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