Yinz Guys

We all packed up and headed to Pittsburgh last weekend. Our first stop was for breakfast with Uncle Joe at the Hot Metal Diner (where Uncle Joe is a regular) - followed immediately by a pit stop at the Harley Davidson store across the street (where he is also a regular).

Oh no, I think we're in trouble.

So then Uncle Joe had to show Luke HIS bike - and even let him sit on it!

And showed him how things work...

Luke was a quick study

Again, we're in trouble here.

But it wasn't all play, no work. Luke was supposed to be watering plants with Grandpap, but decided that the driveway was dirty

That's more like it

But it soon devolved into this display (to be fair, it was 90+ degrees)

3 generations of Play-Doh

Up bright and early to water Grammy's flowers

And pick weeds

And work the phones

His cousins, Simon & Chloe, came over and were put to work in the call center, too

Can you believe this? The driveway was dirty again! Grandpap helps Luke by pointing out the dirt (or chalk)

Finally, Grandpap gave a tutorial on tools - I guess so Luke can do some repairs on our next visit

Scooter!

A few weeks back, we visited Luke's bff BEN. Luke got to take a spin on Ben's scooter and has discussed little since, so Mom & Dad hatched a plan, ordering a scooter online and hiding it until this (long, holiday) weekend.

On Saturday AM, Daddy & Luke let Mommy sleep in and went out on a morning "adventure." Daddy took him out to buy a helmet and knee & elbow pads. Apparently, Luke kept telling Daddy how "I need scoooooter! To wear with my helmet and paaaaads." We marveled that he had no clue what was coming.

After his nap, we broke out the scooter - along with some ground rules (never inside, only outside, always with a helmet etc). We think he likes it.

Here he is on the elevator, itching to get on it and "GO FAST IN MY HELMET!"

We got him outside and he took off like a shot (and the circular path around the fountain lends well to the fact that his lists left at all times - still working on the steering part)

He came back by to pose happily with his scooter.

Scootering is apparently thirsty-making work

On Sunday morning, he was naturally raring to get back outside to his scooter training

Still listing left, but covering more ground between stops & adjustments

Apple break!

He cooled down by putting his "piggies in the fountain" with Mama

Catch-All: Goofball Edition

Some more catch up photos, with highlights from the past few months

Luke enjoys "doing work" on the computer. This particular time, he was enjoying doing work on the computer wearing only a dipe. When asked "what are you doing?" He replied, "I work."


Luke thought it important to show Rawr (his animatronic dinosaur that is more complex than any of the effects in the original Clash of the Titans) his Valentine from Grammy and Grandpap, which also featured dinosaurs.


Star Wars Drum Corps.


Luke enjoys wearing Dad's swim goggles... while in his PJs


Or on the town

Hoboken St Patrick's Day Parade, which, since it featured drums, was the best parade ever.


Don't take my photo while I enjoy the parade!


I like to relax. Also referred to as "I JUST HANGING OUT."

BIrthday!! (part 2)

Now months later, another glimpse at Luke's second birthday.

Let's not forget Dad made an awesome cake



Luke liked it so much he wanted to eat the candle

He cut the first slice
and ate a lot
The it was time for presents, which quickly went from this

to this


Cookie Break!

Luke rides his new Italian Stallion (thanks Aunt Tanya!) named Lukey.


Its not a party without funny glasses!


and the aftermath... Luke standing alone, yelling, and waving his new broom, after stuffing his face with Grandma's lasagna

Puss in Boots

Luke received a package from Grammy & Grandpap Rosella today. Mommy & Daddy knew it was coming, so they strongly suggested he open the package toot sweet.



In the 20 minutes between opening the package and bath time, he lobbied (unsuccessfully) to walk to the firehouse to show the firemen his boots and to see their tools, not to take a bath, and he is now, as I type this, trying to convince his father that he should wear them to bed.

I think he likes them.

Pre (Birthday) Party

Finally some photos from Luke's second birthday, starting with the pre-party.

After talking about his birthday for weeks, Luke woke up in a festive mood. We enjoyed "Cookie's Birthday Party" (again) in bed.

Mom and dad gave him their present first, a mini kitchen. He quickly got to work washing his hands in the sink.

After all his Grandparents came over, he got down to some more present opening

His new bear Mac, from Grandma and Grandpa Casey (bear handmade by Grandpa, suit by Grandma)

A new broom from Grammy and Grandpap Rosella

However, all of these presents may have been trumped by the arrival of BALLOONS, including a Cookie Monster Balloon Bigger than Luke.

Fun Fact: These balloons just got thrown out at the beginning of this week.

Grandpa helps Luke sort out the balloon cords

Next up: The party itself.

Here Comes Lukey Cottontail

Along with eggs, candy, and baskets, the Easter Bunny brought perfect Spring weather to Hoboken this past weekend. We aimed to make the most of it after days and days and days of rain and soggy shoes and cries of "I NEED DRY PAAAANTS" (by both Luke and Mommy most days) upon arriving home in the evening.

We got up and at them Saturday AM and headed for the park. Luke & Daddy had found some sidewalk chalk the day before, so Luke commissioned some work from Mommy. Here is probably saying "Mommy draw diamond right here." (we aren't sure where he got "diamond")

I like this one because, well, are we related or what with these expressions & our body language?

All of the running around and drawing left us all thirsty and in need of a snack

...After nap time, we headed north on Route 17 to Paramus to visit the Baldonados! (and the Swedloffs!) While Luke was really excited to spend time with young Amelia Swedloff, he made sure to spend some QT with Dr. B

He inspected the pre-egg contents of his Easter basket

Paul & Rick helped Luke & Amelia hunt for eggs

A second hunt was requested by the kids, so Paul & Rick were set to work re-hiding eggs...

...while Ann Marie instructed Luke and Amelia on how to cover their eyes...

...they didn't really listen

How cute are they? Seriously.

All that egg hunting made everyone hungry! So much delicious food!

Luke clutched his basket all the way home

And insisted on it being in his bed when we got home

When he woke up on Sunday, Mommy & Daddy sent him off in search of his basket from the Easter Bunny. He was quite excited

The fine Easter tradition of candy before breakfast was introduced (notice the cheeks)...

And he squealed with delight at the Legos from the Minnesotan contingent. I mean, from THE EASTER BUNNY. (again, the cheeks!)

The Bunny picked out some herbs for Luke and Daddy to grow

Mmmm...chocolate carrot

....and 30 minutes later, this was the scene. SUGAR CRASH!

And what is sure to be a New Easter Tradition was born: The Easter Matzo Brei (many thanks to Auntie Lisa for sharing her dad's recipe!)

After much hemming & hawing, Luke chose grape jelly for his topping

I hope we did it justice! We didn't leave a bite!

Sugar crash passed and breakfast eaten, we headed out for Liberty State Park's massive waterfront playground. Luke was sure to bring his "camera"

So maybe there were a few residual effects of the sugar high

Once at the park, Luke got right to work on the closest slide

He was beside himself when he and Daddy discovered they were in the midst of a ladybug picnic!

They carefully carried one back to show Mommy

Daddy managed to get one to transfer to Luke

One for each hand, even!

You can't tell here, but one had landed on his head. He was really proud to show Mommy

Then we broke for lunch (pb&js all around)

How handsome are my guys?

And finally, you can't really see them here, but some older kids had a bubble gun and were blowing thousands of bubbles around the playground. For Luke, this, coupled with the whole ladybug experience, made for an Easter Miracle! He's the goofball to the left of the frame

Next up: the dyeing of the eggs.