Between Day 5's b-day party for Sarah and Day 6's graduation party for Becca, we had to squeeze in a bath (especially to scrub off the sweet summer combination of sweat and watermelon that seemed to be collecting in his neck crease.)
And the "do" says it all!
Day 4 at the Heritage Fest. Despite the threatening weather, it turned out to be a beautiful day! I felt very lucky to be present for Luca's first pony ride (and yes, I was giving him pointers in this pic!)
As you can see, he is a boy after his mom's heart! And by the looks of it behind him, Levi and Albert are enjoying it just the same!
Cowboy Bert taking his job very seriously!
Boy oh boy! The music talent that runs in this family! The older boy cousins (pictured~Cade, not pictured~Levi, John, Matt) all took turns participating on stage in Mr. Nicky's show.
This boy has guts! A mini-version of Great America's "Giant Drop", Levi (middle) braved the screams and stomach drops for one of the greatest rides of his life (thus far...). Doesn't he look thrilled (really. no sarcasm. he was completely thrilled!)
For lunch at the All Aboard Diner! Day 3 brought with it lunch with Levi, Albert, Nonnie and Papa. Luca and Levi anxiously await the arrival of their lunch on the train that travels around the dining counter carrying your food. Quite the sight for train enthusiasts (and their moms and nonnies!)
Day 2 of Bala Days was spent at the DuPage Children's Museum. Luca had the time of his life (along with his other cousins...and his mom!)! Him and Kaileigh had a blast at the biggest water table you've ever seen...but towards the end of his time here you would've thought they needed to refill the water due to the amount that was OUTSIDE of the table.
Who doesn't enjoy experimenting with blacklights?
Finally, a room that he can bang on everything in sight...and it's ok because it's making beautiful sounds!!!
Luca and Sarah making designs on a plexiglass window. (She's going to make a great babysitter one day!)
Taking a moment to stand alone to contemplate the art and texture exhibit.
With great enthusiasm, we welcomed the Bala family (part 2) back to Chicago! Day 1 of their arrival was spent picnicing at the Lindflott's. When the sprinkler was busted out, there was nothing standing in Luca's way of the fun, not even forgetting our bathing suits! And isn't Kaileigh a great cousin for withstanding the freezing hose temps to give Luca a hand?!
Levi Bala...Slip-and-Slider Extrordinaire
Contemplating another go at slip-and slide perfection!
Such a good little helper! Luca was so gentle with Joseph, 3 weeks old (aside from giving him one of his famous nose honks). He shared his paci with him, helped give him a bottle, tried teaching Joey all of his body parts, even tried sharing his snacks!
With many hugs and kisses to seal the deal, these boys will be friends forever!
Very few things are cuter than a baby's tushy...
Luca showed a strong desire to brush his teeth just like mama and dada, so we bought him his own tooth brush! Aside from having the wrong end in sometimes...
he just loves brushing his teeth!
Sometimes the "kids" toothbrush isn't good enough, and he insists on using an electric toothbrush (usually belonging to whichever parent isn't brushing their teeth at the moment!)
He is so grown up about it too! He walks from room to room with this thing going full speed in his mouth. He can even multitask by brushing and reading a book!
if we are lucky, sometimes the bathroom even gets cleaned (sorry Mike! :) )
A comment we hear so often about who Luca looks like. This time, it's pertaining to something a little different!
and curls his eyelashes just like mommy!
Luca spent the night at Nonnie and Papa's last week so Mike and I could have a night out. Up until that day, the word (and the person) "Papa" was #1 in Luca's vocabulary, much to my mother's dismay :) But as we were pulling up to their house, the sweet sound of "Nonnie" came out of Luca's mouth. It was music to my mother's ears!
Nonnie sure has pretty flowers (and I'm sure a science lesson or 2 to go along with them!) Luca looks like he is being so careful with them.
Hmmmm, this face says "angel" but if you only knew! He gave Nonnie and Papa quite the challenge of being put down for the night, but you would never know by the looks of it! Thankfully he has been invited back for another sleepover!
What do they have up their sleeves?
TA-DA!
Needless to say, luca is in a climbing phase. I also found him standing on the dining room chair and sitting on his music table today, and I assume those were one man acts.
I can't wait to see what they will perform next!
Mike and I always go in and check on Luca before we go to bed, and we never know what we are going to get! Luca must have been counting sheep tonight (or at least 1 little lamby whispering sweet nothings in his ear!)
When did he get so big?
Luca...always the lady's man! Here at Amy's house, with her daughter Siena and Meredith's daughter, Paige...
Stright home from the country club to tend to the gardens!
Those flowers sure do smell pretty!
