Bouncing & Climbing

Not much news but we had a full weekend and were so grateful for the return of sunshine and warmer weather! Saturday afternoon we headed to some friends who were celebrating their little boy's 3rd birthday. At first, Phoebe wasn't sure what to think (this is typical of Phoebe whenever in a new place). So we started out slow and timid - but she surprised us by choosing a "big girl" swing and not wanting to have a hand on her back all the time.



Once we got warmed up, we tried the ball toss.

Then we tried the cupcake cones and homemade ice cream.

After that, we didn't care about watching presents get opened. We only had eyes for this lovely castle...

She had SUCH a great time! On Sunday, we let YiaYia and Papou have a break since YiaYia is getting over a sinus infection and after a quick lunch out with them, they went home to take naps of their own while Phoebe fell asleep in the car. So Ryan and I home-shopped for an hour while Phoebe snoozed and then headed home to spend some time outdoors.


We got a tricycle for Phoebe's birthday a week early - we're thinking she'll be a pro in no time!

With all the time outdoors, Phoebe and Brutus are creating quite the bond. It could be the large amount of treats Phoebe likes to feed him or just the extra lovin' she provides...

We bought this little bouncer last year and she's finally big enough to use it. Not quite sure she has the full hang of it but she's definitely got the idea down...

Ryan decided to take advantage of the sunshine and clean out some gutters. Phoebe just wanted to go up the ladder. Over and over again...

When we came in for a bath, we discovered our water heater's pilot light had gone out. Sunday morning I was in for about 45 seconds and finally gave up when it didn't heat up - I'm a wimp! Neither Ryan or I are fans of cold showers so we went to church practically unbathed. We just chalked it up to me doing laundry and dishes beforehand but after running her bath later that night figured out it wasn't because we'd depleted all the hot water. Being the handy man that he is, Ryan attempted to get things squared away himself but after the smell of gas continued to linger, we finally called a plumber who arrived promptly at 8:30.

Here's a shot of our little clown prior to bath time.

Here she is after a very cool bath as we wait for the plumber and Daddy to come out of the basement with what was hopefully good news.

Turns out Ryan was just being cautious. At least we were only out the $49 for a service call. I, however, got ANOTHER cold shower this morning but the hair HAD to be washed, so what's a girl to do? Turns out the regulator (who knows what that is!?) is bad on a lot of the water heater model that we purchased (just last year!) so it was under warranty and cost us nothing to get fixed today. Phoebe got a warm bath tonight and all is right again in the Wallis household.

Jesus and the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny made an appearance at the Wallis home. It was full of the customary jelly beans and Reese's pieces carrot but we were intentional about filling it with things that represent the REAL reason we celebrate Easter - Jesus. For an almost-two-year old, that comes in the form of the Veggie Tales:

Perhaps next year we'll try the Resurrection eggs? We had a great time celebrating at church with Papou and Uncle Steve while YiaYia was needed in the children's wing. After making one last quick run to the grocery store, we headed to YiaYia and Papou's for lunch with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Newell. While waiting for everyone to arrive, we thought we'd take a picture or two (there were over 200 taken by the time we headed home so please be patient...) Here we are with one camera-shy toddler attempting to take a family picture before lunch and a nap.

I guess we should have tried harder by moving the photographer to stand in the same general direction as the neighbor's dogs so we'd all be at least looking at the camera. Oh well, you get the idea...

Uncle Steve drove in from Chicago late Friday night and after spending a rainy Saturday together shopping for shoes, we were all excited to get the weather we got on Sunday! I'm not sure words can express the pure joy Phoebe has with her Uncle Steve. It could be that he does things like this:

Here Phoebe is practicing her new-found skill over at YiaYia & Papou's.

Thanks, Uncle Steve for the encouragement in this arena - not sure we need it...

And since the weather was so perfect, Phoebe got out the dreaded swing. Last summer she'd get in this thing and wouldn't want to get out. However, when you see the fun she's having, how you can you deny her this simple pleasure?

Even Great Grandpa got in on the pushing!

This is a profile AFTER Easter lunch - the girl knows how to put away some lamb and Greek potatoes! Check out that belly!

Phoebe enjoyed tickling and being tickled by her Uncle Steve!

After a long chat at the dining room table, everyone finally made it outside to watch Phoebe hunt for eggs.

And since it was SO pretty, the boys got out YiaYia and Papou's big swing - this year Phoebe is big enough to climb up by herself. She loved swinging with Uncle Steve.

But she REALLY loved swinging with Great Grandpa. And forgive me, but I couldn't decide which of these pictures I liked more, so I'm posting them all. I have to say, Phoebe has this guy hooked!

And just so everyone knows her singing enthusiasm continues to grow, here she is belting out part of her ABCs with Uncle Steve (he's already moved on to working on her multiplication tables...)

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."


So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Matthew 28:1-10

ABCs

Tonight's treat brought to you courtesy of Phoebe Rae Wallis 23 months, 2 weeks old. Please forgive my singing and enjoy!