Touch a Truck!

Today we got to take Luke to a local event that was the perfect event for a little boy, it was called simply, “Touch a Truck” which is exactly what our little car lover dreams about at night! Luke was a little intimidated by the size of the vehicles. It actually took a little encouragement to get him to sit in the drivers seat.  He was a little overwhelmed. I don’t think he’d see trucks this big up close before. But he liked any time he saw levers or switches… fortunately they didn’t actually DO anything! The Police car was a highlight, of course, and he even got to sit in the back seat, somewhere I explained he doesn’t want to get a ride in the future! I also was happy to learn that a laptop mount in the front is not illegal. Hmmmmm… I think I even enjoyed getting to see a city snow plow up close and personal. The fact that I could climb inside the plow tells you it is BIG! And how often do you get to climb into the front containers of a garbage truck? Yes, they were very clean! (also pretty rare!) Fire trucks…

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Luke Gets a Hair Cut (actually, all of them!)

Today was the day we finally gave Luke another haircut. We love his curly hair, but when it starts getting in his eyes we know we have to cut it again. It’s a bummer because he always seems to age three months with a hair cut. We know, “It’ll grow back” – but he’s so stinkin’ cute with those curls! Too bad, today was hair cutting day! And for the past two years Sara has been cutting both boys hair to save money. (haircut prices have gotten ridiculous if you ask me!) Here he is, all smiles and read to go under the knife, er, scissors anyway. That’s one curly head! Our personal hair stylist at work! Bye, Bye Bangs! (my wife would like to ask you not look at the messy counters in the background) Oops, was that an ear lobe? Elmo helps the time go by as mommy sculpts the head. It’s a brand new boy! Is this the same boy!?!? Amazing how different he looks. But either way, the shirt is still true!

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The Adventures of “Illinois Luke”

First off, I have to say, my sister is the ultimate party planner. She puts together the most amazing themed parties for her kids (sample). Today was no exception. It was an overnight camping Indiana Jones theme where they went geo-caching for treasure and every kid got an archeologist bag, brown fedora and a whip! Due to having a two year old, we came for the morning fun. It was a beautiful forest preserve I’ll be returning to for hiking! Luke took to the trails immediately… It is right along the Fox River in Cary, so there were many water views on the hike. One funny sight (that I couldn’t take a picture of) was three guys fishing with beer bottles. A poor man’s technique perhaps. They tied fishing line to the neck of their beer, threw the line out, drank while waiting, and when then got a bite, wound the line around the beer bottle to reel it in. Yes, we saw them catch one! One of the kids caught a craw fish. Going with the theme, we just pretended it was a scorpion! I showed my son how to intimidate a small creature by returning its taunts right…

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A Cow in the Sky

For the first time in his little life my son woke up crying because of a nightmare. We awoke to his tears and like a good father I ran upstairs to see what my little boy needed. Did he climb out of the climb and fall? Did he get an arm or leg stuck through the railings? Did he drop a toy or binkey that he can’t sleep without? Nope. He saw a cow. (don’t laugh) I came in the room, “Daddy’s here, everything’s O.K.” to see his fear filled eyes looking to me for salvation. He reached out to me like someone drowning reaching for the life guard. I scooped him up, and seeing that nothing was physically wrong, asked, “What’s the matter, Lukie?” “Cow!” he whispered in my ear as he pointed up toward the ceiling. “Cow up in the sky.” I put his head on my shoulder so he wouldn’t see the smile I couldn’t resist. My voice remained deeply concerned but my face couldn’t hide the silent laughter at such a cute fear. I was so happy the scariest thing in his little world is a cow in the sky! He clung to me as I…

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A Little Advice (for myself)

As I was reflecting today (a combination of praying, panicking and planning) God gave me a message that I just needed to post, mostly for myself – though if it encourages you, then so be it. I’ve just completed Day #2 of “Operation Mr. Mom” – nine days solo with my boy. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mind ONE BIT, in fact today was a perfect day filled with church, a special meal out, lots of love and cuddles and playful fun and even a a boat ride for dinner courtesy of a friend who loaned me their pontoon boat for the evening. I’m not complaining, but I am thinking about how I’m going to do this week. I’ll do less work, for sure, by design as well as necessity, and I refuse to farm the boy out (though I’ve had many offers!) but it’s tough enough on the boy having mom gone so long, I want to be around as much as possible; after all, he’s used to having mom when I’m out of town. Anyway, I was thinking through everything on my plate, current projects, the usual constant communication load, and then not only keeping up…

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