Silly words from Preston:
Hospital is now “Lunchable” – And all office buildings everywhere are hospitals

From Luke:

Aunt Emily thinks we don’t blog enough, so I suppose it’s my turn to post an update.
I’m still not thrilled with daycare.  I cry a lot and refuse to take naps.  It’s a mystery to Mom, but she’s been trying a few different things to help me (and my poor teacher).  She has cut dairy from her diet, except the times when she forgets or “tests” to see if it’s actually working.  We think it is.  When she has pizza or larger amounts of dairy I have a really rough day the next day: tons of spit-up, belly aches, etc.  So she needs to be more diligent, for everyone’s sake.  Second, she has started giving me small amounts of Zantac for reflux.  We also think this is helping, but we need to visit the doctor to get a better prescription.  I have a well visit on July 14, so we will just have to wait until then.  

In other news, I’m still a super huge baby.  I’m outgrowing the same clothes that big brother, Preston, wore when he was 6 months old.  And I’m only 3 and a half months old.  I’m already getting a little bored with bouncy seats and prefer to be more upright in the zoomy-zoom (even though my feet don’t even come close to touching the ground).  I don’t know if I mentioned this already, but I LOVE the outside swing.  I can hang out in there for hours, swinging and snoozing.  I also sit at the dinner table in my high chair now.  I like to be a part of things.  I like to reach for toys, knock things to the floor, and babble and coo!

I’ve started scrunching my feet up when we do tummy time.  It’s the beginnings of rolling over and crawling.  I’m not ready to do it yet, but soon!  

While Preston was on a train ride with Grandpa over the weekend, I hung out with Grandma so Mom and Dad could go to Ikea.  I gave her a hard time, but eventually fell asleep.  

From Luke:

As a 3 month old, I'm not expected to do a lot of moving around.  Sure I can wiggle my way around my crib, and I love to grab at nearby toys and shiny objects (like silverware), but sitting, crawling, and rolling are yet to come.  That is, of course, unless I get really angry.
The other day, when I woke up from the first of five (or six) tiny naps that I take throughout the day, I fussed a little bit to let mom know that I was awake.  She didn't show up.  She was putting clothes away or some nonsense.  For THREE WHOLE MINUTES I fussed and cried and worked myself up into quite the infant tantrum.  And I rolled over!  That made me even more angry.  When Mom finally arrived to rescue me, she seemed SO excited to find me hysterical in my crib.  She even called Daddy to let him know.  She's crazy.  

From Mommy:
Here are some pictures from the weekend!  We went to Amy and Shawn's gender reveal party.  It was so much fun!  And it's a BOY!  

Check out Preston's Photography skills.  He can do portraits, selfies, automotive, and even pet portraits.  Contact his management for rates and availability.

Daddy is pretty good at taking pictures, too.  You can see the whole gender reveal album HERE

And some bonus pictures from Father's Day.  I realized when I was posting yesterday's blog that we didn't have any recent pictures of John and his two boys.  So we took one:

Daddy doesn't always get a lot of credit around here, but he deserves it more than anyone.  Daddy is the one who keeps it all together.  It's only 9:30 (on Father's Day no less), and he has already stripped the big bed (because Preston had an accident *sigh*), eaten breakfast with the boys, put Luke down for a nap, and is now making a new layout for the trains in the basement.  The other layout, according to Preston, wasn't good enough.  And mornings like this happen all the time!!  I'm so lucky :-D.  

Preston is also enamored with his Grandpa's.  Just this morning he was telling me about all of the trains that he is going to ride with Grandpa Bob, and how he loved riding the "Jolly Rodger" with Grandpa Walt at 6 Flags.  On a side note, I'm pretty sure that ride wasn't actually called the Jolly Rodger, but I digress.  Preston even talks about Uncle Ted and his rail road on a daily basis - yet another Father/Uncle inspiring his own children and his nephews.

Our boys have fantastic role models in their lives who will undoubtedly shape them into strong, kind, successful, respectful, and generous young men.  THEY are so lucky :-D!  

So Happy Father's Day!  And thank you to the wonderful Daddy who makes life so special for our little boys.

And on a sillier note - Here is a little questionnaire that Preston answered about his Daddy:

After I finished asking Preston these questions he wanted to do his "own project."  So I printed out a second sheet and gave it to him.  He started asking me questions like "what do you like to eat?" and "what do you like to do outside?"   The first answer we wrote down together, but then he wanted to "write letters" by himself.  Each time I answered a question, he would very carefully write down my answer, just like I did when we did the questions about Daddy.  
Preston's letters are just imaginary, but I think it's awesome that he is practicing writing!

We have a lot of catch up blogging to do! 

Let's start with Memorial Day Weekend at the lake (because it's tough to remember what happened before that at this point).  We have a LOT of action to cover.  

(It is best to read the following in your BEST pirate voice - if even in your own head - but outloud is recommended for the entertainment of those around you)

After MANY years of exploring the vast seas and foreign lands, the Dyken Pirates have finally returned.  Their ship is silent and mysterious, and legend says that they can only be seen when the moon is full and the blueberries are ripe!  Their hangout on land is Treasure Island, and they are careless pirates that leave behind treasures (it is called Treasure Island after all) of golden jewels, and green cookies.  Only good boys and girls, who take naps, may be given the maps that lead to the treasure.  X....marks the spot.  YAR!

(You can stop reading in Pirate voice now - or not - it's up to you "YAR!!)

From Luke:
This was my first time to Dyken Pond, and I had a great time napping, eating, doing my baby thing (exactly the same stuff that I do at home, just in a new place).  I did NOT like getting my feet dipped into the freezing cold water.  No thank you!!  Preston loved splashing and playing in the water all day long, but I am a sensitive sort of guy.  I went on some front pack walks with Debbie and Grandma; I highly recommend it as a way to get in a great nap.  And my cousin Talia and I loved to sit outside on a blanket.  She liked to play with toys and eat grass and stuff, but I did tummy time and fussed until someone picked me up (I also recommend fussing if you want a grown-ups attention, it works like a charm).  I didn't go on any boat rides this time, but I'll get in a canoe later in the summer.   

More Lake fun from Preston:
Camp Activities Director Tia Deb always makes sure that we are having fun.  Liora and I loved splashing in the water, throwing rocks, washing rocks, and building sand castles.  I also love to go out in the canoe and go for walks after dinner (Mommy sends me out with Grandpa to burn off energy before bed).  I still love to climb the later and sleep in the loft!  And although I've always loved being at Dyken Pond, I think this is going to be the best summer YET!!

And a cute story from Mommy:

One night, after dinner, I asked Preston if he wanted some pie for dessert.  He was already on to the next activity and wanted to go play, so he said no.... but then he stopped, thought about it for a few seconds and asked "Is it blueberry pie?"

It was not, and so he went on his merry way ;-)

Just yesterday I went with Grandpa to Mommy's old Elementary School to celebrate Strawberry Festival and TRAINS... and PONY RIDES!  You know how I've been asking to ride on horsies?  Well, I finally got my chance, and it was everything I could have ever imagined.  I'm am definitely going to have to do it again sometime.  But the other main attraction was the little live streamer and the quiet diesel.  I rode on all the trains with Grandpa, several times, and it was a lot of fun!
This is Grandpa's more specific account of the rolling stock:
 The 7-1/8" gage railroad was running with three different locomotives, so we took a ride on each train.  The highlight for both of us was a PRR 2-10-2 live steam locomotive.  Ken Butz, who was Principal at Bushkill Elementary School when our kids were attending there brought the two other locomotives - a CSX diesel, which Preston called the "Loud" Diesel, and a PRR A-B Passenger Diesel set, which Preston called the "Not Loud" Diesels.

We went to Charlotte Serio's first birthday party today!  There were a lot of fun toys and games, cake and tacos, and friends to play with.  I loved Gavin's three wheeler the best, and eating the icing off the cupcake!  
Happy Birthday Charlotte!