It's OVER....

SUMMER, that is.

:(

And, I am one unhappy Momma!!!

This summer was, BY FAR, one of the best summers yet. We pretty much just hung out and did all things kid and all things chill.

No stress about dinner time.

No stress about who's picking up who, when.

No stress about 5 different schedules to coordinate.

No stress about squeezing in doctor and dentist appointments.

Well, that stress free talk is over, that's for sure!

With the end of summer comes early alarm wake-up calls, schedule coordinating, meeting attending, quick dinner making, 5 AM workouts, and the good, old routine.

As much as I loathe many of those things, I also know that the end of summer brings another new school year and another new set of "firsts" for each one of my little cuties. New, exciting stories about all the cool things they get to learn about and the fun times they have with their school friends. New books being read, new school day memories being made. New attitudes and freedoms that need to explored and understood (and continually adjusted).

So, as our summer fun wraps up.....we say so long to the care-free days we LOVE so much and hello to the more focused, scheduled, and often more serious ones ahead.

Here's to a fantastic 2013-2014 school year from all of us still trying adjust.....

(And, for all those wondering...they did not actually finish those cups of frozen sugar!!!)

A little END of SUMMER....

get-a-way!

The weekend before this Momma went back to work, the car was loaded up with excited kiddos and four days worth of goodies, with St. Louis as the destination.

Between grandparent visits and meeting up with family for the annual reunion, a TON of fun was had by all.

All ready to hit the road and get a little face time with a few of our favorite people. 

Six Flags time!!! What a fun time! Thanks, Maw-Maw Cindy and Papa Steve!!!

Ride time!

Little Miss manning the pirate ship at the water park...

This place ROCKS, Mom!

So excited to go down the big slides and not having to worry about a thing....

Hands up!!!

One of Trey's favorite coasters! And, Maw-Maw was a trooper and rode along with him!

Bugs!

Waiting for the Looney Tunes show to start....

Super excited...LOVED the show, but wouldn't go near for a pic or two. 

Flooding the stage after the show...

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Guess who got to play until she won. It may or may not have taken 35 throws! Hitting the plate wasn't the problem, it was the breaking it part. 

Grabbing her 25th ball...giving up is not in this little cuties vocabulary!

All ready for the Ferris wheel...PaPa's request!

Movie time!!! Smurfs 2 was the unanimous choice....

What a great show!

Blue Gatorade, anyone?!?!

Fishing for frogs...hoping to just scoop them up!

Olivia and Trey....Frog Hunting Buddies!!! These two ALWAYS have a great time together!!!! You'd never guess they only see each other a couple times a year.....fun times!!!

What a WONDERFUL visit and an AMAZING way yo wrap up summer!!!

Love you guys and miss you already, without a doubt!!!

First Days....

of school are here and I can't believe how quickly the summer months flew by....

Miss Tay is in the two's room, Miss Ty is starting her LAST year of pre-school, and Mr. Trey Man is officially a 2nd grader....WOWzas!!!

Ty's LAST year of Pre-School!!! And, she's ready to have a blast of a year...

The girls on their first day back for the school year....

Excited about her sign...can't believe she's almost 5! 

Outside of school...Ty looks a little nervous, dontcha think?!?!

Until she sees her teachers and friends....

Miss Tay all ready with her backpack!!! She LOVED joining in on all the back-to-school fun! CUTIE!!!

Totally ready!! And, totally cute!

Hours later, we were on our way to Trey's Meet the Teacher and Back-to-School Bash....

Finding his seat and checking things out...

Tay wanting to sign in with me....

Thumbs up and ready for a great school year!!!

1st Day pose...

Tay posing with Daddy on his first day back to work...

Gettin' BIG! 

Heading in for the 1st day.....

Have a wonderful school year, you three!!! 

Trey Man...work hard and always give 110%. You are one smart guy and have the world at your fingertips. Challenge yourself and always be you. Never settle and continue to work that balance between learning and laughing...I think you are going to take after your Momma in that department! But, great news is...you can do it!!! Your Daddy & I believe in you whole hearted!!!

Miss Ty...enjoy all the fun learning that's ahead for you this year. Continue to be the great helper that you are and know that you bring joy to anyone you're around. Practice those words and never doubt yourself. You are amazing and full of the most wonderful questions. Never stop inquiring and shoot for the moon. Know that little peanut in the room next to you looks up to you like a hero and would give anything to be just like you! We love you to the moon and back and we are beyond excited to hear all about each and every fun day that awaits you. 

Tay-Tay...have a ball socializing with all your little friends. Continue to sing songs and dance like no ones watching. Always laugh and get your hands on as many blocks, puzzles, books, and toys as possible. You are the prettiest princess at playtime and are rockin' the big girl potty at that place. You are our sunshine and bring more joy to our lives than you'll ever know!!!!

It's gonna be a good one!!!!

XXX's & OOO's

~Mommy

Adventureland TIME!

A few weeks ago, Trey, Ty, and I all headed to Adventureland for the WHOLE day....

Jason stayed home with frozen peas and Tay hung out at Grandma Marcia's. Tay could have made it for a few hours, but the older two were bound and determined to get the most out of their one and only trip to the local amusement park this summer....

I had a blast, that's for sure! It was fun letting them lead me around the park, picking and choosing where they wanted to go. It was a totally carefree and pretty relaxing day. (The only thing that makes me a nervous wreck is my little TALL 4-year-old who seems to be able to ride all the big kid rides!!!!)

My Little Man....

Ready to get soaked...

Fun Times!

They love those slides...

Sending Dad a thumbs up...

Trey being a sport...even though he told me he was waaaay tooo big for this ride!

Ty rode every ride she could...

Darts time!!!

Winner!!!

Trey's turn....

Winner!!

Enjoying the Ferris wheel gondola...which was a discussion the whole time we rode in circles. "Gondola. That's a funny word. What's that mean, Mom? Who came up with that word?"

It's written all over this pic...not a stinkin' worry in the world!

Miss Ty LOVED this ride...but, I was one scared Momma!!! "Hold on TIGHT!!!"

Love this pic! I can only imagine what conversation is being had. Probably something along the lines of, "Hey! Let's ride this ride at least 50 times!"

Posing in front of another fave. We spent at least 30 straight minutes at this ride....

Trey ended his time on the Scrambler. Which just happened to be an old Ballwin Days fave from my younger years. Poor Ty had to ride with an adult, which means she only rode it once. "Ugh!!!"

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Trey & Ty....

I had a blast with you two and am so glad we got to have a day of our own, doing what we wanted, when we wanted. Laughing till tears formed and skipping hand-in-hand around the park are memories I'll never, ever forget!!! Love you BUNCHES!!!