Snippets: September 2009 trip to Nebraska

We had a GREAT trip to Nebraska. We left Oklahoma City Thursday and flew to Sioux Falls. Luke was VERY well behaved on both plane rides. He didn't nap at all this day. The first time he's ever done that, so he started off our trip sleep deprived. I had bought some new small toys to give him while we flew to help him stay happy. The first was a small toy airplane. He loved it. He played with that airplane all day and it alone was enough to keep him entertained during our Thursday travels. My mom picked us up at the airport and we drove the almost 1 1/2 to their house, her singing to Luke the entire way. He now has several new favorite songs. "Chick Boom" and whenever he requests something that we can't figure out, that means he's generally asking for "Slick Chick". He also likes "Jack Jill" and "Jack Jill Blackbird" and "Blackbirds". I heard them all enough times on the drive to their house that I now have them all learned. Luke's Grandma is a very patient singer!!

Friday night he slept pretty well. Got up early, but not too bad. As soon as he finished breakfast, Grandpa whisked him off and they were home in time for lunch. They got to drive "the big truck" to Hartington and run a few errands. They also gave the cows some corn and watered them...and really who knows what all. Luke did get a sucker at one of their stops. Right before lunch after Grandpa and Luke got home I went outside to see what they were doing and decided I needed shoes. SO ON GRANDPA'S WATCH in the few minutes it took me to put on shoes and get a camera...THIS is what happened.

Luke splashed in and DRANK muddy puddle water.

After lunch and an okay nap Grandpa and Luke were gone again. This time to the feed store (he got a big chocolate chip cookie there). Then they watered some other cows...fed the horse...I'm not sure what all, again. I didn't see too much of them this day =). Michael, Audra, Solomon and Amelia showed up just in time for supper. Luke loves Solomon and was very excited that he'd arrived. They played all Friday evening. My Aunt Marsha and grandparents stopped by for a few minutes on their way home from North Dakota to see the boys. Luke slept okay Friday night.

He woke up even earlier Saturday morning saying, "Solomon awake". The boys spent the morning and afternoon playing outside with Grandpa. They fed the cows corn, fed the horse corn, watered things, Luke went with Grandpa and got bales of hay on the tractor, they used the swing set in the back yard, and generally had the best time two little boys could have. Luke didn't take a nap this day either. First he played, then had a dirty diaper, then cried about it, then rested, then spent the rest of his nap pitifully crying, "Solomon awake". He wasn't, but Luke was convinced HE WAS! AND HE NEEDED TO BE UP PLAYING WITH HIM!

Saturday evening Great Grandpa and Grandma came back over for a "Thanksgiving" supper and spent the evening playing with the boys. It was really fun to watch them play and have a good time.

Sunday we went to church. It's a really small congregation and the preacher knew we were all coming. I think he kept the sermon unusually short just for us. We went to eat afterwards and Luke was so tired from another not so great night of sleep, no nap the day before and getting up extra extra early that he about came unglued. He got to go out side with Grandpa while we waited for our food and then we went home and had a nap. After naps on Sunday there was more outside playtime. That evening Michael, Audra and family gave Luke his birthday present. He first opened fireman dress up accessories. He liked them, but you can tell, he's not quite there yet developmentally for that type of imaginative play. Then he opened the last gift from them. As soon as he saw it, his eyes got so wide and he yelled, "FIRETRUCK!!!!" I don't think I've ever seen him happier to receive a gift. He spent the rest of the night playing with that. Solomon really likes helmets so Solomon was very happy to get to wear Luke's fireman helmet. They boys had been doing really well sharing, but this night if Solomon would even look at Luke or get close to him (even though Solomon didn't want the fire truck), Luke would clutch it to him and run off yelling, "away! away!" or "NO!!!".

Monday morning brought us TWO cranky boys, although I must say, Solomon was holding himself together MUCH better than Luke. Luke was so bad we decided to go into Laurel to the park. It was VERY windy and pretty chilly (about 55) but we went anyway. Great Grandparents met us there and the boys had fun playing, swinging, sliding, digging, and teeter-tottering. After lunch everyone was tired and cranky and you could tell. Luke and Solomon didn't share well at all, and at one point we had all three crying at the same time. Naps were definitely in order.

Tuesday (yesterday) was go home day for everyone. Mom and dad had to work so my grandparents drove us to the airport. Luke did great on his flights again. I was even more nervous because he was much more sleepy this time around. We watched Veggie Tales. Luke likes "Jericho". He didn't sleep at all on either flight, but fell asleep in his stroller while we were waiting for our luggage at baggage claim. He was tired and cranky last evening. He'd had a long long weekend. We put him down extra early last night. He's still tired, but I think we'll make it.