Playtime with Toddlers at Playtime Toddler

Today we met our friends Griffy, Kate!! and Daydee Babe for some indoor recreation at Playtime Toddler. For some reason, Walker was off-the- wall, kooky-crazy this morning. He was pushing other kids, yelling at his blocks when they fell and generally being a little terror. I guess I forget sometimes that he is two and this is what two year olds do. We spent most of the morning in time out and apologizing to other toddlers.

Playtime Toddler closes for lunch so we all headed to Chik-fil-A, where Walker continued his kooko-crazies. Kate!! and Griffy kind of stared at him like, "who is this kid?" but after kicken nuggets, we headed back to Playtime Toddler and Walker returned to his senses (somewhat).

The cutest part of Playtime Toddler is that Walker and Griffy both adopted little baby dolls and played with them for the rest of the afternoon. Walker fed the baby in a high chair, fed her a bottle on the floor and then put her in a shopping cart and carted her around the gym. I think he's ready to be a big brother!!

Here are a few pictures from our day:


Griff gets ready for the family business.


Daydee Babe looks for a good magazine.


Look at those long legs!!


Griff shows that he's ready to be a big brother!


A rare moment when all four kids are together and no one is crying!


Thank you Ginger, Griff, Deanna, Kate!! and Daydee Babe for a great day!!

Two Buddies Day

Today was Two Buddies Day for Walker and Daddy. I had to go to a shower for the Methodist Boys Home so Daddy and his buddy, Walker, were on their own. 1st stop... Lowe's Home Improvement, of course. Where else would real men want to spend man time?

Walker LOVES Lowes the way some kids love Toys'R'Us. He loves to cruise the aisles in the "race cart" and he is fascinated with all of the power tools and the "nutz and boats" on the hardware aisle. You really should see how wide his eyes get when he sees the tractor/lawnmower aisle. He is 100% boy.

On this trip, Daddy bought Walker his very own nut and bolt to play with. Fun times. After Lowe's the boys went to a cookout party (or potty as W calls it). Below is video of Walker talking about his day.

And his new "toy"...

Row Your Boat

Walker LOVES to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" but he usually sings at the end "Life is but a COOL CAR." He is a boy with a one track mind. Get it, track!

For your listening pleasure...

Babies and Big Fish

Today Miss Saywa and Daydee Madeline were kind enough to spend the afternoon with Walker while I went to do a craft project with the boys at the St. Marys Methodist Boys Home. Walker loves Daydee Madeline and Miss Saywa. Daydee Madeline is a little dolly and the prettiest little girl I know. Thanks Miss Saywa and Daydee Madeline!!



In fishier news, this Friday and Saturday, Daddy has been fishing in the Jacksonville King Fish tournament. Today Daddy caught a mighty big fish and Walker went with Big Mama to see it when Daddy's boat came in. Daddy said that Walker thought the fish looked pretty cool when it was in the cooler but as soon as Daddy picked it up, Walker wanted nothing to do with it.


"Maybe if I don't look at it, the fish will disappear."


"I'm still not looking!"

Congrats to Daddy on his big catch!

McDonald's Thursday

Happy McDonald's Thursday!!
Oh, not everyone celebrates Thursdays by sitting on a clown's lap and climbing through a series of tunnels that smell like pee, you say? Well, obviously you are not a precocious two year old, then.

McDonald's Thursdays are a vital part of Walker's busy social calendar. Every Thursday, almost without exception, Walker meets his compadres Kate!!, Daydee Gabe and Griffin for food and frolic at the House Ronald built.

We didn't get to see Griffy today but Walker, Kate!! and Daydee Gabe made merry without him. Daydee Gabe even climbed in the tunnels for the first time. What a big boy! Here are a few pictures from our day with Ron-Donald (Hi Griffy!).


Kate!! loves on Walker while Daydee Gabe chaperones.


Walker chillin' with his homey, Ron-donald.


Walker and his creepy-deepy new smile.
His new smile kind of makes me want to check his scalp for the sign of the beast.
(of course then he says "Mommy, kiss boo boo." and my darling boy is back in an instant.)

Summer Time and the Swimmin' is Easy

Walker spent the first two weeks of July in the Water Babies class at the Aquatic Center. The class was in the evenings so Daddy and Walker could enjoy the classes together. Walker is quite a cautious fishy but he still loved Water Babies. He learned to jump off the side of the pool and go underwater, how to swim with a fun-noodle and mostly, how to hang onto Daddy's neck saying "Gotchoo Daddy! Gotchoo Daddy."


Daddy trying to convince Walker to take the plunge.


Gotchoo Daddy! Gotchoo Walker!


Walker fun-noodles his way across the pool with Miss Amy.


Walker gets his diploma from Miss Amy on the last day of class.

Our proud graduate with his swimming certificate.
This is his new favorite smile but I think he looks like he is going to bite someone.


We had so much fun at "swimming school" and we can't wait to practice our mad skills!

Walker's Top 20

Welcome to the inaugural posting of MamaMinded. Time passes so quickly and cherubic babies seem to turn into ruddy toddlers overnight. I wanted to create this blog so that our family and friends that don't get to see Walker all the time can keep up with his busy 2 year old life.

In this first blog posting, I am going to introduce everyone to Walker's Top 20 Favorite things. I listed his top 20 in alphabetical order because he really doesn't have a "favorite" favorite (with perhaps the exception of Kate, who he will always tell you is his favorite.) Please keep visiting our blog as I plan to keep a fairly current archive of Walker's life.

1. All Aboard Choo Choos (Walker at Day out with Thomas)


2. Anny with Walker at the Beach

3. Aunt Catie and Uncle Scott (and Clarke and Lois Goggies)

4. Big Mama and Books

5. CARS!! (and Daddy at Disneyworld Aug. 07)

6. Chip and Gay (at Jacksonville Beach)

7. Daddy (with Walker at Waterfront Park)

8. Daydee Gabe (Kate's daydee brother)

9. Daydee Madeline

10. Deanna (with Kate and Daydee Gabe)

11. Eemaw (Christmas in the Park Dec. 07)

12. Ginger (with Walker at the pony farm)

13. Griffin (or as Kate calls him, "Grisson")

14. Kate (the little girl on the BIG elephant)

15. McDonald's Thursdays with Griffin and Kate

16. Mommy (at Walker's 2nd birthday)

17. Mr. Kiss and Miss Saywa (minus Miss Saywa)

18. Playgrounds (with the lovely Kate)

19. Pop Pop (at Christmas in the Park Dec. 07)

20. Swimming Pools (Swim Lessons, July 08)