4th of July

The 4th of July is a big holiday around here.  This year didn't disappoint.  We had some great family time shooting fireworks, eating good food, and getting to watch quite the night show put on by our neighbors.  Happy Independence Day America!

Luke is 6 Years Old

Luke you are another year older and another year wiser.  You continue to amaze us daily with how much you have grown.

 
You are still our most sensitive child, always very concerned with others feelings.  You hate to say good byes.  We are still working on controlling our emotions and trying not to get yourself worked up.

You are very outgoing and love to meet new people.  You will make a new friend in any situation.  You love to play with others and are always making plans to get together with someone.  I love listening to your conversations with others.  You give people your full attention and want to know every detail.  I love the way your mind works and how you piece things together.

As a brother you take control.  Both Lawson and Laney look to you for guidance in needing help or what to play.  They just love to be with you.  We have started to hear you "teach" them so many lessons that you have heard from us.  You are very helpful though and always willing to do what we ask.  You are very excited about your new baby sister coming soon.  You have been counting down the baby list until your sister is next.  We are getting very close to that.  I love watching the three of you together and get excited to see you with your new baby sister as well.  You have been preparing for her arrival and telling me all the things you are going to help with and do for her.

Your interests are still very similar to what they have been.  You love dinosaurs and animals still.  This is probably why you want to be a zoo keeper when you grow up.  You have gotten very into crafts, coloring, or project activities more recently.  You do things by the book though.  You like legos, but prefer to have the directions to put them together.  When you color you like it to be done how the picture looks.

We have thrown you into a little bit of a tornado this year with the moving and changes happening.  You are probably the only one that will remember it all.  You have handled it very well though and take it all in stride.  You just like to ask questions and know the plans and what is happening next.  You are excited for kindergarten to start up next month and can't wait for all that will come with school.  We are so proud of the little man you are becoming and thank God for you everyday.

Happy 6th Birthday Luke!!

Finished Up Preschool

Luke finished his second year of preschool and wrapped up his time at St. John La Lande.  We had a wonderful experience there and know he is ready for kindergarten in the fall.  We got to have an evening of celebrating the occasion with the kids singing songs, getting their "diplomas" and finished off with dessert.  We are so proud of Luke and look forward to everything ahead for him!

The video shares his plans for what he wants to be when he grows up :)

Last Things on the List in KC

When we got closer to moving we had decided to make a list of things we wanted to make sure and do before we moved back to Kansas.  A lot of this list consisted of places to eat, but snuck some other activities on the list as well.  Lets just recap in pictures.

We made a trip down to Deanna Rose (or what my kids call "The Farm Zoo").  They loved getting to feed the goats.

Luke had a class field trip to one of our favorite places, Burr Oaks Nature Center, so we all tagged along.  They got to see the animals up close then go on a nature walk.  We ended the morning with a picnic and playing at the park.

I wanted to take the kids swimming somewhere.  Most pools were not open yet so we found an indoor play area in Lees Summit.  The boys loved swimming around and Laney was a big fan of the animal slide.

One of the top things on the boys' list was T-Rex Dinosaur Restaurant at the Legends.  This is not a favorite of Erin and I, but we went.  Although the restaurant experience has gotten worse it seems since we moved there (the aquariums aren't even there anymore) we enjoyed the day out walking around and doing a little shopping.

We of course had to get in some family/cousin time.  We had a water day at Keeley's and then shared our last KC zoo trip with Matt, Cade, and Reese.  We had to check out the Koala's before we moved.

Great memories to add to our ending in Missouri.

Laney - 18 Months

Little Miss Laney, you are 18 months old today.  Your sassy, spunky personality shines more and more every day!  Our baby is turning into a little girl right before our eyes and not sure we are ready for that.

You are our princess who wants what you want and will let everyone around you know.  If you go to your Dad, you usually get it too.  You are starting to figure that one out.  You love to cuddle at bedtime with your blankie and paci.  Yes, we still have a pacifier.  We are working on that one and only use it at bedtime and sometimes in a car.  I thought about trying to break the habit a week ago and then thought with the crazy we are about to go through with moving maybe a comfort for her was not worth taking this moment.  (Mommy gave in, I know.)

Laney, you love your sleep still.  You just recently have started just one nap a day.  Some days you still get two depending on when you wake up.  You will let us know when you are tired and grab your blanket and bring it to us.

Food is a favorite of yours.  You will go in spurts about what you will and won't eat, but will ask for more of anything you like from the meal.  You always have found our pantry and will open and find your own food frequently.  You usually go for a piece of bread or tortilla, probably because they are located at your level.  We have had to start locking the pantry doors to keep you out of everything.  If anyone around you is eating you want o join in or have them share with you.  Same thing with drinks, you always seem to find my cup of water and claim it as your own.

You are our least vocal child when it comes to actual words anyway.  This is probably because someone else is always talking or just gets what you want without you needing to ask.  You are just starting to use words.  Your most common words are please, mom, and dad.  The other words are harder to understand but becoming more common.  She understands directions and words well though which helps.

You are our little girl, but you don't like to be left out with the boy stuff. You find dirt to dig in everywhere and prefer to be outside. You LOVE to wrestle with Dad and the boys.  You are going to be one tough little girl.  You are constantly picking at your brothers and seeing their reactions.  It is funny now, because we have realized you know what your doing and just like their attention.  You are catching on to things way to quickly in this department.

Laney you are our little sweetheart.  You are adored by us all and such a special little girl.  We love you so much!