Too big for his britches!

My little man started the 2nd grade today! I seriously can't get over that...2nd Grade! TJ is such a bright, sweet, funny little boy and I'm so excited to see what this year has in store!

When I told him to complete the sentence he said, "Well, I think I might want to be a teacher...just like my dad!"

He's gotten so big he can hold his squishy little sister!

Getting ready to go in!

With Mrs. Slade

Ready for the 2nd Grade!




Not only has my TJ started 2nd grade, he is trying to steal the heart of yet another taken, and much older woman! The first time he tried was on his Uncle's girlfriend, and at least the poor guy was aware that he was trying to get his girl! This time, I'm pretty sure the other man is clueless to this 7 year old's kniving ways! TJ has become smitten with the new receptionist at our office (cute college girl). The first day he met her, he strutted by a her desk a few times, and flashed a few of his devilishly handsome smiles her way. Then, when he was getting ready to leave, I officially introduced him to Marissa and told him that she would be babysitting him in a few weeks. He smiled and then asked if he was allowed behind the receptionist area. She said, "Sure, it's pretty cool. Come check it out!" As soon as he got behind the desk, he went for it! He gave her the biggest, two-armed, head-on-chest hug. Wait for it...then he said, "I've been wanting to do that since the first time I walked by you!"

Then, the day Marissa was coming to watch the kids I reminded him that she would be coming. He said, "Oooh, I love Marissa!" with that silly, half-open eyed look. When we got home that night(at 11:00pm), TJ was still awake and watching T.V. with Marissa. She was giving us the run down of how the evening went, and when she finished she said TJ told her that we had pictures of everyone else in the family on our wall, so it was time for us to get her picture up there too!

Oh my!

I quickly grabbed my camera and told him that I would take their picture together and he could put it up in his room...that was settled...at least for now!

So, apparently I have a 7 year old, Second Grader going on 13! Saying a little prayer...these next 20 years are going to be one wild ride!

And, the rest of the summer...

Well, it's the end of July and school starts back next week! We've spent most weekends at the lake this month, and hopefully can squeeze a few more in before football games come into play! We took the kids to the Wild Animal Safari one Saturday, and it was hilarious! These big, no huge, better yet, GIGANTIC (with enormous horns, and extremely stinky breath) animals try to stick there entire heads into your car window for food. We had a blast and TJ is already making plans to go back next summer!

TJ finally got his glasses and he looks super cute (and too grown up for me)! He told the lady doing his fitting that he could see all of her wrinkles! Then, he proceeded to move them up and down saying, "Wrinkles. No wrinkles. Wrinkles. No wrinkles."

So to celebrate the new and improved eye sight, we had movie night the first night he got his glasses...he said it was like watching in 3-D.

Tristan has become obsessed with scissors...NOT a good thing for someone nick-named Mayhem to now be known as Tristan Scissor-Hands! The first thing he says when he wakes up in the morning is, "Mommy, where my scissors?!" I need to get a picture for the next post...he carries around 2 pair the whole time he's at home(child-proof of course...but not cut proof). He's also become fairly interested in "Mowing da gas."

And, every little boy loves "pishing" (and skinny dipping)!

Our sweet Tanner turned 9 months. She is of course crawling everywhere, but is standing up and has even taken a few steps on her own. She FINALLY got her first tooth this past week, and has not (keep your fingers crossed)had another ear infection since her tubes were put in!

I'm not ready for summer to come to an end...but, ready or not, here it goes!

Wow...it's been a busy summer!

So, I guess I've been busy since May?! TJ and Thomas' team finished the season UNDEFEATED...yea, that's right...our 7 & 8 year old Rec team went like 10-0! Pretty cool feat if you ask this proud Momma!

June consisted of Thomas being away for a few days at a coaching clinic; followed by art camp, and Vacation Bible School. Also sprinkle in a 6th ear infection for Miss Tanner, followed by a visit to the ENT, followed by surgery for tubes! The procedure went great, and Tanner did amazing.

Oh, and then TJ saw an eye Dr. to get some glasses! He looked so cute when he tried them on...can't wait to see how precious he will be when his pair come in! But, the cherry on top for June, was our vacation to Perdido Key, FL. We had a great time and the kids were wonderful! We played at the beach each morning, headed up to the condo for lunch, followed by some swimming in the afternoon, naps for babies, then dinner each night. We did all things beach, and nothing else! It was a lot of fun and we will definitely be visiting Perdido Key again next year!

We came home from vacation on the first of July. Went back to reality for 2 days, then went to the lake to celebrate the 4th of July with family!

TJ graduated to wearing only a ski belt and learned to dive!

Tristan learned to zip-sled!

And, sweet Tan just watched proudly! For us, school starts back the first full week in August, so we are trying to soak up the rest of the summer! Coming up next...football season...with 3 kids this year! YIKES!

Oops, HE did it again!

As you know, the warm weather is here...well, actually it never really got too cold this year! And warmer weather brings fun times outdoors, and baseball! I love baseball; I love to watch baseball games on T.V., in person, and even little league; I love watching atletic men in baseball pants too ;-) But, I especially love this little pair of baseball player and coach:

And, if they weren't so darn cute, then I would be rather irritated with the older one. He is coaching again, so I try to leave all of the baseball stuff up to him. However, yet again , he forgot to, failed to mention, didn't want to, was too cheap to get my sweet boy's picture taken again! He knows how much I love pictures, but acts like he completely forgot that his own son had picture day too! He gave me a sly smile and said, "I think the pictures you take turn out better anyway!" So, I said "Fine," (which should've clued him into how irritated I was). Then, before the next game I made them stand outside and take pictures...until I was happy! And they did...without fussing...and I actually got a few pretty good ones rather quickly, so I didn't get to make them suffer as long as I had hoped! But, I'm sure next sports season will roll around soon enough ;-)

Easter

I know it's about a month and a half past Easter, but I just loved these photos and couldn't resist sharing them! Thomas wasn't home for Easter this year, he went to the Master's with his Dad and brothers, so it was just us girls (and kids) for the weekend. We took the kids to our church Sonrise Celebration and Egg Hunt on Saturday morning.

The Easter Bunny came to see the kiddos. They were so excited...especially Tristan...another candy-filled holiday!

Once they were dressed, I rushed to get a good picture of all 3...before someone pooped on their clothes, rubbed candy in their hair, or rolled in dirt from somewhere!

TJ sang in the children's choir at church...so sweet (and funny) to watch them each year! After church, we headed to eat...however it was Easter Sunday, and we hadn't decided beforehand where we would go. And, winging it, wasn't a good idea! We ended up eating Mexican. Oh well, we had a good time anyway!

Once we returned home, I made the kids take some more pictures (what?! I didn't get any before church):

Tanner was napping while I took the outside photos, and by the time she woke up, the boys were probably running around half naked in the yard somewhere (yes, we live in Alabama). So, I took a few of Tanner in her dress.

Thanks be to God for all of our many blessings; most importantly His Son, Jesus Christ! He Has Risen Indeed!

PAYBACK...

is so much fun! Thomas turned 30 a month ago...on April 2nd. I'm really bad at keeping secrets, especially from Thomas, but I just had to do it! Mostly, I had to do it because he thought I couldn't pull off a surprise party without him finding out...but I did! Since Tristan's birthday is 2 days before Thomas', I was able to use that to my advantange so I wouldn't have to tell too many little lies to get him where I wanted him to be. I did have to sneak phone numbers out of his phone after he had gone to bed one night, but other than that, it really wasn't that difficult! It was so great to have our families there and quite a few of Thomas' local friends and coaches showed up too. Thanks to all who made his 30th memorable!

It was FUN, but I think it will be a while before I try that again!