Five Years

He started as this velvet headed newborn.

Grew into this chubby little one year old (who wouldn't touch his first birthday cake-- he'd never had sugar).

Then became a precocious two year old (who ate both of his second birthday cakes).

And grew even more and became this talkative and curious three year old.

Then he was a patient little four year who had to blow out his candles in dino nuggets.

All those years add up to this delightful, generous, passionate, big hearted five year old.

Happy Birthday sweet Luke!

"We need Isaac"

Yesterday morning I had Luke and Noah in the basement with me while Isaac napped. The boys had constructed a flying machine out of two stools and a little ride on car. They were flying to playgroup (our intended destination for the morning). They were deep in their imaginations when Noah stopped, ran to me and declared, "We need Isaac!"

So true little man, so true.

Visions of Grandeur

Luke had his kindergarten orientation/registration today and we were discussing what might take place while he was there. I told him that they might want to know the results of his vision screening. "Oh," he nodded knowingly, "they'll want to know all about what visions I've had."

We'd all like to know about those visions, Luke.

T-ball

Lukey dear had his first T-ball game this last Saturday. It was three innings long, which we decided was about one inning too long. It was nice to be outside, fun to watch the kids examine the dirt, and funny to listen to some parents who take T-ball way too seriously. The best part, perhaps, is the way that Noah is convinced he is on the roster. When the kids come in from the outfield Noah assumes his post on the bench next to Luke, drinks water as if he's done some actual fielding and then gets up to follow the team out. He's even wearing his "uniform". Thick as thieves, those two are.







Thanks to Heather, my partner in crime, for some of these shots. I especially like the last one because it is her little one, Tade, and Luke looking quite serious together.

Rice Cereal

I find the transition from nursing to eating solid foods to be bittersweet. There is some part of me that draws great satisfaction from looking at my fat baby and knowing that I deserve credit for every ounce of those chubby thighs, cheeks and, my favorite, puffy little wrists. So, I hesitate. But, it's also a fun new trick and part of me longs to include the baby in the feeding rituals of our day. Also, that eager mouth that chews when he sees the rest of the family eating begs to be fed. And so it begins...

Isaac ate cereal for the first time on Saturday night. He tried to eat the spoon, our hands, the bib and finally the high chair tray. Both of his brothers wanted to take turns feeding him, and cheered him on with every bite. Honestly, what this baby lacks in attention from his mom he gets from his brothers in excess.

He seemed to like eating even more than his brothers did when they first started. I hope that the image of concentration mixed with excitement stays etched in my mind. Oh, this baby.

Watch out!

Cute baby in a Cubs cap!

Easter Goodies

Egg hunting

Egg Dying

Lately

Train rides through the mall

Carousel Rides with buddies

Seven foot arches with friends at the National Building Museum

More time at the Air and Space Museum

Fish watching at the Baltimore Aquarium

Smelling the Cherry Blossoms that fall in the front yard

Enjoying Spring, friends and where we live.

White House Easter Egg Roll

We were fortunate enough to score tickets to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll and attended this morning. There was lots of waiting (2 1/2 hours!)-- plenty of time to observe interesting crowd dynamics. It is always amazing to me to watch the way people behave in crowded public places. One mother made her child cut in line, going under the ropes while he was crying, "but it's against the rules!" another mother tried to chew out the volunteers for not having food available. C'mon people, we're all in the same boat-- we all got our kids up early, took germy and crowded public transportation to get here, are standing in the cold and we all have to obey the rules-- make the best of it, your brat isn't any more important than the rest of 'em.

I digress.

Once inside it was really fun, well organized and quite thrilling to be a part of it (and to be honest, the line wasn't terrible-- I have to give the kids credit for their patience and obedience). I couldn't get over how close to the White House we were. It was all well worth it.

It's hard to say, but I think the Washington Monument might be my favorite part of the National Mall.

This is the actual roll. Luke is the first one on the left of the picture. He's a natural egg roller.

Would it kill Luke to smile?

The Whole Crew-- Tade, Seth, Noah and Luke

Leaving the event, commerative eggs in hand