Going Fishin'

Luke's favorite place to be is on the boat with the family. He likes to knee-board (he lays on his belly and holds on), help daddy drive the boat, and fish. Usually fishing consists of a piece of rope with a chicken bone tied to it that he watches drop in and out of the water as he runs it in the water displaced by a rapidly moving boat. On this day, however, Daddy was determined to take him fishing - real fishing. It was a wonderful day and Luke can't wait to go out again.

Luke loves to Jam out to Guitar Hero with his siblings. Thankfully he has not noticed that his wii remote has no batteries and it is actually his siiblings talents that he is taking credit for. We love watching him play...he is our rock star!

Growing Up Sassy!

Luke's kindergarden year is almost at a close. I am encouraged by how well he is doing. He knows all of his shapes, colors, letters (big and small) and just about has all their sounds down too! He can write his FULL name - which his last name is a long one so it makes me greatful that his first name is Luke and some long drawn out affair....

He is a disobedient thing - and for those of you who read this and say awww... he just must not understand, yes we made that mistake too... interestingly enough if you say, "Obey or I will take your game away" (Leapster...LOVES IT) suddenly he repeats what I asked him to do and hurries off to do what I asked.

His siblings have taught him things like, "I am gonna give you a knuckle sandwich!" or "I am gonna beat your butt!" before a romp on the floor or wrestling match. He now says it ALL THE TIME... clearly tact and timing are much harder to teach.... His favorite times to say these phrases are on the way to the time out chair or after being told that "No, 2 cookies is enough".

He has joined the soccer team and LOVES IT! He wants everyday to be Saturday. His skill matches most of the other kids on the team... he often kicks the ball towards the other teams goal and last week he did a big WOO HOO when the other team scored and went up to their coach and slapped him a big Hi Five... I admit I did look around and wonder out loud.. "Hmm..whose child is that?" jk

I am looking forward to his summer break, which is short b/c he attends summer school, but not having to be out to the bus so early and rush the kids off to their day is a welcome thing for me. I like it when all the chicks are in the henhouse.

Until then...

Well my baby boy is now 6 1/4 years old. Winter time has been a lesson in patience. Fear that his inattentiveness would further hold back his learing we put him on ADHD meds. While they do help, the side effects sometimes manifest in an unwillingness to eat, sleep issues..which become sleep issues for us both, and picking at the fingers. The other issues seem to be taking care of themselves but his poor fingers are paying the price.

Hearing is an issue again, the tube in his good ear has come out and his ear is filled with fluid and his hearing aid mold is too small and is getting feedback so therefore he can't wear it either. He takes atvantage of this and has become about the orneriest and LOUDEST boy i have ever seen or heard. He repeats everything over and over and says what when we are two words into answering him just out of habit. We are all about to go crazy. Thank God for "Uncle Nut".

Lukie LOVES Nut! He follows him everywhere - we have had to crack down on bathroom prvacy time and whenever he accomplishes anything he can't wait to tell "my buddy, nut".
Nut/Jim told Luke, "Draw me a picture of your most favorite thing, anything, color it for me and when I get done I am going to come over and you are going to show it to me - whats your favorite thing, Luke?" Luke answers, "You" awww....

Luke has finally begun to lose some teeth as the adult teeth are pushing the babies out of the way - but not before they are all twisted and contorted into funky directions. He has lost 3 and it is so cute to see him with a front tooth missing. He is getting so big!

Kindergarten has been an adventure, especially for his teacher who has 6 boys and no girls. He is learning well and seems to be doing only slightly less than his typical peers. I am so pleased with his progress.

I am so proud of my guy, for all of his frustrating moments, he is so sweet - i am too tired to be anything but greatful :)

The Boys of Summer...and Mikala too

Luke has an endearing affection for the water - bath water, pool water, beach water, drinking water... he loves it so summer is HIS time. Tuesdays are beach days and since his summer school is over he gets to come along. While initially the waves at the cape were intimidating this past week he became an overcomer and I became intimidated by his lack of God given fear - he was ready to swim to the next state! I wasn't worried about drowning as much as drifting - he has his Diego lifejacket- what a well spent $20 that was- Diego the Lukie Rescuer!
The beach is the haven for us both - a relaxing place to play and dig in the sand, he runs around with his siblings and imitates their behavior -this is not always a good thing- but Tristin is an avid Skimboarder (and has gotten to be a good one rather quickly) and so Luke throws his boogieboard on the sand and jumps on for the ride (of his imagination) over and over. Skyler and Luke run from the waves which luke finds loads of fun and Skyler endures the humiliation to see him so happy. Summer is almost over and these days will be memories. Thank God they will be good ones.

Day Out With Thomas. And Nate, and Caleb and.....

Despite a grueling 10 hour journey from Tennessee 2 days before my sister, Jen (in red) was both brave and ambitious as we took the 3 hour trip to go see Thomas the Tank Engine with her 2 year old Nathaniel and 7 wk old, Caleb, my mother, Luke and myself. It was 95 degrees in the shade, very muggy and I was dreading having to "deal" with Luke as we attempted this adventure. Miracle of miracles - Luke was an angel. He stayed right by us and waited patiently for his turn, was helpful with the baby, didn't go nuts in the store just thoughtfully picked out 3 of the least expensive items - his favorite being the $3.00 balloon. Nate was fed up with the car and the heat but who could blame him - other than that it was a wonderful time. The music with the homemade musical instruments that the kids could play with was Nate's favorite. Luke used the stamps, did a puzzle, listened to the music, but his favorite was what was ingrained in him by his beloved Mom-mom Hilda - just playing with the trains. Luke still almost 2 mo. later gets up in the morning and asks if we can go see Thomas today.... No buddy, he's back in Sodor.

Aunt Liz

Luke loves his family, Aunt Liz included. Her attention - everyones attention/ adoration is an absolute requirement. Well Aunt Liz was on the phone and fixing herself something to eat but she had just come home so Luke hadn't been able to get his proper greeting yet... so he says..."Aunt Liz, Liz, liz, liz, liz, LIZ, liz, liz, LIZ, LIZ, LIZ, LIZ, LIZ, liz, liz, liz, LIz, liZ, Hey Liz, liz, liz" Finally she says, "YES, LUKE!?" He says, "I win." and goes back to coloring. :)