Slip N Slide Part 2 - Tyler and His Goggles

Summer Fun!

While cleaning out the garage a few weeks ago, I found Ashley's old slip-n-slide.  This thing is at least 6 years old.  Yep, I still had it hanging around my garage.  Well, I dragged that beast out of storage and handed it to Cameren and said, "Wanna Slip N Slide?"  What 11 year old boy could resist that?  The boys had a blast playing on it.  Welcome to the week of Slip N Slide pictures...enjoy the view. 

We broke a few rules...

-no adults

-no for children under 5

-belly down...arms out front...

Cameren

Aiden

I love his laugh!

About that no adults rule...

Hey!  Mom's just wanna have fun too!

That was fun!

Check out my form...

Love the smiles!

Potty Time

Potty training little boys SUCKS!

My boys have the whole pee anywhere you want down.  They just drop their drawers and let it out. (Sorry, I will not post pictures of the numerous places my boys have "dropped their drawers".  One including the side of a road at a plumbing supply house in the city...) 

• They have no shame. 
• They have no sense of surroundings. 
• They have no sense of privacy. 

The good thing is that we live in the country so it's no big deal. 

No neighbors to complain, no traffic to flash, no police officers being called for indecent exposure...you get the idea?  That part is great. 
We also have four bathrooms in our house so there is never seldom a shortage of choices for places to "go".

(Good thing I have Mr. Rooter on my speed dial.  I can't tell you the number of times we've needed them since we've had the boys...even before potty training we needed our toilets cabled!)

Teaching them how/when/why to sit is an entirely different story.  They just don't get it!   They come to me after the deed is done and say, "Pooped!"  Oh great.  Another pair of underwear to wash.  (No I don't use PullUps.  They are just weird, gross, and don't work.)

I will take any and all suggestions on teaching boys how to come inside before the deed is done. 

Wordless Wednesday

Table Time (literally it seems...)

Doing puzzles with Big T

The Phoenix Zoo

For a "Summer Farewell" I decided to take the kids to the Phoenix Zoo. 

I love zoos.  They have so much to see and do! 

So last week, I packed up my four kids, two of my nephews, one of Ashley's friends, an ice chest filled with water, and enough lunch and snacks for 12 (because we like to eat), and we headed down the mountain to the "big city" of Phoenix.

What I forgot is how incredibly hot Phoenix is in August.  Oh my stinkin heck - we sweated!  The advantage to going to the zoo in the middle of the summer is the lack of people.  (I should have figured there was a reason I was able to park near the entrance.)

Enjoy the photos....(completely SOOC)

Aiden trying to get a better view.

Aiden and Tyler

I love having my nephews along to help.

(No that is not my backpack that Cameren is hauling - it is Ashley's.  I don't ask what goes in there...)

Such intense concentration...we were watching the rhino...

look at poor Isaiah - he was already sweating after 45 minutes!

Yes, when we go into public I dress my boys in the same shirt.  I can find them easier that way.  They have a tendancy to wander away and frequently make a "hut-hut-split" manuever and all go in different directions...at one time!

Lucky for my boys there is a water feature at the zoo.  They have to climb up stairs into a cave, and then they can slide down.  It looked like a lot of fun!  Next time I'm not wearing white and I'm going to slide down!

Here comes Aiden!

...Isaiah!

The boys!

Waiting on the girls!

God never ceases to amaze me...Look at Cameren and Isaiah...you can't tell they aren't related by blood can you?  They are two of a kind.

Sister and Debra coming out of the zoo.  (Yes, they knew the zoo was in Phx and yet they still chose to wear denim.  They are teenagers.  Don't ask.  Don't wonder.  Just accept.  Just love them.

My gang...after a long moring at the zoo.  Look out Sonic - Here we come!

The Kids Are Back In School!

Tuesday evening the elementary halls were filled with parents, grandparents, custodial workers, bus drivers, and of course EXCITED students!  Yep, I was there too....but this year....I went as a PARENT!!!  Can you believe it?  OK, so I was escorted by the School Board President, but this year...it was all about me being a mom!

Tyler started Pre-School at the elementary school on Wednesday.  He will attend 2 1/2 hours ~ four days a week.  I feel so blessed that he has such an amazing pre-school teacher.  I met Ms. Amy a few years ago when I was still teaching.  I'm so thankful she is still there.  She is super high energy and loves every one!  Tyler has zero concerns about attending a new school.  He says that it is the school where Aunt Melissa teaches and where Wyatt and Wylie go.  That was all the encouragement he needed! 

His first day there he pushed his way in front of a little girl (yes, I was mortified), and went right into the room.  He began playing and didn't hardly look away from the toys to say goodbye.  (I'm suppose to take that as a good sign!)

Ms. Amy has dubbed Tyler her new little "sub".  When she needs to be gone for a day she has decided to put Tyler in charge.  :)  On their school tour, Ms. Amy told them they would learn where the office is, the nurses office, etc.  Tyler announced that he knows where the snacks are.  Aunt Melissa has supplied him with money and a map to the teacher's lounge a time or two...

(Day 2)

When I asked him what he wants to learn this year he said, "I want to learn about painting."

I said, "You want to learn to paint?"

Tyler replied, "Yes."

He has big plans!

Ashley, my high schooler, got an extra day to sleep in.  She didn't start until today.  She's already wanting to drop one of her classes - AP English.  Oh the struggles of high school.  She is carrying quite a heavy load this year...AP English, AP Calc, Sports Medicine, Weights, Leadership, and AP US History. 

I had to chase her down and drag her out of her truck to get her "Back to School" photo.  She left an hour and fifteen minutes before she had to be to school!  (In her defense - she has a solid 30 minute drive.)  She wanted to be early to get a good PE locker (she likes the BIG ones to keep all of her soccer gear in!), grab a parking sticker, and something else.  What she found out was...the teachers were not as excited as she was to get to school early - no one was there!

Since she has weights first, she decided not to get dressed in her Back to School ~ First Day Outfit.  She just wore her work out clothes.  My girl is so not into the worldly scene - (Thank you Lord for putting a good head on Ashley's shoulders.  She is all about you God!)

Stay tuned for some funny pre-school stories...I'm sure we will have plenty.  The Big T (Tyler) gets to start taking the bus to school on Monday.  Say a quick prayer that he actually gets on it!

As for Ashley, the world is looking up.  She is going places...just you watch...I'll photograph it!