Jake turns 4!

Wow, time does fly! It is hard to believe that yesterday, Jake turned 4 years old! We had a little get together on Wednesday with the kids from school. They had pizza and painted pumpkins for Halloween. So yesterday, we just did a low-key family dinner. In the morning, I asked Jake if there was anything special he would like to do for his birthday. His response-"How about we just go get some presents?". Typical 4 year old answer I guess!
He got a ton of new toys (like we really need anymore!!), some more Lionel trains, a ride on John Deere pedal tractor, and his Halloween costume which he is wearing in the picture above.
Can you tell he likes fire trucks!?! :)

Luke was having a blast as well and would not give up the fire hat. When he had to, STAY OUT OF HIS WAY! He has a little bit of a temper!!

More pics will be uploaded later!

Hiking

Yesterday was a beautiful first day of Fall. We decided to go up to Long Valley and go hiking in Hacklebarney State Park. The boys had a good time. Jake loved to jump from rock to rock but his feet moved faster than his mind and he tripped quite a few times. He didn't complain and we all had a great time!

Lately Luke has been very possessive and I found these "Toddler Property Laws" on the internet and they fit him perfectly:

1. If I like it- it's mine!

2. If it's in my hand-it's mine!

3. If I had it a little while ago- it's mine!

4. If I am building something- all the pieces are mine!

5. If it looks just like mine- it's mine!

6. If I think it's mine- it's mine!

Luke's 2nd Birthday

Luke turned two last week! How the time flies! On Thursday, for his actual birthday, we just did a family dinner at home with my parents and Josh's parents.

Then on Saturday, we had a big party with a fire truck theme. The party started at 3pm and then around 4, Josh went over to the fire house to get the fire truck. The brought the truck to the house and the kids got to check it out. Then they all got to sit on the top of the truck and go for a ride. When they came back some of this kids got into their bathing suits and got sprayed with the hose.

Everyone had a great time! Luke got a ton of new toys and clothes. Jake really still doesn't get that it wasn't HIS birthday and was very excited about all the presents.

Hope everyone is well!

Fire truck rides The cake

Yummy cake!

Labor Day Parade

There is a parade in town on Labor Day and of course Josh's fire department was in it. Jake was so excited and he got to ride in the fire truck.

I am adding a few pictures now but I will add more later!

Jake's Newest Request

As most of you know, Jake is a tad OBSESSED with John Deere tractors. For the past 2 days he has been carrying around an etoys catalog with a ride on John Deere gator in it. (Keep in mind he already had a huge Jeep Power Wheels courtesy of Grammy and a pedal John Deere tractor with a trailer courtesy of Mormor.) He has been asking anyone and everyone to buy it for him. I took the boys to the diner in Madison yesterday for lunch after we left the gym and he even asked the waitress if she would buy it for him! She was very nice and said "I will have to see how much money I make today!" He finally told me HE would buy it for himself with the money in his piggy bank. I think he has about $30 in it and the toy cost $350!!!

So this morning hw woke up with the catalog (yes, he even sleeps with it) and told me that he just NEEDS this gator. He said "why don't you just buy it for Luke's birthday and we can share it". Fat chance of that happening since they both are not too keen on t he idea of sharing.

I told him to wait till his birthday and maybe Mommy will win the lottery and buy it for you. He said "ok Mommy". We'll see how long that lasts.

Back from the Beach

We arrived home from LBI on Tuesday. Everyone was not excited about it but all good things must come to an end!

The boys had a blast while we were away although they did miss Daddy. Josh tried to get down as much as he could so that was good.

We went to the beach, went out in the boat, went for walk and bike rides. We also made daily trips to the fire house as well as "Uncle Mark's ambulence garage". Jake is obsessed with them. He will sit in each ambulence and pretend to drive. Mark even showed up one morning in the Hummer ambulence and took us for a ride on the beach!

All in all, it was a great time.

Now we are trying to get back into a routine. I started classes for my Masters on Tuesday. I am taking 2 classes. They are on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5-7pm. Not too bad and I should be done by December 2008.

I start meetings at school on Tuesday. I am still in Kindergarten and have 15 kids in my class again so that should be good.

Hope everyone is well!

August already?!?

The boys and I just got back from a couple of days down in South Carolina. It was a last minute trip and we drove down with my mom on Aug 1. The boys were AWESOME in the car. We drove straight through with a few stops and it took about 14 hours.

They had a blast once we were down there even though it was extremely hot. There were record high temperatures and with the heat index it was close to 114 some days.

We went to the beach, hung out at the pool, went fishing and played golf.

We flew home on Tuesday which was quite an adventure. We left Hilton Head airport no problem and had to change planes in Charlotte. After gate hopping a few times, we boarded our next flight home. Keep in mind this was the HOTTEST day. They made us sit on the plane at the gate with the cabin door open for over an hour. I felt so bad for Jake and Luke but they tried hard to be really good despite the waiting and heat.

We finally made it home and they were VERY happy to see their Daddy!

Jake is finishing up camp this week and we are heading to LBI in Saturday for the rest of the summer.