Luke Graduates from Tiny Tots (Preschool)

If I take any longer to get this blog posted Luke will be in high school. Sorry it has taken so long to post.  I am a bit behind.  I am learning how to post videos (thank you Helen R.) and trying to get my pictures just right.  Enjoy!  Still a work in progress.

Time for school! 

3.8 years old-Luke~Olivia 4 months

April 2011 Luke started his first day of school....Tiny Tots (Preschool).  This was the first day I was to leave my baby (3 years old) with anyone but my mom (Grandma Lupe).  Luke was ready for school but I don't think I was.

 I thought for sure Luke was going to cry on his first day of school.  I stuck around the park/school just in case he needed me.  I dropped Luke off at Pico Park Tiny tots and even though he was a little bit hesitant to stay he kissed me and ran off to play.  I was thrilled that he was not crying and clinging on to me but a little saddened that he was alright with me leaving...LOL. 

Luke's first day of Tiny Tots-April 2011

Luke's spring picture 2011 (3.8  years old)

Luke and Sophia EOY Tiny tot picnic-2011

Luke-graduated from 3 yr old class to 4 yr old class

Teacher Lauren (3 year old class)

Luke celebrating his 4th bday with his class

puzzle time

Teacher Lauren and Luke-Halloween 2011 (4 year old class)

Luke then moved from the Tues/Thursday (3 yr. old class) to Mon/Wed/Fri. class (4 yr old class).  Again, I was afraid he was too tiny to be moved to the older class but he did great and was ready to be moved up.

Luke loves holidays and Halloween was his favorite. He also celebrated his 4th birthday with his class.  With a summer birthday there may not be many bday celebrations at school. 

Luke's 4th bday party at school

Little Skeleton at preschool

Luke grew academically and socially (and height wise!) in the 1 1/2 years he was in school.  I loved how we would be in the car and Luke would start singing a song he learned at school.  He learned how to write his name which he has mastered (we are working on the last name, it is long).  He can count to 40 (but he has something against the number 15 because he always skips it), he knows all his colors and shapes and is an amazing drawer/artist (he is going to be like his Auntie Victoria).  He has always loved flags and has shared that love with his friends at school.  His favorite flags are the U.S.A. and California.  He can recognize the Mexico flag, Japanese flag, Iowa flag and Michigan flag (thank you Krista D.) and since I took forever to get this posted he has learned the Denmark flag and the Philippine flag.  We continue to learn about other country and state flags. With the Olympics it really has been a teaching moment not just for Luke but for me too.  Olivia has even gotten into flags and singing the National Anthem when she sees the U.S.A. flag.  Well, her National Anthem is part Anthem and Happy Birthday song. 

Here is how much LOVE Luke has for the American flag.  This is a picture of his room.  When moving into our new house Luke insisted I find him flag sheets.  Thank you Grandma Laura for finding the perfect flag sheets. 

Luke's flag bedroom-2011

I feel like Luke just started preschool and now it is time to find him a Kindergarten!  I'll leave that story for another post.

Luke's Graduation Day-Pico Rivera Tiny Tots!

Look at how handsome my baby boy is in his little suit! 

He had some wonderful teachers.  He had assistant Teachers named Teacher Letty, Teacher Jocelyn and Teacher Jerry.  His wonderful Head teacher was Teacher Lauren but she got another teaching position and was replaced by another wonderful teacher, Teacher Ana.  Teacher Lauren made sure she was at Graduation to see her babies graduate!  She was such a sweet heart.  She had a lot of patience with Luke and I could tell how much she liked Luke. 

Graduation Day!  2012

Teacher Lauren

Teacher Ana

Teacher Jocelyn

Teacher Letty and Luke-2012

Teacher Jerry

Olivia waiting to see Lukie graduate

Grandma Lupe and Nina Teen (Lisa)

I love this picture!  Olivia stood next to Luke and gave us a look of "hurry up and take the picture!"

Luke is an official Kindergartener so we celebrated at Bob's Big Boy!  So proud of my baby boy!  This is just the beginning of wonderful accomplishments. 

A very sweet young man who just graduated from high school took a picture with Luke. 

Celebrated at Bob's Big Boy in Downey

Disney's California Adventure's Cars Land Preview

Entrance to Radiator Springs

I am behind on posting because the past couple of weeks have been so busy with lots of fun adventures.  So, this weekend will be filled with lots of posts catching you up on all the fun!

On Monday June 11th we were lucky enough to preview the new Cars Land at California Adventure.  The land did not open to the public until June 15th but there was a special lottery for Annual Passholders to win tickets to view the land before the public.  We won the lottery and got to go from 1 pm to 5 pm. 
We picked up Grandma Lupe and met up with Auntie Jo and Cousin Siena to enjoy this fun event.  We had no idea what to expect.  Pictures will show how much fun we had. Disney did an amazing job recreating Radiator Springs.  We had not even entered the land and I was in awe!  The rock formations in the background  look so realistic! 

We were so lucky to see Cars Land with very little people.  Wait times were at the most 40 min. I hear lines are now past the 2 hour mark.  

Luke says to "SLOW DOWN and have FUN!"

Taking a picture w/ Mickey at California Adventure

Taking a picture at Flo's Diner

Luigi's Flying Tire ride

Luke and Cousin Siena waiting in line for Luigi's Tire Ride

Entrance to Radiator Springs

Luke on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Walking the revamped entrance to Ca Adventure

Showing off our VIP wrist bands to get into Cars Land Preview

Fun day!  The kids had a blast.  Grandma Lupe, Auntie Jo and I were able to go on Radiator Springs Racers but not the kids.  The line was an hour but if you rode as a single you got on in 10 min.  I hope Luke will get to ride it soon.  I know he would love it! 

A Special Visit from San Diego!-June 9th, 2012

We have had such a fun/busy past week that I did not get the chance to post about our visit from Grandma/pa, Tia Lulu and Great Grandma San Diego.  I think I will be behind on these posts since I have a lot of catching up to do.  Here is how we spent the day with the family. 
Oh, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!  A post about Father's day will probably be posted during the week.  Enjoy!

Luke kept asking "When are we going to Grandma Laura's?"  We were treated with a visit from Grandma Laura, Grandpa Tom, Tia Lulu and Great Grandma Elsa.  Luke was so excited!

Spaghetti Factory Fullerton

We started our visit by meeting at our favorite restaurant Spaghetti Factory.  Olivia is at the stage of being afraid of everyone.  But, it just takes her a little time to warm up to everyone. She was hoping Grandpa Tom would disappear if she turned her head when he stood next to her to take a picture.  By the end of the day she was all over Grandma Laura and Grandpa Tom.

 After Spaghetti Factory we took the family to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs.  Luke loves the train park and was so excited to show Grandma and Grandpa his favorite train.  We walked around and saw the Tongva Indian village and the pretty gardens.  Heritage Park is always so quiet and so relaxing.

Grandpa Tom and Luke-Train Park~Heritage Park

Heritage Park-Santa Fe Springs

Luke and Grandpa Monster

Heritage Park

 We headed back home and as you can see Olivia got very comfy with Grandma.  It was such a nice visit!  We were sad when everyone had to leave back to San Diego.  Luke talked about how much he loved having the family come to his house and he wanted everyone to spend the night.