A little love to share

Luke is showing off his shirt that says "My Dad rocks!" Indeed he does...
I have gotten Luke to go up to him and put his arms in the air and say 'Daddy, Bomb' translated: "Daddy, you are the bomb!" It is pretty cute...Congrats, babe, on your big week. Your family is so proud of you and loves you so much!

Good peeps

Saturday my pal Becca and her husband Ian stopped through town on their way to Paducah. It was so great to spend some time with them and show them a little of our southern Illinois beauty. The visit included a trip to Harbaugh's (where Luke impressed Ian with his jelly eating) and a drive to Alto Vineyard. So happy that they stopped through :) It is refreshing and energizing to spend time with such quality folks!

As these photos show, Luke really really really enjoyed the new book that Becca and Ian picked out for him...

a little summer fun

I kept Luke home last Friday so that we could go to a playdate with our friends Trinity and Addison (and new baby Hadley!) The kids had a good time visiting and playing and it was nice to visit with a fellow mama for a while. The last photo is of Luke on Sunday just loving life in the backyard.



PS I don't think his teachers were too sad that he missed a day @ Montessori...he has been spending a lot of time in time-out...oof!

Happy Father's Day

These videos are a couple of examples of how great of a dad Luke has...Last night we went to school to borrow a big table so that we could host dinner tonight with the Mums & Papas. Luke and his dad discovered a lovely mud puddle (perfect for rinsing one's head) and later the hose...
We have a great menu planned and I think the US Open will be on while we visit so it will be a great time. Luke has a spectacular Daddy! Although, I must admit my dad is the best dad I ever could have dreamt up and Papa Paul has certainly raised some exceptional children! Happy Father's Day to all of the involved and loving dads out there!

Bed Rest

Because sometimes the floor just feels better...

Luke found his own napping spot on Saturday. Who are we to argue? That shag rug IS pretty soft and comfy.

Flag day, other wise known as Mum Susan's Birthday!

Love you, Mum...Hope you are having fun in Chicago! Happy Birthday. You make me smile like a big truck going "brrrm, brrrm"!

Saturday Night Fever

We did almost get a fever from the hot hot hot temperatures. That is not a complaint, just a fact. The weather didn't keep us from checking out "Big Truck Night" and a visit to Giant City where Luke was happier walking around outside with a chicken wing than eating at the table :) You can see how he got hotter as he visited more trucks and tractors but we did enjoy a cool ride to the lodge for a fun family meal. The dress I had on caused Luke to hug me repeatedly and say 'dress' over and over. I guess he liked it :) Lightning bugs were out in full force last night, too. That is a sure sign that summer is here in all of its glory. Daddy is golfing with Papa Nick and I am taking Luke to the beach for some morning swimming followed by breakfast at our favorite pancake place...

Pictures from the truck event, followed by dinner at the lodge where one can even play a quick game of hide 'n' seek.

Mix and match

This has been a quick and busy and good and hot week. Here are some pictures of our little olive loving, bath taking, playdate hosting fella.









Luke will point out a Mimosa tree and say "mommy" since I told him that they are my favorite and now they are all gloriously blooming. When he points one out, I just smile and smile.

Utility Room

I re-arranged our utility room a couple of weeks ago to accommodate my new deep freezer. I love having this appliance because I can be a big shopping nerd and stock up on things that we consume on a daily/weekly basis when they are on sale. I have also frozen soups and herbs to use this winter while having space in my regular freezer. Yeah! Anyway, I have created a laundry room, wii room, dog room (that they never really sleep in) pantry, etc...space and I thought this one little accessory really made it look the best that it ever has. Especially with the drips of strawberry popsicle all over his shirt...


These were taken yesterday when he fell asleep at 4:30 on a walk. We are on day two of no nap and are imitating thunder as it storms outside, playing with farm animal toys and trucks and listening to classical music. I think he will probably go to bed at about 6:00 tonight. How strange...

PS - Luke has proudly shown his bed off to all of his grandparents and neighbors (he pulled Miss Meg over this weekend to show it off). Today he even thought Mum Susan liked it so much that he shut her in his room and went off to play. Here are a few shots of him 'sleeping' with Mum Jackie.

What...a week

If you ever watch Chelsea Lately, you will know how to announce the title to this post. If not, look her up. She is crude but funny and I really think a long lost twin of my pal, Becca.

Now, on to the past few days.

Luke started the week in pull-ups. When I picked him up, the teachers told me he went to the bathroom all day and that he needed to come in underwear. So...the next day he had a couple of accidents, but yesterday and today he stayed in his original clothes and is even going regularly at home. Wow!

He is participating in activities, smiling lots at school (even though he is still a little shy when we drop him off) and smiles and talks about the fun that he has. His teacher is a darling woman named Miss Amber. She has her own two year old and treats Luke with so much care and kindness. I appreciate her gift with little ones so much!

I have posted two new pictures that he colored around the house and wore a "Luke made" necklace to dinner last night on a quick date with Steve.

Our date was actually Luke driven, since we have decided that he needed to have a race car bed as his big boy bed. I found one in a nearby town on Craigslist that was meant for a grandson, but he never slept in it. Luke got to have a delicious meal and fun visit with Gma Susan and Gpa Paul, and Steve and I picked up this little beauty for our sweet and every day bigger boy. >

We set it up before he got home last night and are pretty sure that he likes it. He actually touched the wheels and tried to move it around last night.


Thanks Susan & Paul for helping us pull off a really fun surprise :)
Luke was not interested in being photographed here, but his grandparents don't get enough blogpress so I had to post it!

School is an interesting change for us. I am sooooo excited to pick him up each day. He loves to see me or Daddy or Gma or Papa when we pick him up and he seems bigger and more skilled each day. There is no going back now. Luke is on his way :)

As I type he is knocked out on his race car bed. I read to him and told him he could play until he was sleepy but he had to stay in his car. And he listened. And this is what he looked like once asleep. He played and talked for about 15 minutes before I went back and had to search for him :) So much for my side padding idea...It was an adventure to wrestle the blankets away from him while he slept and put them in their designated spots so that he didn't lose weight due to sweating!

Oh, and he is getting more creative, independent (and maybe more left handed) each day...Presenting local artist Luke...