We have a 3 year old!

Luke turned 3 on December 19th and we celebrated with Curious George party at The Little Gym the week before. We invited lots of friends, not expecting all sixteen 2 and 3-year olds could come! Luke did great - he even participated in the activities (doesn't happen during his regular class). Happy 3rd birthday to our funny, little monkey!

~Playtime~

Luke's favorite "the bounce house" also known as the tumble trak

Nathan, Morgan and Hannah hanging out

Birthday boy in the middle of parachute play

Riding the birthday train with Sissy

~Cake Time!~

"Monkey Cake" made by Mr. Aaron

Singing "Happy Birthday" at the top of his lungs. He was so excited for this part!

Group shot minus a few. This was the best I could do. :(

Friends!

~Gift Time!~

Opening presents at home

Big boy Luke

Here is my "mom list" of all the things I want to remember about this past year:

1. How you hold my hand in the parking lot without being asked. Love the feeling of your little hand in mind as I lead you.

2. It's evident you are going to be an engineer or something along those lines - you are fascinated with how things work, always studying, watching and trying to operate.

3. Still a visual learner - you know all your letters and most of the sounds they make. Hopefully you will be as quick to learn to read when the time comes.

4. Your favorites: gigi and the corner (blankie)and gwankie (striped back up blankie), "two people under gigi" game, playing the "monkey game" on my iphone, taking pictures with my camera, Curious George, Super Why and Little Einsteins, building tracks, the marble game, playing with Hannah, your friends Evan,Carson and Justin, school, singing, church, playing baseball (t-ball) and golf, Star Wars, cooking, painting

5. You finished with your speech therapy with ECI and did not qualify to continue with the school district. So much improvement in your receptive skills since the end of the summer. We are very proud of you!

6. Still our picky eater who shys away from most veggies, pasta and cheese.

7. You are very loving and affectionate - often giving us hugs and cuddles without being asked.

8. You love to hold hands an pray together as a family at mealtime. It's precious!

9. You love your family - Nana, Gramps, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Julianna, Uncle Neal and Aunt Kacey and Uncle Ben - you have a special relationship with them all.

10. Potty training is underway. Now if we can just get you to go #2 consistently in the potty!

11. Your strong will is coming out these last few months - you insist on doing everything yourself and get frustrated if we do it for you (ultimately resulting in starting over and letting you do it). You have to be right - if we say something is "hot" you say it's "cold". Not sure what to make of this little phase!

12. Favorite sayings over the last few weeks: "whoopie coopie (cushion)", "wee stairs (escalator)", You crack us up how you will randomly pick something you like at the moment and proclaim your love. Today you said "I love coffee"??? After watching a Curious George show that explained how to move a heavy stone with a board, you started saying, "this is something called leverage" before you swing your golf club. It took us a while to figure out what you were talking about - funny boy!

13. You still light up a room with that hair and those eyes. I can never get enough of your sweet expressions.

~We love you Luke William!!!!~