Kung Fu Luke

Luke just completed his first class of Karate and can now say he has moves just like Kung Fu Panda.... (see the movie, very cute!) Not only does this junior class teach them karate moves (when to use them and when NOT to), but also simple Japanese phrases, numbers, what to do when you are lost, encounter a stranger and self defense. Ms. Leah also emphasized discipline, respect for adults and listening skills. Very very good class. He passed his test on the last day and received his first white belt. Once Luke is finished with T-ball we may just schedule him for another class or two.

I Think I'm Running A Circus....

.....The Hanson household is definitely a circus these days, so much going on at all times, at the same time, and usually scheduled on the same exact weekend. Between T-ball practices, games, school days, school events, birthday parties, weddings, and the usual household duties, social calendar, and trips, Matt and I find it harder and harder to schedule time for ourselves and of course each other, but we are working hard to squeeze it in. Other things to share:

• Luke and Matt attended their very first Harlem Globetrotter game, which they LOVED.
• Matt is assitant coaching Luke's T-ball team, the Cubs, and working on their batting, so far they are sluggers.
• Luke won a coloring contest for our local newspaper and received two tickets to Circus Vargas which we'll be going to in March.
• Kyle has his own daily chore, loading and unloading the dishwasher, he is OBSESSED with the thing and comes running when you open it.
• Matt was a special guest at Luke's school on Feb. 25 (during community week) to teach them about his work and taught all the kids how to make a paper airplane (via an assembly line), he did a great job!
• Jenn was the big winner at her monthly Bunko group last week, the dice could do me no wrong... let's hope it lasts until Vegas next week. Viva Las Vegas!

Scrub a Dub Dub...Two Boys in a Tub

Bath time is oh so much more fun when you can get clean with a big brother. This adds a whole new element to the bath ritual. Luke usually takes his own shower these days but every once in a while jumps in the tub with Kyle. They like to give each other bubble beards and shave them off, and play with all the bath toys. Squirting is a must and there are even an occasional dive or two. Fun moments that will last a lifetime.

Snip, Snip, Snip....

My little precious one got his first haircut on January 10. These small but heart tugging milestones are passing by too too quickly. Kyle wanted nothing to do with the stylist, scissors, spray bottle or comb. Luke was getting his haircut at the same time which I thought would help the process... Nope. We had to bring in back-up toys which distracted him for a few brief minutes. There were a couple of crooked spots and a nice little scrape on the top of the ear, not bad for a first timer.

My new look!

Get that thing away from me.

Is it almost over?

Just hold me mom.

Gettin' Crazy with the Animals.....

We had a fabulous Zoo Day with Uncle David and Aunt Margaret on the Martin Luther King holiday. The hippos were swimming around, the flamingos were beautiful, the monkeys were making noise, Luke and Kyle fit right in. Photos are courtesy of Uncle David who tends to favor any kid of pig.....

"This is how tall you have to be to climb a eucalyptus tree....."

Moms little monkeys...

It would be cool to swim with a hippo... just once.

Don't you just want to cuddle a Meerkat... until it bites you.

We almost lost Luke in the giraffe enclosure, Aunt Margarets favorite.

Tunnel Vision

If you have little kids and you haven't invested in these inside tunnels and fort things, get out and get one, they are so so fun and the kids LOVE to play in them. They are great for rainy days. The boys like to pile toys, books and flashlights inside them and pretend they are star wars heroes.

Mom was pretending to be Princess Leah, tried crawling through the tunnel and got stuck. It's not exactly made for adults, but if you "slither" through like a snake, you are good to go.

A Devine New Year!

Here we are 2009! We rang in the New Year at Uncle John and Aunt Joyce's in Palm Desert with the Devine family. Always great to get together. We also celebrated brother Kevin's 21st birthday, wow, unbelievable. It was neat to see a new generation of babies mulling around, Kyle and his cousins Brooklyn and Bella.

Happy New Year!!

Carol, Kevin the birthday boy and Dad