The BEST gift EVER

Lance got a birthday package today from Grandpa and Grandma Sue. He just couldn't believe his luck when I opened the plain brown box and pulled out this beautiful Caterpillar tractor! To say that he loves it would be an understatement. Nap time had to be delayed for an hour and a half while he got to know the ins and outs of this fine piece of machinery. He was so happy that he didn't even care when Luke nearly took out his eyeball with a party blower.

Inside the Lines

Month 2 of preschool-- Luke is now coloring inside the lines...kinda/sorta/mostly/in his own way. I love this colorful kitty!

More Mantis

Still there and tripled (?) in size!

Lance 'N Lance

Wiring Projects 1-2-3

Luke's friend, Emma, gave him a DVD for his birthday called Wiring Projects 1-2-3. She gave it to him yesterday afternoon and we have already watched the ceiling fan installation project 17 times--no exaggeration. He also enjoys the "replacing a receptacle" project. He is taking the information to heart and rewired his kitchen set, "like they said to do..." which means bending the wire into a loop shape and then hooking it around the screw. I have a strong feeling that we will be watching this DVD the entire 700 mile trip to Utah next month.

Lance Got Talent

Bet you can't hold 7 tractors with one hand.

Matt's Pet

I need to get Matt to blog about this little guy, who has become a back yard regular.

U-Pick

We went to the "fruit stand," as we call it, this morning. I learned that there is a huge u-pick flower field out back... as big a bouquet as you can fit in a plastic bag for $2! Luke and I picked flowers while Matt and Lance played on an old tractor. Luke kept asking if the flowers were real. We'd move on to a new plant, and he'd say, "Are these real?"

Birthday Boy

First order of birthday business: Pick the perfect donuts for preschool.










Next, it's present time.



















Then, you gotta build the set-up.

















Meanwhile...


















Take a break and have some cake.





















HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUKIE!













Luke, circa 2006, in his early hose-loving days.