water hose

Seriously, the only way to survive summer around 

here is with the water hose.

I feel so cooped up in the house, so we gotta do

what we gotta do to hang outside.

And if that means the water bill takes a hit, 

then so be it.

Tate figured out at the beginning of the summer that

he could create his own sprinkler to run in. 

The nozzle on the hose is wearing out, so it doesn't stick quite 

as good as it used to.

Oh hey there, Paigey Poo!

Revenge!

I see the look in your eyes...

I'll be running away now!

Hug each other!

Touch your noses together!

Hahahaha

Oh little boy smirk, how you get your way!

I see you, school. 

I'm not ready for you...

but then again, I kind of am.

But not fully ready.

playing puppy in the hallway

Paige plays "family" all day.

This means she's the mom, sister, grandma, or cousin to 

her dolls or me or Tate or Brooke or whoever will play with her.

Tate is starting to actively join in on this imaginative play.

His family member of choice?

The puppy.

Funny how boys and girls just naturally play in different ways.

I got a new lens for my camera and decided to 

follow this mama and her puppy around to try

to get the hang of it.

(Pardon the blur.)

Does Tate not look like such a little boy?!

Oh hey there, mama and puppy!

And then Tate turned into Josh.

What is happening in this house!?

Why are these kids growing so quickly?!

He was a hard to manage little puppy. 

And then I told them to run circles!

This girl and her need to pose all kinds of sassy. 

My goodness.

Ok, seriously. 

I would like the name and number to whoever it 

is that keeps telling this kids to grow.

Why is Paige all the sudden a teenager?!

...there's my crazy posing 4 year old!

And this is my new favorite picture of her.

I love that she's so willing to have her picture taken all the sudden.

I was trying to figure out all the best setting options on this lens.

What a little beauty, this one.

And she has a heart of gold to match.

Ok, I'm going to go cry myself to sleep and dream of their baby days.

sisters

One day Tate will take pictures with his sisters. 

That day was not today. 

Gotta love this girl's crazy hair. 

There is nothing staged about these next few. 

Paige is so caring towards her brother and sister.

She's such a little mama.

Some little girls with a case of the stares.

Ok, this is not a cute picture...but look at those top teeth!

Sisters!!

And now my heart is melting. 

...into a million pieces. 

Paige requested this headband so that she could match Brooke. 

Grow hair grow!

I waaaayyyy prefer bows over headbands!

tate and sydney

Here are tiny glimpses of tiny moments

of Tate and Sydney not terrorizing 

the house. 

Ok, so they’re just eating pbj fold overs, 

but that is still impressive for these two. 

...and worth documenting. 

But seriously. These two used to 

fight and cry and steal toys from

each other (and pretend they wanted the

toy the other one had even if they 

don’t ever care about it any other time)

This was a problem considering we spent 

(and still spend) 

anywhere from 3-5 days a week together.  

Well they have changed their ways. 

And it’s exhausting. 

Now they are little teammates. 

And it is NOT for the better. 

The second they’re together Tate

says, “Hide! Hide! Hide!”

They disappear into a room and mischief ensues! 

They give each other such confidence!

So many ideas! 

So much giggle infused encouragement! 

My goodness they are toddlers! 

I can’t wait to see where this friendship goes. 

Hopefully better choices are near. 

Until then, Erica and I have split a pack

of kid proof doorknob covers. 

No more master bedrooms or

siblings’ rooms for them. 

bigs in the recliner

Sometimes the big kids are being 

super giggly and I just happen to 

have my phone nearby. 

Oh hey little loves!!!

Oh my dimples!!

And to end on this one! 

I’m one lucky mama!