Art Work By Tater

Tater was up early (like 1am!) on Saturday and helped herself to the computer paper and a pen to create a bit!

This is her calendar.

This is a camel.

And this is our family going to the beach.

She even attempted to write "beach" in the upper left-hand corner.

She is getting ready for kindergarten!

Beach Day!

We started of the day with Tater in my bed at one o'clock in the morning...watching Nick-at-Nite while I slept...can you say "tired girl Saturday"? It was a lazy morning but we were ready to head off on our first beach day of the summer by around ten o'clock. As Daddy and I were gathering the last minute items, Bruiser opened the front storm/screen door. Both of us yelled for him to close it and he did...with Miss Wiggles' finger in the hinge. Her flattened finger and Mommy headed to the Urgent Care for x-rays and a splint while Daddy took the other two to get beach snacks. After our brief detour, we made it to the beach by one o'clock...and everyone enjoyed the "perfect beach day"!

Wiggles' with her splint.

Love Tater's hat!

All three had fun playing with Daddy while Mommy got to sit and read for a few fabulous moments!

This is the first day Wiggles actually played in the sand and water.

And in spite of her injury, she loved it!

Her splint fell off from the water and now you can see her bruised little finger

(the one she is sort of holding up).

Bruiser got his feet buried and loved wiggling free!

Tater loved it too!

It's Official...

...summer has arrived!

This morning was my last day of school until September! Bruiser had his last day of regular preschool and has a week off until he starts summer school. It's hot. We are heading to a BBQ this evening. All signs are pointing toward summer!

Pool Time!

Siblings!

Look at the bathing beauty!

"Trump-oline!"

Any guesses what Bruiser enjoyed?

Loved this picture of Daddy reading to all three...even Wiggles wiggled her way in!

Happy Summer Vacation!

Summer Has Arrived...Almost!

Friday I spent the morning taking Miss Wiggles to the specialist to find out why she's been walking funny. Then I spent the afternoon taking all three children to find the special shoes she'll need for her braces...but more on her issues later! We came home late Friday afternoon to the HOT weather and decided to get summer started!

We picked up a new sprinkler at our second home...you know, that store with the red and white bulls eye?

Tater was a daredevil, while...

Bruiser and Taggie avoided the water altogether!

Miss Wiggles was a bit tired and a bit traumatized by her day.

They all wanted to lay out to "dry off"...even though Tater was the only wet one!

Tater was posing "Hawati" style!

Wiggles just wanted to be like the big kids.

This was a shot from when I put Tater on time out for being fresh to me and the other two joined her to commiserate and talk about the mean mommy. Hil-larious!

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Saturday morning I got to go yard sale-ing for the first time all year! I was so excited and came home with a few great treasures. There were toys (Geo Trax and Leapster Games) and puzzles (horses and dinosaurs) and clothes (even a Hanna Andersson sweatshirt) and shoes. But the best? A B.O.B. double jogger for a steal! No, I didn't need another stroller. Yes, I already own 6 strollers. But...it's a B.O.B.! And the price couldn't be beat! So now I'll be selling a few of my less impressive strollers and I spent a bit of time finding a proper home for the new stroller that we fondly refer to as "Bob"!

Anyone want to buy a great Baby Trend double jogger with three new tires?

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In the afternoon Tater and I headed out on our own to her friend, M's, birthday party. It was a beauty makeover party at a local kids' hair place...which translate to "right up Tater's alley"!

Here she is getting her "twisties".

Finished hair!

Manicure!

Eye glitter!

The party room and the beauties!

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Then we headed home to head out to our local minor league baseball stadium for a baseball game in honor of Daddy's birthday and Father's Day. We joined some good friends and had a great time...in spite of the heat and squirmy little ones.

Daddy and his kids!

(Don't you love Tater's foam finger?)

The crowd...

and Mommy in the crowd!

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Today we went for an early breakfast, spent some time at Home Depot (our other second home!), cleaned, did laundry, celebrated Daddy, and just had a great family day! Three more days of school for Mommy and Jack and then summer officially arrives!

Happy Birthday / Father's Day, Daddy!

It's Daddy's day - times 2! Not only are we celebrating Father's Day with the rest of the world...we also get to celebrate Daddy's birthday! It's a day all about him...breakfast out, a trip to Home Depot, steaks on the grill, a BIG gift...and whatever else Daddy wants to do on his day!

Happy Father's Day!

(and this includes all the grandpas too!)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Weekend Recap!

Yesterday we headed to pick up Tater - halfway between home and Papa and Mimi's. Memaw and Pop-Pop brought her and we had a picnic and a bit of a wildlife hike!

This was the kids turtle friend that didn't enjoy having his nap interrupted!

He quickly headed back to the water!

This little "friend" surprised me and elicited a scream that was heard all the way around the lake!

Can you see ALL the turtles sunning themselves?!?

Then today we headed out strawberry picking in the mucky weather with some very good friends from church. I planned ahead and outfitted the kids in old clothes, bug spray, and rain boots. I thought was heading for "mommy of the year" but you'll soon see why not!

Tater and her friend, K.

Bruiser heading in for the find!

Wiggles sampling along the way.

A. doing an excellent job!

More sampling!

They should have weighed her before and after to charge us for what she ate!

Tater and K. showing off their finds!

Wiggles coming for sympathy after she fell face and belly first into the mud puddle!

I had already removed the shirt but she was still filthy!

But nothing stopped her from finding more strawberries!

Bruiser loves his boots...and puddles!

See the dirt?

Love the strawberry streak!

And love that expression!

Please note that everyone had a blast and we quickly headed home for tubbies and naps all around! The best way to end a Saturday!