Date night

 Heading to the fair with this great date. He is talking to me about Patrick Star drinking sausage right here.

 Truck driver Luke.

 Little pro...

 Next in line for the race car ride.

 It really whips you around.

 But it keeps you smiling (and giggling in our case)

 After a good hand washing post-rides, it was corndogs, cotton candy, & lemonade! Yum!

Sword bought with my 'last three bucks' The fair will wipe you out! I am not used to an all cash system and was glad I had an extra $20 in my wallet. I have to make a return trip for salt water taffy! Thanks, Luke, for a great date night!!

Game day

Quote of the day: "Mommy, when I grow up, I am going to be a pilot. And a daddy. I want to drive a Camaro Chevy to the airport" He told me he will call me from the plane when he is a pilot. I can't wait!

 Who is ready for some football?

 This guy is...

 Walking in and heard Coach Butler over the speakers...recognized him by voice. "Hey, that's Coach Butler!" Loved getting to hug him in the press box.

 Running to Daddy!

 Making friends...dance and jump time on the bleachers.

 Fun with hotwheels, of course :)

 A little 'love' for Grandpa Paul!

 Focused family.

Little love fell asleep laying next to me while I scratched his back and talked to Steve. So sweet :)

And - Carbondale won! Happy weekend....

Teacher report

Steve got this from Nancy, Luke's lead teacher at drop off today. These bits are precious as his normal response to how he spent his day, etc...is generally "I don't know". And...he ate a whole stript steak last night for dinner. Just sayin'...

From Nancy:

"You may have noticed two new younger boys in Luke's class recently. Yesterday the two boys were playing with the marble construction set (like the one you bought from Nettie) and they were becoming extremely frustrated with the progress on their project. They were on the verge of throwing a tantrum and banging pieces on the floor.

 

Luke calmly walked over and explained that "everything's going to be okay...you need to just get happy," and began helping them with their project.

 

I told Nancy that I might just have some 4T "just get happy" T-shirts printed. I think she likes having Luke  as one of her older students this year."

Sunday

The day has started with a lesson about nature. Arcee caught a bird, treated it like a toy, and it died. Luke was very interested in this whole process, so I let him watch it play out, we wished the bird sweet dreams as I cleaned it up, and hopefully Luke's yells of 'kill it, Arcee' don't mean anything in particular. We are off to the park and grocery store now...it is a GLORIOUS day.

Weekend Adventures

M/V MISSISSIPPI

Open House in Chester, Illinois

Aboard Corps’ Largest Diesel Towboat

On Saturday August 18th, the Corps of Engineers Largest Diesel Towboat "Mississippi" will be docked at the Chester Riverfront for a second time. The open house will take place from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

A great adventure with Gma & Gpa! Luke was even on the news again talking to the captain :)

Real Estate Expert

 I can't resist the "Homes for Sale" booklet that is published each month. Luke has learned that I love House Hunters, and would probably move 2x year just to re-decorate places if that was rational behavior. Anyway, I just love this boy checking out our next house, which he is in agreement with me 'needs a basement' and he has asked us to get him a Foosball table for said basement. Deal.

DooDoo's birthday

Luke woke up today and announced that it is DooDoo's birthday.

 Steve is pretty sure this is his 4th or 5th birthday this year...but it never seems to fail that on

 DooDoo's birthday, Luke makes a trip to Larry's for birthday muffins. Then, when he doesn't get to eat ALL OF THEM before dinner, we have this....

He can put on a good show :) And still look pretty adorable even when his world is crumbling just like the birthday muffin in front of him. We did sing 'Happy Birthday' and have a short celebration before the meltdown occured. Good times, little buddy!

Comfort levels

It has been almost a month since finding Arcee. She has gained about 10 pounds, gets spayed next week, loves to go on walks & hikes, has shown her smarts on lots of occasions, spelt quietly in her crate for the first night inside recently and loves being part of the family. I think the rest of us like it, too. Except for the tendency to get car sick....

I love Star watching Arcee out of the corner of her eye here...these two are nuts...

Pancakes and potions

Nothing like a Sunday of mixing potions,

making pancakes,  

 watching the sprinkles melt into the water,

 adding a little nutmeg, and microwaving it all because it is supposed to be a 'warm drink'

food coloring, sprinkles, water, FUN!

Visit to Cape Cod!

From the top of the Four Seasons to the beach on Cape Cod...Luke has had a big week, been a great traveller "We don't want to be late, daddy!", loved his time with baby Violet and his extended family and enjoyed getting back home to all of his toys. His sitter on Thursday said that he wouldn't even leave to go out in the yard, he was loving his toys and 'being home' so much :)