Quick Trip

To Kansas City! 

This fabulous lady and I hit the road Friday night and made it all the way to Kansas City as the clock struck midnight. We made the trip to see this show http://www.pattiandmandy.com/. It was a great time at an awesome theatre, http://www.kauffmancenter.org/about-the-center/the-building/

 A big bonus to making the drive all at once on Friday was that we woke up steps from The Country Club Plaza shopping and had some time to visit a couple of favorite shops (that normally I can only shop online) before we met this handsome guy for a delicious lunch at Houston's! The first picture is of Glenn explaining some of his Crossfit workout to my mom.

 Happy guy, still discussing workouts and what is good on the menu (EVERYTHING!)

 Thanks for meeting us, Glenn! It was a big treat to visit with you and hear about the fun that you have been having. So far, you have called the Superbowl match-up. The 49's are tied with the Giants as I type, so we will see how it plays out.

 Some interior shots of the Kauffman Center that do not do it justice. Stunning and simple and bright and pristine.

 We were very caught up in the fun of this adventure. You don't need much sleep when there is so much to do in a tiny window of time. We spent (counting six hours of sleep) 16 hours actually in KC and we packed a lot of everything into the time.

 Mom enjoying the view.

 Red velvet seats, great lighting and beautiful details in the interior of the performance area.

Loved this time with my mom. She is a warrior driver, patient with my bossypants, super fun and makes a six hour trip fly by. Thanks, mom, so much for this special time together. I will never forget it! XOXO

Belated Thanks

 Thank you, Aunt Shannon, Uncle Eric & Violet for my awesome and perfect new chair!

 I told my mom that people can go to time out in it AND I can sleep in it all cuddled up. I love it!

 And...

 I love the box that it came in...

Double fun & lots of thanks! Love, Luke

Outdoors in January

 Yesterday was very blustery, but also very mild and warm for January, so...

 we were able to get out the 'outside toys' and play for a while

In our PJ's, of course!

Lazy days and birthday wishes

 I wanted to take a few pictures while Luke sat on my lap Friday and worked at his 'workstation'. Notice the PJ's...I think we were both in them until the evening. Star illustrates the blissful laziness that the three of us enjoyed all day - snuggling, playing, reading, playing, snuggling...the weekend has continued in the same tone. Yesterday we had a fun morning together and then I enjoyed some time with my mom seeing Carnage and going to a co-workers jewelry party while Steve and Luke ran some errands and visited 'the rainbow store' Toys R Us. Today, Steve got Luke and I motivated to go on a hike, get out of the house and get some groceries which were all brilliant ideas.

 We have all sent HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to Grandpa Paul today, too! Luke is exited to kung fu fight when he returns from this visit to Baby Violet's house. Today he mentioned to Luke that Violet was sleeping next to him and it reminded me of this favorite photo. It was taken with an older phone which explains the size and quality, but I think it is still absolutely precious! Hope you had a great day, Grandpa! Gpa Nick keeps saying he is looking forward to you returning to town as well so that you can share the beatings that Luke doles out these days :) Love you!

AND...here is a past note that shares a sweet memory for Luke and Paul...(from March 2010)

Erinn,
We had a really good time with Luke today. It started with his playing with his track and cars followed by lunch which he totally devoured. He did his business just before we set out on a little adventure. Good timing! We went to the church where there was a huge crane set up to repair the roof. The operator was getting set to lock things up for lunch around 1 p.m., but when he saw Paul and Luke, he invited them over to take a closer look, AND THEN, MAGIC! He let Luke push the buttons to operate the crane! Yes, Luke's little finger maneuvered this huge piece of machinery. Fascinating, even to G-ma! I'm sure it was memorable to Luke, too. He was worn out with this and fell soundly asleep on the way to Marion to the cleaners. On the way back, we stopped by the Herrin City Park to say hi to our feathered friends, and there, we had some more fun with the park machinery. Back to Grandma and pa's for fun with bubbles. Grandpa needed to get cleaned up, and he loaded the bath with bubbles. Luke was amused and was about to jump in when Grandpa decided it was time to get out. We had a little piano music. Luke can climb up all by himself and self-starts his key-tickling. About this time, he was asking "Mama?" at about 4. The first time all day--a sure sign that he was having a good time. I told him that Mama wasn't coming, but that Daddy would soon be here. He understood perfectly and continued playing with his train. Decided to change him before Daddy arrived, and that's where Daddy found us. Only slight negative is that he didn't have a crib nap, which would probably have given him more restful sleep than in the car seat. We all just had a very fun time. He also had an oatmeal cookie as a snack. I made a recipe on the Craisins package which sounds similar to yours, only with cranberries, just brown sugar like yours. They do have some white chocolate chips in them. Pretty good stuff. Lunch was a cheese omelette, whole wheat toast with strawberry jam and some clementine slices. Juice mixed with water to drink.
Loved it all,
Susan

Bed buddy

 I never have to look too far when bedtime rolls around for our super Star. She is still learning the definition of personal space...

Good Sport

 Reading about Lightning while the Salukis try to get a win...

 Monkey bars for Luke

 "Swing like this, mommy!"

 Here I am!

 Taking on all the stairs...champ!

This is fun! Luke was awesome at the game last weekend. Relaxed, well-mannered and FUN! He clapped and danced with the crowd when they weren't too loud for his taste, and he took a few time outs to revisit his favorite Scooby and Lightning comic books. Great afternoon with a great kid!

Like list

 This nearly four year old likes to bite my shirt when we are wrestling. He likes me to warm him up when he is cold. He likes to see how often he can fight me, etc...before he gets a time out. He likes to snuggle up when he first wakes. He still really likes chocolate milk. He likes to be home and play with his daddy. He also likes to get 'his phone' and take pictures. These are photos that Luke took with my iPhone after telling me I was at dance class. "Do something silly, mommy!" Oh yeah, Luke really likes dance class, too!

Luke is a total joy. In case I haven't documented what I like...I like this kid. I admire the person that he already is and I count myself lucky to be part of his world. (Even when he is biting my shirt)

Cheeseburger in Paradise

 This song was totally impromptu. We were not going to get cheeseburgers or even going to dinner. He ust started singing and I just started laughing!

PS - we love the colors of the soap at the car wash. Luke wanted it to stay on the car and pretended to be sad when the water rinsed it off...and then...he broke into song. Really great 15 minutes in the car!

Where are you headed?

 Smiling at his handywork...Luke really likes maps!

 Rolling over Washington, D.C on his way to...

 ...Chicago!

 And then circling back to check out cousin Violet's house.

Maps by Luke. Look for them at your local bookstore. All you need are some 'lines and circles'. And a cute little boy to do the drawing!