Letters For Lucas

Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son

Spring Break 2012

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Today I’m missing my little side kick, but I am proud to report I we survived Spring Break!

In the beginning there was worry and dread. Lots of dread and then, I made a list! I outlined each day and before I knew it I was actually excited about Lucas being on Spring Break! 

The days were long, I’m not going to lie, but we had so much fun together.

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There was a trip to the aquarium, a birthday party, a play date, ice cream, scooter time, a much needed hair cut, plenty of park time and we started swim lessons!

There were also at least 20 rounds of the game Cars & Trucks cards, pizza and macaroni and cheese lunches, a couple of afternoons with no naps that we filled with crayons, paint and multiple viewings of Rio. Oh, and there was one afternoon spent with a babysitter so Mommy could get her yoga on.

All in all the week went by super fast and we didn’t even get to everything on my list, but the memories of our time together and Lucas’ first Spring Break will last a lifetime. 

Linking up with Galit (These Little Waves) and Alison’s (Mama Wants This) monthly link up, Memories Captured.

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He Was My Dad

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I haven’t heard his voice in almost five years.

I’m ashamed to admit that I almost don’t remember the sound of his voice.

I have pictures and my memories.

I miss his rough strong hands reaching behind him while he was driving to grab mine in the back seat.

I miss the silly way he’d walk sometimes just to get a smile.

I miss his “uniform”; Dockers and plaid shirts.

I miss his thoughtful questions and curiosity about the world.

I miss his genuine interest in my life.

I miss our conversations.

I’m thankful for my memories and grateful for the 35 years I had him.

I’m blessed that he was my dad.

My father would have been 65 today.

I miss him. More than words could ever express.

January 28, 1947 - October 15, 2007 :: RIP, Daddy.

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40 Days

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I dread his birthday, our anniversary, Christmas, Father’s Day and every other occasion that requires a gift because my husband is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for. He buys everything he wants and he’s very picky.

There, I said it out loud and for all the world wide web to read.

Trust me, it’s nothing I haven’t already told him over and over and over again in the almost nine years we’ve been together.

Well, Todd is turning 40 on December 29th and I knew I had come up with something extra special, especially since his birthday falls so close to Christmas and he has always thought he’s gotten the short end of the birthday gift stick because of it.

To make this milestone birthday memorable, I decided for the 40 days leading up to his birthday I’d give him a small gift (Starbucks gift card, movie tickets, trivia cards from the year he was born, funny books, his favorite beer treats, lunch delivered to work, etc.) each day.

What was I thinking?! It’s not easy to come up with 40 gifts, but so far we’re on Day 10 and he’s enjoyed every one and I’m having a lot of fun too. Lucas has even gotten in on the action and “reads” the daily cards that hold a clue to what the day’s gift might be: “Dear Daddy, Happy Birthday. I love you.”

I need to finish big, so PLEASE send me any ideas you may have!

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The Summer That Was

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If Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, Labor Day marks the end.

Sigh…

Here are our summer highlights:

We celebrated someone turning two with a bounce house party and someone else (gulp) turning 39 on a Duffy boat. Both parties included cupcakes!

There were toes in the sand, afternoons spent in wet bathing suits and sun screen applied almost daily.

There were trips to the park, sweet treats devoured and rainbows found while sailing on the ocean.

We had fun at the circus, on the water pad at Legoland and met idols at Disneyland.

There was a girls’ weekend in Palm Springs, a blog conference in San Diego and a glorious week in Hawaii.

Lucas started school and we have already proudly covered our refrigerator with adorable art work.

There was a visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and a mini roller coaster ride with fearless cousins.

It was a great summer, full of milestones and memories.

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Wishing everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

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Project Smile – June

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Proof that my June was magical.

While celebrating Lucas’ second birthday, my 39th and Father’s Day, welcoming three cichlids into our family and breaking in a new pair of sneakers, enjoying a fun overnight in Palm Springs with my girlfriends, I was gently reminded by my sweet son on a walk around our neighborhood how important it is to stop and smell the roses every once in a while.

I’m also proud to share that we got Lucas completely off of bottles in June. 

It was a great month! 

To see what had me smiling in May, click here and to link up and share your own month of joy, please visit Kristi of Live and Love out Loud.

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A Birthday Bonanza

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We had a super spectacular weekend celebrating Lucas’ second birthday. From a Newport Beach Harbor Duffy boat ride with his grandparents on Friday night to a fun Thomas the train party on Saturday, and then Disneyland on Monday with Mommy and Daddy, it was a birthday bonanza!

I’ll spare you all the details and instead share some favorite photos:I think a highlight for Lucas, apart from the “yummy yummy cupcakes” was meeting his two idols, Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen at California Adventure! Next to Thomas, they are his favorite characters.There was a moment during Lucas’ birthday party, when he looked around and listed everyone and everything present, including the bounce house and all the Thomas balloons and the chocolate cupcake in his hands and had a happy grin from ear to ear. As our friend, Andrew pointed out, he was clearly having a moment of gratitude.

I agree.

Our special weekend wasn’t lost on any of us.

Happy Birthday, precious boy.

This post is for Wordful Wednesdays and if you want to link up and see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Project Alicia.

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Back To Life

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The party was Saturday, but today is the *actual* day and we while we are celebrating at Disneyland, I’ve asked my sister to keep you company!

It’s been a while since aunt Leah made an appearance on Letters For Lucas and it’s nice to have her back with a sweet message of love.

Today is Lucas’ 2nd birthday and I couldn’t be more proud and happy to be his aunt. Never ever would I have thought that it would be possible to love him more now then I did the day he was born, but somehow I truly do. He warms my heart and makes me forget my worries every single time I see him and no one else has ever been able to do that.

On the day he was born, June 6th, just two short years ago, my very sad heart began to heal. Losing my parents literally shattered my world and broke my heart, but that moment that I first laid eyes on Lucas in the hospital, my heart instantly started to repair itself. This is really the best way for me to describe what it’s like having him in my life.

Lucas brought me back to life.

His birth was like a sign thrown at me, making me realize that life goes on and there are new people to love — a new person to love that my parents would have loved this much right along with me. It showed me that I indeed have the capacity to unconditionally love someone again as much as I loved my parents. I often wonder how I’ll possibly love my own children as much as I love Lucas.

Do I have enough love like this for a husband one day? Where does love come from? How can a heart possibly hold it? Does Lucas have any idea how much I love him and that when I’m sad, all I have to do is think of him and I suddenly feel better? Does Lucas understand love enough now to love me back?

I hope so.

Happy Birthday to my one and only Lucas. May this year be full of more adventures and more happiness then your heart can handle. You’ve already given me all that and more these past two years.

Love,
Aunt Leah
XOXOWithout a doubt, Leah. Lucas knows how much you love him and loves you right back. Ten fold.

Leah has her own blog, LA ‘n’ LA and is now on Twitter too!

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These Are Days

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Tomorrow we are celebrating Lucas’ second birthday with a small party complete with family, friends, Thomas the Train, cupcakes and a bounce house.

It’s hard to believe my baby is already two! Where does the time go? Everyone said, “it goes by fast” and they were so right.

This little boy is the light of my life and I can’t imagine the last 24 months without him.

He is smart and funny and kind and teaches me more than I’ll ever be able to teach him. He is patient with me and enriches my life in ways I never knew possible.

If you have a couple of minutes to spare, here is a slide show of some of my favorite photos of my sweet boy over the last two years.

Unfortunately YouTube copyright infringement laws prevented me from using the song I wanted: These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs, so I’ve included the lyrics here:

These are the days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It’s true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

These are definitely the days and I’m grateful for each and every one.

Happy Birthday, Lucas!

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Long Live The 80’s!

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My fabulous friend, Colleen turned 40 on Saturday and threw herself an 80’s-style prom party. It was an absolute blast!!

Everyone dressed up! There was lots of neon, lace, big bows, arms full of bracelets, skinny ties, flipped up collars, leg warmers and pearls. Even the 80’s cover band, that provided enough dance music to last a lifetime, Orange County’s own, Tijuana Dogs got into the spirit.

All of my girlfriends and I have been fretting about our “prom” attire for months and it turned out for many, Ebay was the way to go. Who knew?

I, on the other hand, being the pack rat that I am still have my ACTUAL Jessica McClintock prom dress! With a little alteration to the bust line, I wore it! Crazy, huh?! I couldn’t believe it still fit either. Or that I even kept it!

I tried to mimic my 80’s hair style: big and curly and make-up: blue eyeliner and mascara. Although naturally curly, my hair doesn’t quite take a curl like it used to. Even with half a canister of mousse.

The cast of characters may have changed, hopefully we are all a little wiser. There were way more beer bellies, wedding rings and crow’s feet this time around, but the music is still the same, my friends make the world a better place and I found myself wishing the party would last All Night Long, just like I did at my high school Senior prom.

THENMy prom date was my boyfriend at the time. He had just given me the watch I’m wearing as a graduation present. Lovely gift, but looks so out of place now.


NOW

Colleen and I and our rad dates.

The birthday girl and Matt, the Tijuana Dogs lead singer.

Does this pose look familiar?

Feels just like 1988!

The totally awesome birthday cake!

I must admit, I had WAY more fun at this prom than at my own back in ’91. Maybe it was the alcohol or the music, the company or the pure nostalgia of it all, but everyone had a permanent grin on their face the entire night and my legs still hurt from dancing!

One of the best parts of the whole evening was being dropped off by Todd’s mother, who was in town visiting us for the weekend.

She waited up for us too!

This post was originally for Wordful Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess and see how she effortlessly turns ordinary photos into a works of art.

This post was reposted for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 4.) My prom dress.

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Labor Day Weekend

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It was another busy weekend for us and I can’t believe it’s been four days since my last post. My head is now sufficiently bursting with blog ideas!

After training for four months with the Los Angeles AIDS Marathon Training Program and raising almost $1500 for AIDS research, your aunt Leah participated in the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday.

I am so very proud of her and thrilled to report that she completed the 13.1 miles in just over 3 hours. When I saw her shortly after she finished running, she not only looked fantastic, but was already talking about running in the LA (full) Marathon in March. I think she can do it!

Other weekend highlights include; you turning 15 months old yesterday (more on that in my next post) and attending your eighth birthday party!

You had a blast playing with all the other children and especially enjoyed the water table, which I have already ordered you one of your own. I didn’t capture any photos of the water fun, but I love this one of you and Ciarra, my friend Lisa’s daughter.

It is so cool to see my friends as mothers. Our children have definitely added a whole new wonderful dimension to our friendships. These are amazing women and mothers.

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