Happy Birthday, Luke-pie!

I solemnly promise I will not begin this post with an apology about how I fell off the face of the planet. I’ll save it for another post.

This post is about my big boy – turning four on January 31st. I will definitely blog about his birthday party, but this post is about the joy he puts in my life everyday. 

Nana and Luke made cupcakes.  He might have enjoyed it. A little.

I swear, he was just two.  Now, all of the sudden, he’s four and I have no idea where the time went.  Luke is so incredibly determined and outspoken.  He is still full of energy and is loving soccer.  We found a coach who “gets” him, which has made all the difference.  He loves his friends passionately – he has his very best buddies, which is so fun to watch. Cars is big, Thomas is big, Spiderman is big. 

Luke is still practicing “good choices” and he tucks them into his pockets before he leaves every morning when he leaves for school.  Right now Luke loves to sing “Slippery Fish,” “Baby Beluga,” and “Brighter than the Sun,” by Colbie Caillet. Luke loves to make jokes . . . his sense of humor always makes Todd and I laugh.  He demands a schedule.  He likes to be a big boy: getting dressed by himself, showering by himself and putting himself down for a nap.  “I do it myself” is a common phrase heard around our house.  We have finally gotten to a point where Luke will occasionally eat mac and cheese, but we are still pretty far away from every other type of pasta.  There’s always turning 5…

He is into bike riding now – Luke got a two-wheeler (with training wheels) as an early birthday present and has been tearing around the neighborhood almost daily. 

I am so proud of my Luke-pie – his my sweet, darling, incredibly active little boy who is becoming a big boy before my very eyes.  Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

Pumpkin Patch & Carving

As the theme of the year is “Ack!  (insert holiday) is almost here! We have to get (insert needed holiday accessory) right now!” 

And so it was, we rushed out the weekend before Halloween to get some pumpkins. By the way, the pumpkins were buy one get one free – procrastination does have its benefits.  Please note the date of this post.  Please also note we do not have a Christmas tree yet.  Like I said, “Last Minute” is definitely the theme of 2011.

We went with Grandma and Papa Rosbrugh to the big ol’ pumpkin patch, which is always fun.  Though I missed out on the corn on the cob.  Dang.

Getting taller, bigger and older. No way to stop it, it seems!

Running and jumping.  Theme of the day.

Picking out a little pumpkin.

 

Getting ready to ride the train! Love my boys!

My boy sure loves trains!

Watching giant pumpkin carving.

Finally time to pick out the perfect pumpkin.

Nope, just time to run.

Always trying to recreate “It’s a Hat.”  Never quite the same.

My handsome boy. 

 

I used to be so on top of things I would send out Halloween cards.  Not this year.  Though this was our Halloween card pic. There. Enjoy.

Luke was disturbed by the scarecrow with the beehive on his head.

 

We sent Luke to bed and started our carving.  This is the first year in I don’t know how long, that we carved pumpkins.

Our pumpkins: Mine (Maniacal Laughter – left) and Todd’s (Death from Above – right)

Todd made most epic sunflower seeds.  Left: sweet (cinnamon & sugar) Right: savory (Santa Maria seasoning)

Coming soon: Halloween Photos!

Labor Day BBQ

 

 

Wow, I am going way back, aren’t I?

We went over to the the Rosbrughs for a BBQ.  The kids had a great time playing in the huge sheets of Styrofoam and making forts.

 

 

Luke practiced his hammering skills. Although he practiced with a dust pan broom and not a hammer. Oh well.

And he finally got the hang of the tree swing. He was so happy!

 

Every time I turn around, Luke just seems to get older and older. 

Soccer time!

Soccer has become quite the big deal in the Bickel household.  Mostly because Luke loves to be outside running and kicking stuff. In September, Luke was finally old enough to move on to “Big Kid” soccer, out on his own, instead of the “Mommy/Daddy & Me” classes.

I documented to “Placing of the Shinguards” and “Lacing of the Cleats” ceremonies. Luke was surprised and excited about all his new, fancy soccer stuff and he loved being “official.”  First game pictures to come!

 

One of my all time favorite Luke pictures. 

Because of winter, soccer has moved indoors, which I love.  I need to take some pictures of that, too.  We have Coach Scott as our coach and he really “gets” Luke, which is exceptionally helpful.  (ie: the insatiable energy)  Bonus: Coach Scott is the husband of my good friend at work who teaches 5th grade.  Everyone’s a winner!

Puzzles

Luke is a puzzle addict. He loves putting together puzzles, any time, any place. I know what you’re thinking – awesome! Build that brain up! Logic! Woo Hoo! And I think the same thing. The problem? He puts together a puzzle a few times, and he’s pretty much done. Dang. I keep hoping there’s a Puzzle Rental place (like movies or video games) where we can put it together a few times and return it for a new one.

On our way to San Diego, we stopped at Uncle B and Auntie Sam’s new house (it’s beautiful!) to visit and spend the night. They gave Luke two HUGE Thomas puzzles (Thomas and Percy) which Luke was thrilled about. We only let him put together Percy that night, and put together Thomas when we got to Nana’s house.

So, of course, I make him take a picture with Thomas.

Little Buddy

 

After summer school this last summer, we had hit up Target for the special treat of an Icee and popcorn, we came home to find a little buddy on our door.  Luke was so excited about the praying mantis, though he didn’t know quite what to make of him. 

We examined.

We observed.

Super exciting.

He moves?!?

“This is a bug, Mommy. Right here.”

“He’s on our DOOR!?!”

That’s cool.

Whoops. Our little buddy fell.

Eventually, Luke was irritated that we weren’t going inside.  (I didn’t want to scare the mantis) After falling, the mantis took off behind the potted plant on the front step.