Seeing Clear(er)

Today was Lucas' turn to have his eyes checked. Everything went very well and we went in and out in twenty minutes. His eyesight is continuing to improve greatly, so much so that he doesn't have to go back for 6 months. This is nice change since this past year we have been going ever 3 months and that is not even including his 2 trips to Emory and his EUA (exam under anesthesia.) We celebrating with a trip to Lovin Spoons. This time I made sure that Lucas did not confuse carob chips for chocolate chips!

Wildlife at Oatland Island (and Some Animals Too)

Last Friday, Lucas' class went on a field trip to Oatland Island. The kids had a blast looking at the farm animals at the barn and then walking the trail to see the other animals along the way.

Watching the Deer

Outside of the Wolf exhibit where three statues to show the different "expressions" that wolves make like "playful."

Then the kids had a picnic lunch before getting back on the bus and heading back to school.

A Star is Born

Last night Lucas and I spent the night in a museum. We had an AWESOME time. We arrived at 6:30 and received our very own flash lights. We ate dinner and then watched "NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM." After the movie was over we toured the Savannah History Museum and to our surprise, the exhibits came to life. Lucas talked to a Colonial man, a railroad worker, a civil war solider, and a revolutionary war soldier. Then it was time for crafts. Lucas did a little weaving, made fresh butter (it was GOOD) and a pomander. Then it was time to crawl into our sleeping bags and go to sleep. In the morning we packed up and had breakfast before leaving.

On the way home Luc and I had the following conversation:

Me: "Did you have fun?"

Luc: "It was SO AWESOME!"

Me: "What was your favorite part?"

Luc: "The movie... and EVERYTHING!"

Me" "There was a man there last night from the Newspaper and he took your picture, so there is a chance you might be in the paper this morning"

Luc: "A picture of me might be the in the newspaper?"

Me: "yes, I think so"

Luc: "Mama, I'm going to be a star!"

Dear Lucas (4 years and 4.5 months),

For the first time ever I am SUPER late with your monthly letter. The last few weeks have been CRAZY. I lost a good friend from our church and also your Great-Grandpa passed away, which has brought up the whole death and dying conversation up. Honestly, I'm not always sure how to answer all of your questions. They are tough ones and really I have questions of my own that I can't find answers to but that's okay. You reminded me that sometimes it is okay to just admit, "I don't know," and just take some things on faith.

On a lighter note, one of the highlights of the past month was getting to read a book to your class. Your teacher asked for parent volunteers just to come in and read for a few minutes and I jumped at the chance. You helped me pick out "Tiger Can't Sleep," and it was a big hit with your class. Everyone laughed at the end and I left your class on cloud nine. Later when I came back for your Thanksgiving celebration I had several of your classmates say, "Hey, Lucas' Mom, I really liked that Tiger book."

We had a fun Thanksgiving(s) and ate Turkey on 4 different occasions in one week. (You really LOVED pumpkin pie this year.) Sometimes it is a blessing and a curse to have to much family here. I always love getting to see everyone but it can be stressful sometimes trying to fit everyone in, but we always end up happy and tired. I guess I wouldn't trade any of the craziness after all. We are so blessed to have so much wonderful family close by. You could hardly wait for Thanksgiving to be over with just so we could put away the pumpkin and scarecrow decorations and get out the Christmas tree (which we did the first chance we got.)

You really love Christmas, but I guess most people do. You get so excited when you see decorations. When I took you to check out the Christmas trees at our brand new city hall you would have thought I had taken you to Disney World. I loved getting to experience the Holidays with you. It takes me back to my childhood and brings back so many wonderful memories. Your excitement is just so contagious. You've been begging me to buy wrapping paper because you want to wrap gifts for people so badly. So much so you've been wrapping your own toys up in white computer paper just to practice.

We just got back from a last minute trip to California. We tried to make it to see your Great-Grandpa Moore but he passed away right as we were flying out to see him. I am so thankful that he at least got to meet you when you were a baby. You loved flying so much and you really did great on the whole trip. When we got off the last plane I told you that I thought you were a great traveler and you turned and looked at me while you were pulling your suitcase behind you and said, "and I'm a great plane flighter too."

Snuggle Buggle, I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

Magic Kingdom

This time last week Lucas and I were at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. He was so excited to be there and so well behaved. Every day since we have been home he has either begged to go back or told me that he misses Mickey. He says he wants to go back soon, but next time he wants us to take his Dad with us. Sounds good to me! We got to the park a few minutes before they opened and saw the Welcoming show.

We were able to ride several things with no wait the first hour we were there. Then we went straight to meet Mickey Mouse with barely any wait (thanks for the tip Becky)

Lucas also got the autographs of a few more Disney friends. We rode a few more rides and caught a show in front of the castle. We also watched a parade before we headed back to our hotel room to rest for a few hours (since The Magic Kingdom was open until 3AM!!)

One of the first things we did when we got to the Magic Kingdom in the morning was get Lucas a birthday button. I guess it got so hot that his name rubbed off and when we were walking through the resort to catch our bus back to the Magic Kingdom, one of the employees suggested we go to the front desk to get his name rewritten. They ended up giving him a brand new button. He was so proud of it and enjoyed everyone wishing him Happy Birthday. When everyone anyone asked if he that specific day was his birthday he would say "I'm celebrating 4!"

When we got back to the park we rode a few more rides and watched some amazing fireworks.

One of the last things we did was visit Pooh's Playful spot and Lucas had so much fun running free with other kids and getting wet in the fountains. Luckily I remembered to bring extra clothes. However, I didn't have extra shoes so I used that chance to put Lucas back in the stroller and start wrapping up our Magical day.

On the way out of the park we stopped to let Lucas pick out a pair of ears and got a quick snack before catching the bus back to our resort. I think we were in our room about 2AM.

The whole day was a lot of fun and we pretty much rode every ride in the park that Lucas was big enough for and usually with little to no wait at all. I think the most we ever waited in line was 20 minutes. My only complaint the whole day was how hot it was, but then it was the middle of July. I lost track of how much water we drank but Lucas did AWESOME with letting me know when he had to go to the bathroom. The day couldn't have been more perfect.

Downtown Disney

The first night we got to Orlando, we tucked Lucas and my Grandma into bed and headed to Publix to pick up groceries. (Don't worry, my Mom's friend Connie was with both of them) On our way back from the store we stopped by Downtown Disney to check it out. I had never been before and was told by quite a few people that we HAD to check it out. It was SO COOL and one on one time with my Mom is hard to come by. We did a quick walk through and then decided to try and bring everyone back the next day.

When we told Lucas about all the cool things he was going to see he got very excited. He too thought Downtown Disney was REALLY cool. There were plenty of places to take fun pictures and lots of neat shops and resturants. One of the coolest things had to be all the creatures made out of Legos (like the Dragon and giant Transformer.)

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

The whole reason we went to Disney world last week is that my Grandma, Mom, and Mom's friend were going to a Convention down there. We were lucky to be asked to tag along. The hotel was AWESOME and huge. Lucas loved the playground and the pool was really neat too. It had a water park type slide that Lucas went down 3 times by himself (with the help of a life jacket.)

Why I HEART Our New Food Lion

A few people have emailed me asking me more about the new grocery store that I am always raving about. So I decided to make of list of all the reasons that I love our new Food Lion. I'm not alone in my love of this store either, Lucas thinks going is a BIG treat.

*It is 5 seconds from our house (it's on Dean Forest across from the entrance to Southbridge)
*Everyone is friendly and greets you with, "welcome to YOUR neighborhood Food Lion"
*The people in each department always point out the specials going on so you don't miss them
*They have kid sized carts that Lucas can push
*They have race car carts for when Lucas doesn't feel like walking
*They have free balloons
*They have 69 cent coffee (in the Bakery section)
*Clean bathrooms
*Not too Big and still has a decent selection
*Black & White pictures of local places around the store
*The sweet lady in the frozen foods section always gives Lucas a free banana Popsicle
*They had free Easter Bunny photos & free Easter egg cookies at Easter
*This past Saturday they gave a free loaf of bread to every customer that wanted it (it was going to expire the next day, but still good)
*They mark their meat and lunch meat down REALLY cheap several days before the expiration date. (We've gotten 1.5 lbs of fresh boneless skinless chicken breast for $0.87!) I always stock up and toss it in the freezer.
*Since they are always marking stuff down well before it expires they always have FRESH stuff on the shelf
*They donate OODLES of food twice a week to the 2nd Harvest Food Bank (they ask customers if they would like to donate a can or box of something that is on sale usually something around fifty cents and then 2nd Harvest comes and picks up the food)
*When you leave they always thank you for coming and tell you that they hope to see you soon.

Giving Daddy the Tour

Saturday, Lucas and I showed Curtis around Lucas' favorite hangout, the Roundhouse. Then Curt and I took Lucas for a special treat to have lunch on a train at the Whistlestop Cafe. Sunday, Lucas woke up BEGGING to go back. I think we need to go ahead and buy a year long pass to the museum.

Later that evening when we were back home and Lucas was playing with his trains he asked me, "Mommy, do you have any coal medicine? My train is sick"

Helen, GA 2008