Happy birthday to Chris

Chris joined me today at 32...
I had asked Luke what he thought Daddy would like most for his birthday and he said, "Some beer!" What a great idea! Then, Luke dictated an incredibly sweet note to Daddy on his birthday card. Here, Chris has opened his favorite beer from the boys with their sweet note.
We sang "Happy birthday" and together they blew out the candles on the pie. Luke had the best line of the night, "No birthday CAKE? I know Daddy likes pie, but something's not right here."
After dinner, they settled in for some birthday mlb.com where Chris can watch all the baseball games he wants on-line.

Birthday fun continues....

Sweetie's package arrived today so there was more birthday fun. Luke tore into it and Andressa read his new books to him.
Then we all headed off to Snakes and Ladders (it wouldn't be a birthday without it, right?). Here are Caleb and Vicente racing.
Luke loved the ball pit, but...
Caleb did NOT!
It was a fun time, but I have to say I'm ready for this birthday celebration to end. Now on to prepare for the next big birthday in our family.

My midwife, Barbel

This is Barbel (pronouced Babble), the midwife who met with me all through my pregnancy with Caleb and so far with this third one. She is from Berlin and is as tough as nails until you deliver and/or tell her you love Germany. Then she is your friend for life. I will miss my visits with her when we return to the US.

Luke's big day

Making cupcakes the day before..
LOTS of sprinkles...
The big day is here. We woke up this morning to, " I was 3, but now I'm 4!!!" We took the cupcakes to school. The kids had all just sat down for "circle time" when Caleb and I arrived. Luke jumped up to greet his brother and absolutely had to have him sit in his lap....
...which didn't last too long.

More from Luke's birthday...

Elaine, Luke's teacher, and his class sing him "Happy birthday!"

The highlight of Caleb's young life....Luke played and played with him.
What a sweet big brother who loves his little brother.
The 4 year old portrait...

The last of the birthday pics...

After a morning at nursery school, we all came back and had a birthday lunch at Summertown House.
Luke opened his presents outside....here, Caleb has given Luke a taxi but as soon as Luke unwrapped it, Caleb snatched it away. No bother to Luke, though. He is so happy he jumps up to hung Caleb and say, "Thank you!"
Clark and Abbey came up for the special lunch. While the other guys played baseball,
Luke showed Abbey all his new presents.
After lunch, we ate Abbey's yummy birthday cookies.

Happy birthday, Luke!! You've taught us A LOT in 4 years!!! :)

Saturday tradition...

Caleb and I joined the Saturday traditional hike that Luke and Chris take.


This is just after Luke said (out of nowhere), "Hurry Gandolf and Frodo!! The orcs are right behind you!" Even Caleb didn't have to stop and think about that one. He caught right up.
Then home for a snack. A good time had by all...

Caleb Saying No

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Rome...

typical street in Rome (lots of motorbikes)
Fountain (lots of people there)
?? Fountain---famous because it's been in movies
we ate gelatto at a place claimed (by our guidebook) to have the best gelatto in Rome. we sat right here next to this water fountain which proved to be even more fun than the famous gelatto!
Spanish steps (massive amounts of tourists)

Off to Rome...

In the train station....waiting for our train.
We arrive in our (tiny) room in Rome. Luke is beyond excited, and Chris and I are quite stressed, so Chris finds a "special" place for Luke to hang out for some quiet time.

Day 3 continued....

After seeing the monastery in the morning, we walked over towards San Lorenzo. Luke fell aslepp in the stroller so Chris went into the church with him, while Caleb and I walked around the nearby markets. His cheeks were pinched about 100 times, and everyone we passed would say, "Ciao, bella" to him. Italians really love children!
More of the markets by San Lorenzo.
We met back up with Chris and Luke and it was time for Caleb to ride and sleep a bit. He didn't like this idea at first.
We pushed on towards a big park and enjoyed walking through the "enchanted forest." It was the perfect place to be for the afternoon showers. The trees protected us very well.
A rainy view of Florence.

Day 3...

A statue of Dante facing the Duomo...apparently he would sit here and contemplate the massive construction going on.
Our boys love some gelato
Hanging out in the hotel (with hand washed clothes drying on the radiator)
" The convent of San Marco was founded in the 13th century and enlarged in 1437 when Dominican monks were invited to join the community there. The cloisters and cells are the setting for a remarkable series of devotional frescoes by Father Angelico (there around 1438 - 45)." This was one of the highlights of the trip for me. It was incredible to look in each cell and see a different painting. My favorite was his depiction of the Anunciation (when the archangel tells Mary she's pregnant).

Day 2 in Florence...

view of Arno River from Ponte Vecchio
jewelry shops line Ponte Vecchio
we walked up a steep hill toward the Giardino di Boboli (which we went in a different day but not today); this was the most beautiful day
great views and lots of good sun on our faces

just to reinterate the steepness

Day 2 continued...

AT THE TOP!!
On the way back down...
What a great walker Luke is. We stop for lots of hugs and pistachios which, together, keep moral high.
Gorgeous view (you can see the Duomo in the distance)
Caleb did his fair share of stroller-riding and walking too...