First Comes Love...

George started early preschool at Evergreen Academy back in May and began bringing home artwork. While there wasn't much, it was fun seeing his handiwork, and he was so proud of each piece. My little creator! The day he came home with this was the day we discovered he knew his colors! Well, red and blue, anyway. Fourth of July art More holiday art A life sized installment.  Lucky us! With 3 year old big-league preschool starting at St Joe's this Fall, there will no doubt be more where this came from. George is such a smart, quick learner, and I can't wait to see everything he creates and learns in the year ahead!

Happy Birthday, baby boy! Just a mere month (well less at this point) until your first birthday.  I would be lying if I said this year has flown by.  It's been fun, it's been busy, and it's been exciting, but it's been hard. Life with three is amazing, but I've struggled with a desire for autonomy.  A couple of months ago I wasn't sure if I felt done having kids, but recently something clicked and I'm feeling ready to move on to the next stage: early adolescents / self sufficiency! So, it looks like you'll probably be keeping your roll as baby of the family :) You have turned into a skinny, mini toddler this past month, loving to play, go everywhere, and interact with everyone.  You are very sure of what you want, alert as ever, and can light up a room with those bright blue eyes (you smile with your eyes, just like Sissy!) Here's what's new this month: I finally got top and bottom stairway gates installed You usually crawl wit...

Birthday celebrations are still rolling here at the Lauckners, and yesterday we celebrated Kevin! I told him to take a half day since I had something fun planned.  Then yesterday morning during breakfast we gave him a manila envelope with this certificate inside: So at noon he came home, my Mom watched B (the big kids were at school) , and we headed to Seattle Paragliding at the base of Tiger Mountain. I was able to hang out for a couple hours to have lunch and chill with the birthday boy (they have a great lawn space, music playing, and cold ones in the fridge) , then around 2pm I left to pick up the big kids while Kevin started his training. The kids and I got back, and within minutes we saw his parachute take flight.  Both A and G were super excited and that excitement lasted a good 10 minutes  ;)  We were waving to his little parachute from 1700 feet below when I got a FaceTime call. Guess who? He won Dad of the Year for that ca...

Monday night we celebrated Papa's big 6-0 with a surprise BBQ at Alki! Amy invited a bunch of friends; Kevin, Anne, and I got the food, drink, and decorations prepared and we set off for a night spent celebrating Papa Getting started...Anne, her kids, us, and Brian were there to greet him B found some cool new toys The juice cooler  ;) G was really excited to take this picture; Oscar was not BBQing with the babe Beach stroll (she really wanted to go in!) Pushing her brother down the strip Slack lining baby Lighting 60 candles! Happy Birthday, Papa! You are an amazing Father, Grandpa, and friend and we're so blessed to have you in our lives.  We had such an amazing night celebrating you and the 60 years you've been here, caring for others and pouring your heart into their lives. Here's to another decade of making the world a better place! We love you

The title says it all - I'm over the 30's hill  :/ Again this year, the kids and I took off time from summer camp to spend the week in Leavenworth hanging out and enjoying the sunshine.  And to make it even better, Kevin came up for the night! The week was getting a bit difficult with the kids, so I text him the night before my birthday, asking if he would come for dinner the following evening. (Unbeknownst to me, a surprise arrival had been the plan all along!) I spent the early afternoon at Sleeping Lady's spa for a facial and a couple cocktails, took a joy ride in the Cobra later in the day, then ended the evening with oysters, Rose, and a freshly made meal from The Market, cooked by my very own resident chef / husband (bone in ribeye, the most amazing caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, and a delicious cheesecake sampling) It was great. Baby boy and I hanging out that morning I asked her not to touch this about a million times.  Even on my b...