Summer is here

Taye turned 16!  We had a low key birthday celebration.  He went shopping for new shoes with Tyrone.  We took donuts to the end of swim practice and all his teammates sang happy birthday.  We had yummy supper and cake at the end of the day. Taye's swim consumes a significant percentage of our family income so I think this less expensive celebration was just right.  I think he looks happy.  Can't believe Baby Taye is so grown.

I took Scotia and Blythe and Isabelle to Three Bears Acres, they got filthy dirty and soaking wet and had a blast.  This slide is a favorite.  Blythe would woosh down by herself. So brave.

Taye starting working as a lifeguard.  Checking off all the appropriate miles stones in preparation for adulthood. 

These hanging baskets on the back porch are so much prettier in person.  You can see them from the living room and kitchen and they make me happy.  Lots of plant watering every day.

Scotia and Taye are both swimming summer league swim team.  Scotia had a fit the first day of practice, but once she got there she realized she remembered lots of friends from last year and she's a great swimmer.  So now totally happy.  As I type she is begging me to leave for swim early. 

Jaxon went to Myrtle Beach with his team for a basketball tournament. 

I know it's officially summer when we meet the Fosters at Falls Lake to BBQ hotdogs and play in the water.  Taye had no intentions of getting in the water but it was too enticing.  We had the big cherry float with and I think they spent two hours tipping each other over, laying claim to the floaty and then getting dethroned.  So fun to watch all the kids, especially the big boys, be so silly and have so much fun. 

Derick had a friend over and the end of the day had them playing video games, playing basketball, eating yummy food and watching the last NBA championship game.  Just what I hoped for with a bigger house and more room to spread out.

Don't want to forget asking Derick what video game they were playing and he responded, "NoYoBiz"  I'm not familiar with that game so I asked for clarification and he said, "None of your Business" and took off running down the stairs with a super big grin and that 'come get me' look.  One of those moments when I am totally charmed by how cute and fun and silly and smart and wonderful all the kids who live in my house are.

Off to swim...