He Did It!

Ty pooped in the potty last night! Can't believe it. He seems so little to me. He used the potty twice last night. How awesome is that! Who knows if it will keep up, but hey we are on the right track.

Potty

This is Ty's new favorite word and activity. All day long he wants to sit on the potty and if someone else is on the potty he says, "turn, turn" which means-my turn. He hasn't done anything in it yet, but he loves trying. I figure there is no need to push it. If he does or doesn't, the key is to keep it positive. Who knows maybe it is a phase, or maybe it is the start of potty training for him. Luke never cared much for the idea. We just had to make him do it at 3. Ty won't be 2 until September. Wouldn't it be awesome to NOT have to do diapers for 2 kids! Here's hoping we are at the start of something big. Keep your fingers crossed.

Four Fantastic Years!

I can't believe my little boy turned 4 today. Here is a list of my top 10 favorite things about Luke, (not necessarily in order).


1. He gives the best hugs and kisses
2. He is so stinkin' smart--did I tell you he can read?
3. He is hilarious! He loves to be funny and lights up whenever he makes people laugh. Can you say "class clown" in the making?
4. He is so polite and helpful around the house. With the new baby coming I have been relying on him more and more, he really makes my days easier and is happy to help. His typical response is "sure, NO PROBLEM!"
5. He is a friend to everyone. Any age, sex, race, whatever. Everyone in the world is his friend to him.
6. He loves to sing, listen to music etc. He actually has a great ear for it-always on key.
7. He is a very loving big brother. Not that he doesn't have his moments, but he always says that Ty is his best friend.
8. He is my buddy through and through. He always roots for me to beat Jake when we are playing games which I love.

9. He is always so lively and animated. Talks a mile a minute like his Mom-from sunup to sundown he NEVER stops. It is pretty funny.

10. He captures your heart. His adorable big eyes and contagious smile and laugh.

The day I had him is one of the best days of my life. He made me a mother. I love him with all my heart.

Happy Birthday big buddy!

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Birthday Party

Saturday was Luke's birthday party. We were supposed to play water games in the backyard. We bought a slip 'n' slide, a new sprinkler toys, water bombs, squirt guns, bubbles, the whole shebang! However about 10 minutes before our little party guests were to arrive it started to rain and proceeded to rain the rest of the day. I was admittedly frantic. The perfectly planned party was headed in the pooper. Frustrated and frazzled I turned to the trusty Internet to find some ideas for impromptu games. Luckily because we have two little boys we have tons of superhero stuff. I whipped out all our costumes and capes so everyone could play dress up. We played Superheroes vs. Villains dodge ball. Then we played pin Spiderman on his web, and finally Daddy and Uncle Elvin were great sports and pretended to be villains for all our caped crusaders to capture. They then allowed them to tie them up with toilet paper. We had a lot of fun. Luke loved his Spiderman cake, and I was so glad it turned out so great. He had a great time. The kids were still a little bumbed that the water games were cancelled but we will play with all of that stuff all summer long. Thanks to the Ake's and Speredons for helping facilitate the party. Can't believe my little boy is almost 4.

Get Daddy!

Birthday Boy!

Yup, I made it! Aren't you impressed? Thanks to my friend in Decatur who makes amazing cakes and taught me a few of her tricks, it turned out awesome!

Dodgeball!

Luke, Sydney, Ellie, Alex, Brooklyn, Audrey and Ty. Also in attendence, Kiana and Tres.

Soccer Game!

For Luke's last night of soccer the coach got all of his classes together to attempt to play an actual game of soccer. It was adorable. All these 4-5 year olds scrambling for the ball. Luke got a turn as goalie/keeper (or the bear guarding its cave as Coach Logan calls it). It was so much fun. Ty kept wanting to join in and be big like brother. We took lots of pictures and video. Here are some highlights.
Getting tips from Coach Logan.
Showing off his jersey. Go blue team!

Not paying attention to the game plan. Maybe that is why when we were yelling "Luke get the ball!", he jumped on it with his whole body and bear hugged it causing a massive dog pile to ensue.

So adorable! My big boy!

The World to a 4 year old...almost 4 year old!

Grandma and Grandpa Burt took Ty and Luke to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden a few Saturdays ago. Of course Mom and Dad were silly and forgot the camera. We went throughout the museum first. We looked at all sorts of bones and such. In one place their were animatronic dinosaurs. There was a T-Rex and a Mama Triceratops protecting her two babies from the ferocious predator. It was a whole dramatic setup-lights, sounds, scenery. Luke was really apprehensive to get too close to the exhibit. We carefully explained that the dinosaurs were not real. They were robots to show us what it may have been like when dinosaurs were on the earth. This seemed to make sense to him and put his mind at ease.
As we roamed the park we taught Luke how to decipher if a dinosaur was a meat eater or a plant eater based on the shape of its teeth and claws. Grandpa bought fish food for the pond in the middle of the park. We roamed the park, searching in "the jungle" as Luke called it, for dinosaurs lurking in the trees. The boys had a great time. Luke has continued to talk about it off and on. Grandma and Grandpa even bought the boys souvenir dinosaurs.
The culmination was Tuesday night. We were on our way to soccer. Jake and I were discussing some aspect of our day when Luke interrupted. He said.
"Mom, dinosaurs don't live on the earth anymore, now they are robots!" We laughed so hard.

Discovery Gateway

Last week we went to Discovery Gateway Childrens Museum with Aunt Heidi and cousins Brooklyn and Sydney. The kids had a great time exploring the market, playing house, planting on the farm, riding in the helicopter and putting on a show for us.

Soccer

Luke is taking a soccer class through Clearfield City every thursday night. He really loves it, and in just three weeks is making some great progress.
Score!

Trapping the ball.

Ty started dribbling the ball down the soccer field. But by the time I could catch up to get a good photo all he wanted to do was sit on it. He can kick the ball really far (even though the class is for Luke). Ty is more naturally athletic than Luke, but Luke still enjoys it.

Enthusiastic Spectators.

Warming up with Coach Logan.

Living Planet Aquarium

Luke loved the aquarium. Ty was daring enough to touch the manta rays in the petting area. Luke was really impressed by the giant lobster (something Mom and Dad had forgotten was even there, he couldn't remember the name but spent 30 minutes trying to describe it to us. It was hilarious!). The octopus was truely incredible. The Amazon Exhibit had giant spiders and snakes, Mom's favorite-ha ha. I love seeing my children experience new things. They have such wonder in their eyes about how the world works around them.

Since our trip Luke always wants to go past the seafood isle in the grocery store to see the lobster tails. He is fascinated that people eat some of the creatures that he saw.

The Big Bump

We are now past the half-way mark. Can't wait for baby Lily to come!