Hawaii Slideshow # 1

Hawaii Slideshow # 2

Hawaii Slideshow # 3

Hawaii Slideshow # 4

Hawaii Slideshow # 5

Preschool Graduation

Aloha! We have returned from Hawaii!!! I am so sad that it is over-but thank goodness we made it home just a few hours before Luke's preschool graduation. Can you tell which one of these cute little guys is LUKE? Poor guy! His hat was too big and he was so petrified he couldn't move a muscle to try to fix it. I think he gets that from me. He looks the way I feel in social gatherings.

Every child won an award for one thing they excelled at. Here is Luke receiving an award for being an "Alphabet Wiz". I was so proud of him. He joined his preschool class in the middle of the school year (January) and all the other students started in September. He has managed to do really well at school. He is quite the perfectionist with his art work and writing letters.

After the graduation ceremony, Luke returned to his normal, fun little self. Since Luke just turned 4, he will be attending another year of preschool before he goes to kindergarten. So I guess today was a 'just for fun' graduation. I personally had never heard of a graduation for preschool-but I guess you have to call it something. It was really fun to watch. Preschool has really helped him gain some confidence and allowed him to interact with other children without his mommy being around.

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For those of you wondering where our Hawaii photos are...I guess you could say we are having some technical difficulties. I will post them as soon as I can. I just couldn't wait any longer to post Luke's fun little day at preschool.

Calling All Space Rangers!

This is Star Command. Buzz Lightyear and Space Ranger Luke need your help!

MISSION:

Come join team Lightyear and defeat Emperor Zurg's plan to end all birthdays.
Please RSVP to Star Command Control Center!

(This was written on Luke's party invitations. Photo: courtesy of Luke)

Welcome Space Rangers!...and little princesses who like to dress themselves.

What Buzz Lightyear party would be complete without his pals from Toy Story? Here are the Green Army Men protecting the Mr. Potato Head cake.

After the party, I asked Luke what his VERY favorite part of the party was...nope, not the Moon Rock Treasure Hunt (explained below)... nope, not the presents...yep, you guessed it! The Mr. Potato Head cake. That made his mommy feel REEEEAAALY good. It was worth all the effort I put into it! He said the same thing last year when I made him a cake too. You know what? Now that I think of it, I can't tell you who attended my b-day parties when I was a little girl and I can't tell you what presents I received...but I can tell you about the cakes my mother made me. There is something special about a homemade cake from mom!!! It must be all the extra care and love that goes into it.

One of Luke's buddies, James, showed up wearing the coolest Buzz costume we had ever seen. His mom only paid $15 for it from the Disney Store down in San Antonio!!! We won't mention how much we paid for Luke's costume. Let's just say he's worth it!

The Moon Rock Treasure Hunt.
Each child decorated a Space Ranger Badge (designed by yours truly) and a white bag. We had all the Space Rangers go in the backyard and find the moon rocks left behind from Buzz. Each rock contained small toys or candy. It was such a hit!!!

All the Space Rangers opened their moon rocks with such speed! There was aluminum foil flying everywhere! I wish I had taken an 'after' picture-but we were having problems with our camera...you know the way parties go! Not everything goes as planned.

(Ben and I wrapped 140 little pieces of candy and toys! Whew! But it was worth it.)

Here is the birthday boy on his actual b-day. He is wearing a new outfit from Aunt Jaime and blowing bubbles from a gift given by Grandma Marge and Papa Ed.


Here is little Ashlynn looking so sweet and pretty...what a little angel-right?...just wait til you see the last photo. HEHE!

Luke wanted to go to a park and blow bubbles and feed the ducks for his birthday. But no park experience would be complete without climbing a few trees with his Daddy.

And finally, here is the picture I was referring to. Look at Ashlynn's face! This is the same face we see when we don't let her watch Dora or force her to wear an outfit that she hates, or remove her sparkly princess shoes without permission. Sorry, I know this post was suppose to be about Luke's special day, but this picture makes us laugh everytime we look at it! We love little Ashlynn.

Anyway, we love you too, Luke! We hope you had a fun couple of days to celebrate your birthday. We are so blessed to have you as our son. You make everything fun!

Quote of the Day

Yesterday we were taking a walk as a family because it was SOOO beautiful outside-(finally!). Anyway, every day for the last 3 days Luke has asked us if he can have a dog.

He said, "Mommy, I 'whreally' want a dog! I would love it sooooo much."

I said, "No, Luke. Not right now. Maybe when you get older."

Luke said, "But I 'whreally' want one now. Where do we get one?

I said, "From the store."

Luke said, "Can't you just grow one in your tummy?"

Aloha! (just practicing)

Do you like my new Hawaiian theme? I love it! I am trying to help myself get in the mood for our trip to Hawaii. I still can't believe we are going there soon. I will have to pinch myself a few times when we step off the plane. I LOVE to travel. I love going to places I have never been before. Especially new places that have palm trees and an ocean next to it! Who doesn't?!!

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Every night Luke asks me to sing him this song:

Jesus once was a little child,
A little child like me;
And he was pure and meek and mild,
As a little child should be.
So, little children,
Let’s you and I try to be like him, try, try, try.
(Words: James R. Murray, 1841–1905; Music: Joseph Ballantyne, 1868–1944)

Well, tonight he wanted to sing it with me. He had the sweetest little voice. All the mispronunciations and off key moments only added to his ability to melt frozen butter. After we finished singing the song, he said,

"Mommy, I love that song. It makes me so happy I feel like crying."

Something about that song really touches him and he took a moment to let me know it. This verse from the New Testament popped into my mind:

"...Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted,

and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:3

Luke's comment made me think about my own daily actions and thoughts. Day after day, I feel like I am always trying to teach my children to make good choices and be kind to others-but I rarely allow my children to teach me. Luke's little comment was so simple, so sweet, so pure and so TRUE! We could all learn to be more teachable, humble and kind...just like Jesus!