Bathtub Phobia

As you can see, Halle has developed a fear of the bathtub. But it's not just the bathtub that scares her. Two weeks ago the kids and I were in a hotel in Kirtland. Halle was in the tub and I stepped out to grab her a towel. I suddenly hear terrified screaming coming from the bath. I run in and find that Halle has done some business in the tub and it has totally freaked her out. When I get her out, she looks and screams, "Poop!" I clean it and her up and figure she'll be fine. I was wrong--she hasn't gotten in the tub without screaming about poop. I think she's afraid that it will happen again in the tub, no matter how much she checks it out before hand or after forcing her in and showing her that there was no poop. When I force her into the tub, she screams and tries to get both feet out of the water so she's not "in" the tub. Now when I tell her it's bath time she looks at me and says, "Jammies!" as in no way am I getting in the tub, I'll just get in my jammies, thank you. I have tried bubbles, new toys, wearing a swim diaper into the tub, getting in with siblings, parents, etc. Unfortunately, I think this is one she'll have to figure out on her own.

2nd Grade

Matt started 2nd grade today. He wasn't going to let me get a picture of him at the bus, but I made him do it--I'm still his mother! Paul told him last night that if he had any problems with big kids or any worries at school that he could talk to us about it. Matt replied, "I don't have any problems at school." It's nice to know he's good to go!

Last Stop--Columbus, Ohio

My dear friend Erin and her family moved to Columbus and although I had been to visit, the kids hadn't. We made this our final stop to see good friends and enjoy a little relaxation before heading home to Chicago. Erin and I enjoyed lots of girl talks while the kids happily played. We also took the kids to the Columbus Zoo.

4th Stop--Kirtland, Ohio

We pulled out of Rochester and headed to Kirtland. I had never been there, but since we seemed to be on a church history kick, I thought we should go. The kids didn't want to get out of the car! Luckily, they are easily bribed and did agree to go on the two tours--one through the store, house, sawmill and ashery at the LDS visitors' center and another through the Kirtland Temple led by the Community of Christ volunteers. I have to say that it may be a more spiritual experience without the three kids, but I loved it anyway.

3rd Stop--Rochester Children's Museum

The official name is the Strong National Museum of Play--it is a fabulous kids' museum and my kids could have spent many more hours there. Halle especially liked the Clifford Room and the Sesame Street playset. There was a great grocery store, tinkering/building area, books everywhere for the kids to read, and many more adventures we didn't even get to. We think Ruth Ann and her kids will be spending many days there come winter!

2nd Stop-Palmyra

Because we live relatively near to Nauvoo and Carthage, it is the only church historic site I have been to out here. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit Palmyra--Joseph Smith's home, the printing press that first published the Book of Mormon, the sacred grove, and the new temple--and also the Hill Cumorah.

Ryan, Ruth Ann and kids with us in front of the Palmyra Temple

The Palmyra Temple

Walking out from the Sacred Grove--what a beautiful place!

Our happy girl--she was a trooper!
Joseph Smith's log home
At E.B.Grandin--publisher of 1st edition of the Book of Mormon

From the top of Hill Cumorah

The monument with Angel Moroni at the top of Hill Cumorah

Road Trip--1st Stop Niagara Falls

This is the Walker family first official road trip. Paul's brother and his family moved to Rochester, NY for a pediatric dental residency and we thought it was a great time to visit upstate New York. We had never been, so we invited ourselves. It was a long 10 hour drive, but we got in Friday night. Saturday, Ryan and Ruth Ann were kind enough to accompany us to Niagara Falls. It was an amazing site--you can't get a real idea of how big it is until you see it in person. We had a certain 5 year old who was terrified of the boat, so we didn't get that close, but had a fun time anyway!

Happy Belated Birthday Jacob!

It was Jacob's 5th Birthday on August 15th! We were actually up visiting Jake and his family, so I didn't get to posting his birthday! We hope you have a great year--it was fun to see you last week! We will put up some pictures of all the cousins when I get them uploaded later!

Happy Belated Birthday Chad!

(Uncle Chad helping Matt learn how to waterski!)

It was my brother's birthday on August 9th! My most frequent memory of Chad growing up is of him annoying me and Heather and us asking him to leave us alone. Once he hit high school and we were in college, though, everything changed. He lost his "pesky little brotherness" and became a great friend to hang out with. Thanks for being a great friend, buddy, uncle, and brother! We hope you have a fantastic year!

Goggles

Halle loves to put on extra pieces of clothing and accessories to "dress up"--that way she's not limited to the princess dresses of Afton's. Every time she comes around the corner with a new addition, she makes me laugh!

Chicago Adventure

The kids and I decided to meet Paul downtown for lunch and then go over to the Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier. It was a really fun outing. After lunch at Potbelly's (or Hotbelly's, as Afton calls it) we took a water taxi over to the pier. We had never been to this museum before and it was a lot of fun. The kids could have stayed all day, but we had to beat the afternoon rush back on the train.

(Matt and Afton agreed to pose for me in Union Station
where the chase scene ends in My Best Friend's Wedding)