Chalk, Water Balloons, and Bug Catching....

have to be three of the CHEAPEST forms of entertainment for The Weite Kiddos...

I mean seriously, they can spend hours doing any one of the three mentioned above. Now, Tay does love to participate, but she can't obviously hang that long. But, given the way her big bro and sis get after it, she will fall right into step with them in no time...

I have a feeling that these three things will be on their weekly, if not daily to-do list over the next couple of months.

Tay getting in on the sidewalk chalk action....

Cheesers!!!

All smiles...Binky included!!!

All ready to catch some butterflies....

"Oooooohhhhh!"

Admiring his catch...

Water balloon TIME!!

Ty going after Trey as he runs back to get more ammo....

"Coming for ya!"

"Right back at ya!"

Trey handing over a few of his because Ty's supply ran out!!

Tay getting her own balloon to carry around!

Ready for round #2....all smiles!!!

Oh, you two, please, please continue to have good, cheap fun together!!! Lots of memories and laughter await and I know Tay's chompin' at the bit to jump into all the action..get ready!!!

There are FISHIES in the Weite House....

Little FISHIES that just can't get enough of the water!

With last summer pretty much being solely dedicated to packing, moving, unpacking, and settling in, we didn't have much of an opportunity to hit the pools here in our new community. So, this summer, I bought a family pool pass for Trey, Tylee, and myself. Tay and Daddy didn't get one because they don't like to frequent the pools as much as us three. With the pool passes, we have access to three different aquatic centers and don't have to wait in any long entry lines...in fact, this afternoon, we were able to bypass about 30 groups because we already had a pass. The three kiddos I had with me didn't appreciate that bonus nearly as much as I did....LOL!

I'd have to say that it's super, duper EASY for me to leave the dishwasher full of clean dishes, skip the vacuuming, and ignore the laundry that needs to be put away when I can spend my summer days like this instead....

Ty says it's always cold when she jumps in, but not to worry because it warms up!

Snacking on blueberries during a "pool check"....LOVE those little breaks. I don't think there's any way I'd get them out to hydrate and re-apply sunscreen otherwise!!!

Slide time!

She may or may not have gone down this thing 200 times during the first visit!!

Weeeeeeeee!

LOVE this little diver, goggle ears and ALL!

Splish-splashin' away once she FINALLY got into the water. Tay seriously squeezed the life out of me for the first 30 minutes and then wouldn't get off the walkway and into the water for at least another 30 minutes. I'm hoping she warms up to this whole environment before we head down to Gulf Shores...it just might be a loooooon seven days on the beach!!!

Ty all ready to jump in...

Ready.....Set.....JUMP!!!

Can you tell he LOVES the idea of spending everyday this summer in this exact location?!?!

Tay gettin' her snooze on....So. Comfy.

Her absolute FAVORITE spot to sit....and watch everyone else around her get wet!!!

Giggle for the Cam....

So munchkins, here's to many, many more fun moments in that water!! As much as I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE hanging out at the pool with you, it can still be a little nerve wracking for this Momma. So, we just need to all remember to stick to the pool rules....

1. Never head off anywhere without first talking to Momma
2. Go to the bathroom as a goup
3. Always swim with a buddy
4. Drink LOTS of water

I picked these four because I know it could easily be at least 10 rules longer, but there's no way they'd be able to remember that many...so we stick to the majors. Things like sunscreen are just a given ;)

HAPPY SWIMMING!

"No bite!"

OUCH!!!

Can you believe that came from this cute little girl......

Well it did and "No bite!" has become quite a little saying around here. Ever since Ty leaned down to give Tay a hug and Tay responded by practically taking a chunk out of her cheek, we've been working on not getting in Tay's face when she doesn't want it and teaching her not to bite when she's mad. I don't think it's going to be hard to break. The pictured above has been the ONLY evidence of this little biting "phase"....Ty sure hope it ends quickly!!! Don't worry...she still gives lots of hugs!!

We know it was nothing personal....just look at that adorable Little Peanut!!! Ty, glad you are all healed up and glad you are little more careful about when and how "rough" you give "hugs"....LOL!

SIX! SIX! SIX!

Is the lucky number around here these days. In fact it's Trey's FAVORITE number now that he's SIX himself!! Yes, you heard me correctly, my BABY...born way back in 2006, just about a month shy of our two year anniversary, not only finished kindergarten this past month, BUT also turned SIX on May 21st.

First "Good Morning" as a SIX YEAR OLD....

Reading his birthday note from Mommy & Daddy....

Six year old birthday squeezes from ME!!

Trey's birthday fell on a Monday, which just happened to be a school day, and my last work day of the school year. He had been talking about bringing Krispy Kreme donuts and hats for his classmates on his special day for at least the last three months. So, the morning of his birthday, we dropped off the girls at daycare and went to Krispy Kreme, where Trey ordered enough donuts for everyone. He made sure not to leave without a hat for all his friends....and was super excited when we brought them into his classroom....

Ready to take his birthday treats into his room....Trey Man, I'm so glad I got to see this special moment and be with you as you got your school day off to a super start!!! You were PUMPED!

A few weeks later, because I failed to book the Nature Lodge in time, Trey celebrated his birthday with a few boys from his class. There was really no true theme...so we just rolled with fun primary colors and summertime fun ideas. The park we were able to have the party at was a first come, first serve type of deal, so the kiddos and I got there about 8:30 in the morning to decorate and set up. The party started at 10 AM and Trey was all ready when his friends started showing up...

All ready!

Helping Momma fill the thank-you goody buckets...

Ty was Trey's #1 fan on his special day!! So. Excited.

A close-up of the goody buckets for each one of the guests...

"Watch out, MOM!"

Daddy filled the water balloons for the water balloon fight...must have taken him an hour and the boys burned through them in about 10 minutes!! Isn't that how it always works?!?! Worth every second...they had a blast!!!

Boys having a ball on the equipment...PERFECT place for a PARTY!

Time to decorate COOKIES and sing Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy!!!

Present time!

The whole gang....what a fun, fun time!!!

Hey Birthday Boy,

I hope you had a fantastic time celebrating NUMBER SIX and I am so proud of the awesome, handsome and loving little man you are growing into. You LOVE all things Angry Birds, have the biggest heart, are very strong-willed (like your Momma), and are obsessed with catching bugs (with a little help from Tylee, of course!) You are swimming like a fish and can't get enough of the pool. I swear you seem to run into one of your school buddies EVERYWHERE we go and have a knack for remembering everything you hear. You have quite the sense of humor and are actually starting to get a little bit of a "smart" mouth (again, just like your Momma!) You've done a great job contributing the manners marble jar and really enjoy playing outside on the new swing set. You LOVE helping your little sisters, but at times, really enjoy your space. You make the BEST cards and are always thinking of others. You adore reading Magic Treehouse Books and telling stories and are getting waaay better at making your bed! I know someday you might be embarrassed to read this next part, but you still sleep with Funky Monkey and are a little scared of going down to the basement by yourself. You often need Tylee to go down with you and I'm not quite sure if we are ever going to be able to get you to move your bedroom down there. Last time we talked about it, your exact words to me where, "I'm going stay in my bedroom upstairs until I'm an adult!" We'll see if you don't change your mind in a few more years or so. You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE chocolate milk and can't get enough of those yogurt tubes. Lately, you've been the Master of the Monkey Bars!!! I love you, Trey J, and hope you enjoy EVERY second of your 6th year!!!

Lots of Hugs & Kisses,

Mommy

Last Day EVER in KINDY!!!

Today was Trey's last day as a kindergartner and I CANNOT believe it!! This school year has gone by so, so, so quickly. Trey truly has enjoyed EVERY part of Kindergarten and not only learned a ton, but also grew tremendously as an individual. With the huge move last summer and the newness of baby Tay joining our family, I would have to say that Mr. Trey Man has adjusted extremely well. There were a few bumps in the road (like getting a character reminder for mocking his teacher) but there were also many "I Spy Good Character" slips with his name on them and many, many days where he kept all his cubes and even earned extra for showing awesome character! We really could not have asked for a better school year!!!

This afternoon, Ty, Tay, and I picked up a little Subway (per Trey's request) and joined him and his classmates for a little "Last School Day Picnic" fun! Not only did we get to eat lunch with Trey Man, but we got to spend a little time in his classroom watching an ADORABLE slide show featuring pictures of the class throughout the year. How awesome is it that the helper in his classroom made EVERY student a copy on a CD. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate having those pictures....being a teacher, and having pretty much the same school schedule as Trey, there are MANY classroom events that I'm unable to attend. Having these pictures made it seem like I was practically there for all the fun memories!!! So, what a fabulous going away gift that was....one that Trey and I will both cherish forever!!!

My Little Man is officially a FIRST GRADER!!!  (Please note Taylen in the background of this pic...her and Ty were AWESOME during the entire visit. Tay is in that awkward, I want to walk around everywhere, but I don't know the rules yet, phase. She sat in that stroller for almost 2 whole hours just people watching and being a good little girl. Ty followed her big bro around and thought she was one of the kindergartners. She can't wait to go to Trey's "big school." So proud of them both.....)

Diggin' into his turkey and cheese sub....

Tay having her way...but, Trey's always such a trooper!!! Still smilin' and loving his little sister!

Trey and his buddy, Cole!

Ty supporting her big bro at the end of his last recess ever as a kindergartner!!!

Trey letting his little sisters join him in line. And, even held hands!!! Headed in for the a little slide show action!!

The CUTEST slide show EVER! Thanks, Mrs. B!

Trey and his teacher, Mrs. Campbell.....He told me tonight as I tucked him into bed that he's really going to miss her. "She is AWESOME, Mom!!"

Trey and Mrs. B...she was like his 2nd teacher. In the room everyday supporting the learning going on...and the creator of that awesome End-of-the-Year slide show!!

Picking up my FIRST GRADER!!! All smiles!!

Trey watching his copy of the slide show the SECOND we walked in from the car ride home. He seriously watched it FIVE times before I made him get on his baseball uniform!!!!

Trey Jacob,

Congratulations on your first successful year in elementary school. I am so proud of you and all you've learned this year. You are a spelling whiz and have already mastered all of the 1st grade words. (Keep it up because you'll have to help me spell...just ask your daddy!!!) Your math scroll you started last week came home yesterday and you wrote numbers up to 684 and told me you wanted to finish up to 1,000 this summer. You couldn't have been prouder as you showed us every piece of work in your portfolio!! You have already told us that you want to do the summer reading challenge of reading 15 books before the end of summer and I know you'll have no problem reaching that goal. I'm so excited to spend summer vacation with you and make many, many trips to the pool with you and your sis. It will be a BLAST!! Way to go in Kindy!!! I love you bunches and bunches and BUNCHES and couldn't be prouder!!!

XXX's & OOO's,

~Mommy