Dear Lucas (6 years and 3 months),

I just love this time of the year. The weather is starting to cool down and the holidays are just around the corner. You are so excited for Halloween. It is just around the corner!

This month you finally went in for an eye appointment. Several months ago your eye doctor decided to retire so we had to find you a new one. Now that there is only one pediatric eye doctor the wait to get in was over 6 months. He said your eyes are still looking good and that he'll see you back in six months.

We were happily surprised to discover that you and your friends were in an ad in a regional magazine. The Roundhouse used a photo of you four from last years Santa train to promote the upcoming Santa train event. It is the October/November 2011 issue on page 89. The issue had two different covers and of course we bought one of each! When I showed you that you were in a magazine you acted like you weren't surprised. All you said was "I was in the newspaper before and now this, I guess I am really famous now."

All summer long you have been dying to go bowling but we just never got around to going. You got to finally go when your friend Bella had a bowling birthday party. You loved it!

Every October since you were born you've always gone with us to Helen, GA for a family reunion. This time around I was working and couldn't find anyone to work for me. You still got to go though because your Grandparents were nice enough to take you. I doubt you even missed us for one second.

You had a day off from school a few days ago so we packed up a picnic lunch, grabbed your friend Gabe, and headed to the park. The weather was perfect and there was a light breeze for kite flying.

I got to go with you to your first 1st grade field trip. Your class went to the Civic Center to watch Junie B. Jones play. You really enjoyed the performance and the music. I loved being called "Lucas' Mom" all day.

You cannot wait for Halloween. We have the yard all decorated. We are going to go Trick-or-treating with your friend Preston like we have done for the last several years. Halloween falls on a school night this year so we won't be out that late but it should still be fun.

You can't wait to go trick-or-treating. This year you wanted to be Harry Potter so I've been finding different pieces to put together for a costume. You would probably just be happy with some random prepackaged costume but I love adding little details.

I love you to the moon and back,

Lucas' Mom :-)

Dear Lucas (5 Years & 5 months),

It's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and soon you will be going back to school. This has been the best Christmas yet. It's been so magically watching you get excited about every little thing. We've gone to the Roundhouse to watch "The Polar Express," you decorated a gingerbread house, we saw the nativity story acted out in front of us at the journey, and we wrapped tons of presents. In all the excitement and craziness I think the best moments were just cuddled up next to you singing Christmas carols and drinking hot chocolate.

Right before Christmas your aunt Sam and your cousin Caden moved in with us for a while. So far so good and it's been nice having them around. I think the only one having any problems adjusting is you. They are staying in your playroom so you've had to give it up for now. Also, suddenly you have a little person there trying to "mess with your stuff."

The very same day that Sam and Caden moved in three of your cousins came to stay with us for a short visit. It was a loud but fun house for a couple of days. You really had fun playing with Levi. One time he was not listening to his Mom and she was joking and told him that if he didn't behave she didn't want to take him home. You immediately said "that's okay, he can stay here and be my brother," and for the rest of his visit you kept referring to him as your brother. When his little brother Isaiah did anything you thought was wrong you would run to their mom and say "that boy is being mean to my brother." When it was time for them to leave Erica explained that she had to take Levi home because all his Christmas presents were at their house. You were fine with that but you keep talking about how now that Christmas is over your brother Levi will be back soon.

Before Christmas I took you to see Santa and luckily there was no line. You were able to talk to him for a few minutes. The only thing you asked Santa for this year was a Nerf gun and a hot wheels track. Christmas morning you were so excited to see a nerf gun next to your stocking you didn't even notice any of your other presents for over an hour.

Since we are in a house with a whole lot more room we were able to get a decent Christmas tree. Since we've had you we've always had a tiny Christmas tree. This year that little Christmas tree went in your bedroom and served as your night light. Christmas morning the tree was packed with presents and our house was full with family and it was such a great feeling.

The day after Christmas we were just hanging out at the house and I looked out the window and noticed a few snow flakes floating down in the air. It was so exciting and pretty to see snow falling around all the Christmas decorations. Just as the sun was starting to go down some of the snow started to stick and covered the roof and started to stick to the ground. You drank hot chocolate while we watched the snow fall around us. It was the perfect ending to a perfect Christmas.

Sweet-pea, I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

Playing Tourist

This afternoon Lucas and I decided to go on a spontaneous trip to the roundhouse. We have a family pass and we haven't used it since we renewed it a few months ago. It is still one of Lucas' favorite places to spend an afternoon.

Then we decided since we were already there to go across the street and visit the Savannah History Museum (which is also included in our family pass.) We saw a little bit of the mueum when we spent the night there a few months ago so we thought it would be fun to take a closer look. They had some neat interactive things in there like an area where you can try your hand at sketching a statue. Lucas also loved seeing the old weapons and military uniforms.

Our last stop was Ellis Square where they just opened a splash fountain for the kids right outside of City Market. It was our first time there and I'm sure it won't be our last.

Next time we'll bring Lucas' swimsuit though.

We had a great afternoon and didn't spend a dime.

Massachusetts Bound

Last week I took Curt's sister Sam and her boys Steven, and Caden to the train station so they could go to Massachusetts to visit Curt's other sister Angela.

Lucas' New Room

Christmas Day

Christmas morning we woke up to find that Santa had come while we were sleeping!

Santa left Lucas' presents laid out under the tree.

Lucas was really excited to see his own set of tools in his stocking.

After checking out the loot from Santa it was time to open presents.

Lucas was excited to see a Buzz Lightyear (and a Woody)

He was also VERY excited to see the bike that Daddy picked out just for him.

Christmas afternoon we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Hunter's house.

Uncle Michael helped Caden open his presents.

Talking about trains with Grandpa Hunter

Curt enjoyed some snuggle time with our youngest niece and nephew.

Aubrie wanted to hold a real baby.

It's Almost Christmas

Visiting Uncle Michael's store to check out the cool decorations

Buying a Christmas present all by himself

Watching the Polar Express

He Still Loves Trains

Our year membership to the Roundhouse is still the best $50 we've spent all year.

Party People

Sunny Saturday

This morning we all thought Sam was in labor. Lucas and I headed into town to pick up Steven (Sam's 10 year old son.) Just as we were pulling in our driveway with Steven, Sam and her Mom pulled right behind us. Sam was sent home because she wasn't far enough along in labor. I ended up keeping Steven for a few hours because I had already told the boys I would take them to the Roundhouse. It worked out because then Sam was able to go home and get a little rest.

Lucas had a blast showing Steven around. If you haven't noticed yet, the Roundhouse is Lucas' favorite place on earth. This is actually our second time there this week. We're really getting our money's worth out of that year pass we bought!

Steven had a blast as well. He said he likes anything "that is big, especially if it has big wheels."

Steven had lots of questions about what everything was and most of them I didn't know the answer too, which is sad considering the amount of times I've been to the Roundhouse.

Steven was planning his next trip back saying, "I can't wait to show my Mom this next time!"

Since the kids were so well behaved I decided to take them for a special treat and eat lunch on a train at the Whistlestop Cafe. It was 11:00AM when we got there and they don't actually open until 11:30 but the SWEETEST lady on earth worked there and opened up just for us. The boys thought it was so cool to eat on a train, especially since we had the whole place to ourselves.

When we got home I fixed Curt some lunch and the boys dyed Easter Eggs while Curt ate. Curt had a rough day yesterday but seems to be feeling much better today.

Just as the boys were done with their Easter eggs, Curt was dressed and ready to take Steven back into town. He is spending some time with his Grandpa tonight and is so excited to be out of the house. I've called him a few times tonight to make sure he is taking it easy and taking his medication and he sounds great. He's been so appreciative of me lately, and I'm just doing what he would do for me if the situation was reversed.

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