Horton Hears a Who

Right now Luke is learning about the letter "E" in school. Today they read Horton Hears a Who at school and made "E"lephant "E"ars to go along with the book. I LOVED Horton Hears a Who when I was a kids, so I especially liked this project.

When I asked Luke about the story, he told me all about the lazy Mazie bird who didn't want to sit on her egg until it hatched...and what a good friend Horton the elephant was for sitting on it for her. Then, when the egg hatched, it was part elephant and part bird.

I think this weekend we'll go to the library or book store and look for the "Horton" series. Luke loves reading and going to the book store...and I love going with him...so much fun watching him learn and grow!!

On another funny note...Luke's teachers at school just LOVE him. Apparently he's quite the well- behaved boy. They absolutely do not believe me that he throws tantrums at home...they think he's the cutest, funnies, most well-mannered boy ever!

Today, they told me that during chapel, as Ms. Lezlie was telling them about how Abraham and Sarah traveled around as God instructed them without really knowing where they were going. They asked the kids what types of things Abraham and Sarah might take with them...this is when Luke piped up and said, "everything but the kitchen sink!" Now, I don't even say that phrase, so I'm not sure where he heard it, but it was pretty funny!

When going to the bathroom, he also asked the teacher if she would go get him a book! OMgosh...she was cracking up as she told me about it!

Every Saturday morning Lil' Luke comes over to play. The boys never cease to amaze me with the funny and creative things they imagine.

Today, I found the boys playing in Luke's closet...a.k.a the pirate ship. They were on a "reventure" (adventure) that took them across crocodile creek to an island that was way, way, way over there, where they would find buried treasures of chocolate gold.

Every once in a while I get a glimpse in to the mind of my little boys...now that is a real treasure! What a blessed mother I am.

Daddy & Me Rodeo

Today is the Daddy & Me Rodeo at Luke's school. (Or as Luke calls it, the "Daddy-o Rodeo!")

This morning Luke dressed in his boots, handkerchief and cowboy hat. He was SO excited to have daddy come to his school at lunch. I think daddy was equally excited.

To make the day special, Leo is picking up a McDonald's lunch to fuel them up for all the games and activities the school has planned. Although I've never been, I did see the parking lot blocked off with stick horses, obstacle courses and relay-type games. I can't wait for the boys to get home to tell me all about their day!!

Although unrelated, I had to put in a picture of my baby boy this morning too. He's getting so big and I just can't believe how fast the time is flying!! Not a day goes by that I don't think about what a blessed mother I am!

Mommy's little helpers

Ok, so I almost feel bad that Luke and Noah love cleaning so much. Note that I said "almost."

Yesterday I was cleaning and Noah wanted my towel, so rather than letting him fuss, I just gave it to him and got a new one. When Luke saw this, he, of course, wanted one too...he also wanted a bottle of cleaner. So, I mixed up a little simple green with a lot of water and let him go for it.

By the time he was done, Luke had wiped down all my kitchen counters, the dishwasher, fridge, and oven...also the floors, window sills, front door and cabinets. I literally had to take the rag and cleaner away from him because I couldn't think of anything else for him to clean!!

This morning he woke up and wanted to clean some more. We had to get to school, but I've promised to let him clean anytime he wants! Wow...this arrangement just might work for me. Wonder how long cleaning will be fun?

First Day of Fall!!!

Today is the first day of Fall and right on time, we have our first cool-front of the year!!! Gosh...WHAT a welcome relief!!

It's about 70 degrees for the high, with lows in the high 50's. The boys and I opened the windows and aired-out the house. It feels SO nice to have some fresh air.

The boys were so happy to have the windows open that they pulled up their little stools right in front of the windows and just stood there for a couple of hours this afternoon. Noah was fascinated watching the tree in our neighbor's yard.

I had to snap a couple of pics of them enjoying the cooler weather. Let's hope it sticks around and summer is gone for the year!

Inside Luke's Imagination

Every day when Luke gets home from school, he asks if we can do "activities" together. He absolutely loves doing arts and crafts type project and has the best imagination. Although it's exhausting at times, I try my best to foster his imagination and provide him with a creative outlet.

Today he made play dough at school and brought it home. He wanted to use his play dough, light-saber and a piece of construction paper to make a pirate's flag. Makes sense, right? At times I actually feel like I'm in an episode of MacGyver!!

After making his flag, he decided he wanted to be a paperboy. So, he got some construction paper, wrote the "news" on it, rolled it up and put it in his basket for delivery. I was actually glad it was raining, otherwise I'm certain we would have had to go walk the block while Luke tossed the papers in our neighbor's yard.

Arg!! Pirate Boy Luke

Luke had the best time at Papaw and Memaw's this weekend. This time he came home with a pirate map that was folded up into a pirate's hat. He also had a big piece of paper rolled up like a telescope.

He bravely stood on Grandma's chest at the end of our bed and looked through the telescope for other pirates in the sea. "Arg!" He said. And, "Yo Ho Ho!"

Luke has got the greatest imagination. It exhausts me at times, but I think it will serve him well someday!

Luke's One Man Band

Luke is so stinkin' funny and creative. He's always pretending and using his imagination. Today, he wanted to be a one-man-band like he saw "Twist" doing from The Fresh Beat Band. He kept coming out with different instruments in his hands, tucked under his arms and in his mouth. He'd get to playing and stomping his feet. It made me laugh out loud!

Luke's first day of PRE-K!!

Awe...I'm feeling proud and a little sentimental this morning...it's Luke's first day of PRE-K!!

Gosh, he has been really looking forward to this day. He was excited to see his new class room, which is upstairs this year and decorated in a robot theme...he was excited to meet his teacher, Ms. Kristin...but most of all he was excited to see all his old buddies!

Last night Luke was so funny, he said, "Mommy, I am going to wake up really early in the morning because I'm SO excited to go to school." Then, this morning he said, "Mommy, will I get to do homework today...homework is fun!'' Ha! I wonder how long his excitement for homework will keep up?

Anyhow as I walked him in to the school he stopped and talked to every teacher about his new back pack, new lunch box, the fact that he was now four years old and a bunch of other stuff...I literally had to pull his hand and drag him away from continuing to talk. He is such a little chatter-box sometimes!!

When we finally got upstairs to his classroom he found his cubby with his name, hung up his backpack and put up his lunch box. He then found a seat at the table and started the daily activity that's always waiting on the tables...today it was threading yarn through beads and boards. Fun stuff for a four year old!

I went over to tell him goodbye and he hardly looked up at me. I asked for a kiss and he hesitated, but ended up giving me one reluctantly. This is probably the last year I will get away with kissing him in front of all his friends. {Tear} Actually, though, this is what we raise our children to be...independent ...and not needing us. I'm proud and I'm a little sad all at the same time.

I wonder now what Luke is doing and I can't wait to pick him up and hear all about his day. Let's just hope that little Noah makes it...we won't be home until around 2:00 and that is about an hour past his nap time.