Summer reading



 We participated in Cedar Park library's summer reading club this year.  We also did it last year, but I think Jake was a lot more involved and motivated this time.  You mark off how much you read in 10 minute increments, then you receive small prizes each 200 minutes.  You have to make it to 800 minutes to get better prizes and a chance for special raffle drawings, so that was our main goal, which we accomplished.  Jake had fun keeping up with the log, we all had fun reading together, and he enjoyed free ice cream, personal pizza and a few other goodies as prizes.  At the end of reading club, the library hosted a celebration at Milburn park complete with a clown.  Here's Jake getting his coloring page from Bonzo Crunch...

Help, Big Brother Style

Jake is really good at keeping Luke company and entertaining him.  They were hanging out together as I was getting things ready for us to leave.  When I came into Luke's room, this is what I found...

Jake was showing him all his friends and seemed to think he wanted to see them all at once.  The funniest thing is, Luke didn't seem to mind at all, even with a bear on his head!

4 months

Luke turned 4 months about a week ago, but we just had his well check today so we know his stats.  He is such a blessing and a joy.  It's hard to believe in only 4 months of time I can't imagine our family without him--he's a perfect fit.  Here are some things about Luke:

* He weighs 16 pounds 6 ounces and is 26 inches long (80th percentile in both)

*He's smiling a lot more and has a precious grin

*He likes to tuck in his lower lip

*He's discovered his feet and will now hold on to them

*He's gotten a lot more drooly

*He's holding onto things and immediately brings them to his mouth to chew

*He started laughing.  He's first laugh was for me, but Jake now has him laughing.  Seeing them together warms and melts (is that possible?) my heart like nothing else can

*He's rolling over from back to tummy every time you put him down although he's only rolled from tummy to back twice, so he gets "stuck" on his tummy and fusses after a while for help

*He sleeps on his tummy every night. 

Rolling over

On July 24 I laid Luke on the ground on his back as usual, then left the room to do something.  When I came back, I saw this determined face.  I was shocked and quickly ran to get the camera.  I actually captured his first ever roll-over on camera.  Here he is still struggling a little to make it all the way...

Still trying to figure it out...

"Look at me, Mama!"

It was such a shock because up until this point Luke hated tummy time and seemed to barely lift his head.  Now, he is consistently sleeping on his tummy whether we like it or not.  I lay him on his back and he immediately flips over.

Baby Belly

Every time I get Luke dressed, I think "how cute is this belly!"  Luke's pretty chubby, and his belly and thighs are adorable.  Here are some shots I snapped one morning while getting dressed...

San Antonio

We also headed so San Antonio for a weekend in July to visit our cousins, Kelly, Rodney, Ryan and Brittany.  It was their first time to meet Luke, so it was fun to show him off for their first time.  We had a lot of fun eating good food and hanging out.  Jake especially had fun playing with Ryan and Brittany.  Here's Brittany and Jake being silly in the hot tub...

 Luke took some naps in the cool of the shade...

 He fell asleep like this. How funny!

Papa and Luke

July also brought us a visit from Papa and Grandmama.  The boys got some extra special love and attention.  Here's Luke getting some special Papa time...

Lawson Time Capsule

Nana had a great idea of doing a Lawson time capsule to be opened in July 2025, which is also when she and Big T will celebrate their 50th anniversary.  All the adults wrote letters to each child.  This was super emotional for me, and MANY tears were shed during my writing process.  In 2025, we will have someone entering each high school grade, and Luke will be entering the 7th grade!  It's the year Jake will be 16 and have his license, and Cohen will be choosing a college.  I'm tearing up even now just thinking about it.  My sons, and my nephew and nieces mean so much to me.  It's a true gift from God to see them growing physically, but also emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Already, I love seeing their personalities and gifts shine.  OK, enough mushy stuff, let's get to the pics.  The boys helped Big T dig the hole... 

 Nana read Max Lucado's "You are Special" as part of our time capsule "ceremony"...

 Each family member chose something to put inside to represent themselves in 2013.  We each shared what our object was and put it in the capsule.  Here are the kids filling it up...

 Then came time to bury it...

 Everyone contributed to putting the dirt back on top...

 Each child also made a stepping stone with their handprint on it that will mark the special spot.  It was definitely a fun activity to do together, and it will be so exciting to dig it up and see how far we've all come in 12 years!

Krazy Praizy

Our church offers fun activities for preschoolers on Tuesdays throughout the summer called Krazy Praizy.  Because Jake's so busy in the summer, we only made it once this year, but it was still lots of fun.  The week we went the focus was physical activity.  Jake was able to take a Kinder Dance class, and learn some tae kwon do moves.  He also decorated his own belt and headband...

Of course, Luke tagged along and was a happy spectator...

 

 

Mornings

One great thing about the summer is having a laid-back schedule with lazy mornings.  Sometimes we like to take advantage of the opportunity and hang out in our pjs for awhile.  Here are the boys being silly in their pjs...

The 4th

We had a fun-filled 4th including swimming, home-made fried chicken tenders, yummy sliders, watermelon, and of course, fireworks.  Cassy had festive pipe cleaners for the kids to make 4th of July "hats."  Here they are sporting their patriotic gear... 

 Luke didn't know what to make of his hat, but it sure was cute on his bald little head...

 Luke was fast asleep long before the fireworks began, and the noise didn't disturb him one bit.  The other kids were anxiously waiting the big production, and luckily, were not disappointed.  Waiting for the show...

Cousins



Over the 4th of July holiday, we spent some time at C^5's house.  Jake always loves being with his cousins, and now Luke does too.  Luke got lots of attention, especially from his girl cousins.  Here's how he felt about it...

as you can see, the girls took really good care of him.  Here, they are singing to him, and Campbell even danced for him...

Campbell is probably his biggest fan and was always checking on him...

Cohen and Jake are usually too busy playing together to pay much attention to Luke, but there was a moment when Cohen asked to hold him.  This is a goofy picture of Cohen, but you can tell Luke is happy...

Just for fun; here's a silly picture of Channing.  This girl is ADORABLE...

3 months

Luke turned 3 months back on July 13.  I'm not close to being caught up on my summer posts, but I figured I should start with this one since it's already August.  Here are his 3 month pictures.  Unfortunately, every single one is turned the wrong way, but at least I've got them.  As you can see from the pics, he's a smiley boy...

 These were taken the same day and show off his big blue eyes...