Cars and Sudoku - pretty much a random post

Luke really, really, really, loves cars and trucks and all things that go vroom vroom. When we go to our nearby park, we end up at the corner of a busy street sitting together & watching all of the traffic. Forget the park equipment and the other kids, there is TRAFFIC nearby! He HAS to be watched really carefully in areas with no sidewalks (like our street) because he just wants to play in the road....argh!

Today at the park while we waited for our play date, a couple of semis honked at him which was the coolest, and he waved to several other passing motorists, which always got a smile in return. It is actually a pretty good time.

Today after I had laid him down for a nap that he did not take (until an hour later) I went to check on him and he motioned for some books to be brought to him (Prince Luke is my new name for him, I am the lowly servant mama) which I did, and he sat in his crib for 10 more minutes reading about baby sign language and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

I continued to make some lunch and read the paper. However, I soon heard some LOUD shouting so I went to see him standing up in his crib signing "eat" so we got out of the crib, ate some lunch, pasta w/peas and blueberries (have I mentioned that this boy EATS all day long? I love it!) and then enjoyed some fun time with cars while servant mama cleaned up and played along with the various car chases and wrecks that I could help out with.


Totally changing the subject, here is how we found him the other day. Sitting on my side of the bed, working one of my sudoku puzzles. I don't even do these in front of him or when he is awake so it was even funnier/cuter/more amazing (you pick) to see him holding the pen and trying to figure out where the correct numbers go (b/c his dad & I are convinced he knows the rules)

Enough of this randomness...I still need to finish reading the paper!

Terriers Win!

Labor Day Weekend started with a big victory! The Terriers beat the Tigers in a really good game. Luke and I were there to cheer them on for the first half, and then we came home with Gma/Gpa so that we could hear Steve's interview on the radio (which was great!)

Uncle Glenn recommended the #7 jersey for this game, and Luke seemed to be right at home wearing mesh on a Friday night.



We listened to the rest of the game on the radio while we played in the house. I think he was looking for a ride back to the field to catch the rest of the action live :)

Play Doh

We have journeyed into the land of Play Doh, and although Luke is not really into the texture or making a big mess, we have done some squishing and rolling and exploring of this strange stuff that most young ones want to eat. Here is my babe's first creation (yes, I have kept it on my violet shelf to dry because I love it!)

Road trip

I have about 10 months left to enjoy being home with Luke every day. I am going to take advantage of the time and take weekly road trips to nearby towns/parks/libraries and hopefully some unique places to get lunch.

Last week, we hit the road with the dogs to visit Pyramid State Park. There are several small lakes here and about 16 miles of trails. We stayed on the main road though, b/c the trails were pretty thick and within minutes of getting on one, we were being swarmed by five pound mosquitoes - Ugh, I hate those little b*st*rds. But, we did really have a great time walking around and seeing lots of beauty.

On the way home, we took some back roads, the dogs got to run around in a soybean field when one of said back roads ran out of road and we got chased by a super fast dog...all in all, a fun trip.

Hitting the trail. Even though it was a short visit, this are his first official steps on a hiking trail. Very exciting :)
Star was a swimming maniac. She jumped and went totally under from the dock that we were on and came up looking like she had no idea how that could have happened.

Mom, do you need to leash our wild dogs? Nah...I didn't see another person out there!

There were TONS of beautiful butterflies out there. One of Luke's favorite books right now is The Very Hungry Caterpillar so I took some time to explain that the butterflies were like the one in his book. Maybe he understood a little of what I was talking about?


I grew up around cornfields so I was pretty excited to find a photo/adventure opportunity at one of the picnic areas in the park. Luke was pretty into hiding behind the corn and walking through the rows. I adore these pictures of him.



The vicious and FAST dog that chased us down the road that turned out to be a dead end...that meant we got to be chased twice. Oh, the fun!

Off to the races

Last Tuesday we went to the horse races at the DuQuoin State Fair. This was pretty special to me because I grew up going to the Illinois State Fair with my dad every year for the races, and now Luke is joining in on the fun. Steve also used to go to the horse races with his Gpa Merle :)

Luke was more interested in the tractors and the trucks and running up and down the handicap accessible ramp, but noticed the horses and enjoyed the outside time. He also really got a kick out of the huge lemon shake-up cup.

Thanks for so many fun memories, dad. I am really thrilled that we have started a new tradition with the LukeSTAR. Grandma, how do I open these doors?

up close and personal with the ambulance (that he knows has a siren and fun lights)
Mom, do you see this truck? It is HUGE! and I LOVE IT! Vroom, Vroom.
Grandpa, I said put $2 on number 1 to win...easy choice
Everything at the fair is HUGE!
Enjoying a laugh with my dad :) He is great!

Hero

I had a few strips of grass still to mow the other night when the mower broke. Literally. It didn't stop mowing, the motor was still running, it just BROKE, as in the handle broke into 2 pieces.

So...I tried to use one of our neighbor's mowers, but it couldn't handle the thick grass.

As Steve and I looked at our not completed lawn, he just jumped in and pushed and maneuvered the BROKEN mower until the job was done. Yeah, that is the man I married. Lucky me! Love you, Steve! Yes...in the photos below the mower is running and cutting...


This one to me shows Steve looking at me and thinking "Am I really doing this?"

Luke just enjoyed a cold drink while he watched Daddy save the day (and the lawn)

New Kicks and a Kazoo

Daddy Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear all got new shoes this weekend. We should be in a Nike ad, eh?

Here is Luke showing some skills with the Kazoo post-nap today (literally minutes after he woke up)

Today was a wonderful day. Wonderful doesn't quite cut it, but it will have to do. The sun was shining, the house got cleaned, we were outside for the entire morning (walk with dogs, vacuuming the car, park with friends). We just had FUN! Plus, I went to a great yoga class with my mums :) always a bonus. Just one of those days you smile about when you get in bed at night. I am smiling.