Happy Birthday,Luke!

The baby is 3!!  3! Two seems to have completely bypassed us, and now the baby is three.  Luke fits the youngest child mold to a T: he is fiercly loved by his siblings, he is witty and laid back-until he's not, he pretty much gets away with anything with anyone because when he reluctantly says "sorry", it's hard to resist, and he is a bit mischievous.  We love this littlest one dearly.

The year of two brought a lot of changes.  Luke has always been the most verbal at an early age, but his vocabulary is pretty impressive.  He has grown tremendously this year and now weighs the exact same as Natalie.  The year of two brought the big boy bed and big boy underwear, as well as Luke's love of Star Wars.  And perhaps the biggest milestone of them all: saying goodbye to the paci.

Cousins Abigail and John Brannon came into town to help celebrate but had to leave before the party due to a stomach virus.  We loved the time together, even though it was too short.  

We celebrated this special boy with a Lego party at our neighborhood park.  It was a great afternoon!

crying b/c his balloon floated away 

The day after turning three: saying goodbye to the paci.  I prepared Luke for this event for two months, telling him that when he turns three he is a big boy and that we will give his pacis to the babies at school.  Ever the witty one, he started saying "I no want a birthday actually.  I want to be 2."

Birthday chapel at school.  His teacher sent me these pictures, and they just about broke my heart for two reasons: 1. I didn't realize they did birthday chapel for his age group, and so I wasn't there to see it. and 2. look at his face!  Of all my children, Luke dislikes being the center of attention the most. He looks so unsure and timid, but his teacher assured me he was fine.  (sidenote: for birthday chapel you stand in front of the entire school while they sing "Happy Birthday" to you, and then you put pennies in a jar for how old you are.)

Mrs. Warrack, James's old teacher, is on the right

Happy Birthday, Luke!!  We love you so!