Two

This sweet guy turned two in April! He is the funniest little chatterbox you ever did meet...

Classic Luke...

We celebrated his special day Thomas-style at The Little Gym, which thrilled him to no end. He still wakes up some mornings (weeks later) saying, "Let's go to my party at the gym! How about some cupcakes?" This kiddo is never afraid to reach for the stars — ha!

(There is a new train named Luke. How cool is that?!)

Riding on the parachute while we all sang to him...

Popping bubbles with his best buddy Reed... 

Knocking over "The Big Cheese", which he loved...

What an incredible blessing you are to us, Luke!

  

Five

One month ago yesterday our Lego-loving big boy turned five. It has been so much fun to watch the leap in his growth this year. I am still in disbelief that I registered him for kindergarten just last week (he is beyond excited to ride home on the school bus). We love this sweet boy and his awesome imagination so much!

This was our first year to try a "big kid" party with planned activities. I was nervous about whether or not the kids would want to participate, but they did great!

(How old are you again?)

The huge banner we hung was the starting point for our games. I told the kiddos that the Lego bandit in the picture had been captured, but not before stealing Nathan's birthday cupcakes. Nate and his friends had to complete different tasks to earn picture clues about where the cupcakes were hidden.

The first challenge was to build the tallest Lego tower they could before my timer beeped. The kids had fun racing the clock (I did a miserable job taking pictures since I was trying to help).

The next task was a relay outside. The kids split into two teams and took turns scooping up Lego Duplo pieces from a bucket and carrying them with a large spoon through the bounce house and down the slide. They put their pieces into another bucket and handed the spoon off to the next person.

The final challenge was to break open the pinata (a tractor, which has nothing at all to with Legos, but that is what Birthday Man picked out, so a tractor it was!)

 

The kids used the picture clues they'd earned to figure out that the Lego bandit had hidden Nathan's cupcakes in the oven, so we went inside to retrieve the cupcakes and chow down!

 We also had a great celebration with family

and more fun on Nathan's real birthday, which included some yummy doughnuts for breakfast and a trip to the park with friends.

Picture Post

Our poor, neglected blog is slowly being updated, Family! I will spare you my long list of excuses as to why it has fallen through the cracks lately and just get right down to the picture sharing (in no particular order)...

Nathan spent probably 2 hours outside flying his little airplane one afternoon. Little boy heaven.

(Chatterbox Luke)

A crazy glimpse of Nathan at age 8 

(seriously, looking way too big for 4!)

 

 

Nate imparting wisdom to his Lego protégé 

(in a rare moment of peaceful Lego sharing)