Luke's face is proof:
What was his ice cream choice tonight you ask? Blueberry ice cream with peanuts of course! Luke said it was like a treasure hunt trying to find the peanuts:)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Cold Stone Creamery Outing
We don't really need a reason to head to Cold Stone, but you'll like this one...it was a celebration for meeting my weight loss goal:) Umm, yeah...probably not very sensible right? Well, we had fun and enjoyed every bite!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
August Happenings
We've had some fun times so far in August:
After Bridget's birthday dinner, we took in a free outdoor movie at the Olmsted County Historical Society. We went to one last year and Luke thought it was great so I was excited to learn they were doing more this year!
Luke and I explored the Olmsted County Fair animal barns on the free admission night. We even got to see part of a horse show with young kids doing "egg and spoon". I have no experience with horse shows, but egg and spoon is when the kids ride their horse holding an egg in a spoon. I guess it tests their control of the horse while they are told to move at different speeds in the arena. Interesting event:) I think horses are such magnificent animals, so I enjoyed every minute of watching them with the young kids.
We were able to have dinner with my grandparents, parents, Bridget, and my aunt while my grandparents were in town for my grandma's two year check after her kidney transplant. It was great to see them. We plan to make a trip to Albert Lea later this month to spend some time with them again.
We saw my immediate family only days later to celebrate my sister's birthday and got a wonderful surprise....BRIDGET AND ROSS ARE GETTING MARRIED!!! Ross is a great guy and we're excited to make him an official part of the family:) They are planning on a September 2011 wedding and all three of us will be in the wedding. I'm looking forward to helping with planning however Bridge needs!After Bridget's birthday dinner, we took in a free outdoor movie at the Olmsted County Historical Society. We went to one last year and Luke thought it was great so I was excited to learn they were doing more this year!
Luke waiting for the movie to start
My parents joined us too
The movie, Hoodwinked, was cute, and my dad and Brent got a nice nap in their camping chairs:)
This week we've been blessed with a family pass to the Rochester Athletic Club from our friends, Corey and Angie. It couldn't have come at a better time with this horrible heat. Brent has played basketball, we've played in The Neighborhood when it was too hot to play outside, Luke and I have swam in the outdoor pool, and I was able to run on a treadmill in the air conditioning instead of running outside in the heat. So much fun:)
Brent continues to work in his starter garden and pulled all of the carrots today. Some of the fruits of his labor:
Some of them were very big with about 2 inch diameters!
And, finally, this was just too sweet to pass up:
Brent and Luke reading The Jungle Book before bed:)
We have more fun-filled weeks of August yet to come. Hope you're all enjoying your summer!
Theology for Four Year Olds
Luke is a pretty inquisitive kid, so we're used to quite a few questions...but, he still manages to surprise us sometimes. Recently he's been asking a lot of questions about God and Jesus.
One night at bed time, I think he was praying for someone to be safe while traveling, then he stopped and asked "How can God be with two people, when one goes one way and the other goes another way?" We tried to explain that God isn't like us in that he can only see what is around him, but that he can see the entire world and is with each person always. After our unprepared explanation, we asked, "Does that make sense?" Apparently we didn't bring it to a four year old level because he repeated his question again only slightly different this time. Sigh...these are big things to explain for all of us, much less trying to make sense to a literal four year old.
Today in the car, he asked how Jesus died on the cross. I explained that people did not believe he was God's son and wanted to kill him and that he was nailed on a cross and hurt until he died. Then I ventured into the why he died, so we could be forgiven and that Jesus was now in heaven. He made the connection himself of Jesus dying on the cross to communion and that "the juice is like Jesus' blood and the bread is like his body". He seems to understand that Jesus is in heaven, but he then asked why Jesus was still on the cross. (I'm wondering if this question comes from pictures he's seen of him on the cross???) I explained that Jesus was taken off the cross after he died, that he was buried, and came alive again after three days. I told him we could read about it again from his Bible book since he didn't really remember the part about Jesus being buried.
Whew...I may have two years of Bible college education under my belt, but it's still difficult to know how to answer Luke's questions and to explain who God is so he understands. I know we have years ahead of continued learning and more, and more, and more questions.
Luke seems to ebb and flow with his "theological" thoughts. Last month he had a lot of questions after watching his first baptism service at church and last fall he had a lot of questions after we lost our baby. He always gets sad when we talk about heaven. He usually says something like "I don't want to leave you guys and our house" when we tell him about going to heaven after we die. I reassure him that it will be a wonderful place and that we will know people there that died before us. (Though I don't know how much he remembers anyone we know that has died.)
So, these are some of the deep thoughts at our house and our attempts at explaining many things that we do not completely understand to our little man. I just like that he's comfortable asking us questions and wants to learn and understand.
One night at bed time, I think he was praying for someone to be safe while traveling, then he stopped and asked "How can God be with two people, when one goes one way and the other goes another way?" We tried to explain that God isn't like us in that he can only see what is around him, but that he can see the entire world and is with each person always. After our unprepared explanation, we asked, "Does that make sense?" Apparently we didn't bring it to a four year old level because he repeated his question again only slightly different this time. Sigh...these are big things to explain for all of us, much less trying to make sense to a literal four year old.
Today in the car, he asked how Jesus died on the cross. I explained that people did not believe he was God's son and wanted to kill him and that he was nailed on a cross and hurt until he died. Then I ventured into the why he died, so we could be forgiven and that Jesus was now in heaven. He made the connection himself of Jesus dying on the cross to communion and that "the juice is like Jesus' blood and the bread is like his body". He seems to understand that Jesus is in heaven, but he then asked why Jesus was still on the cross. (I'm wondering if this question comes from pictures he's seen of him on the cross???) I explained that Jesus was taken off the cross after he died, that he was buried, and came alive again after three days. I told him we could read about it again from his Bible book since he didn't really remember the part about Jesus being buried.
Whew...I may have two years of Bible college education under my belt, but it's still difficult to know how to answer Luke's questions and to explain who God is so he understands. I know we have years ahead of continued learning and more, and more, and more questions.
Luke seems to ebb and flow with his "theological" thoughts. Last month he had a lot of questions after watching his first baptism service at church and last fall he had a lot of questions after we lost our baby. He always gets sad when we talk about heaven. He usually says something like "I don't want to leave you guys and our house" when we tell him about going to heaven after we die. I reassure him that it will be a wonderful place and that we will know people there that died before us. (Though I don't know how much he remembers anyone we know that has died.)
So, these are some of the deep thoughts at our house and our attempts at explaining many things that we do not completely understand to our little man. I just like that he's comfortable asking us questions and wants to learn and understand.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Recent Luke-isms
I told myself that I would blog more with our new blog, but I'm realizing I can't keep up in documenting all of the funny things Luke says. He's been especially funny recently trying to use phrases he hears, like these:
"Daddy, what took you so fast?" - He said this on the car ride home from Duck Lake when he realized we were close to home. He had kept himself busy the entire ride home doing his workbook. And, I thought he would sleep on the ride home...yeah right;)
"Daddy, what took you so fast?" - He said this on the car ride home from Duck Lake when he realized we were close to home. He had kept himself busy the entire ride home doing his workbook. And, I thought he would sleep on the ride home...yeah right;)
"There's no sense of humid in here." - He said this when he got into the car on a day that finally wasn't so hot and humid. I think he liked the temperature change:)
"I'm something else with my coloring." - He randomly told Brent and I this while coloring at the kitchen counter the other day. He picked up the "You're something else..." phrase from my mom who says it to him a lot.
And, then there are just the brutally honest comments that come out with no filter or context, like:
"Daddy, you don't look very good with your shirt off." - This one came out nice and loud while he was in a Kohl's dressing room with Brent. We're thinking what he was trying to get at was that Brent looked funny while between outfits wearing dress pants and no shirt:) Luke thinks that guys only go shirtless when they wear shorts and he calls this look being dressed like a "wrestle guy".
In a store, once again, Luke announced loudly today that Grandma, my mom, was too big to sit on a stool in the store and that she would break it. Now, if any of you know my mom, you know that she could probably sit on doll furniture without breaking it:)
It's always fun hearing the comments of those around us when he comes out with these lines:) He can certainly bring a smile to even the most mundane outing!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
One for One Making Crepes
I'm typically a bit gun shy when it comes to trying to make completely new foods, but tonight I gave crepes a shot. Mixing them up was not a problem at all (3 ingredients), but I was a little concerned about cooking them since I know they are so thin. But, I made the entire batch without burning a single one!
Luke's quote of the night came as I was putting the chocolate syrup on top of his crepe: "Oh yeah, that's the good stuff" That boy can always make me laugh:)
Don't these look delicious?
Luke's quote of the night came as I was putting the chocolate syrup on top of his crepe: "Oh yeah, that's the good stuff" That boy can always make me laugh:)
He and I had a nice night making our crepe dinner while Brent was out for a run. Luke helped me mix up the crepes, then got out his work book from Grandma Ruth while I cooked them. We did his very first crossword puzzle together. I read him the clues, he told me the answer, then we sounded out the words together and he wrote the letters. A nice, relaxing Sunday evening:)
If only I didn't still have a run ahead of me before bed...I better get going!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Welcome to Our NEW Blog
So it's been awhile....the last post on our "original" blog (as I'm calling it these days) was from Luke's fourth birthday. He would now describe himself as "four and a half" (which will soon be accurate). And, as those of you with preschoolers know, six months can bring a lot of changes!
I cannot possibly include everything from the months I've missed blogging, but, if a picture really can speak 1000 words, then I think directing you to the left side of the screen will give you a good start. I plan to include links to our pictures each month on our blog so you can see how Luke is growing and what we're up to as a family.
The past six months have certainly brought some changes to our home.
March was a month of construction at our house. We finished off the last of our unfinished home including: one bathroom and two bedrooms in our basement. It has been wonderful having the extra space and it was nice to sort through the "stuff" we accumulated over the past six years.
April was a month of change. I joined Weight Watchers at work to deal with the weight I had gained in the past year, especially after abdominal surgery last fall. Brent started P90X, an at home workout, as a new challenge to his workouts. And, Luke, started logging miles on the "big boy" bike he got for his birthday in February. We were on the move and excited for spring!
Mid-April changed our focus when Brent lost his job. We didn't lose momentum in the changes we had begun, but we did alter our focus. We were reminded how very blessed we are to have each other, the support of family and friends, our health, and the list of the "priceless" could go on and on. We were reminded that we are not in control and of the everyday blessings we so often overlooked in the busy-ness of life.
May was a month of internal focus. We had a quieter, more flexible schedule that allowed us to spend a lot of time together as a family. We spent lots of evenings outside together in any variety of activities: biking, running, walking, and/or rollerblading. It was wonderful change of pace! Brent also started an masters of business administration (MBA) program online with a focus in health care administration.
June was a month of fun! We signed Luke up for a week of sports camp through Community Education where he learned more about soccer and t-ball. The class was a parent-child class, so Brent and I were able to join in the fun and we also brought two friends from Luke's daycare to the camp each day. Luke LOVED the class and likes to set up drills in the yard with Brent's sports cones like the teacher did in class:)
After the week of sports camp, we started Vacation Bible School (VBS) at church. We all got to participate this year since Luke was old enough to join the preschoolers and Brent and I were helpers. The theme was High Seas Adventure and Luke LOVED every minute!
The week of VBS was also the week of Rochesterfest. Since we were busy with VBS, we didn't get to many of the events, but we got to our new favorite: Breakfast on the Farm. Each year, the breakfast is held at a different farm outside Rochester. The breakfast is good, cheap, and you get to eat in the great outdoors. But, the best part is experiencing the farms with Luke. He loves the tractors, animals, hayrides, and checking it all out up close and personal:) This was our third year going and I hope Luke will want to go for many years to come. The other annual event we like to see is the Rochesterfest parade, but this year it was cancelled due to thunderstorms:(
The first week of July was a continuation of the fun when we got to see some great friends from across the country and around the world! Luke, Holly, and Jael Erickson were in town from Baltimore for the week. It was beautiful weather and we got to spend time at the park, at Thursdays of First, and had a few get togethers with friends while they were here. I also got to Amanda and Mike Keller who were in Minnesota for a few weeks before heading back to China where they teach English. There is nothing better than the company of life-long friends:)
The rest of July we've mostly spent hanging out with family. Luke has gotten a lot of fun "cousin time" with Annie, Ethan, Mekhi, and Annalise, including a couple sleepovers and a few trips to the pool and beach. We also took quite the hike with Bridget, Grandma, and Grandpa last weekend on the Douglas Trail to Pine Island. Bridget is walking in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Fundraiser in August, so we joined her on a training walk as she prepares for the 60 miles of walking she will do during the three day walk. Luke also got to a Honker's game with Grandma and Grandpa and I know they'd like to make another this season.
Last, but absolutely not least, Brent and I celebrated our seventh anniversary on July 26! We spent a day in the Cities walking the Mall of America and having dinner. It was nice and relaxing and fun to get away for the day. I am so blessed to call Brent husband:)
So, where are we now? I'm enjoying my new half time schedule at work (as of July) and the extra time with Brent and Luke that it allows. Brent continues his MBA program and recently started his third class and also continues his search for work opportunities. As for Luke, well I thought a list of some of his current favorites would give you a good idea of what he's up to:)
A few of Luke's favorite things:
I cannot possibly include everything from the months I've missed blogging, but, if a picture really can speak 1000 words, then I think directing you to the left side of the screen will give you a good start. I plan to include links to our pictures each month on our blog so you can see how Luke is growing and what we're up to as a family.
The past six months have certainly brought some changes to our home.
March was a month of construction at our house. We finished off the last of our unfinished home including: one bathroom and two bedrooms in our basement. It has been wonderful having the extra space and it was nice to sort through the "stuff" we accumulated over the past six years.
April was a month of change. I joined Weight Watchers at work to deal with the weight I had gained in the past year, especially after abdominal surgery last fall. Brent started P90X, an at home workout, as a new challenge to his workouts. And, Luke, started logging miles on the "big boy" bike he got for his birthday in February. We were on the move and excited for spring!
Mid-April changed our focus when Brent lost his job. We didn't lose momentum in the changes we had begun, but we did alter our focus. We were reminded how very blessed we are to have each other, the support of family and friends, our health, and the list of the "priceless" could go on and on. We were reminded that we are not in control and of the everyday blessings we so often overlooked in the busy-ness of life.
May was a month of internal focus. We had a quieter, more flexible schedule that allowed us to spend a lot of time together as a family. We spent lots of evenings outside together in any variety of activities: biking, running, walking, and/or rollerblading. It was wonderful change of pace! Brent also started an masters of business administration (MBA) program online with a focus in health care administration.
June was a month of fun! We signed Luke up for a week of sports camp through Community Education where he learned more about soccer and t-ball. The class was a parent-child class, so Brent and I were able to join in the fun and we also brought two friends from Luke's daycare to the camp each day. Luke LOVED the class and likes to set up drills in the yard with Brent's sports cones like the teacher did in class:)
After the week of sports camp, we started Vacation Bible School (VBS) at church. We all got to participate this year since Luke was old enough to join the preschoolers and Brent and I were helpers. The theme was High Seas Adventure and Luke LOVED every minute!
The week of VBS was also the week of Rochesterfest. Since we were busy with VBS, we didn't get to many of the events, but we got to our new favorite: Breakfast on the Farm. Each year, the breakfast is held at a different farm outside Rochester. The breakfast is good, cheap, and you get to eat in the great outdoors. But, the best part is experiencing the farms with Luke. He loves the tractors, animals, hayrides, and checking it all out up close and personal:) This was our third year going and I hope Luke will want to go for many years to come. The other annual event we like to see is the Rochesterfest parade, but this year it was cancelled due to thunderstorms:(
The first week of July was a continuation of the fun when we got to see some great friends from across the country and around the world! Luke, Holly, and Jael Erickson were in town from Baltimore for the week. It was beautiful weather and we got to spend time at the park, at Thursdays of First, and had a few get togethers with friends while they were here. I also got to Amanda and Mike Keller who were in Minnesota for a few weeks before heading back to China where they teach English. There is nothing better than the company of life-long friends:)
The rest of July we've mostly spent hanging out with family. Luke has gotten a lot of fun "cousin time" with Annie, Ethan, Mekhi, and Annalise, including a couple sleepovers and a few trips to the pool and beach. We also took quite the hike with Bridget, Grandma, and Grandpa last weekend on the Douglas Trail to Pine Island. Bridget is walking in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Fundraiser in August, so we joined her on a training walk as she prepares for the 60 miles of walking she will do during the three day walk. Luke also got to a Honker's game with Grandma and Grandpa and I know they'd like to make another this season.
Last, but absolutely not least, Brent and I celebrated our seventh anniversary on July 26! We spent a day in the Cities walking the Mall of America and having dinner. It was nice and relaxing and fun to get away for the day. I am so blessed to call Brent husband:)
So, where are we now? I'm enjoying my new half time schedule at work (as of July) and the extra time with Brent and Luke that it allows. Brent continues his MBA program and recently started his third class and also continues his search for work opportunities. As for Luke, well I thought a list of some of his current favorites would give you a good idea of what he's up to:)
A few of Luke's favorite things:
- Workbooks - He LOVES doing mazes, dot-to-dots, and word finds
- Identifying letters and the sounds of letters on anything he sees (signs, books, TV, etc)
- Playing video games on the computer with Brent
- Scooby Doo - You can almost bet that if Luke is picking the movie, you'll be watching Scooby Doo:)
- Riding his bike
- Riding in the jogger while Brent and I run - He's such a trooper to ride along so content
- Swinging - First place he heads at the park...he learned to pump this year too!
- Playing air guitar and drums - He jams while we have music on at home and during church along with the band
- Talking about his 5th birthday party - Apparently since he's four and a half he needs to start planning:)
- Building with Legos
- Building train tracks
- Building tracks for his matchbox cars
- Watching Phineas and Ferb (Disney Channel cartoon)
I'm beat after reminiscing the past six months:) I hope you're all doing well and enjoying your summer! See you online soon!
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