Welcome Summer!

The last few weeks have been nice summer weather. We somehow missed spring which is quite sad because I love cooler weather and RAIN! But the second Tracen saw pictures of big suns on the weather forecast he has been begging for the swimming pool and sprinklers. So I finally turned on the sprinklers for them to run through. They were so excited and having so much fun that I was actually able to get a few things done (laundry, make my bed, laundry, BLOG, laundry etc...) So I was busily doing said things when I hear Tyler SCREAMING hysterically and banging on the sliding door. So I go running down the stairs expecting to find blood or destruction (like I usually do) but instead this is what I was greeted with:



So apparently, the boys had made a "little river" and a "dam" and painted another "beautiful masterpiece" on our fence. As you can see, Tracen was so pleased with himself and laughing hysterically at Tyler who was... well... not so pleased with himself. He had mud everywhere. But he was mostly upset with the mud plastered on his tongue. Not sure how that happened. So they obviously were not going to be allowed in the house for a good cleaning so it was to the hose we went. Tracen, again, thought it was fun to be hosed down with freezing cold water. Tyler... not so much. I so wish I could have gotten a video of what happened next. He would not come anywhere near the water yet was still screaming about the mud in his mouth, on his head and everywhere else. So I took hold of his arm and proceeded to try to "gently spray" him off. I am actually shocked that the neighbors did not call DCFS or the police. You would have thought I was beating him for how much he hollered. Tracen was literally rolling on the ground with laughter at Tyler and so was I. Needless to say, I got them clean enough to "enter" and they got a nice warm bath in "big tub".

We have also had fun spending some time with cousins. I watched my sisters kids one evening while Melanie was playing in a soccer game. They had all just had a bath and were settling in to watch a movie in this picture. I thought it was pretty cute.

Tate was sitting in this chair at grandma's house while I was vacuuming the other day when next thing I knew Madi had nestled her way next to him. In the picture she was trying to point to him and said, "That's Tate!" I love Madi. She is truly cute.

Last but definately not least. In fact this is HUGE news for Tracen. He can now ride his bike with no training wheels! He is so proud! He has been doing it for about 3 weeks now. In true Tracen fashion, once HE DECIDES to do something it is all the way. After only 1 week of no training wheels he was quick to show me how he could ride with one hand and how he could do jumps off the curb! Now he keeps trying to practice riding with no hands like Dad- much to my dismay. I have NEVER been able to ride a bike with no hands! I'm kind of a chicken. I don't think I have ever seen so many scrapes and bruises on him ever! And that is saying something. Anyway, we now go on a bike ride every night. (per Tracen's insistance) It has been so nice for Dan and I as well because Tyler is more than happy to ride in the bike trailer with Tate and Tracen is now fast enough to keep the pace moving. I love it. In fact, last week Tracen told me, "Mom, I love riding my "2 wheel bike". I feel so... so FREE!" I totally feel the same way!