Fun To Be Four

My middle man is 4!

Here are his doctors appointment stats:
Height 40 1/4” 60%
Weight 35 1/2 lbs. 60%

Lucas is such a fun loving kid with an adorable smile. He can be such a charmer and knows exactly how to work his magic. He is confident and happy go lucky, funny and loves to make his brothers laugh. I've been told more than once that he is going to be his fraternity president someday.
He is very much a typical boy and loves Toy Story, Cars, dressing up like Batman and playing pirates. He plays great with others but can easily entertain himself for long periods of time. He is very imaginative and I often find him engrossed in pretend play with his action figures or cars. He is energetic and runs circles around the house and jumps and climbs off any available surface. Looking at him today you would never know he once had a motor delay! He wakes up super happy (although sometimes a little too early for my tastes) and is ready for the day.
He is very sweet but certainly has a scrappy tough side. On day at the playground older, bigger bullies sent the younger kids running but Lucas stared them down, held out his arm à la Buzz Lightyear and yelled, "I'm going to laser you!" I've even heard him yelling out in his sleep and found him in bed dreaming about fighting with Tyler.

He doesn't have a strong interest in schoolwork yet and still only writes his name with dotted lines as a guide.  Although he doesn’t have much experience with organized sports he seems to have some natural athletic abilities.

He loves both of his brothers so much. Poor Colin sometimes gets a bit of abuse from by Lucas's love and affection. He really looks up to Tyler right now. If you ask him what he wants to eat, or do, or be when he grows up he replies, " What Tyler say."

He has lots of funny words such as sumato instead tomato and he says tomorrow with a y instead of an r sound, as in Too-my-yo. One of my favorites is when he makes random announcements around the house, but instead of saying Ladies and Gentlemen, he yells, "Ladies and Gymitees!"
Lucas brings so much joy to our house. We love you Lukie Lou!

Lucas started his birthday morning opening his gift from Papa and Grandma.

 

He got Target gift coins and was so excited to shop the toy aisle (one of his favorite pastimes) later that day.

We let him pick our agenda for the day so we inevitably ended up at Chuck-E-Cheese.

Colin had been before, but this was his first visit spending any time out of his stroller.

 

Tyler and Daddy hit the ticket jackpot and Colin wants in on the action.

Tyler loves the cheap plastic prizes! He checks each game for a ticket dispenser before he plays because he cares more about amassing tickets than he does about playing the games.

Back home Lucas blew out his candle on an ice cream cake roll with one of his new Target selected toys.

 

Papa & Glammie stopped by for present opening.

Happy Birthday Lucas!!

2 Wheelin'

Tyler said he was ready to try to his bike without training wheels so after dinner Brian took them off and they headed out.

I came out to snap a quick pick and then headed back in with Colin thinking this process would take quite awhile. I didn't know less than a half hour later he would be riding around all by himself!  

We dressed him in long sleeves and long pants to protect him from scrapes. We figured he would take a few tumbles and didn't want that to scare him off from trying to learn. The ironic thing was he never fell once but I fell down the stairs running to get the camera, Brian scraped his toe on the concrete running next to him and Lucas fell down running around with them. So Tyler made it through completely unscathed and it was the rest of us that needed the band-aids.

It amazes me how quickly it clicked with him. He has since been wanting to ride all of the time and has already gotten so daring with quick stops, speeding around, and taking fast turns.

 A quick video of some of his first solo riding.

Stamp Happy

Looks like we need a quick referesher on appropriate uses of our art supplies.

The New Batmobile

 We've been outside enjoying the great spring weather often!
 

 

 

Memorial Day

Another Memorial Day spent at the pool!  

The kids always love seeing their cousins and all of the special games and events they have on holidays.

 

At one point they asked for participants for a race and Tyler lined up because he thought it was a land based race like one he did last year. I was so proud that he didn’t back out once he realized it was a water race. He was a bit uncertain but tried anyway and made it across wearing his floatie. He came in last but it was exciting seeing him stretch himself to do something outside of his comfort zone.

 

Colin floated for awhile but left early with Daddy for a nap.

 

Lucas had his first taste of soda compliments of the soda toss game. He never realized I was secretly pouring a little out every time he wasn’t looking.

 

Tyler with his prize.

Haircut Take 2

As you can see, our initial home trim job did not suffice and it was time to bring in professional reinforcements.

Getting his first "official" haircut.

 

I questioned the stylist about the finished product but she assured me that it needed to be this length to be even (?). He left the salon looking only slightly less like Donald Trump's offspring.  

Return To Holiday World

Last year we had such a great trip to Holiday World with the Cochran family we decided to make an annual tradition out of it. This year the Jones family came along with us too.  We drove in on Friday and stayed the night there, visited the park on Saturday and headed home that night. It was a lot hotter and more crowded than last year but we still had a fantastic time.

Colin stayed home with a sitter. I felt bad leaving him behind yet again but amusement parks aren’t the best fit for babies.

Holiday World is a great park for little ones. They have so many rides that preschoolers can do.

 

Delaney, Luke & Claire.

On a tame carousel ride with Daddy.

Tyler has gotten so daring and loved some of the really big rides.  He wanted to go on everything including the major roller coasters. One of the first rides we did with him was a big swing type ride. I was a bit freaked out by how unsecure the restraints seemed but he was completely undaunted.

Lucas wasn’t quite as adventurous as Tyler.  It took a lot of coaxing to get him to try any of the small water slides. He would get to the top and then lose his courage. Eventually Allan convinced him to go down this little slide with him and they got stuck. Thanks Allan!

I love this picture of Harper plus a picture of Tyler and Claire on a ride together.

We were able to switch off staying with the kids and go on some grown up rides ourselves. Tyler wanted to go on this one but wasn’t tall enough.

He did get a chance on the kiddie version.

Pictures with Santa.

 

Next year we will have to take these pics on our way in instead of after a long, hot sweaty day at the park.

Pomp & Circumstance

Tyler’s preschool graduation was a 50’s theme. I was slightly annoyed by this because I pictured him as a handsome graduate in a cute little tie and not in a cheesy costume. But, I have to admit all of the kids looked really cute and the program was adorable.

Tyler and Delaney look so cute together! It looks like they are on their way to a sock hop. This picture of Lucas with his hand in Harper’s crackers pretty much sums up his night! He was never too far from her and her snacks. Colin missed the fun and stayed home with a babysitter since the program started at his bedtime. 

At one point I was a little misty-eyed, but I made it through the entire program without any big breakdowns.

 

They sang several of their school songs as a group and each class sang a 50’s song. Tyler’s class did Shout. 

 

I loved this picture of Tyler up on the big screens since it looks so vintage.

Tyler was paired up to dance with his friend Ayla when his class sang. I love how gets embarrassed and shy he gets whenever he talks about her. It is so cute.

 

His first, and hopefully not last, diploma photo.

 

 

Just back from a Disney cruise, Julia shuns her graduation cap to  model her mouse ears. After the program my family headed to Bobby’s for celebratory ice cream.

At Least They Weren’t In The Back

Back home, we were getting out of the car when I noticed a police car turning around in our cul-de-sac. Tyler says he wants to be a policeman when he grows up  so I pointed the car out to him.

 

The nice officer stopped to say hello.

He let the boys get in the car

 

and taught them how to turn on the siren.

Conquered

 

After school many of the kids/moms went to Drost park to eat and play.  Tyler has been trying to conquer this UFO looking climbing apparatus for a long time and finally managed today. Previous attempts have resulted in him getting stuck or, worse, hanging perilously over the edge screaming for help.

Colin's First Zoo Visit (Kinda Sorta)

My college best friend Christy came to St. Louis for the day to visit the zoo with some friends. While the boys were at school Colin and I got a chance to met up with her and Beckett.

Beckett who is just a few months older than Colin.

Colin seemed more interested in snacks than checking out the animals.

 

Colin on his (I think?) first carousel ride. I realized mid-photo my one handed grip wasn’t probably wasn’t the best idea as I risked his life for my photo op.

A photo from Christy’s camera documenting a much more secure grip.

Beckett is so crazy cute.

I’m showing my age, but Christy and I have been friends for 15 years!  Sadly, we didn’t have near enough time to stay and play as we had to hurry back to meet the boys who only had a 1/2 day of school today.

I was feeling bad that Colin hadn’t really had a chance to see many animals on his trip so I wheeled him over to check out the penguins before we headed out.