Potty Trained...Again!

Last August, we went through the big rigamarole of potty training with great success. So we thought. After three months with no accidents, Lucas announced to me one day that he wasn't going to wear undies or go in the potty anymore. And he meant it. After a few weeks of fighting over it, I decided to drop it and let him go back to pull ups.

We went for round 2 after school got out this year. The first week was a little rough, but he is doing great now (over a month in), and I am hopeful that it will stick this time! He is even wearing undies at night and made it back and forth to Houston in the car with no accidents.

His reward for a week with no accidents was a train set, and he was SOOOO excited the night we finally got to set it up. We are very proud of his hard work and responsibility this time around and were happy to make him so happy!

Microphone Concert

We recently moved the rocker out of Shea's room to make extra space for toys (and a growing, active girl). Since the space increased, the kids have been playing there a lot more. The other day, Lucas was playing with Shea's blocks, and he built himself a microphone. He then proceeded to perform an impromptu concert for the family. It was adorable. (And shocking. Lucas is NOT a performer, though he does like to sing, usually very quietly when he thinks no one is listening.)

Did I mention what he was wearing for the concert?!?

Mom and Dad thought the concert was awesome, and even got onstage to sing along. Shea pretty much thought this:

Go(ld) Fish

Lucas has been really into the show "Dinosaur Train" on PBS lately. I actually think it is a pretty good and informative show, so we watch it every day together. Last week, one of the dinosaurs learned how to play Go Fish while riding on the train. (Only, on the show, they actually ate fish when they had to "Go Fish".) So, as we are watching I say to Lucas, "I'll bet you are old enough to play Go Fish. We should play when Daddy gets home."

And play we did. He LOVED it. Except that he thought it was called GOLDfish, and definitely thinks that eating goldfish crackers are part of the rules. (This should not surprise anyone who knows that Lucas spent the entire first year of preschool telling me that the best part of school was goldfish for snack). He kept laughing at me because I just could never remember that rule about the goldfish :P

My family loves to play games, especially cards, so here's hoping this is the first of many card games that Lucas enjoys!

First Bike Ride

We finally got Shea a helmet so she can ride in the bike trailer with Lucas. She is SUPER obsessed with hats right now, so she was actually excited to wear the helmet. Hah. We have been on two rides/trips to the park in the last couple of weeks, so that has been really fun. Here's to more family rides in the near future.

 Aren't they cute? (And, yes, Lucas has on his pajamas. He is wearing them everywhere these days).

Loves Shea's face in this one. She isn't really sure she trusts Daddy to drive that bike.

 

I got my fingers, mom. I'm good!

 

Drum Circle

Shea's "witching hour" occurs right around 4:45 or 5 every evening. In other words, right when I am starting to cook dinner. This is the hour that she must be help or entertained one-on-one or she just cries. And cries. And cries. I have been trying to come up with things she can do to keep her occupied. The other day I was desparate, and set up a drum circle for the kids. It about killed my eardrums, but they had a great (and cry-free) time!

Last Day of School

So here are the best last day of school shots I could get out of Lucas. *SIGH*

After a rough start, the year turned out pretty well for Lucas. Moving him to the older class in January was the best thing we could have done for him. He was challenged more, and the kids were closer to his stage of development, so he was immediately much happier. He even loved his teacher about 10 times more (even though it was the exact same teacher from his last class). He is doing great with his letters and counting. He is also really advancing with rhyming words and starting to sound out words when we read. This summer we will need to work on writing, coloring in the lines, and cutting. We are super proud of how much Lucas is learning and the boy he is already growing up to be. He loves school and will definitely miss it over the summer. (So will Mommy!) We look forward to another year at GEM starting in September!

First Blastball Game - Videos

Here are a couple of videos I took during the first game. Please forgive my poor videography skills.

First Blastball Game

Lucas had his first official Blastball game on the weekend of the 18th. He was so excited to go and play on the "real dirt" for the first time. He was eager to get out the door, and he would only sit for a picture if he could pick the spot. I think he's got an eye for it!  I love his squinty smile, and I just may have to frame the thumbs up one :)

We had to take team pics before the first game, and Lucas was NOT pleased. This is his, "I thought we were here to play baseball, NOT to take pictures" face.

We will see how the official pic turns out. SIGH.

Onto the game!  Lucas had to check out the first first...

First at bat!

Tagging up on the honking base (manned by his buddy Mr. Calder) and heading back to the dugout.

Had to include this one of Lucas's friend Lyra. She is the only girl on the team and likes playing in the dirt more than any of the boys. She can't stay out of it and is SO CUTE!

Fielding. This was a little more challenging for the littles.

Lucas was worn out after two innings, and was pretty hard on himself, but we think he enjoyed it. (He was also super excited to find out that you get SNACKS after the game. Haha!) Team sports will be good for our little introvert, though we suspect his real sports prowess will come in an individual sport like tennis or golf.

All in all, it has been great fun, and we are very proud of our little #6!

Lucas and Riley

Lucas woke up the other day and all he wanted to do was pet Riley. They sat in his doorway together for several minutes, and it was so cute. I tried to sneak a picture but Lucas caught me. I thus got this awesome fake smile and bed head shot. They are still cute, though :)