HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY LUKE!!!!

A few days before Luke's Birthday, Marc and I decided we needed to do Something for this special day. Unlike previous years, I hadn't given Luke's birthday much thought, other than I wanted to do something simple and small, because I went a little overboard for his first two birthdays.

After developing quite a high fever Thursday night, we didn't think we would be doing much of anything, other than I knew I was going to bake him a cake. Before the fever occurred, I had found what looked like would be a fun place to take the boys, in Richmond on Saturday morning. Luckily, Luke awakened fever free on Saturday morning, so off we headed to Monkey Joes!!

Monkey Joes is an indoor playground that is chock full of inflatables... basically, jumping castles as far as the eye can see. They have a designated Toddler Area, which is where the boys started out. They seemed to be intimidated at first, but quickly caught on to the concept of what they should be doing.

Grey LOVED the fact that he could fall and be pushed down and it not hurt. He was all about jumping and landing on his Butt.

Eventually, Luke ventured out to see what else was available. After a little coaxing from Daddy, he tackled the climbing wall and giant slide. He was quite good at it, and could climb it like a monkey by the time we left.

All in all, both boys really liked all the slides.

We were lucky enough to have some special visitors come see us there. Leslie Armstrong and her daughter Mckenzie came to wish Luke Happy Birthday. Mckenzie is 3 months older than Grey, and really wasn't into the whole jumping and bouncing scene. She was all about walking around with my purse. So Cute!!

After leaving Monkey Joes (before it got too crazy crowded with all the party goers), we headed to PF Changs for lunch. Not sure it's a favorite of the Birthday boy's, but it's Mommy and Daddy's favorite.

PF Changs is located in an outdoor shopping mall called Stony Point. Daddy decided after lunch, that Luke deserved some Ice Cream, since after all, it was his Birthday. The other cool thing about this shopping mall is the in-ground fountain it has, which cools off many a child during the hot months of summer. And as luck would have it, the Ice Cream Shop is right across from the fountain. Even though we had no swimsuits or towels, we decided to let the boys play in the water.

Luke was a little afraid at first, but Grey got right in there.

Since Luke wasn't the least bit interested in his Ice Cream Cone, Porkchop was kind enough to eat it before it melted.

But then, of course, that made Luke mad.

I think we were only at the fountain for about 30 minutes... long enough for two little boys to have an absolute blast.

After Stony Point, the boys slept all the way home. When we arrived in the 'hood, we went straight down to "The Point" to partake in our yearly tradition of Releasing Balloons to the Heavens... our little gift to our second son, Max... Luke's Twin. This year, Luke had the honor of being the one to let the balloons go.

Once back at the house, I got right to work finishing the Birthday Cake. I had baked the cake the day before, so all I had to do was decorate it. Chocolate cake, chocolate icing and M&M's... what more could a 3 year old ask for?

That morning, on our way to Richmond, I made a few calls to some of our friends to invite them over for dinner and cake. While we waited for them to arrive, and while Marc made the Roast Beef Po'Boys, Grey was busy channeling his inner Gangsta self.

Our guests included the Myers clan and the Usas', so after we all devoured the yummy Po'Boys, it was time to sing Happy Birthday. I guess Luke didn't like our singing.

After the candles were blown out, we posed for a great pic of Daddy, Mommy and the Birthday Boy. Linda Myers was trying to get Luke's attention by waving her arms in the air... so, Luke waved his arms in the air.

We ALL ENCOURAGED Luke to put his face in the cake. This was as close as he got.

Then it was time to open the presents:

Kids Digital Camera from Grandma and Grandpa Charles

"Cars" watch from his brother

Art Easel from Mommy and Daddy

He also go a Figurine and Car from the movie "Ironman II" from the Usas', and a really cool "Cars" pillow from the Myers'.

Then it was time to eat Cake... YUMMMM!!

The Myers' gift came with a huge lollipop. Grey immediately snatched it up and made it his own. He went right to town try to eat it... little does he know it still has it's wrapper on. Mmmmm, plastic!

After all the party guests left for the evening, Luke quietly played on the floor with his new little train set we got him. Note he's sporting his new watch, and (count them) 3 wrist sweatbands on his right leg that Bonnie Usas got him.

The following day, while Daddy was gone to his hunt camp, me and the boys stayed in our pajamas all day. Luke practiced using his new camera, and...

was all tuckered out from the previous day's activities.

Marc and I could not stop talking about how ABSOLUTELY PERFECT Saturday was. It was the most fun we have had as a family in a long time. I think the best part for me was that nothing was really planned... we just let it happen. Definitely way less stressful.

Today, Luke was finally well enough to go back to school, so I whipped up these cute and easy Birthday (though belated) treats for all his little classmates.

Happy Birthday Luke!!! Mommy, Daddy and Grey love you very much, and I'm sure Max is looking down and watching over you as he always does. I hope through these pictures, you will remember your Absolutely Perfect Third Birthday FOREVER!!!

ACORN GATHERING

The weather was PERFECT this afternoon. After Grey woke up from his nap, I took the boys outside and we headed up the driveway to the yard so they could climb on the dirt pile.

That held Grey's attention for about a minute, and then he was off to explore and throw rocks.

Luke didn't climb, but he liked throwing big clumps of dirt.

While they played in the bright sun, I sat back and relaxed in the shade of the big Oak trees.

While sitting in the shade I spotted the First Sign of Fall... Acorns.

So I gave Luke the mission of collecting as many as we could fit in his orange cup.

Of course it had to be filled, dumped and refilled multiple times.

Just love the simplicity and beauty of a newly fallen Acorn.

SCHOOLIN'

Luke is really LOVING school. I know he's learning a lot, and I'm learning a lot about him. Last week, he brought home work showing stuff I didn't even know he knew how to do. He really loves to draw, so I got out his "washable" markers so he could work on a Picasso while I vaccumed.

Last Friday when I picked him up from school, all the kids in his class were wearing these cute Ant Antennas.

They were all so adorable. He also had this little project that went along with the head gear.

"The Ants Go Marching One by One".

Here's some of his school work. Look at his penmanship.

I didn't even know he could write.

My boy is so smart.

SLEEPING

Since Luke refuses to keep his covers on the bed, this is how he's sleeping now.

Isn't he cute?

My Baby is so Dreamy!!

COLORS

Luke knows his colors.

Notice two things: 1). where his hands are at the beginning and the end of the video, and 2). his OCD when he turns the orange marker around.

TOUCHDOWN

This is pretty much Porkchop's first word... other than Mama and Dada.

THE DIRT HAS ARRIVED

Back in July, I posted about a Huge Yard Project that we were about to undertake (see thathere), however, due to new zoning laws from the VA Dept. of Transportation, our original plans were no longer possible. The biggest thing being that we were going to build a pole barn for parking our cars in - the new law would prohibit this from happening. So, we had to start working on Plan "B".

I realized our plans were finally going to come to fruition when ten truckloads of top-soil was delivered earlier this week... YEAH!!!!!!

This is what Plan "B" now entails (compliments of the Doodle Tool in Picnik):

BEFORE

Now when you come down the driveway, you're greeted by an expanse of gravel that runs all the way around the front of the house to allow you to drive and park under the house.

AFTER

When guests come down the driveway, there will be a nice paved parking area, and a fence that encloses the yard with our storage shed off to the right. The space between the paved area and house will be nicely landscaped using ferns and hosta.

BEFORE

Now, once you're up on the deck, there is an 8' wide deck that leads you to the front door.

AFTER

The deck will be extended to the end of the house and pushed out 3', so we will now have an expansive 11' x 13' deck where before there was nothing.

BEFORE

Now, as you look out from the deck, you see the gravel driveway below with our storage shed in the corner.

AFTER

The driveway will soon become a lush grassy yard with a fire pit and seating area in the corner. There will also be Leland Firs planted along the grass perimeter to give us some privacy from our neighbors.

BEFORE

Now, still looking out from the deck, you see overgrown woods and the gravel driveway.

AFTER

The woods are going to be cleared out, except for the big trees, which will make room for more grass and a great Swing Set for the boys.

BEFORE

Now, when you look to the right as you go down the stairs, you see woods and driveway.

AFTER

The shed, that has now been moved to the front of the house, will mark the corner of the enclosed part of the yard.

BEFORE

Now, standing down in the driveway looking back at the house and to the left, you see the huge expanse of the gravel driveway.

AFTER

With the shed moved and the privacy fence up, there will be a wonderful expanse of grassy yard on which the boys can run and play.

BEFORE

Now, this is what the side of the house looks like from the driveway.

AFTER

With the expanded deck, there will now also be a covered patio that runs all the way from the stairs to the end of the house. Another set of stairs will be added to the back side of the lower landing, which will allow for easier access to the upper deck.

All this additional outdoor living space is going to make our house so much more livable for the next couple of years. I just know the boys are really going to enjoy playing in their new yard.

BUT.... I bet you're wondering, if we have turned most all of our driveway into a grassy yard, how are we going to get to the parking under the house? Well let me show you.

We are going to add an additional driveway that will start at the top of the hill.

BEFORE:

Now, the west side of our house is completely wooded.

AFTER

We're going to clear some of the woods to create a gravel driveway to this side of the house. Then we're going to remove the lattice that covers the bottom part of the house to allow for an opening to the parking below.

We will then hang sliding, barn type, doors to act as a garage door.

So there you have it. That's our Huge Yard Project

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

1. Luke is in Grey's crib

2. The room is a mess

3. The mattress is on the floor.

This afternoon, this is what I saw when I opened the door to the boys bedroom to check on them after putting them down for their naps 90 minutes earlier... and they were still awake.