We went to the Wednesday storytime for preschoolers as we missed the Monday Toddler Time. MaryVic had a great time but William was a bit distracted. He wanted to push the stroller all over the place. They both enjoyed the craft and visiting everyone.

It was a nice day and we went to the playground outside the library.

Last year, Mary couldn’t do this without help. This year she has mastered it and insisted on having several pictures taken.

Very proud!

Lunch with Daddy afterwards. She was being goofy and refused to smile.

I found a toy that they hadn’t seen in a while and she’s begging William to share it. He would look at her and go “NO!

Dance class on Saturday. Another one spent walking the stroller.

Little did I know it was in preparation for this! We went to the Family Fun Zone at Thoroughbred Theater. We took the shopping cart with us. He pushed the cart around, chased the Chik-Fil-a cow and was able to flee the other mascots in this manner. I sat down with him in the chalk drawing area and asked him if he wanted to draw. I pointed him towards the chalk and pushed his cart on over. This was the second or third piece of chalk because I was so surprised to see him start walking independently. I was busy cheering and yelling at Greg who was being superdad and standing with MaryVic in the facepaint line.

After that I was brave enough to put him in a bouncy with some other tots. It was 4 years old and younger only and not crowded.

He liked being in but this is all he did. He went in it again but immediately wanted out.

The next morning I heard MaryVic coaxing William down the stairs. It is the first time since the accident that William got out of bed himself (the guest bed) and came downstairs. “Come on little fella, it’s not far now…” They were very cute. They haven’t made another trip down the stairs together.

One of only two pictures I have of William walking at the zoo on Sunday. I think there was the ‘help, my feet won’t stop’ red shoes deal going on. He would stop and squat frequently to rest. He occasionally laid down in the path to rest. He did not want us to pick him up and if we persisted in asking, he’d get up and go for a little bit more.

Sunday was probably the most he has walked with it getting less frequent as the week goes on. He does a mix of moving via crawling and walking. I picked up papers from daycare and we’ll see how he does on Tuesday for half day.

We’ve kept busy and went to Toddler Time this past Monday. He did walk around the library. He fell down the bonus room stairs Monday night but was okay. He calmed down fairly quickly compared to the playground fall in Arab.

On Tuesday MaryVic went to school. William and I did the grocery shopping and visited Home Depot for lock for the front door. MaryVic can unlock it so Greg has put a flip lock at the top. Not high security but it should keep her in. She stepped out one day and I thought she was with Greg, he thought she was with me… I found her wandering on the sidewalk in front of the house. I think she was looking for aliens. I don’t know why the child security doorknob thing works on the other doors. Yes, we do have one on the front door. I guess I should take it off now.

Yesterday we went to the pool and stayed around the house in the afternoon. It was interesting as the air conditioning guys were here until in the evening. A little more interesting when we found the hole in the ceiling but they were genuinely apologetic. As MaryVic, likes to say ‘accident’s happen’.

I twittered yesterday about the doctor and it doesn’t seem to be anything major. I woke up Tuesday morning and checked on William who was fussing at 3 a.m. I noticed my right eye hurt and went to get it checked. The doctor said it was probably just sinuses and gave me some prescription eyedrop samples. She told me to take some sudafed.

Today is a quiet, rainy day. We may go to the pool again after naps. We’ll just take it easy and let the air conditioning guys finish up. The patching guys have already been here and will be back next week. Air conditioning guys are back to finish up. Greg is home talking to them so we should be all done with that soon!

I took William’s stroller to dance class and he pushed it around from about 10 minutes before class started till we left. They have long hallways and outside was a nice ramp next to a loading dock. He gave himself a good workout. While out there, one of MaryVic’s classmate’s Momma’s flagged me down. She was hanging in the car with her son. He had banged himself on the side of the head next to the eye. He had a slight black eye but it had puffed up and warranted a ER visit. He was okay but gave everyone a scare.

After class, MaryVic wanted to go to Panchos. We quickly figured out why when she told everyone it was Grandmomma’s birthday. We had a nice lunch and then Grandmomma was serenaded and got to wear the big black and gold sombrero. There was a special dessert that looked like some sort of pudding. William was wanting to walk outside so I didn’t get to stay to see what it was.

We went home for naps and quiet times. After which Mary Alice and I loaded the kids up and went to Main Street Festival. We divided the kids up with her taking care MaryVic and me keeping an eye on William. On the way, MaryVic was made to repeat the Mommy Law of ‘Not Running Off’. There will be a lot of people. Stay with Mommy or Grandmomma. If you disappear, you will have to wear the harness, etcetera.

We went to What’s In Store first which happened to be right next to an air brush tattoo tent. “I want one!” No. And so on. MaryVic monitored the number of people in the tent and kept us updated. We promised to look for face painting on the Children’s Aisle and she was appeased. The sale at What’s In Store was very nice with several baskets of jewelry marked down to $2 each. We love the little shop and seriously, where can you beat the deal? They had a lot of neutral jewelry that I picked up – gold, silver and copper. Mary Alice picked up several pieces in a variety of pieces in pretty colors.

Finally we made our way down to the Childrens Aisle. William pushed the stroller for a block or two then opted for crawling or being carried. He was most disappointed not to be allowed in the inflatable bouncies. MaryVic went in every single one. I tried William in the ball tent but he freaked and we were refunded our tickets. William did go in the petting zoo and touch a rabbit and baby duck. I also rode with him and MaryVic on the train. William screamed at first but quickly became amused with waving at everyone. We don’t have a lot of pictures because we were handling the kids.

William was hanging on to the inflatable and I ran to get a picture of Mary. I thought he would slid along it but he became upset instead.

Mary had no problem with the balls.

Momma had her blood pressure taken at the Williamson Medical Center tent (120/60) and William didn’t like being put down.

Right before we rode the train, MaryVic told me her stomache hurt but then she ran off to go in the dragon bouncer. She became very sick on the train and complained about stomach cramps. She and I went into Mellow Mushroom to order a pizza for dinner. We put her in the stroller and carried William. She quickly fell asleep in the stroller. When she woke up, Momma had a pink pony webkinz and all was well. We figure she just became overheated and tired from bouncing.

We hoped to find the vendor who did the shadow art profiles as we had one done of MaryVic when she was 2 but couldn’t find him. We didn’t get past the roundabout or down any side streets since MaryVic wasn’t feeling well. One year he was on the roundabout and a year before on down towards Dotson’s.

We went home and had pizza. The dough from the Mellow Mushroom had a different taste so that was a disappointment. But there was cake! MaryVic sang Happy Birthday to Grandma and William chimed in at the end. Greg picked out a great cake from Kroger, very good. A good end for a good day!

William’s progress: He will hold your hand and walk or he will push the play stroller or shopping cart. I think he’s averaging 1.5 to hours of walking practice a day now. His preferred and fastest mode of travel is still crawling and he’ll bottom scoot when his knees and knees start to bothering him. Not much independent walking at all, just the occasional 2-3 steps to grab something that has captured his interest.

MaryVic found our presence in the room very distracting and it took a lot of persuasion to get her to get out there with her classmates. William enjoyed watching and was wishing he could get out there and dance like he did at her last ‘bring a friend’ day.

Getting started.

Running to us for hugs.

Running around in her warm up circles. She laps the room a few times.

Starting to get unhappy.

She’s retreated to sit with us in the corner.

We’re trying to persuade to participate.

Roll call.

Princesses putting on the dress.

The princess wakes the sleeping flowers with the magic wand.

William stands.

Heels kiss, plie.

Dancing from the sidelines.

Smearing peanut butter on her foot.

Then they stick them together to make sandwiches.

Eating food off the floor.

William tries to dance.

Glue your back to the wall.

She got in line for the kicks.

En pointe sideways.

Floating like butterflies.

Looks like hard work, he takes a break for the girls.

Checking on us.

Jump over the cones.

Running to get lined up in recital order.

Lining up. The little girl in front kept smiling.

Twisty walk to their spot on their toes

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Then they are supposed to stand tall and still.

Mary’s twisty walk.

Standing in her spot.

Love Me Tender!

After the recital dance they flipped.

While waiting her turn, she made faces at herself in the mirror!

William takes another break for the hardworking girls!

Counting 1, 2, 3 as loud as they can for the girl flipping.

Mary rolls.

The audience, Moms

And more Moms and siblings.

And the all important dance class treat at leaving time.

I taped part of the recital dance practice. I didn’t think to flip the camera to video at the start of the dance so I missed that part. The camera ran out of room on the card before the end too, go figure!

We had fun at Monday’s Toddler Time craft with glue and crayons! MaryVic is waving around her duck puppet.

Looking at her first library card. Williamson County allows you a library card when you are 4 years old.

William has been enjoying playing with this pull-up toy. We had not sold it on e-bay yet but that was the plan. Hopefully it will be useful after the cast comes off too. The balls can be dropped from the top and roll down. I thought it might be interesting for others to see him pushing himself around in the cast, getting into a crawling posture. The cast is still very heavy on him but he would push himself after the balls if they rolled on out and then shove himself back to the toy.

William took it as a personal challenge to get the saran wrap back around the chocolate chip cookie when we lunched in Daddy’s office. He never did eat the cookie or get it wrapped back up.

We walked down to the pond and fed the fish. Have to fatten them up for catching later on. Get your fishing poles and bait ready Poppa! I think you have a few weeks though, the fish are not any bigger than a cricket right now.

Sister gave him a wish flower. You have to blow off all the dandelion puffs for a wish to come true. Yes, my neighbors love me for that little myth.

Chasing the dandelion puffs and yes Mom put a stop too it when she went off the sidewalk.

Getting ready to go in the zoo. MaryVic is a pro at using the key to open and shut the doors and trunk. We do not push the red alarm button because that makes Holly the van scream. I was worried about keeping up with her so I dressed her in orange and put the feathers on her head. It worked quite well but she also stayed close.

We played in the playground and went into the ‘reptile house’ like building. It has frogs, snakes, spiders, bugs. birds, turtles, lizards and bats plus other creatures. They don’t allow strollers in there. MaryVic was very good about staying with us as I carried him around.

G

Playing at the dance studio on Thursday during MaryVic’s make up session.

We had company Thursday evening. One of the neighbors dogs came over and MaryVic ran him around the yard.

Playing at today’s Saturday dance class. This was the first time William has gone to her regular dance class and I had to spend some time explaining about his cast. He is quite good and plays during the class.

So far today, we have had an easy day. A storm came up during dance class and it’s been gloomy-gray so far. We went to lunch at Panchos and hopefully are on the tale end of a Barbie movie marathon now. So far we have watched Mariposa, Fairytopeia, and now Swan Lake. William took a nap. Guess I’d better check on the clothes washing and get W changed now that he is awake.

3 days until the x-ray and a decision regarding the cast!!

Alphabet story time at the library on the letter ‘Y’. Mary is in a pink shirt in the middle.

William was more fascinated with the playdough swiss knife from home.

They both enjoyed craft and coloring.

MaryVic’s almost finished Yak. She colored some more and then gave the picture to Mrs. Susan. Gave me a start later in the van when she asked for it and I couldn’t find it. She was upset until I remembered and reminded her that she gave it away.

The bouncy at the Polk Place Easter Egg hunt before Daddy and William got there.

Saying hello to the Easter Bunny.

William at the zoo on Thursday

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MaryVic on the zoo carousel, riding the Kangaroo.

After walking around to see the animals, a strawberry ice cream hits the spot!

MaryVic is ready to visit the zoo playground on Friday. I said we didn’t have to go see the animals.

William is watching his sister run down the snake.

Mary comes out smiling at him and me.

MaryVic riding the carousel again on Friday. She choose to ride a wolf this time. Mommy went on the carousel with her.

William sat on the sidelines and would wave like mad every time we passed by and yelled at him. It was fun to see him light up.

It was a difficult decision to go with MaryVic and leave William to watch but he did fine. She had been really scared Thursday when she rode by herself. William doesn’t usually like to go on the carousel. Maybe when there is someone else with us, I’ll sit with him on the bench to get him used to the motion.

I didn’t have as many pictures as I thought. Most were pretty old but fun to look at such as:

Poppa came up last night and both kids were thrilled to see him. William promptly let him know that he was ‘stuck’. He brought William two new toys and a little gift for Mary from friends in Arab. MaryVic ‘helped’ William open them. He is getting a bit possessive though and if he could hear her playing with the new baby boom box toy, he’d start fussing.

All is well, I was over my bug on Saturday. MaryVic is a little needy due to all the attention William has to have right now. Greg has been working on the light switches at the house and they are ‘automated’ to a degree. We can change them on and off from the computer. I have to say that the motion detector in the garage is pretty cool. It automatically turns the lights on when you walk in there.

What’s really funny about the new switches is that if the lights do go off, the first word out of the kids’ mouths is ‘Daddeee!” If he is around, William will start going ‘dark, dark, dark…’ until they are turned back on.

MaryVic has dance class then we’ll try taking William out to lunch and Costco for his first outing. We wanted to try going out to the library yesterday but it rained all day.

We’re trying to decide about MaryVic going to daycare while I’m home with William. I would just hate for her to come home with a bug and us get sick since flu season is still going on. We may try a day or two a week though and take a friends suggestion to take her straight to bath when she gets home.

FYI, there have never been any bon-bons in the house.