Are We There Yet?

We were driving the 580 miles from Poppy and YaYa's house back to ours. ‎350 miles to go. Wally was listening to Rick's old mp3 player.
Wally: "Dad, are we almost home?"
Rick: "No, not for a long time. Why?"
Wally: "This song says "Almost There"

A Prayer at Christmas Dinner

As we sat down to enjoy our Christmas dinner, Wally asked if he could say the "pledge." We asked if he meant the prayer and he said yes. We all agreed that it would be great if he did. He smiled, politely removed his reindeer antlers and quietly bowed his head.
Here is what we heard: "Happy Birthday Jesus. And we wish you a Merry Christmas. Amen."
We decided it was a perfect prayer.

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Baking with YaYa and Sophie

Wally and his YaYa baked gingerbread men. Wally was surprised to see a Kitchenaid Mixer when YaYa said her friend Sophia would be helping them.

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Naming Toys

When Wally got these action figures, he decided they needed names. He would like to introduce you to Dophy Lunchbox and his brother, Caver.

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Wally's First School Program

Rick and I were able to go to Wally's school program today. He was so proud and excited to show us what he has been working on at school. Here is a clip of a song they did called "Witches Brew"

A Nice Man

As we were leaving grandpa's house. Waved, and said bye. "I love grandpa so much. He is a really nice man."

Wally Thanks his YaYa and is Excited for Her

A few weeks ago, YaYa was able to come visit for several days. The morning she flew in, Wally woke up with diarrhea. It continued for the first 4 days of YaYa's stay. At night, the poor kid was so tired that he slept through many attacks. YaYa was sleeping on the extra bed in his room. Each night, she awoke in the middle of the night to the horrible smell, got Wally up, cleaned him up in the tub, got him redressed and back to bed. They joked about Wally's poo problem and having blow-outs in his pull-ups.

Because they missed out on extra fun the first few days she was here, YaYa extended her stay a couple days. They did a lot of fun things and made up for the missed time.

A couple days after YaYa got home, she sent me an email and asked me to share it with Wally. This is what I read to him, "I seem to have Wally's diarrhea--- but so far no blow-outs in my pull-ups." Wally laughed and told me that YaYa doesn't wear pull-ups. He said, "That YaYa, she is so funny." That night he called her on the phone and said he hoped her diarrhea went away soon. He was very concerned about her.

On Tuesday evening this week, (two weeks after YaYa's email) I was talking on the phone with her. I handed Wally the phone and told him it was YaYa. Before even saying hi, Wally said, "Thanks you for coming to help me with my poo problem." He proceeded to tell her he hoped she was feeling better. She told him she was better and didn't have diarrhea anymore. He replied, "YaYa, that is great news! I am so happy for you."

Our Reporter

Just heard from Wally in the bath tub... "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am reporting to you live from dance class!"

Starting Kindergarten

So hard to believe that day finally came. Our little baby headed off to Kindergarten. He has been looking forward to it for so long. While his favorite part might actually be riding the bus to day care after school, there are many other things he loves.

Here are a few pictures form his first day.

Wally's 5th Birthday Party

Wally celebrated his 5th birthday by inviting some friends to the pool. 2 hours of swimming followed by pizza and cake. He had a great time!

Teaching Patience

Before heading to Wally's birthday party, we stopped to pick up his friends Christopher and Aley. Christopher sat in the front seat by me and talked all the way to the party. Several times, Aley wanted to participate in the conversation so she sat in the back seat saying, "Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Christopher" At one point Wally, turned her and politely advised her, "Aley, you need to be patient, like I am. See how quietly I am sitting and waiting for my turn to talk."

I am pretty sure Aley wasn't amused as I was.

Birthday Rock Star

Wally loves to listen to music and play guitar. One Christmas, he got a Kawasaki Guitar for Christmas. He has had a great time with it and we have some funny videos of him playing. Earlier this week, his guitar stopped working. His birthday was just days away and I remembered him seeing something at Target that caught his eye. It is called Paper Jamz. I looked them up online, read about them, watched some videos about them and headed off to get him one for his birthday. What a hit. HE LOVES IT!! The one I chose for him plays 3 great songs: Born to Be Wild, Mississippi and Smoke on the Water. Smoke on the Water is the first song we got him to listen to on the stereo while playing his Kawasaki guitar.

I am sure there will be more videos to upload of Wally and his new guitar.

A Gift for Liam

For Wally's first Christmas, our friends, Dave and Cecelia, got Wally a Baby Tad. He has been a constant companion for Wally.

A few weeks ago, Baby Tad stopped signing, talking and playing music. This was very traumatic for Wally. We talked about it being our turn to sign for Baby Tad. Wally really needed a new friend. We found him a new friend, Scout. Scout plays more music and knows Wally's nickname, favorite color and favorite breakfast food. Wally adores him!

While cuddling before bedtime, Wally told me he would like to get a present for Baby Liam (his little brother due in a few weeks.) I asked what he would like to get him. He said, I know the perfect present for him, Mom. I want to get him a Scout just like mine." I thought it was so sweet of Wally to think of getting Liam a gift. The fact that he wants to get him something that could provide Liam with the comfort and happiness Scout has given him is just the icing on the cake. I am sure we will be heading out to get another Scout before Liam's arrival.

Wally just invented a new game. He calls it "Pillow Pillow." He has extra pillows lined up all the way down the hallway. He jumps from pillow to pillow yelling "Pillow" with each jump. It has him quite entertained.

My Birthday Wishlist

Wally's 5th birthday is fast approaching. His great aunt, Gaby, called to see what he was on his birthday list. I handed him the phone. Gaby asked Wally what he wanted for his birthday.
He thought for a moment and told her "I would like some clothes for my baby brother because he wont have any."
Such a thoughtful boy!

Easily Distracted

While in the hospital for a few days, I missed my boy.I finally had an opportunity to talk to him on the phone. After what seemed like just a few seconds, he stopped in the middle of his sentence to tell me, "Mommy, I have to go now, I am distracted by a spider web."
Then he hung up. Nice!!! ;-)

Who can resist a King?

Helping Linda

After family dinner last night, everyone was saying goodbyes. Wally was standing on the bench in a booth giving his goodbyes. Auntie Linda leaned over to kiss him and her purse slipped off her shoulder. Wally said, "Let me help you with that Linda" and gently put it back on her shoulder. She hugged him and thanked him.

Wally replied, "It was my pleasure to help you."

Such a little gentleman.

A Right of Passage - Written by Rick Fountain

This past weekend, we took our four and a half year old son, Wally to his great uncle’s house on Pardee Lake in Michigan. After a fun filled morning swimming on the lake and a passing afternoon thunderstorm, Aunt Carynn pulled out an old fishing rod from the shed. Once he was shown how to cast the line with a rubber worm, he was off and fishing. With his life jacket secured, he headed out to the boat dock with rod in hand. He spent fifteen minutes calmly casting his line before he caught his first large mouth bass, approximately 8" long. He was so excited holding his fish so everyone could see. I explained to him the importance of dipping the fish back into the water so it could breathe. He then lifted the line out back out so I could unhook the fish and release him for another day.
He ran back to the end of the dock and dropped his line in the water once again. Within a few short moments, he hooked into a nice size blue gill. The smile on his face was worth a thousand words. He continued casting his line as the afternoon sun sunk into the trees behind him. Then the call came, "Dad, I got another one." Sure enough, a small blue gill panicked at the end of his line. I told him to cast the line a few more times and then it would be time to go. As I walked back to my seat, I heard Wally yell “Dad, help me!” The rod was bent in half and Wally was struggling to get the fish under his control. I ran over and looked over the edge of the dock to see a good size fish giving Wally a fight. Before I could do anything the line snapped and the fish was gone, “hook, line and sinker” as they say. What a day!
Two days later, my wife and I took Wally to the sporting goods store to pick out his very own fishing rod and reel along with a starter tackle set. Next weekend, he is headed back to hook the one that got away.

Wally's knock knock joke...

Wally: Knock knock.
Mom: Who's there?
Wally: Piano.
Mom: Piano who?
Wally: Piano that I left outside because nobodys talking

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Wally and I went to a playdate this afternoon. He is allergic to cats and this was bothering him by the end of our visit. As we were leaving, he told his friend's mom, "Miss Katie, I hope your cats die one day!" Miss Katie graciously told him she hoped so to so that he could stay longer and not have itchy eyes.

In memory of Art Linkletter - July 17, 1912 – May 26, 2010

You Talk Fast

As many of you know, Wally was born with the gift of gab. He talks from the moment he wakes up in the morning until his eyes finally close at night. OFten he talks in his sleep. He tells stories, asks questions and loves to tell knock-knock jokes.

During a conversation in the car today, Wally said, "Mommy, you talk fast." I replied, "You talk a lot." He laughed. So the rest of our drive proceeded.

You talk fast.
You talk a lot.
You talk fast.
You talk a lot.
You talk fast.
You talk a lot.
You talk fast.
You talk a lot.
You talk fast.
You talk a lot.
You talk fast.
You talk a lot.

Polish Your Elbows

This morning, Wally came in to our room to wake us up. He climbed up on the bed with us so Rick scooted closer to me and Wally laid down next to Rick. Rick had his hands behind his head. Wally talked for a minute then said, "Daddy, you need to polish your elbows." We laughed at such an odd statement. He proceeded to say that he was serious and that Daddy needed to polish his elbows with that black stuff. We told him we didn't know what he was talking about so he got out of bed, headed to the bathroom and returned with Rick's deodorant and pointed at Rick's armpit. "Here Daddy, polish your elbows."

My Boss

For months now, my friend Tamara has been asking if Wally has an imaginary friend. Last night at dinner, we talked about how we both find it interesting that he doesn't because most only children his age have them.

This afternoon, I realized I have been wrong, for months. Wally has had an imaginary friend for quite a while. I didn't notice it because his friend doesn't have a name. Wally simply calls him "My boss."

He has been talking about his boss and telling stories of the things his boss says and does. They work at a hangar where they fix airplanes, cars and trains. They eat ice cream and play games at work. Everyday we hear stories about his boss.

The Little Blanket

Today Wally found the tiny blanket he got as a gift when he was born. We used to be able to cover him with it completely. Look at the difference a few years makes. He giggled when he saw these pictures.

Wally at 2 months


Wally at 4 1/2 years old

"I have some EXCITING NEWS to share"

"I'm gonna be a big brudder!"

That is what Wally told my parents when we called them on Skype this evening. He was wearing his new Big Brother shirt, too. He is so excited and can't wait to tell the rest of the family.

Like a Family

After arriving at the hotel in Orlando, Rick stood at the counter getting us checked in. Wally saw the sofas in the lobby and headed over to sit down. He turned to me and said, "Come over here Mommy. We can pretend to talk like a family."

My Tummy Says

Last ngiht and this morning I noticed Wally's eyes are a little red again. He has allergies and I believe this is what is causing the redness. He was rubbing them a little last night.

This morning I asked him if his eyes felt itchy or were burning. He said they were feeling just fine. I told him if they bothered him later in the day, he should tell his teacher so she can give him medicine (which tastes like bubble gum).

A few seconds later, he told me "Mommy, my tummy says my eyes hurt."

The Voice on the Monitor

As I was waking up his morning, I could hear Wally on the monitor starting to wake up. He said good morning to his friends (Baby Tad and a lot of stuffed animals). Then I heard an unmistakable "Damn it."

At first I thought I would head in there and address this with him, but decided to wait a minute. Then I heard him wiggle around in the bed and say "Oh no! I AM wet!" Poor little guy peed right through his pull-up overnight and was definitely wet.

Who Is it About?

We picked up Poppy from the airport, headed for breakfast then off to see some friends. On the way back to our house, Poppy told Wally there would be a present for him in the suitcase. Wally asked what it was and Poppy replied, "I don't know. It's from YaYa."

Wally looked at Poppy and asked, "Poppy, is it ALL about YaYa?"

A Special Message to Uncle Peter

Waiting for Daddy, we sat in the van in the parking lot at Kroger. He told me his misses his Uncle Peter. I told him we can make a video and send it to him. This is the result. Peter often speaks to Wally in Spanish to help him learn. Wally remembers parts of several words and mixes then together.

Self-sufficient Boy

Wally came in to cuddle with me this morning. After a few minutes, I told him I needed to take a shower and asked if he wanted to lay in my bed watching tv. He was happy and chose what he wanted to watch.

After my shower, I poked my head into my room to see how he was doing. He was sitting right where I left him, but had a bowl on his lap. I assumed Rick came home while I was in the shower and got him some breakfast. As I turned to go back in the bathroom, Wally said, "Mommy, I got these marshmallows all by myself. I got out a bowl, I opened the bag then I poured them in the bowl carefully so I wouldn't spill them. I was very careful." I told him I was proud of him and he shouldn't eat too many of them as I would be making him a real breakfast."

As I headed back in to the bathroom, he said,"Mommy, I got myself some milk, too. Fresh from the fridge."

I asked if he poured it himself. He told me he didn't, that it was already in there. I was relieved to know that he hadn't poured it himself. I am sure that would have made a cute mess.

Wedding Dancer

In November 2008, the three of us went to Mike and Kristy Doyle's wedding. Kristy is Rick's cousin. Wally turned 3 just a couple months before. He had been to one other wedding but was too young to really remember it. After the ceremony and dinner, the music started. From the moment it started around 7:30 he never left the dance floor. He loved it! He kept dancing until 12:45 when he ran up to me and said, "Mommy, can I put my pajamas on now?"

Here are a few videos from his dancing. It is a little dark, but you can see him having a great time!

Old Time Rock 'n Roll


Chicken Dance


Cha Cha Slide

Teaching Daddy to Exercise

Shortly after waking up this morning, Wally started stretching on the living room floor. Soon he told Rick it was time to exercise. "Daddy, I will show you how. See, go like this. Good job, Daddy. Now go like this." And so the morning went.

Happy Cry

We were on our way to Hunter's 3rd birthday party. We met Hunter about a year ago and they have become great friends. We had been talking a lot on our drive to their house but suddenly he got quiet. I waited a few minutes then looked back and saw a little tear in his eye. I asked what was wrong. He replied, "Mommy, I am so happy that Hunter is my friend, I could just cry."

At four years old, he knows the value of a great friendship!

A Fat Chicken

A few weeks ago, Wally and I had a discussion about things you should and should NOT say to people. For example, it is not polite to call people stupid or fat. He told me he understood how those things could hurt someone's feelings. Since then, if he hears the word stupid in any context, he reminds us it is not a polite thing to say.

Over the weekend, I made some homemade chicken noodle soup. I prefer to make my own stock so I boiled the chicken with vegetables. When it was done, I pulled the chicken out and wanted the stock to chill to make it easier to skim the fat off the top. I told Rick this was my plan. Wally said, "Mommy, you should not call that chicken fat. You will hurt it's feelings."

School work

Wally has been working very hard on his school work. He and his teacher are striving to get him as ready for kindergarten as possible. He has been focusing a lot on uppercase and lowercase letters. This is what he did today. His teacher wrote the letters out for him and he was instructed to write the letters write under hers.