A MEMORABLE MEMORIAL DAY

Well, my day at Nana and Putty's began with more chores . . . . .

Since Aunt Harriet's guidelines for watering the money tree didn't produce anything, I had to resort to more drastic measures.  Sorry, Mom . . .

Quite honestly, I'm a bit surprised that Dad's car-cleaning techniques reaped such few dividends.  I mean, we're talking pennies . . . .

 

I was finally able to convince Nana and Putty I wouldn't spend ALL their money, so off we went . . .

After our final purchase, I was off on my brand new yacht to soak up some fun in the sun . . .

DO YOU KNOW THE WAY . . . .

. . . to San Jose, or is that Sonoma?  My mommy and daddy didn't leave me enough money to fly, but I haven't heard a "woo-woo", and no bus is in sight.

Oh well, if someone will just point me in the right direction, I believe my sandals and my staff will get me there.  I hope it doesn't take 40 years.  I want Mommy and Daddy to know the joys of college tuition and car insurance payments.

Putty says dog paddling will be quicker than walking, and a whole lot cooler.

Gee, being at Putty and Nana's isn't so bad.  Guess I'll just stay here since Putty needs lots of help with his chores.  I can feed the birds today, and maybe he'll let me mow the lawn tomorrow.

When the chores are finished tomorrow, Putty says we may get to go shopping if the money tree grows from all this watering and fertilizing.

Hello Mudder Hello Fodder...

Day 2 at Camp G&G has been just as busy as Day 1.  Sorry I was already asleep when you called last night but Camp is pretty tiring.  We did get a trip to the DQ last night. Gram and Grandaddy REALLY enjoyed their ice cream...but personally I think it's over-rated.  I did eat 4 bites though!This morning started out with soccer practice instead of football.  I can't decide which I like better but I'll keep an open mind.

Next we did a little gardening...

And I just couldn't resisit getting a little wet in the sprinkler again...even with my clothes on.  It seems the rules are a little different at Camp G&G.  And look what I found in the garden!  Gram said the footprints are mine and Collier's but I know she must be wrong.  OUR feet are much bigger than that!

There was still time for some bubble fun and reading.  Gram and Grandaddy said that Mommy's favorite book was the same as mine.  Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever is the best! They also said that I was a lot like my Mommy when I got my head stuck between the highchair and the wall this morning as I was trying to squeeze through.  They said to ask you about the staircase at Granny Crouch's house.

Oh, and Evie is fine too.  I'm glad she got to come too!  Well, gotta go pack my toys. I know Nana and Putty will want to play with them, too!  Love you both bunches and bunches!!!  Bye bye!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY , UNCLE STEPHEN!  I love you! Tell Collier hi!

Walt

Greetings from Camp Gram & Grandaddy

Hi Mommy and Daddy.  I miss you you a lot but it is kind of fun here.  It seems that Gram and Grandaddy have nothing better to do than to entertain me.  Gram said to tell you that we are on schedule.  Did you really say that she was supposed to take a nap at 1:00?!  She said something about a non-stop motion machine!  The day started out with a little football practice.  Hey, what are "two-a-days" anyhow?  Then Grandaddy and I read my favorite book.  I had to show him all the cars and trucks...is he a little slow or what? And what's with the hair?!?!

After a walk around the neighborhood Gram gave me some fat chalk and taught me about "sidewalk art" .  She said not to worry...it won't stain my clothes...or Evie!

While Gram was resting I looked at a book with LOTS of pictures...funny they all seem to be of me and Collier! 

Well, that's about it for the morning.  Gram said we are going to play in the sprinkler this afternoon...IF SHE EVER WAKES UP!  Better go get my swim trunks on so I'll be ready.  I love you all bunches.  Have fun and bring me something when you come home  Hey, guess what...I get to go see Nana and Putty tomorrow!!! Wow this is just too cool! XOXOXO Walt

Pictures of the Kid

Okay, I've got terrible writers block, but I know you want some new pictures of the kiddo, so here you go . . .

Sorry so boring.  Will try to be more entertaining next time!

Just Fine

Day Two of Boys Weekend went off without a hitch.  It started with a warm, windy eight-miler with Walt in the stroller.  Back home for a shower and then off for a quick trip to Target where I'm certain we undercut Mommy's average puchase amount by at least $55.  And that included this gem:

That's right; it is the Fisher-Price Elmo's Grow With Me Sprinkler with 2 Play Modes.  When the temperature gets in the 90's, a boy's got to cool off.

Here's a movie of Walt enjoying the Elmo sprayer:

Download MVI_4251.AVI

Oh yeah, and we went to another crawfish party, and Walt and I ate some more crawfish.  No pictures of the crawfish eatin' I'm afraid.  It's difficult keeping track of a 16 month-old and eating crawfish and making conversation.  It leaves little time for photos.  There is one of the two of us at the party, however.






One more thing.  I might as well confess before someone notices and calls me on it.  I put his little pool shoes on the wrong feet. 

And So It Begins

There are marathons, which as any regular Walt's World visitor knows are 26.2 mile endurance races through the streets of various cities, and then there are weekends without Mommy.  The former being easily accomplished with a little preparation and some degree of tolerance for pain.  The latter . . . well, we're not sure what it takes, but we're about to find out.  I can say that there was little preparation. (When I asked if there were any suggestions for Walt's dinner, I was told very succinctly, "Nope.")  If a tolerance for pain is involved, I suspect it will be needed tomorrow about this time.  I'll let you know.

So far, I'm happy to report, we have had no problems.  And here's a picture of Walty trying to put a carrot in his sippy cup . . .

As if I had to say, he did NOT then eat the carrot.  I think he was trying to hide it.  In what I'm sure was a similar ploy, Walt was kind enough to feed me a few bites of his dinner.

Extra points for taking and starring in the same photograph, eh?

Before dinner, there was a stifling 4-miler in the jog stroller featuring our first (and certainly not our last) quasi-celebrity sighting of the weekend: none other than our very own District Attorney General William H. Gibbons, who was taking a break from fighting crime to fill up the Crown Vic at the Mapco where we stopped to score some fuel (Gatorade) of our own.  It was Walt's first introduction to a public official.  The General (don't laugh, that's what they call him) was most gracious.  Lacking a camera at the time, I offer this picture:

I hope this doesn't earn me an indictment of some sort.

And finally, the television gods have smiled on Daddy and caused DirecTV to offer it's annual HBO Free Preview this weekend.  So, it's off to watch . . . well, I can't decide.  Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy or The Bourne Conspiracy?  What will it be . . . ?  So exciting.

Sixteen Months

Before we proceed with the monthly update, all of us here at Walt's World would like to extend a special welcome to the Bush baby boys who arrived in the world shortly before ten o'clock this morning.  John Carroll weighed in at 5 lbs.,  3 oz. and Henry Arnold at 4 lbs., 10 oz.  Henry is in the NICU tonight for observation, but they expect him to be joining his parents and brother tomorrow.  We are so happy they are here safe and sound and Walt can't wait to start teaching them all his tricks!  Hopefully we'll have pics of the newbies soon.  And now, on with our regularly scheduled programming . . .

To be perfectly honest, there aren't a whole lot of new tricks to report this month.  He's pretty much got the walking thing down, although anything quicker than a walk usually results in a fall, shortly followed by a huge bruise on his noggin.  At one point this month, this is what our poor child looked like:

Does this not look like Exhibit A in some kind of assault trial?  I promise, we do not beat the child.  Or tie his shoelaces together.  Or in any way encourage him to push the limits of his physical capabilities.  On the contrary, we are constantly telling him to slow down, but he has yet to grasp the fact that his coordination has not quite caught up with his ambition.  Short of putting down shag carpet over the hardwood floors or getting him a helmet, I don't think there's anything we can do but wait this phase out.  And hope no one calls child services on us.

Walt is still doing a lot of signing, but not much talking yet.  He definitely understands a lot of what we're saying, and proved it to Nana this weekend when, after she mentioned bubbles while playing with him outside, he led her inside and directly to his bubbles.  She was quite impressed.  (Although, to be fair, she's impressed with a lot of things he does.  She might be biased.  I'm not sure.)  He can point out all kinds of things in his books, bring you the toys you ask for, and start signing "more" frantically when you ask him if he's hungry, but he's still playing the strong, silent type.  I probably shouldn't complain, though, because I have a feeling that once he starts, he may never  stop talking.  Maybe I'll just enjoy the quiet for now.

I guess the main development of this month is that he has just become a lot more fun.  I'm not sure if it has to do with his improved mobility or his greater understanding of the world around him, but he just wants to be a part of everything.  And, as it turns out, everything is fun!

A good time is being had by all.

Strollin' on the River

There are big weekends, and then there are big weekends.  This was a BIG weekend for Walt.  Nana and Putty are here for Mother's Day and to keep him tomorrow during the day.  Today, after a big breakfast, a big church service and a nap, we went down to the river for some strollin'.

Evie got in on the act, and Mommy, of course, documented the entire event.  (Putty documented Mommy documenting the event.)

It being Mother's Day and all, I'm going to try to feature as many moms in this post as possible.

And here's one of the guys.

What about Saturday, you may be asking.  Well, first thing Saturday morning, the newest member of Team Spickler made her 5K debut at the Carnival Memphis 5K at the Children's Museum of Memphis.  The veteran members of the team (me and Walty) ran/rode next to her for support.  We are very proud of her.  She finished in just over 31 minutes and ran the entire distance.

After the race, we met our ol' friends the Lareaus for a trip to the brand, spankin' new Memphis Farmers Market.

Even though this last photo is from Saturday afternoon, it pretty much sums up Walt's condition when we put him to bed tonight: exhausted, but content.