A Fun Start to Summer

June has gone by quickly, and Tom, Whitley and I have really enjoyed our time together, filling each day with little activities and adventures. First, Tom's parents rearranged their schedule to travel to NC earlier than planned, so they could help Tom watch Whitley while I was in MN with my parents. (We are so appreciative of your doing that, Grammy and Papa!) While they were here, we celebrated Aunt Terri's birthday! (Whitley has become obsessed with these little "parties". She now says several times a day, "I need my party and my balloons," and loves passing out pieces of her wooden birthday cake.) We have some favorite things we like to do each day. In addition to swimming in Whitley's pool, we paint, color, and sculpt Play-Doh. As a family, we saw Toy Story 3, which I think Tom and I appreciated more than Whitley. She liked the dinosaur the best and was very concerned when he wasn't on the screen. "Where dinosaur go? Where is he? There he is! There's the dinosaur, Mommy!" I'm sure everyone in the theater was glad to hear the dino was back. :)

Last Saturday, we joined up with Stacy and Drew to take a ride on Mae Mae's boat along with Melanie and Stephen. Whitley was a bit nervous when the boat started up. She was squealing, "Too windy!" and trying to cover her eyes from her wildly whipping curls. Swimming in the lake was a HUGE hit, though. She absolutely LOVED it and through a big fit when we had to get out. Hopefully, we'll go again! Finally, our most recent adventure was a quick trip to visit a friend of mine from high school, and her little two-year-old daughter. Whitley and I hadn't been on a road trip without Daddy before, but we did ok! It wasn't a bad drive at all, and our hostesses were very sweet. They took us swimming, to get yummy pizza, and to a fun children's activity museum. I hope the rest of the summer goes as well as this first month!

"Happy cake" for Aunt Terri!














Make a wish!





Whitley decorated the cake we made with sprinkles.











Painting is a fun and quiet activity each day. Whitley wears a t-shirt made at daycare.











Getting pumped about Toy Story 3!








When Tom asked Whitley how she liked Mae Mae's boat, she said, "I turned the wheel!" She was really into it.










But swimming was the most fun!

Sweet Mae Mae!

Drew hangs out with his big cousins, Mel Mel and Stephen.

Whitley, Asha, and Eva hang out in one of the bl0w-up obstacle courses.

And we sat in this tunnel for a long time, as it was a relatively calm spot amidst all the climbing, leaping toddlers. The girls were cracking up at little Eva. Whitley loved her!

We also colored the wall mural...

and painted glass windows!