Pretty Fall Day

We spent the day on Sunday at Bernheim forest. What started out as a drive ended up being a day in nature. We're having pictures taken there in a few weeks. When we got there, we walked around the lake. We thought we spotted a coyote by the lake. We just couldn't figure out why he was so still. Lucas was terrified until we got closer. Turns out it was just a coregated sign.

We had a make shift picnic and walked around more areas. The trees are starting to turn and the flowers are all still bloomed. It was beautiful. We'll definitely be going back a little more often.

Beginning of Fall

On Saturday, we went to Huber's in Indiana. After an excellent lunch, we wandered around. First, Lucas had to feed the ducks. We saved the biscuits that we didn't eat for him to feed to the ducks. He loved watching them all fight for the food.

Then, he had to climb on the tractor.

Then we went up to the market, ice cream parlor and winery. Lucas liked this old truck full of pumpkins.

Then it was on to the kids park. First, Lucas and Brad had to check out the hillside slides. I think that Brad had as much fun as Lucas did.Then, on to the petting zoo. I was shocked that Lucas wanted to feed the bunnies. He wouldn't have anything to do with feeding the goats or reindeer.

Finally, he decided to ride the pony. He was hesitant, but just had to be a rhinestone cowboy. We were serenaded with Rhinestone Cowboy all the way back.

Johnny Appleseed

Lucas celebrated spirit day at school last Friday by honoring Johnny Appleseed. It was a little warm, so we improvised. He wore denim shorts instead of jeans, we cut off the sleeves of his flannel shirt and he wore my microwave pot on his head. He was proud of his outfit.

St. Judes Box Car Derby

On Friday, Lucas participated in a fundraiser for St. Judes at his school. He collected donations and then walked for 45 minutes in his homemade box car. Brad worked hard all last week on completing his police car. Lucas was really proud of his car.

Before they walked, they had to say a prayer. So they all had to "lock and fold".

Off he went.

The walking didn't last long, but him and Blakyn had a good time playing and walking (and running) without their cars. There sure were some creative cars. We'll have to figure out something any better next year.

Labor Day Weekend at the Beach

We took a long Labor Day weekend and went to Gulf Shores. We spent 5 nights just relaxing at Marcia's condo. Lucas decided that he LOVED the beach, so we spent quite a bit of time in the sand. He even rolled in the sand. Boy, what a difference a few months makes. He still wasn't as sure about it in May.

When he wasn't rolling in the sand, he was in the pool. There was a very large family there from Louisiana, so he had lots of entertainment by the pool. Gosh, they cooked all day long too on the grills. It smelled so good. Why do you always seem hungry at the beach?

Of course, Lucas had to ride a few rides. The first couple of nights, we had our pick and could walk into anywhere, so he just about had the rides to himself. The last night we were there, we spent time with Marcia and just hung out. Lucas was so worn out that he just laid down on the floor and passed out. There's nothing like a relaxing family vacation and we are already wondering when we can go back.

State Fair

I know it's been a while since I posted. It's been a busy few weeks. In August, Mike, Alesha, and Kaylea came up and spent the night. The next morning, we went to the state fair.

First, we went to see the animals. We started with the sheep. Lucas was ok with them. Then, we got to the pigs (or hogs). One came out of his pen to go to the arena and Lucas freaked. He thought that hog was coming for him. He crawled up and stood in his stroller. That just about did him in for the animals. After that, he was scared of everything.

So, we spent the rest of the day riding rides. Lucas and Kaylea had a good time. He pooped out a little over half way through the midway, so we decided to call it a day. We had a good time with everyone. I don't know how Kaylea continued on and made it through the Taylor Swift concert.

Summer Activities

Lucas has decided that he loves being outside as long as there is water involved.

He loves his homemade water slide. The pool is barely big enough to catch him, so we have found him a larger one now. He just can't go down fast enough to just do it all over again.

We went to "Mimi's lake" last Saturday to teach Lucas to fish. He picked out a fishing pole and tried his hand at fishing with his Papaw. He was really interested at first, but he was bored of it after a couple of minutes. I took over the pole and after several bites and almost hooking my dad in the eye, I finally caught a small bass with his pole. He wanted to see it and touched it. Now, he tells people that he caught a fish.

These are the things that he'll remember and hopefully it will teach him to love it outside. He brought his pole home, so now his daddy is going to have to take him fishing. He keeps asking about going back to Mimi's lake. He loved it there.

Growing Up

I know - it's about time that I posted something. Well, Lucas has grown up a lot in the past few weeks. First, he has become crazy about anything Batman. We now have just about every batman figurine that exists. Just when we thought we had them all, he learns the characters in Super Friends and Justice League. He's even discovered Teen Titans with Robin - The wonder boy. Oh boy, we are in trouble. I told him that if he would sleep in his room, he could get a new Batman movie and we could find some Batman sheets.

He's been telling me that he wants to do "flips". He learned to do a front flip and wants to do more. There is a gymnastics place here that has classes for boys, so we went last Thursday night to watch a class. He jumped in pretty quick and participated in the class with 2 little girls. He did the balance beams, jumped over cubes, jumped on the trampoline into foam blocks, went down a slide, did flips on an angle, flipped over a bar, and held himself up on a bar. We'll see how this goes. Brad wants him to do karate or Jiu Jitsu when he turns 4.

Well, that same night, he looked at me and said "Mommy, I think I'm going to sleep in my room tonight by myself, and I won't get scared, and I stay here all night." I really didn't believe him, but about 11:00, he came and woke me up and told me to turn his TV off so that he could go night night. I did, kissed him goodnight and didn't talk to him again until the next morning. He slept like a baby, but I didn't. I bet I checked on him a million times. The next day, he was so excited and wouldn't let us forget that he could get a new movie, so off to Barnes and Noble we went.

That same night, he said "Mommy, I want to take a bath all by myself in my bath tub." Usually, he takes a shower or bath with Brad. He did just that. He took a bath by himself ... and a few of his favorite superheroes.

Last year, he wouldn't get into a swimming pool in the back yard. We blew one up the other day and he had a ball. The pool was full of toys, and, of course, superheroes. He stayed out there for a long time.

Monday, he officially started preschool. He's already been learning letters and has brought home projects every day. He's just growing up too fast. He still reminds me that he'll always be my baby. He's slept in his bed every night, even with thunderstorms. We've adjusted and are sleeping good now. Wonder what's next?

Fireworks

We made it for the fireworks. It was a little cold and drizzly, but we had a seat under a huge umbrella. Lucas liked it. We had to have a little ice cream after that, then night-night.

July 4th Weekend 2009

We arrived at Great Wolf Lodge yesterday and will be leaving tomorrow. We have had a great time. This is such a great place for kids of all ages --- yes, Brad and I too. We've spent the majority of our time at the indoor water park. It's a good thing that it is indoors. It is cold and rainy today. It stays warm inside the water park. When we are here, Lucas forgets that he's about half afraid of water. The life guards at the kid's water slides get to know him well. He makes a constant circle from the bottom of the water slide, through the pool, up the stairs, and down again. I bet he's been down at least 100 times so far.
Yesterday, we all went down one of the big water slides in a raft. You should have seen the size of his eyes when we started going fast. We ended with a huge splash of water. You should have seen Brad's eyes then!!! Lucas just shook it off. This year, he loves the lazy river also. He just piles in the intertube on top of me or Brad.
Last night, he watched the clock tower show in amazement, made a stuffed wolf, and then we hit the arcade. He loved the virtual roller coaster. I see a thrill seeker in our future.

This morning, we went to the Cub Club and Lucas painted a t-shirt and made a 4th of July sun visor. He liked it. We've spent the rest of the day at the water park. We've now come up to the room for supper and were planning to play a little Magiquest, go to the arcade, and watch fireworks tonight, but from the look of things, I'm not sure we'll make it...

We've had a great time. I hope that Lucas will always remember these times. I know that we will look back on them with happiness!!!!