Hey you... I see you... Let's talk...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this age with Twins. They are noticing each other now and not only noticing but becoming interested in each other. I usually place the Trip Traps facing each other. They look and analyze each other and every time one goes for the other ones toy. 

They have their own language and love to express it to each other. It is wonderful to just watch this develop as they both get to know each other so well.

All roads lead to water...

There is no better way to beat the summer heat than to be around water. I notice it when going through my pictures and realizing that most activities are centered around it. We went tubing this past weekend and this was a first for Tripp. He had a blast! We went into Beresford Creek where it was pretty calm and that made for a nice ride. Tripp and Juliette really wanted to anchor the boat and swim. We did just that. It was funny though - Juliette really wanted to get in and she did. We swam around and enjoyed the water. She is just like me though, when she starts to think about the river and the fact we can see nothing under us - she gets rather freaked out. I am the same - I just try not to think about it. She wanted to watch shark week and I told her if you watch that stuff you may be too afraid to ever get in the Wando or the ocean. Tripp is too young to be concerned about anything and he was happy as clam holding on to his Daddy and me.  

Tripp is rocking out his swim lessons with Mr. Bob! He is really making some head way. I have been lost without Ms. Viv who taught Juliette but have been so happy that we found Mr. Bob. He should be able to swim after the next four lessons left with him.

Tripp is funny. I looked out the window and listened to his listen and I hear Tripp trying to dictate to Mr. Bob. I started to laugh really hard when I heard this conversation,

Mr. Bob, "Okay Tripp let's jump in and swim to me..."

Tripp, "Mr. Bob I want you to swim to me. "

Mr. Bob, "First let's try jumping in to me and swimming."

Tripp, "See this stair I am standing on, you can do it, you can swim to me Mr. Bob."

... And before you knew it Tripp was blowing his bubbles and swimming to Mr. Bob. 

I mentioned to Don that Tripp has thoroughly enjoyed the swim meets. Don's response, "He sure has! As long as he is stuffing his face with something he is happy..."

And you know what? He is exactly right!

We had a play date at the Hamlin pool with some of Juliette's class mates. It was SO much fun and the girls were thrilled to see each other....

Tripp may have been the most excited when he got to play with "Ms. Elaina"

Yes this is Elaina below. Ask me why he called her Ms. Elaina? I have no answer! It was so hilarious no one corrected him!

All of the siblings and class mates - what a fun day! 

The next day we reunited with the McCollum clan! Hanging with this crowd is too much fun!

Feeling SO happy and cherishing our Summer!

Maybe I'll just take a closer look...

I cracked up when I looked out the window when picking the kids up and spotted this! Tripp wanted a closer view of "Ju-itette" the bird handler and the birds so he tried out the binoculars! 

Juliette is working hard on training them with Doh, and Tripp is doing a great job negating that by his normal boisterous three year old self. On his arrival to the porch they prefer heading straight for the ceiling! 

Candy and Dukey are definitely adding to a fun filled and exciting summer!

We're 7 months old!

Happy happy 7 months my precious little ones! They were so happy to celebrate the special day!! As of this past week they both poppd their first teeth. Thomas got his teeth first - at that he got two teeth the same day and then a few days later Tyler popped one tooth! They are proud of those teeth and are working hard to chew on a thing or two.

They are eating and boy are they eating! Tyler would prefer food any day over milk. Matter of fact he has begun to fight me in drinking milk. We have to play games with him to get it down. Now bring out some food and he will eat and eat and eat... Thomas is still a good little boy and will drink his milk with no problems.

They are babbling and babbling loudly.... they love the "dadadadada" sounds but I refuse to believe that it will ever mean they are trying to say 'DaDa".... this time on my last round of babies they will say "MaMa" first! 

They are SO happy and SO healthy! Their brother and sister love them more and more each day as they continue to be more fun. They laugh with them and they love to rub their heads. 

They sleep through the night beautifully and actually both sleep in different rooms right now. It works and I have not been brave enough to change anything yet!

Their nicknames that have stuck are "Joseppi" and "Honey Bunny"... Thomas has been nicknamed "Joseppi" after the middle name of my paternal Grandfather. He was Italian and Thomas has such resemblance to that side of the family. And Honey Bunny is just a honey bunny...

We all love summer time and give thanks for the joy and laughter these newest additions bring to the family. Juliette when telling her the babies are 7 months old replied..."Mommy I feel like Thomas and Tyler have been here forever..."

Sweet Thomas showing off his two teeth

Baby Tyler

Baby Thomas

"Ra Ra Re kick'em in the knee"... Let's go ride a horse!

Juliette had a super fun week at Bishop England Cheerleading camp. Several of her little friends from school were there too. She got quite into the dancing and loved the cheers!

And then one of her favorite weeks of the year started.... "Horse Camp"! She was so excited Monday morning she brought the dog statue out of Tessa's house to practice sitting on an animal. She and Tripp have been quite busy riding Caroline at the house using the dog leashes as reins to take them on a vacation. 

Juliette this year has become more self aware of her surroundings and a bit more shy. Unlike prior years, this year she was concerned with telling me that maybe we were not allowed to take pictures with the horses, maybe we were not allowed to look in the barn and possibly the horses did not like their pictures taken!

Her Daddy actually took her one morning and before she allowed him to give her a hug and a kiss she made sure no one was looking. Don was shocked! Some days we can really see how she is quickly loosing the baby and becoming a young girl. It is beautiful and bittersweet at the same time.

Pepe was one of the beautiful horses she got to ride this year. She was so excited to pose with him after she assured herself that the horses did like to pose. 

She was so excited Thursday after camp on the way home, she asked when she could go to bed so that she could wake up and it would be horse camp again.

We look forward to the camp every year and will be super excited to welcome it one more week this summer and then next year!

The 4th of July...

It is by far one of the favorite Holidays of the year! We had a super fun day celebrating with a golf card ride in the 4th of July parade on Daniel Island the evening before followed by a super fun picnic and concert with family and friends! It was a GREAT time!

Juliette, Tripp and Audrey celebrating with flag cookies!

Then we worked super hard to get everyone dressed for a special 4th of July picture! I got some precious ones that of course made my heart very happy!

Tyler on the left and Thomas on the right

My Mom and Juliette designed the dress for her that morning of course for the celebrations. We couldn't let the only girl be dressed just like her brothers!

We heard from our special Ms. Alli who sent us 4th of July greetings and shared a special picture that had popped up on her phone that morning! It made Juliette very happy to see.

Bon Voyage

I can't believe the time has come! Tripp's bed arrived and he could not be more excited!! We have been talking to him about his new boat bed. He did not understand until he saw it in his room. He could not wait to get into that bed! The first morning he slept until 9:00 AM and took a three hour nap!

 My little boy blue has sailed away and is adrift at sea

I hope when he wakes he will stay

As sweet as always as he can be

He is SO excited! He named the closed shark to his head "Herman." He needed reassurance that the fish would not eat him or bite him while he slept...

And five minutes after reading his new favorite book "Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" he was sailing the seas!

Night Night sweet big boy!