Luke's Birthday

This year Luke's birthday was very fun to celebrate because he understood about birthdays and was VERY excited for his own.  He knew his birthday was in November and he even knew the day (27), but he would ask everyday how many days until his birthday.  I tried to explain it in weeks, etc., but he didn't understand, so we started marking off days on the calendar.  Every single day Luke would ask to count the days until his birthday.  By the last 10 days Luke could count down by himself in his head.  He would wake up and say, "Only 9 days until my birthday!" and the next morning, even before seeing the calendar, he would say, "Only 8 days until my birthday!" and such.

The thing Luke wanted more than anything else was what he called the Alphardy CD.  It is actually Dr. Jean's "Sing to Learn" CD.  His teacher plays a lot of these songs at school, and Luke really wanted it to play school.  (If you want to hear the song, click on this link:

Alphardy song

He was so convinced that he was getting this CD for his birthday that along with counting the days to his birthday, he would also add that he only had, "[7] more days until the alphardy CD!"

On his birthday morning he woke up bright and early and was rearin' to get to that alphardy CD.  He had a lot of fun opening presents.

The CD!

(from Mima and Papa) 

Listening to his favorite song

He got a robot "like Caleb's" from Mama and D

and a scooter from the Herreras/Duartes.

Cute little story:  As Luke was riding his scooter around the house he asked, "Who gave me this scooter again?"  I told him that Grandma Debbi and Grandpa Terry gave it to him.  He smiled and said, "Because they love me!"  I told him that he was sure right.

Luke was also very excited for his cake.  He had a hard time waiting until D got home!  He liked watching D light the candles, and he got out all the candles in one blow.  

FYI: Gluten free brownies are pretty good.

BIRTHDAY "PARTY" 

On Saturday we finished celebrating Luke's birthday with a trip to the bounce house with Luke H. and his mom and dad.  They jumped for a while and then we took a break for donuts.

  And to open presents.

Luke got a Clifford book and a Curious George book.  He liked those a lot!

And then more jumping!

 Micah running to the slide.

 The play area (Micah spent a lot of time here.)

I think we had a pretty good celebration!

Letter to Luke

Dear Luke,

You are my brown-eyed handsome boy.  I love you so much!  Luke, when you were born you jump-started me on my journey into motherhood.  It has always been my most heart-felt wish to be a mother. I am so blessed to be yours.  No one else in this world could teach me the special and specific lessons that you have taught me.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me!

Luke, you are funny and original.  And you can make people see the wonders around you.  I've seen grown people stare at you as they realize that vacuums really ARE cool, air conditioners really ARE interesting, and that bug really IS amazing.  You introduce your friends to new ideas.  You can get an entire room of kids interested in the things you like.  Why?  Because you are a passionate person!  That amount of energy and excitement demands a response, and you sure get one.  I hope you always keep the attribute of passion.  Your intensity for the things you love will drive you to great heights.  I can't even tell you the number of people who have told me they just know that you are going to do great things with your life.  I am sure that they are right.

Luke, for all your quirks and self-made rules you are generally an adaptable person.  You feel at home wherever you are.  You embraced Amarillo and our life here, and I know you will do the same wherever our life takes us.  This is a wonderful gift.

You have a lot of love in you, Luke.  And you love people easily.  I love to watch you with your family-- all of your family.  Even without seeing them often, you have forged a special bond with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (and an adopted family too!)  I hope you know and always remember how many people love you.  And I hope you feel joy knowing that you make them feel special by loving them so much in return.

You have many gifts, Luke.  One of your greatest gifts is perseverance.  When you want something you go for it ALL THE WAY.  Whether it be a chance to turn on a fan or learning to ride a bike, you won't quit until you figure out how to get it.  

Another of your wonderful gifts is bravery.  You have dealt with some difficult things already in your five years, and a lot of these challenges were frightening for you.  But you have overcome so many of your fears!  I am so proud of you!  You probably don't remember being afraid of some of these things, but these are some of the fears you have conquered: getting wet, walking on sand, going into a public restroom, riding the bus, eating cereal, going to nursery, sleeping with the light off, hearing a police siren, touching a dog, and many more things.  D and I have pushed you so hard in your short little life, and you have met every expectation because YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.  I am so proud of the things you have learned and the progress that you have made.  You are my special big boy.  You are my favorite five-year-old in the whole wide world.

Love and kisses,

Mama

PS.  Here are a few (wink, wink) pictures to illustrate how you have filled my life with joy!

 Right before we moved to Virginia from Utah

Our new home in Williamsburg

 1st Halloween

1st birthday

 Christmas with Mima and Papa

Spring '09

 Summer '09

In Houston for the summer

 Camping trip, fall '09

 This interest started early and hasn't abated AT ALL.

 2nd birthday

 And this is Luke.  

 Virginia Living Museum spring '10

 Amber's trip to Virginia to help out while Mama was sick

(no pics with Mima?)

Bringing Micah home

 

A little too much of a Mama's boy

1st family pics

3rd birthday

Christmas in Nevada '10

 March '11-- first day of school!

 1st teacher-- Ms. Alicia

 Love this picture!

 Spring '11

Potty training

 Another summer in Houston

(visiting San Antonio with Papa)

 At the boardwalk

 Fall '11

1st day of 2nd year of preschool

Ms. Daisy helping you onto the bus

4th birthday

convincing your friends that the vacuum is the best toy in the room

learning to play hide-and-seek

Easter '12

Lowe's!

 New GREEN glasses

 Speech teacher-- Ms. Nelson

 2nd preschool teacher-- Ms. Sara

Conquering fears (ABA therapy)

 Amber's wedding July '12

New home in Amarillo, TX

 

1st day of third year of preschool

 Pumpkin patch, Amarillo

November countdown

5th birthday

We love you, Luke!