Real Smiles

The fact that Luke will pose for the camera with a squinty-faced, "cheese" smile is a big improvement over the days of yore when he would grunt, cry and turn-away at the sight of the camera. So I consider any picture where he's actually looking at the camera a success, "cheese" smiles even better and the rare moment where I catch him in action and capture a real smile a true accomplishment!

Luke's 2nd Haircut

The pictures of Luke's first haircut were lost in a battle between me and my camera (along with a month's worth of pics between mid-March and mid-April ... needless to say I was not the victor of the battle). His first haircut was about a month ago ... given by Patrick with scissors. His 2nd haircut was also given by Patrick, this time with clippers and a little bit of scissors.


Here's Luke looking a bit suspicious of the big BZZZ he just heard behind Daddy's back.


Followed by the standard 2 year old reaction to clippers coming at his head.


Thankfully, his tears and fears quickly subsided with the excellent distraction of Jack's Big Music Show.



Dang. Finally used to the clippers and Daddy decides to break out the now-scarier scissors.


Luke retreats under the table.


Lured back with the promise of no more scissors.


Getting shorter ...


Cheeeeese!


Cheeeeeeese, a short-do, and celebratory ice cream!

Blue Bear goes to School

It was Bring Your Bear to Class day at our Mommy and Me class. Luke was happy to bring Blue Bear with him for the morning.

And was happy to have me hold Blue Bear so we could play catch.

But ... not so happy to let Blue Bear participate in the Bear games. Luke would not put BB on the little chairs to play musical bear chairs and did not want to relinquish BB to ride on the colorful parachute. Luke is not such a fan of the parachute and has only ridden on it a couple times. Usually, like this day, I carry him while pulling the parachute in a circle for the other kids to ride. Luke's friends Christina and Owen are below wearing their bear hats!

Then we all went under the parachute which Luke likes better.

Finally, the kids and their bears shared a picnic of Teddy Grahams.

Here's Luke sporting his slightly-too-big Luke-Bear hat.

What am I doing?

Recently, Luke will do something goofy like get in his toy bin and then ask repeatly in a silly tone "What am I doing?".

Firefighters and Frogs brush their teeth, too.

Botanical Gardens and Falling in the Lake

Today we went to some very pretty botanical gardens.


Luke had a fabulous time throwing rocks off the bridge

and playing on tree stumps with his very pregnant mommy.


Luke also thoroughly enjoyed throwing rocks into the lake, until 1 very enthusiatic and close-to-the-edge throw landed him in the water. I wasn't quick enough to capture a good post-fall picture since Patrick had Luke out of the water and out of his wet clothes in about 12 seconds. Luke recovered as soon as his wet clothes were off and then he happily continued throwing rocks and exploring the scenery in his diaper and crocs since we didn't have a change of clothes for him.



Feeding the fish.


Playing soccer in the gazebo, which was followed by Luke kicking his soccer ball along the trail next to the lake until it took a wrong turn and rolled down, down the hill and splash! into the same lake Luke had just been swimming in half an hour earlier.


Again, I was a bit too distracted to capture any action shots, but the lack of socks and shoes on Patrick is a good indication of what came next ... Daddy to the rescue as Luke's ball was quickly making it's way off shore. Just as the ball was retrieved, we heard some commotion behind us and turned to see our stroller kareening down the same hill and towards the lake. It was really picking up speed, but amazingly hit a little bush and stopped about 2 feet from the edge of the water ... surely to the disappointment of the couple and their toddler that were observing from a little bit further away on the trail and anyone else who happened to catch our ridiculous display!


We decided to quit before any more of our belongings or family members ended up in the lake. Luke, in his mostly-dry firetruck shirt, found a fire hydrant to play on outside of the gardens.