Happy 10 to our sweet Luca Loo! Luca woke to balloons on the hallway floor outside of our bedroom door and was thrilled. We tried to keep traditions alive even though we were in a different space for his birthday this year. He was so excited for his birthday and said he had the best day. He said it was one of his best yet! While some of the things we typically do were different, it was really special to get to celebrate it with people he doesn’t normally get to and I think he felt the significance of that more than anything. Goodness he’s such a gift! I’m so grateful for ten years with him and have a hard time believing it’s been a decade!
Initially he said he’d like to open his gifts at his party that night but woke and changed his mind. Watching him open gifts is my favorite. He has the best facial expressions and such a grateful heart.
I also love watching Jack watch Luca open gifts because he is so full of genuine joy for his brother.
We (me and Lee) were tired from being up all night with Olive but she seemed to be acting as if nothing happened.
Running to see his donut cake surprise.
Unfortunately, the candles didn’t want to stay up in the donuts on their own but the falling candle reality made me laugh.
More of his smile, I’m obsessed!
Lee and my dad showed the boys how to fish this am. They’ve never gone fishing on a lake before, only with a net in the ocean with Grandpa.
My boys called it quits after a while but my dad persevered and caught a fish!
We were all so excited but seeing his smile and excitement was the best. My dad seemed to really enjoy the lake life which was I was so grateful for. It’s been a hard year for him.
Then he caught a second, bigger fish! This one slipped off the hook so he had to catch it again with his bare hands.
It’s was a really slow morning, which we really needed. Olive took better naps and we didn’t have to rush anywhere- which Luca really appreciates.
Luca spent a long while reading his new books by the lake. A slow and peaceful morning is his jam.
The tears running down her cheeks were from her watery eyes. Thankfully she took good naps this day and slept this night, but she was pretty congested.
Auntie Sarah got dressed and came out in a Pokemon shirt which shocked us all. First, it was bright red and she is typically drawn to all black. Second, it had big, bold images on it. Luca was so touched (and so was I) at her thoughtfulness. She was dressed perfectly for his Pokemon party!
I did a Pokémon themed scavenger hunt and then we all traded cards for a while. The kids, me, Lee, and Sarah all have cards. After that, we sat around telling him what we loved about him. My favorite birthday tradition.
Amy picked me up shortly after that so I could see her house and get ready for the party that she so graciously offered to host for us (there was a limit on how many guests we could have at the rental house). It was so great to get to see their house in person, it is so beautiful! More than that though, I loved getting to be in their home and feel the way they love on people like Jesus as they host. The atmosphere, their words, their openness, their kindness, their genuine love and joy- all of it and more that I can’t quite put my finger on created such a beautiful homey feel that was overflowing with Holy Spirit. I was so grateful to get to see their house and also experience that.
The kids played hard and Luca had a blast. He loved the trampoline, playing Mario, but mostly I think just being with friends and cousins.
I love his face when we sing happy birthday to him. Every year it’s the same, “I feel so loved” face and I hope it never changes.
Weeks before his birthday Luca said the only thing he wanted for his birthday party was for all the adults to line up and to throw water balloons at them. Somehow the idea evolved into a kids vs. adults water balloon fight and it was the most fun!
At the end, Luca and I snuck up on Lee and dumped the bucket of cold water over his head.
Then Uncle Ry put the hose/sprinkler on and Lee did a cartwheel through it. I didn’t even know Lee could do a cartwheel.
Emme and Amy put on a pretty sweet performance as I tried to clean up decorations and tried to pick things up.
We ended the night with some silly string with these four and their giggles were truly the BEST.
Back at the lake house, we sat around the fire together reminiscing about the day and hearing Luca’s thoughts on it all. It was a really special day all around and he felt loved and special and that’s really all my momma heart could ask for.
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