Dinnertime Entertainment

Trying to get Luke to eat does require some dinnertime performances. Yes, I have a child who does not like pasta. I know. I don't know what to do either.


What I do love is that Luke is a genuinely happy kid who loves to laugh. Big, giant, startin'-in-your-gut belly laughs. After a long, demanding day, coming home to his smiling face is really all I need. I know there are people out there who wonder why I don't go out more, or want to go out more . . . but can you blame me?


Don't get me wrong, he's not an angel by any stretch of the imagination, but he has a good heart and a good soul. I love that he is empathetic, and worries about the feelings of others. He is my sweet little pie.

I really think I'm just going to start calling him Todd, Jr.

What it's all about . . .

Being with my loves on Valentine's Day is really what it's all about.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has become much more fun since Luke has become older. He has been asking for a "packpack" (backpack) to put his things in for daycare. Quite frankly, the idea was a good one - I was tired of being his sherpa and carrying all his things around. He would take his bag from Miss Helen, hand it to me and say "Here Mommy." So enough was enough.


Luke was given his very own Cars (of course) packpack which he was thrilled about. He immediately ran and checked out his gear in the mirror. He kept his packpack on until dinner, of course.


On a side note, I am a parent who is strongly opposed to the reinforcement of the misprounounciation of words made by a toddler (no baby talk - yuck!) but am finding myself having an exceptionally difficult time not repeating "packpack." ARGH!


After he was given his packpack (seriously, try to not say it . . .) we gave him more of his Cars cars. He loves them so much, it's hard for us not to support the addiction. Really, this poor child was born to parents who are collectors. We have no chance.


He was so excited - his little "Gift Antennae" pop right up when he hears the word "surprise." His eyes light up, he clasps his little hands and slowly eeks out "surrrrrpriiiiiiise" along with a big grin.


Luke had such a fabulous day - he loved his toys and packpack (I swear, my last time saying it) and certainly enjoyed Mommy and Daddy being about to spend Monday with him. Happy President's Day! Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Happy Birthday!!

Luke had a wonderful second birthday surrounded by his friends and family. Grammie Linda and Auntie G were able to travel up from San Diego to visit for a few days as well. Of course, due to our current obsession, it was all Cars, all the time. I found Luke an adorable Cars auto mechanic shirt to wear and he looked adorable. I was a proud mommy. :)

Because we had just moved, we really kept everything simple - simple food, simple decorations, simple everything. I did, of course, get my cake from Not Just Cheesecakes and we're still eating it. It's a freakin' lot of cake. And two weeks later, it still tastes fresh and amazing.

The kids loved the train table and the drum set. All the parents were happy that they could leave the drum set behind.

Grandpa and Great Grandpa

Great Great Aunt Doris, Great Grandma and Great Auntie Nancy

Uncle Brent and Auntie Sam


The Great Gift Giving Extravaganza. (or . . . How much Cars merchandise is out there?)


Yes, that is a super cool gift box in the shape of a car. I know - way cool. Thanks Miss Theresa!!

Luke's friend Stinky thought that the best way to play with his new cars was to quietly sneak them away. Then hide them. Under her skirt.


It was about the funniest thing I had ever seen. On Luke's first birthday, she was his first kiss. Apparently, this year, she knows all he's really good for is a sweet muscle car.

Poor Chu. If you're trying to get Luke's attention, I'm sorry to report, it's going to be rough. Unfortunately, you do not have four wheels and an engine.




Great Aunt Doris rockin' it out.

After the party, Luke truly enjoyed playing with his new cars on his new Cars rug, vrooming all of them around on the streets.


It was a wonderful day - Luke actually ate at his birthday (unlike last year) and napped after the party (unlike last year). It was a fantastic opportunity for our family and friends to see our new home and a good goal for us to clean and get everything ready for the party.

Happy birthday little pie!

Train Table . . . finally!

After Luke received his train table for Christmas, we knew that we wouldn't be able to assemble the table until we moved. Luke was thrilled once Todd was able to set it up. We were thrilled to have someone else for Luke to do during this move, other than watch movies.

At this point in our lives, a formal living room isn't something we need/would use/have furniture for, so we saw this as an opportunity for a playroom/reading room for a while. The train table is awesome because it is actually a really nice piece of furniture that matched the rest of the espresso wood in that room.


The train table was put to some serious use for Luke's 2nd birthday party. He absolutely loves pushing all of his trains around.

The Move.

Oh the move. How you engulfed my life in ways I never thought imaginable. And let me state: I will never ever move again. Everyone laughs when I say that I will be buried here. They laugh when I say the house can burn down around me and I still won't go. I hate moving. I forget how much until I'm smack in the middle of it. And I always say I won't pack 3/4 empty shampoo bottles and every box will contain all like items and I will be an organized packer, this time!

Well nuts. Alas, it was not to be. Bless the 2 car garage. Every response to every question that begins with "Have you seen . . . " or "Do you know where . . ." is answered with "In a box, in the garage, somewhere." and then a "We'll find it someday."

*sigh*

We spent the first night at the house early in January, before any furniture was moved. We were so excited to be out of the old place and into our new place.


Poor Luke. He spent a good deal of time with his favorite movie, Cars, while we were packing, unpacking and attempting to organize. Not that he minded at all. It took some time to get him used to not watching his favorite movie all the time. Luckily, Luke is over it now.

We're not finished with the unpacking and the organizing, but we're finally finally home - which is the greatest blessing. We're incredibly happy exactly where we are - our own little family in our own little home.

And I am NOT moving again. Ever.

Hectic.

Cross my heart, I will get birthday pictures uploaded soon. Here is one from our good friend who got the awesome shot of Luke lining up all his cars. And boy, did he line them up. And is still lining them up. We have created a Cars addict. I should have seen it coming . . .