a Hibiscus you would have oohed and aaaahed at.

Jim, Cameron and Walker in Pioneer Town.

Walker loves the play houses.

Cameron tills the soil on some old farm equipment.

Westward Ho!

The Arboretum has great playhouses set up all summer long.

The only question is who will be captain?

The boys making their best pirate faces.

The end. He was asleep before we left the parking lot, but he wouldn't relinquish his steering wheel.

Dinner? Beans, oranges and milk. Lame, I know. I was tired.

Tornado Time

After Jack headed back to Utah, Walker and I took an impromtu trip North to see our friends Colleen and Craig and Grandma Happy and Papa Obbie who were visiting on their way through to Illinois. Walker did beautifully in the car - even when we were heading through tornado country.


Filling up at a lone gas station as the storm lets up for a moment.

Happy and Walker shoot hoops - well, more like running around with the ball. Just like the NBA.

Walker learns about the "high hat" from Craig.



Happy and Walker in serious conversation on the porch swing.


Walker shows off his new ride.

You never know what will happen when Walker is down for the night.

Colleen gets in on the action.
Craig and Obbie put on their manly faces. I think Obbie looks like Gov. Swarzenegger.