Captain Underpants!

Her Big Entrance...

Not quite grasping the entire concept yet but enjoying the process.

Very Enthusiastic!!!

Showing the undies off to Elmo (which is important as he is on them!)

Marie went the entire daytime portion of the weekend in her undies! Dry!!!

Last weekend we tried them out, sort of a dry run (ha ha)...and this weekend we decided to go all day, diaper free. We got really tired of re-using and then throwing out dry diapers so we thought to just go for it!



In any case, what a great birthday gift for Daddy!!!

A Head's Up

Hey all you faithful followers...I am going to make the blog "invite-only." This means that only people I specify can have access to it. A few thoughts have crossed our mind about how much info about our lives is on this blog and just don't want it available to the general public.

So...if you want to have continued access, please drop me an email with your email address so I can send you an invite to read our blog!

Thanks, The Whalls

My Heart Melted!

(Pictures are totally unrelated to the post...but I thought these two from Florida were too sweet not to share!)

Today during the car ride home, here was the conversation that ensued.

Marie says, in her way, "I went to daycare today." (She actually says, "Lolo today!" referencing a friend at daycare).

"Yes, you did," I replied.

"Momma go to work."

"Yes, Momma went to work."

"But Momma back."

"Momma always comes back, doesn't she?"

"Marie h-a-p-p-y!"

And then I had to slow the car down as I had tears in my eyes.

Easter Gift from Uncle Jeff

Jumping up and down in excitement for the fun gift!!!

Trying out a snack in the new chair at the end of a long day...

Thumbs l-o-v-e-s the chair...as soon as Marie goes to bed she climbs in it!

Thank you, Uncle Jeff, for the wonderful Easter gift. Marie loves it a lot! She caught me sitting in it once and yelled at me, "No, Mama NO! Wee's (Marie's) Chair!" We will work on sharing later!

Wonderful Week - Part 2

As you can see, we spent a small amount of time in and around the pool during our week in Florida. For a full month beforehand, all Marie could talk about was her bathing suit or her "t-suit" as she calls it. While we were in Florida, every day all she wanted to wear was her bathing suit (although she didn't necessarily want to actually be in the swimming pool). This week here at home, she has attempted to put it on over her clothes, in fact. Not sure what the attraction is; Momma cringes when she has top put a t-suit on. But Marie loves to wear hers!

More than her love of her bathing suit, she loves being with her family. Her are some great photos of her time with them in Florida.

Marie having a story read to her by her cousin Sydney.


Marie and Daddy checking out the pool Tuesday morning.

Daddy, AKA the Best Uncle Ever, in the pool with his nieces.

Marie and cousin Luke enjoying some peanut butter crackers (an awful lot)!

The bigger cousins have left so Marie can start getting some one-on-one with Grampa.

We had a wonderful week in Florida (and Georgia too)! Momma got some cherished minutes in the pool on the tube, with a book...during nap time. Jim and I both thought it was fantastic to not worry about lesson plans or interfaces or any work blah-blah for a few days. We also thought it was interesting to experience the difference of vacationing with a child as opposed to how things were pre-child. Both are for sure great but a little different.

Today we woke up to a dusting of snow. Yes, it is April 12th. That just ain't right.

Part 1 - Wonderful Weekend

The girls and their pretend ice cream...and those legs are of the daddies behind them. I love how they are both right there!

Marie having a good laugh with her new friend. She enjoyed the boys a lot!

How many pre-teens will take time to play with the toddlers before he goes to school? Who knew that older brothers could be so sweet???

Friends eating together

We had a fantastic time in Atlanta with our friends. They were incredibly gracious hosts and spoiled us rotten. It was interesting...we have spent just mere days together before but we feel like we know them so well. We so enjoyed meeting "the boys" and seeing how Annalee has changed in the past year and a half. The last time I saw her was when we parted ways getting in a cab in Hong Kong! It was a privilege to see her now - you can see her mind working every minute as she learns something new. Had an awesome time playing air hockey, pinball, and football/bowling on the Wii. Never wanted to leave the basement! We hope to return the favor soon!

How Time Flies...

At the end of one week home...both she and the bear have changed a lot.

*sigh*