Operation NO TRAINING WHEELS - Take One

Out of the blue, Barrett decided that he wanted to take the training wheels off his bike.  Matt was excited to hear this news, so he began taking off the training wheels and anxiously began to prepare how to teach Barrett to ride. 
We invested in some elbow and knee pads, along with our Lighting McQueen helmet, and set out to test our abilities - Take One of No Training Wheels.
We made a little progress.  Mainly, it was realizing that we needed to balance, pedal at a faster rate to keep the momentum going, and that riding without training wheels was going to take a little "work" (it wasn't going to happen in a day).
No problem.  We're going to keep trying.  I think wants he gets a little more confident and has his first fall (I know, hard knocks...but it has to happen), he will eventually get the idea!!!! 

Lions and Bears

I'm not sure how to explain these pictures in words, but I can assure you that it's a nightly event (production/episode/routine)!!!

And it's one, that only Matt and Barrett share together.  They love to wrestle, and with Barrett's imagination running wild, it has turned into what we call, "Lions and Bears".  Apparently, Barrett is the Lion that attacks the Bear (Matt).  The Bear goes crazy trying to wiggle off the Lion, but the Lion manages to stay on. 

It's all fun and games and they LOVE doing it!!!!  Matter of fact, when I ask Barrett about some of the specific things he likes about his dad...playing "Lions and Bears" are the first words out of his mouth!!!!

 A video would be much better, but I had to capture some pictures so that Barrett would remember when he looks back through his scrapbooks!!!!

 

Our Buddy Wyatt

We love our friends, The Martins!!!  Barrett adores baby Owen (Wyatt's new baby brother) and of course, Wyatt and Barrett remain to be the best of friends.  Even though we've moved to McKinney, we try to get the boys together on a regular basis...and when they do see one another, it turns into a WILD time!!!! 

Fun at the Park

As usual, Texas has the hottest summers!  It's nearing the end of June, and already the temperatures have reached 107 and 108.  I can only imagine what July and August have in store for us!!!!
We have to have FUN though...and I don't like being stuck in doors all summer, so fun our summer fun, we try to squeeze in time for the park (in the cooler part of the morning), then of course we hit the pool midday for a swim!!!! 
Sometimes we have the entire park to ourselves.  On this particular day, we played "Kingdom".  Barrett likes to play like he is the Dragon, and other times he is the King.  I get to play the Princess, or the enemy that is trying to destroy the castle! 

Good Times with Friends Next Door

Our neighbors are our good friends!  They do all sorts of fun things together!!!!  They enjoy umping on the trampoline, riding their bikes and 4-wheelers, playing on their playgrounds, racing down the sidewalk, chasing each other around, playing catch (with the help of older sister Hannah), getting soaked in the sprinklers, swimming together, playing in the sandpile, pretending to have a resturaunt and wait tables on one another, and MORE! 
Honestly, they're a "package deal"!  All of them are close in age and have become wonderful friends!!!

Summer Swimming

One of our daily routines is to head to our amazing neighborhood pool area!  We love it.  I think it might be what actually "sold us"!  Well, that...and the fact that I love my house!
Being 8 months pregnant in the summer, I'm not too active with outdoor activities, but if it has WATER near by,..I'm all over it!
I don't want to be the lazy mommy either...so on a regular (almost daily basis) Barrett and I go swimming!  He's getting really good at swimming and jumping in!  I'm pretty sure by the end of the summer, he will be ready to take his swimming test (swim across the pool and back), so that he can go down the big slides!!!!!

Barrett Update

Well, we've entered the summer and I'm already enjoying every minute of it with Barrett.  This time next year, we'll have a 9 month old following us around!!!!
Barrett had his 4 year check up.  I seriously can't believe time has past as quickly as this!!!!
Weight: 41.8 lbs
Height:  43 3/4 inches
His growth and development look wonderful.  We're extremely blessed to have such an active, happy, energetic, funny, kind, caring, and smart, young boy.  Every day with Barrett is a GIFT from God!!!!!