swimmin'

Today was our first time in Grammy & Papa's pool this summer! Yee haw! It was so hot out! I do have to throw in this little text convo I had with Gretchen while she was at field day:
Gretchen: I don't think I can explain how HOT I am. Yes, I know I'm hawt, but this heat is insane. The things we do for our kids. :)
Me: Should I not tell you that our kids cancelled this morn & we are at mom's pool?
Gretchen: I just sent curse words thru my mind.
Me: I am praying for you.
Gretchen: Bite me.
Me: The water is a tad chilly tho.
Gretchen: I'm bout to outloud curse now.

Just had to throw that in there!! :)

So, here are some cute pics of the kids while we swam!!

Grammy makes yummy PB&J!

Miss Sassy wouldn't sit still long enough for me to get a good pic!

My brother and his fam showed up while we were swimming. Griffin and Levi immediately asked if they could go home together, so the boys ended up at our house and both crashed right at 8! Swimming wears them out! Levi has a sunburn and I feel like a horrible mom! We reapplied sunscreen 3 times, but it still wasn't enough against the harsh sun. :( I am going to make him swim in sweatpants, a long sleeved t-shirt and a ski mask from now on! ;)

24 hours of amazing fun

I got to take a road trip and go see my girlie in Bowling Green!! So, for the next few minutes, I'll allow you into my thoughts along the way. See what I was thinking as I was driving along the highway. Traveling the great abyss. Warning: when you get me alone, my mind wanders and there's no telling what I start thinking about!!!

This fella and I were playing follow the leader for almost 40 minutes! He'd pass me, then I'd pass him...then, I started trying to think of acronyms for ABCO. American Bagpipes Carry On, Apples & Bananas Co....I have a few more, but I will spare you! ;) I felt like we kind of became friends along the way. When he pulled off at a rest area, I almost wanted to wave, or hold up my e-mail address in the window. ;)
This is me one hour into the trip. I was jamming to classic rock - a little Aerosmith, Poison, Bon Jovi, Van Halen...I was in heaven! No kids demanding my attention. No hubby telling me I was following too closely to the person in front of me.

So, a little while later, I see this. I got to thinking...what makes someone a #1 fan? I mean, everyone thinks they are the #1 fan...right? How far do you have to go to become a fan? Paint your face at a game? Get season tickets? Go to every single tailgating party? Have something autographed? Know all the stats for each player? Or can you simply have a license plate that claims you are their #1 fan? Hmmm...

**I must make a disclaimer that while I took pictures as I drove, I did so with extreme caution! No one was around me and I never took my eye off the road! I just did point & click shots. :)** So, as you approach The Bible Belt, you see lots of these signs & billboards...

...and it usually across the street from one of these places. Crazy!!!

Leigh Lee...this is for you!! :)

This poor guy got pulled over by the police! This is where the little evil in me comes out. You know those times when someone comes speeding past you and you think in your head "Where is a police man when you need one?" Well, the cop was sitting by a tree and pulled out right as he passed. It was like a great movie scene happening right in front of my eyes!!!! I was secretly happy he got pulled over! Bad Tracey!!!

Ok, G's exit! Let the fun begin!!!

When I arrived, we were both starving, so Gretchen took me to Guadalajara...a GREAT Mexican joint!

And, I got a birthday present!!! WOOT! Look at my adorable Lancome beach-themed bag, perfect for my upcoming trip to the beach!

Adorable monogrammed beach towel...

And the latest People magazine!

One thing we used to do is take turns buying People, read it and then pass them back and forth to each other. We would totally mark up the magazine! Making comments all through it to make for more interesting reading!!! So, my mag was full of comments...

Ok, my bag also contained a cupcake from Gigi's. Gretchen has raved about this place, so I was uber excited to try one of these expensive cupcakes! ;)

And a great gift also includes chocolate. Enough said.

After lunch, we headed out for some shopping. We went to a few boutiques - I'm in love with one of their stores Heart Strings! I will expect any future gift bought for me to come from there. ;) We also headed to Kohl's because I had some Kohl's cash to use. We picked out some sunglasses and Gretchen wore hers throughout the whole store because she looked tre fab!

Next, we headed to the mall where our intentions were to look around for us. You know...do some window shopping and dream about new clothes. But, BE STILL MY HEART. We went into Gymboree and saw this sign. I love Gymboree.

And everything in the store was $12.99 and under. Did I mention that I LOVE Gymboree?? I literally pushed Gretchen aside and headed for Maggie's size. I felt like I was having a mini heart attack. After we spent what money we had, we left kind of exhausted! (Pitiful, I know!) So, we headed to dinner. I mean, we needed to refuel. Don't you think this pic needs to be entered into some kind of artistic contest?? ;)

Mmmmm

Once we finished our day of shopping & eating, we wanted to crash back at the hotel. Then, you know how flies get stuck on that sticky strip of paper? That's what happened to us. We were flipping through the channels and got stuck on The Bachelorette. Oh my word. It was like crack. The more we watched, the more stuck we got. I think I may actually have to watch the show this season so I an see if the girl (I can't even remember her name!) finds her man! OY!

The shot before checking out. :( (Yes, we were all puffy and bloated from dinner!)

So, before heading for home, I picked up my other best friend and hit the road!

I'm so thankful that we got a chance to hang out and I have to give props to the hubbies for keeping the kids for us...again! I know Eric is super busy with school and lots of studying and with his new job, but I'm blessed that he knows how important my "Tracey time" is to me! Thanks, Babe!

I loved my time away and was sad to leave. We always have such a great time when we visit!!! But, I also loved seeing this sign because it meant I was almost home to see my kiddos!! I missed them. :) Thanks, G, for a great day out!!! Love you!

my buddy

Our friend, Melanie, gave the kids a fun new snack for their birthdays! Buddy Fruits! Maggie L.O.V.E.S. them!!!

I mean, seriously loves them. Momma, Baby Doll and then Buddy Fruits...in that order! ;) Ha!

Yes, she gets quite upset when they are gone! I know, pitiful!!! If I would have had another one on hand, I would have given it to her. I like them, though, because they are just pure fruit. Nuthin' added! I stocked up on more in the produce department at WalMart. ;)

my first born

I want to document everything I can remember about yesterday! Levi graduated from preschool. Oh my stars...it was such a special day! I was kind of preparing myself that there would be tears, but I did really well! Only cried when they "marched" in and during the first song! ;)

As we walked into the classroom, Mrs. Vicki had a picture of their first day of preschool next to a picture of them the last week. It was amazing to see the difference!

The party table complete with a cake, punch and goldfish! ;)

The cake had each child's name on it...

...and each bobble head graduate had a picture inside. This is Levi's. :) Too cute!

Here are all the graduates!!! Look how cute!

Levi

First time seeing him in his cap and gown. He looks sooo grown up!! {tear...} They marched in to a song called "Let Them Be Little". Priceless.

Ok, now this got to me! They sang "Growing and Changing", a song about how they are doing so many fun things in their life right now and how we need to treasure each moment. Talk about getting right into a Momma's heart!!!

"ABC's" with bells - All the kids paid attention so well!!!

They sang several more songs including one called "It's Almost Time for Kindergarten". So sweet!

There were several people there to help us celebrate! Levi and his Mamaw and Grammy

Papa Bobby

Mommy & Daddy

When it was time to receive his diploma, Levi couldn't stop smiling! I love Mrs. Vicki!! She is so positive and always encourages the kids in such a sweet and kind way.

The proud graduate!!!!!

Now, I want to point out the binders that held their diplomas. Mrs. Vicki put these together for each student. It held a workbook that the kids worked on all year long and some other fun things that they did throughout the year! First was a picture from the first and last day.

It also held a monthly hand print. Each month, they made a picture and somewhere in the picture was their hand. :) So sweet!

I love this little boy! Mrs. Vicki told me so many special things about him yesterday before we left. It made me cry to see how he has grown over the year. She said he is so respectful of each and every adult and he is helpful to all of his friends in class. She said he is a natural leader and cares about others. She said he is very smart and it was a joy to have him in class.

Thank you, Mrs. Vicki for making this Momma's day so special! It is hard to leave your child in someone else's hands, but this year, we were so blessed to have Mrs. Vicki teaching Levi!