Time once again for our Birthday date with Luke. When we arrived at his house he was all dressed and bundled up, hat and all, ready to leave the moment we got there.
Picture with Brayden too. I love my boys!
Buckle up birthday boy!
The kids always put the headset on the minute they get in the car to leave. Movie time while we drive to Orem, Utah.
Pirate Island.....
Pirate Island.....
We decided to take him to the Pirate Island this year for his celebration. I found it on the internet and it looked like a fun place to hang out.
Looking back at these pictures I can't believe that Papa Howie DOES NOT have a coat on! What is that man thinking? It was FREEEEEZING!
My birthday boy :)
This place was pretty cool inside. It was all decked out with the "Pirate" theme.
It had pirate music playing in the background. The pictures inside did not work out too well because it was quite dark but it was awesome! Perfect place for a little boy's birthday.
Pirate's Treasure....
This pirate was a little creepy looking!
We had to get a picture of this "Michael Jackson" pirate. At least that is what I think he looks like. Either that or a "Cross Dresser" pirate. Either way.....CREEEPY!
Games.......
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| Luke is a pro at these arcade games |
Roller Coaster fun....
I loved hearing him giggle during this ride.
Target practice.....
More games.....and lots of tickets :)
This game is one of his favorites....
It is much easier to be sitting on Papa's lap.
Great aim Lukie!
My crazy driver.....
He was CRASHING on purpose and LAUGHING each time he did it. The chair we sat on would ROCK and tilt each time. He was laughing so hard that he got hiccups! It was adorable. Can't wait to see how he will drive when he is 16 years old. I may have to start wearing a SEAT BELT if I drive with Luke!!!
What's up with this? If you notice....he is driving with his Papa Howie and concentrating so hard. It is ALL BUSINESS. I guess he figures that his Papa is precious cargo and does not want to CRASH with him. He actually stayed on the road the entire ride.
Maybe he just wanted to impress his papa and show him his "SKILLS" Very impressive, Luke!
Collecting his prize tickets....
He was so excited to buy Pirates Gold! He also bought one for his brother. I thought that was so thoughtful of him. He could have used his tickets to buy gifts just for himself, but he thought of his brother at home and said, "Brayden will be happy when he sees his prize!" I love this cute little guy!
Pirate Playground.....
There was a playground area that was designed to look like a pirate ship. It had a climbing wall, slide, ladder, and other obstacles to play on. He loved it there!
He would come to the table and eat a few bites and then run off to play on the ship for a while.
The pizza was actually DELICIOUS!
While we were eating a group of pirates came to the table and sang happy birthday to him. We did not get the camera out in time but it was GREAT! Wish I had it on video because they made him feel really special. They also gave him a free icecream sundae
Blury picture but you can at least see ONE of the pirates. Luke looked a little stunned at first but really liked it.
Picture with our waiter.....
Birthday sundae....Yummy!
We enjoyed our Pirate "Parrrrrty" with Luke. Now off to play at the hotel. That is the grandkid's favorite part of our time together.
Hotel Fun Times......
I love how excited the kids get once they open the hotel room door. Luke initially ran right over to the TV and started jumping up and down with excitement. He was SQUEALING...."We have a TV! We have a TV! We have our VERY OWN TV!" Cracked me up. I had to get out the video to record his response once Howie entered the room with the luggage. SO cute! He was even STOKED that we had a bathroom!!! So funny :) I loved watching him bounce around the room.
Luke had a tough time getting up on the bed but once he had it figured out.....the FUN BEGAN! I was recovering from a sickness so these videos all have me with my FROGGY voice. Everytime I went to speak....I would cough.
We are going to wear this kid out so that he has a GREAT night's sleep! Or maybe....he is going to wear US out!!! Where does he get all of his energy anyway? He just played for several hours at the Pirate's Island, and now THIS????
No hotel stay is complete with our our traditional Pillow fight! I always wonder what our neighbors in the adjoining rooms have to say about the ruccus we make. Oh well... GET OVER IT.....we are celebrating a birthday here....for Pete's sake! We HAVE TO RAISE THE ROOF!!!
Papa Howie being his CRAZY self.
Papa building a Pillow Fort.....
Luke finally looked like he was getting tired and starting to wind down a bit.
He thought it was coooool to find a pen and pad of paper in the hotel room. Now here is a perfect activity to get him quieted and ready for bed. Draw me a picuture Lukie!
These Veenendaal boys LOVE to draw.
Cheezin' it with Grandma T.....
Time for PJS.....
Well we thought Luke was just about ready for bed....but we were OH SOOOO WRONG! Once he got his pajamas on he somehow got his second wind. This boy was bouncing off the walls.
Steve and I were laying on the beds (almost comatose) while this little guy bounced back and forth. He is like the Ever Ready Bunny....He just keeps going, and going and going.....
Aha! Maybe NOW he is worn out!
NOPE!!!! He has decided that the night is NOT complete without a Wrestling session with his Papa Howie.
I think Papa is winning. I can see some tired eyes in this picture!
AT LAST!!!!
Off to dreamland...
There is NOTHING more precious than a child sleeping. I could watch them forever! This is always my favorite part of the date together. Watching them doze off for the night and knowing that we have spent quality time together building memories with our precious grandchild. Sweet dreams LUKE! We love you!
Morning ALREADY?
Luke is hiding from the Pillow Monster!
LOOK OUT! He has found you LUKIE!!!
WAY TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR WRESTLING! Time to turn on the tv for some CALM entertainment. I am going back to bed- I think I am still SICK!
We stretched the bedspread across the two beds and made a hammock type bed for Luke. He thought it was pretty cool!
Now he could watch TV in STYLE!
I was hoping that he would climb under his tunnel there and fall back to sleep with all of his pillows and his pillow pet. Not a CHANCE!
He was giggling so hard that it was quite entertaining!
Counting his gold so that he could hide it in his new Pirate's tunnel....
Time for Breakfast.....
The boys went down to get breakfast to bring back to the room.
He looks so dang grown up eating breakfast in bed with his Papa. For some reason I just love this picture. Not sure why but I just do!
Present Time.....
We thought it would be nice to have Luke open the present we got him for his birthday, before we left for the next activity that we had planned.
Cool Cars.....
We had planned on going to the Dinosaur museum to end off our date but I had Steve stop by the store first so that I could run in and get some medicine for me. WELL.....when I went inside I found the cooooolest toys. They were PERFECT for our Pirate Date with Luke. I of course NEEDED to buy them.
They were AWESOME! A pirate Island complete with Pirates, a skull cave, and a SEA MONSTER. Once I showed them to Luke, the dinosaur museum meant NOTHING to him. ALL this boy wanted to do was go back home so he could PLAY with his new toys.
Once we arrived home, we had a great time putting together his new toys with him.
This boy was TOTALLY in his element. I think he had more fun UNWRAPPING the box than he did all day long.
Anyone who knows Luke would understand. He LOVES this sort of thing. Wires, wires and more wires to disassemble.
He often has to show the ADULTS how things go together. I love watching his mind at work.
TAAA -DAAAA! It is complete
Luke's Name.....
On the way home from Orem we worked on teaching Luke how to spell his INCREDIBLY lonnnnng last name. We had this little "Chant" that we did together. By the time we got home he was able to spell it all the way out. I took these adorable videos of him.....I love how he tries so hard NOT to peek or CHEAT!
I LOVE his look of concern when I told him I was going to take away the paper. SO FUNNY!
He tries again! When he gets to the end of his name, where he struggles to remember, his eyes instantly go to the "Cheat Sheet". BUT....I have taken it away! What a mean grandma. He finally got it down! I love this boy.
We then practiced writing his name out. So dang cute. I miss teaching so much so when I have a chance to work with my grandkids....I just eat it up! Time to teach him how to make the number four! He should know that one since that is how old he is....
Awwww...can I teach or what?
Perfect number four!
Steve and I totally enjoyed the time spent with this adorable four year old. Fun time at the Pirate's Island, the Hotel, and just hanging around at home.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Veenendaal!
We love you!
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1 comment:
Your birthday surprises to your grandkids blow me away. Looks like you and Steve had as much fun as Luke did. (Or more!)
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