Balcony Bird Watcing

I haven't posted in what seems like forever. Furthermore, I was sort of thinking that I'd be posting about our newborn, who hasn't arrived. So what have we been doing for the last week or so, at home, because I really don't want to go anywhere or travel too far? Bird watching from our balcony. Which has actually turned into a new family hobby.

It started with Mary telling me that she HAS to show me something. She promptly led me to our back balcony and pointed out a rather large bird walking around in the water in the pond by our apartment. I thought it was a crane, so that's what I told her it was. Well, the crane has come and gone several times over the last week, and so Danny eventually saw it as well and informed us it is a heron, not a crane. Then he promptly looked up what type of a heron online (great blue heron), as well as the sound it makes. Mary thought this was fantastic!Well, as the week has progressed Mary has watched for the heron. This morning, imagine her excitement, when she came to tell me (actually all of us) there was another bird outside in the water. There was another bird, an egret, and I'm totally impressed that Danny knew what it was. Once again we got out the laptop and looked up exactly what kind of egret (great egret).So, even though we have been home-bodies for the last week, I feel like we have accomplished something. O.k. at least Danny has accomplished something. Because of his efforts, Mary can tell the difference between a heron and egret, and has a new found interest in birds. Something she can watch for from the comfort of our balcony. Which is a HUGE plus for me right now. Hooray for bird watching!

ABC's & 123's

Today the preschool group that Mary has been in for the past several months had "graduation". It was cute and adorable and the kids (or maybe just Mary) kind of had no clue what all of the hubbub was about. The kids all dressed up in dad's Sunday shirt, backwards, and had a cap to go with the ensemble. Then they paraded down the stairs to Pomp and Circumstance, received a diploma, and performed the ABC's. We read Dr. Seuss's, Oh The Places You Can Go, and reviewed some of the concepts learned by showing crafts we had made throughout the months. To top it all off we made hand print shirts, because all of us are moving within the next few weeks/months. All-in-all it was a fun and festive finalization to the little group that has had such good times together.

Mary all dressed up. Super cute!All of the graduates. Can you think of anything more adorable?
Mary being handed her diploma, and all of the others anxiously awaiting theirs.
Mary proudly displaying her diploma.
Mary eating her personal trophy cookie.

All of the graduate's parading down the stairs, to line up and get their diplomas. I'm glad no one tripped or fell. :) There were plenty of opportunities to do so, with the outfits being so long.

Lions and Baby Names

Once again I have a picture of Mary from preschool. Her group learned about circus animals today and had a blast making lion masks! So cute - and the ears aren't even straight.

Part Two: Names???

As many of you know we are having issues coming up with ANY feasible names for this next little boy, and we are running out of time - fast. We feel strongly about using family names, and I'm also quirky about a few other things. We've looked at the genealogy on both sides of the family and nothing feels right. I'm kind of beginning to worry because we "knew" that Mary was supposed to be Mary and the same with Derrick. I'm thinking (not really) that maybe it might just be time to branch from family names and pick something we like out of the book. However, that doesn't feel right either. Mary and Derrick's names are both very family oriented. Mary being Danny's great grandmother and Derrick is my mother's maiden name. Even their middle names come from family. Mary's middle name is my mom's first name and Derrick's middle name is also Danny's middle name. So, I truly feel like a family name is waiting out there for this little guy. I just don't know what it is yet. Furthermore, I think that if I didn't use a family name this child would feel left out. I fully intend to discuss my children's name sakes with them. I already do with Mary. She knows that the "colorful" quilt we have on our bed at times was made by Mary Waite, grandpa's grandma. So, I guess the point of this long post about names is, do you think we should wait for the "right" name to come along? Or should I seriously start combing through the name book? Thanks for any opinions or advice.

Conference Mischief and Easter

I've thoroughly enjoyed general conference this weekend, and I should have guessed things with the kids were running a little too smoothly for the Waite family. The last half hour of conference Mary and Derrick didn't bother us once, and there were no tantrums. Too good to be true - right? Right. We walked out to our back balcony and found this . . . Can't tell what all of the white stuff is? Mary and Derrick took all of the tissues off our bedroom dressers and threw them over the balcony. After smiling and realizing this was why they didn't bug us for so long, Danny took them downstairs around to the back of our building and had them pick them all up. Then when they all got back we sat down with Mary (and Derrick, sort of) and used some of our newly inspired conference ideas. We talked about our tissue shortage, and what Mary and Derrick could do about it. So, Mary and Derrick are now performing extra chores to earn money for tissues. Thank you Elder Bednar for your inspired talk to parents.

On to Easter. We waited until after the morning session of conference and nap time to celebrate Easter with all of the candy and such. Which ended up being a very good thing because both kids got way jazzed up on sugar, and wouldn't have listened to a lick of conference today if we had done the candy stuff this morning. Mary woke up from naps first and was super excited to see all of the items from grandparents set out. I wanted her to wait for Derrick to wake up before she started going through everything. Yeah right.

Mary giving Derrick his Nephi book. She wanted to look at it herself, but I told her to wait until Derrick woke up. So she was just itching with anticipation wanting him to look at it first.

When I asked Derrick where his bunny was this was his response.

Derrick enjoying his candy. A little too much, if you ask me.

Derrick enjoying his peeps.

Mary sort of enjoying her peeps. She takes after her mom and doesn't really like them.

P.s. Happy 30th Birthday - for real - Danny!

Grandparent Packages

The kids are always excited when we receive packages from grandparents - especially Mary. So, whenever we open packages I tend to get out the camera and snap a few pictures. I just love and am so grateful that my children have such wonderful grandparents that are willing to spoil them from across the country. Thanks to all grandma's and grandpa's that love and care about us. We love you too!

Mary decorating the package with stickers from Grandma and Grandpa Waite. So silly!

Danny opening birthday presents from his mom and dad.

Mary and Derrick playing with toys received from Grandma and Grandpa George. So giggly and cute!

Obsession With The Toilet

Derrick has a small problem with the toilet. Thankfully, he doesn't play in the water. However, he likes to see various items swim in the toilet. You name the item and lately Derrick has figured out a way to put it in the toilet. Books, toys, make-up, shampoo and conditioner bottles have all been for a swim at our home. Unfortunately friends have also experienced the mishap. Derrick has sent friends toys and a VHS tape of Aladdin for a dunk during our baby-sitting group. This week it was Mary's hair spray, and since I have been in the blogging mood so much lately I snapped a picture to tell the story on its own.

April Fool's!

I short-sheeted Mary's bed while she was at preschool this morning. When she went to get in bed for nap time she couldn't figure out what in the world was going on. Finally, she declared that her bed was being tricky and that it needed to be untucked. Then she pulled everything off the bed - sheet, comforter and all. I wish I could/would have snapped a picture or something. It was quite amusing to watch. At least she didn't freak out like I did when my mom did the same thing to me as a kid.