T is for Tatum, Tucker and Turtles!

Look what we adopted. Two, two week old Sulcata turtles! Aren't they SO cute?!! We did the math and their birthdays are September 14, sorry dad that you have to share your day. I'm pretty sure there isn't a pet that requires less then these dudes. We feed them lettuce or the junky fruits/veges in the refrigerator and put them in the sun every day and that's about it. When they are 2 years old we can stick them in the backyard to fend for themselves. We can even plant plants just for them to eat which means no feeding them! I was a little worried Chris would be upset about the adoptions but actually he's quite obsessed! He's taken this turtle thing and run with it! He's even slipped and called them HIS turtles, which I know is exactly how he feels. He's envisioned building a "habitat" for them in our backyard and insisted on going to the pet store to get turtle things. He's spent hours on the computer researching the best things for them. Funny Chris.

When Tatum met her turtle, the smaller of the two, she knew the name for hers was Gisele, like Gisele in Enchanted.

I'm not sure who this is but isn't it cute!

The instant Tuck met his he named him Ninja Turtle. He lovingly refers to him as "little buddy" and insists his is faster than Gisele. Keil, my brother, gave Tucker's a week to live before something happens to him. Cross your fingers he's wrong! I'm SO glad these funny things live with us, T & T L-O-V-E them! Below is a video for your enjoyment!

Look What We're Having!!

Look what we're having? A GIRLIE!! Bring on the head bows, the bracelets, the glitter and the PINK!

I think these profile shots are sweet. During an ultrasound we caught her sucking her thumb and it was so cool that we could see her jaw moving while she sucked! Hopefully that's a habit she doesn't continue, you can't cut up a thumb like you can a passy when you're ready to get rid of them!

Busy, Uneventful Day

I'm not sure why today alone deserves it's own post but it felt like an eventful day. Tatum had a half day at school so we invited 2 of her school friends over, Emma for her and Emry for Tuck. All was well until Tucker decided to throw a killer fit in which poor Emry mostly played by himself.

They both practiced ALL day and eventually learned how to blow up balloons all by themselves. They were SO proud. For the rest of the day slobbery balloons were filled with air and then let go to see how far they'd fly.

I woke up from my nap to this. I found blue finger prints all over the hall bathroom. I found him and his permanent marker in Tatum's room coloring all over his legs and her bedspread. He was SO proud that he'd written the letter T all by himself. Nice!

Then while I was cleaning up dinner Tucker had been jumping over our lamp cord that was plugged in. I kept telling him to stop but he had a different plan. Sure enough, he tripped over it and this is what happened. The joys of every day life.

Toot-a-loo Jill & Wyatt Sean

This is Jill and Wyatt Sean whom we love. We've been so lucky to have them in town for the last couple of weeks but sadly it was only a pit stop. They moved today to New York so Sean, husband and dad, can go to PA school. They will be there for 2 very long years and no doubt we'll be counting down they days until they move back. We went over to bid them farewell and hold Wyatt Sean one last time.

Tatum LOVES babies and can't wait until her very own arrives. She said, "I'm practicing on a real baby". She felt so big when she rocked Wyatt asleep in her arms.

Tuck isn't so interested but likes holding the little squirt none-the-less. He so affectionately calls him Wyatt Sean instead of simply: Wyatt.

Love Rocks

These are "love rocks". What are love rocks? A love rock is any rock in which Tatum or Tucker designates as such. What are the requirements for a rock to qualify for a love rock? Currently there doesn't seem to be ANY requirement. Shape, size, color, or location are not taken into consideration, the only thing that seems to matter is whether or not you are on their good side at that very moment. Once a love rock is given it can and will be revoked at any given time without any warning. Scolding or punishing usually precedes the removal of your rock. Warning: love rocks have been known to fly at you with excessive force.

Love Note Hunt

There are a lot of reasons I like for Chris to go out of town. The freedom of whatever, whenever. No cooking. Slumber parties in my bed, although those are never really as fun as they sound. Girl nights. I can leave for church as early as I want, if it were up to Chris we'd leave 5 mins. before church starts and then sit in the back. I'm not okay with that. Anyways, there is just a different feel. But my favorite thing is to come home and find his hidden love notes everywhere. I love to go on a love note hunt, thinking of all the places in our house I frequent where he could have hidden his notes. This one is in my undies drawer.

On the dresser.

In the refrigerator.

My night stand.

In the medicine cabinet and the counter.

August Update

For Chris, seasons revolve around ASU football. His new years always begins in the middle of August at Camp Tontozona where the Devils hold a public practice. That's right, a practice. Chris and his cousin Donny get up early and drive an hour and a half to watch a practice dressed from head to toe is ASU garb. For the past 2 years Tucker has made the trek loving every minute, he totally diggs Sparky and the time he gets to spend with his dad.

How cute is he!! Tucker and Brady are best buds during the day long manly, bonding time. They even held hands everywhere they went and never mind the tiger stripped chairs!

We FINALLY got a monsoon storm, finally! What happened to the storms of olden days: power outs, killer dust storms, hail? Well we got nailed one day and it turned our neighborhood into Shamrock Lake. Notice how high the water hits Tuck, his waist!
They had so much fun riding their bike and scooter into the water. I ventured out into the water a bit myself and I was a little worried something might nip at my toes or we might contract some weird disease, thankfully it was just rain water!

WEEEEEEE!

Our neighborhood friends joined us with their inter tube!

The most exciting thing that's happened is Tucker started preschool. We made such a big deal of Tatum starting school of course Tuck got the same treatment. He chose for breakfast eggs, he could've had anything and he chooses eggs, boring! How about his new backpack! I love how
huge it is!! He loves it. And I'd like to point out this is the first day this entire summer his shirt and shorts match.

On our way to drop Tatum off at school I heard her in the back of the car giving Tucker school pointers. "Now Tucker, when you need to say something you raise your hand and your teacher will call on you. And if you still have something to say you raise it again." I'll bet her hand is up constantly!
I took Tucker school shopping, of course he had to have a new outfit. Now, I know boys aren't huge on clothes but mine happens to be pretty darn picky with a huge opinion. The kid picked out a jean jacket. A JACKET. It's SUMMER. He absolutely insisted. Nothing else would make him happy. How did I get stuck with such a weird child?

The preschool we're doing is actually called Joy School. I'm really excited about it! It's not so much ABC's, it's more about being aware of directions, self esteem and the such which is right up Tuck's alley. This is the sign that welcomes us to the home it's being hosted at as it rotates every week.
He was so good about going, I thought he might be a bit clingy but he was SO excited he walked right up to the door and into the house like he'd been there before.

These little friends are in his class. There's 7 children and 5 are boys which I'm really glad for, Tuck needs little buddies, the poor child is surrounded by girls. Our good little friends, Sadie and Macie who we love, also are part of his school. He wouldn't come and smile with the beautiful brunettes but they are good buddies. When I picked him up he was so excited and wanted to go back. YEAH!