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 ran straight to the train and made friends.

William crawled on up to the curvy slide he loved yesterday but refused to go down.

MaryVic came running over to show him how to slide.

I’m not going down this one either Momma but it’s fun to tease you about it.

Watching sister play.

And sister slides.

Come on William, little buddy! I’ll catch you!

Laying down to refuse to slide.

And she goes back up to brother.

Following sister through another tunnel.

There was a little hiccup in our day. William had a massively messy diaper and we had to go home since I didn’t have a change of pants. MaryVic asked if we could get a blanket and picnic. We called Daddy, picked up some food, picked up clean pants and socks and went back.

I’m through eating and let’s play! Come on!!

Here is your seat Momma.

Her photo pose smile.

She goes down the big slide off of Tinkerbell’s Castle.

Now you, Momma!

William says NO! Are you crazy?

Making a not so fast retreat.

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Waving bye to Daddy.

Heading to the tires.

Sister goes to work on her balance.

He will get in there.

But he cannot get out. I had to go pull him out after some time discussing the issue. He was in there yelling, Help! Help Momma!

MaryVic on the balance beam. She fell off while William and I were discussing if his exit from the tires really needed my help. I couldn’t see her but recognized the crying. A couple other mothers were already looking at her when I got there and picked her up. She cried for a minute and then told me she was going to do it again. I told her she was very brave to keep trying and off she went.

William played in the fire truck while sister did the balance beam and tire bridge.

I pointed him to the drums and he stood there beating on them.

How he crosses the balance beam.

And the tire swing.

The grandparents Nicholson came up in the evening. GrandPoppa took the kids for ice cream by himself while Grandmomma and I went over to the grocery store for essentials, bread, Dora yogurt and the ‘right’ kind of strawberry bars. Greg came to the ice cream shop after work and we headed over to Panchos for dinner.

Maybe MaryVic should be a fund-raiser as an adult as she keeps charming people into giving her things. She was looking at the ‘claw’ stuffed toy vending machine with grandmomma after supper. The vendor came in to reload it and was counting the toys. Apparently he got to the last one and MaryVic reminded him there was one still in the bag. He told her it was a special one, the one he was saving for her. Thus she acquired a 4 horn headed ladybug stuffed animal. She shows up back at our table with it. She did the required parental second thank you to the nice vendor and chirped home happily hugging it.

Our usual family routine for a weekend day was followed.

Start the kids with their daily dose of Wow, Wow, Wubbzy!

Time for weekend lunch at Panchos. William wanted to go but got upset about something during the loading process.

The misery that ensued along the way when no one could figure out what he wanted.

MaryVic however was fine. She said the Whoville Christmas song along the way.

And after lunch, all is well.

We took a trip to Costoco for supplies and ran into the mall where Greg got the cutest little wireless Mac keyboard. The mall trip was fun because Build A Bear is 3 storefronts down from the MacAuthority. I knew if she saw it….so we engaged in parental shenanigans and by some miracle, she didnt’ see it on the way in or out! Greg mocked me for trying to avoid it, calling me cruel or something. I got to fire back with him being crueler as we were toting William with a full load thru the Food Court. Stinky! Stinky!

Back home the kids played around the house. This is MaryVic’s pet store.

I tried to get William to walk with the shopping cart in the background. No luck. He took a couple of steps but was really disappointed with he fell. I helped him back up but the balance and confidence are not there yet. His little legs were just shaking.

He opted for this toy instead.

We had dinner and William helped clean up ala played with the dishwasher.

Mary ate all her dinner and wanted ice cream. None was to be found so they had Grandmomma’s homemade popsicles.

Hi Grandmomma!

Bath and bed. MaryVic watched part of a new squid show. William wiggled around until I told him it was sleepytime. He looked at me like oh, yeah right, then laid down and was mostly still. He didn’t fall asleep immediately but it was a little funny.

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.

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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!!