Life Near Southwest Wisconsin: August 2021

Ball Season

Walter had his first year of T-ball this year. He started the season with his broken arm so he couldn't wear a glove for the first couple of games but was still able to hit the ball. Tony helped out on the field as it was a lot of "herding cats" with so many young boys.

Walter was part of the Pony League which played all of its games at Derby Grange. His team was called Fire and he enjoyed yelling - Go Fire! The grandparents were able to attend most games which Walter really appreciated, especially when he was able to convince Grandpa Wayne to buy him a treat after the game.

Johanna had another year of coach pitch softball at DGIL and Tony was the head coach. Johanna is an awesome player. She runs full force to the bases, she gets in a ready position in the outfield, and she knows where to throw when fielding the ball.

It was fun to see Johanna and Tony out on the field together.

It was great to see the team improve and work together. Johanna and another teammate worked especially well together making several outs in a row with Johanna by the pitcher and the teammate on first base. In one instance, Johanna stretched and dove to get a ball. As she continue to fall forward, she was still able to throw the ball to first base and get the out. It was awesome to see!

Walter is a great "athletic supporter". Both Johanna and Walter loved the team cheer: We will, we will.. Rock you down, shake you up. Like a volcano will erupt. Fasten your seatbelt, hold on tight. We're gonna win this game tonight. Go.... TEAM!

Walter enjoyed being at the games, spending a little more time in the dugout than perhaps the team needed. All the teammates and other coaches knew his name. Even the rain didn't stop him! Millie and Wayne under the red and blue umbrellas, Walter running around.

4th of July

We welcomed back our tradition of going to the Dyersville fireworks and hanging out at Aunt Rosie's. Dana's daughter, Victoria fit in nicely with the older kids. The kids decided to create a banner for the occasion.

The cousins enjoyed carpooling to Dyersville and having a dance party in the van.

The Dubuque Country Club fireworks fell on a weekend so Michelle and Tony were finally able to host the Kluesner family for those fireworks. We of course had to make our 4th of July strawberry cream cheese dessert. Johanna made sure we had 50 blueberries on the flag.

We had a few sparklers in the backyard then several of us walked up to the corner and Adeline and Ramona which is a great spot for the fireworks.

We were even brave enough to let all the cousins stay overnight. And when the parents picked up their kids, they also picked up ours for even more cousin time! The 4th of July will definitely be remembered as a cousin-fun-filled weekend.

Walter Turns 6

Best Friend: Graham at Mercy Daycare, Cousin Molly

Favorite Place to Go: Grandma and Grandpa’s at the farm (Arnolds)

Favorite to Eat: Chocolate ice cream, Pizza

I Want to Be: Zookeeper

Dislikes: School work, Chores at home

Likes: Cousin time, Making others laugh, TV and games

Walter continues to ask for the same "cookies" and marshmallows cake each year. We made a key improvement this year, replacing the actual cake (which he never eats) with brownies which he loves.

He likes to do things for himself, though Mom and Dad are not always a fan of his approach - for example how he gets his own milk. He does not like the chores assigned to him and Johanna (set and clear the table, unload dishwasher, clean their rooms, fold and put laundry away, pick up the house) and will often say "Why do I have to do everything around here?!?!?"

He continues to love (too much) watching shows on a tablet or TV. He went through a phase this year of closing himself in a kitchen cabinet to watch a show. So we bought more groceries to fill the cabinets :-)

Walter lost several teeth this year. He quickly lost interest in the Tooth Fairy. We set out his first lost tooth and he got a visit. He didn't bother setting out any of his subsequent teeth.

He decided he prefers not to wear a shirt as home.

And his second choice is always to wear pajamas instead of regular clothes.

He likes to build "his nest" with blankets and animals. And the floor of his room is always covered in toys.

Walter continues to sleep with his night-nights. Luckily, Grandma Karen has been willing to patch them up as they become dangerous with detached edging. He also keeps Harry Beary (Tony's childhood toy) close by.

Walter loves to cuddle and so does Mommy.

And continues to use Dad as a jungle gym.

He continues to love talking about and playing with animals. He and Johanna most commonly play with stuffed animals, creating families of them and having adventures. He enjoyed the snake he got for his birthday this year.

Speaking of Johanna, the two of them do well playing together - especially in the past year when we have continued to social distance. Typical sibling disagreements occur frequently as expected.

He continues to be goofy, especially at dinner time, and likes to make us laugh.

Walter started taking "brain power" to help with his attention and hopefully his school achievement. The teacher noticed a big difference right away. One of the comments in her report back to us (which we found hilarious) was "Walter has started 'tattling' on others, I think he is noticing others around him more." Walter doesn't mind taking the pill and seems to appreciate the impact, commenting that he is "crazy" without it.