Mowing Like Daddy....

If you've followed this blog for any length of time or you know our family personally, you might know that Luke R.E.A.L.L.Y. likes lawnmowers. This fascination has continued for quite some time now, and if this fascination keeps up even a few more months, there will be a 3 year-old having a lawnmower party in July (stay tuned)....

This past weekend, Marc mowed our yard for the first time this season. Let's just say that this Mama spent some time outside during this mowing for two reasons: A) To watch Luke so that Marc could mow safely since Luke is so fascinated with lawnmowers and B) To give this Mama some opportunity to take some very cute photos.

We, in this household, are BIG fans of Dr. James Dobson....Christian author, psychologist, and founder of Focus on the Family.

If you've ever read Dr. Dobson's book, Bringing Up Boys, you might recall a little fact Dr. Dobson talks about.

The fact is that around the age of 18 months, boys tend to start identifying with their fathers or perhaps another male role model (if the father isn't around).

Marc and I both agree that with Luke, that probably did truly start around the age of 18 months. But now, at almost 3 years, we REALLY see it....Everything Marc does, Luke does as well from lawnmowing, to running, to copying the way Marc stands in the kitchen and talks to me (we'll often see Luke leaning up against a cabinet with his hands in his pockets -- just the way Marc stands there).

This past weekend, with the lawnmowing, this phenomenon was again proved out. And honestly, for this Mama, at this point in my life, life doesn't get much sweeter than seeing our son mimic my wonderful husband!

*****

First, one must put oil and gasoline in the lawnmower....complete with safety goggles on the eyes for protection :)

(Notice Luke imitating Marc in this one).



Then, once the lawnmowers are ready, mowing can begin.





And then, just like Daddy, Luke has to stop and pick up loose sticks in the yard -- you know, to get them out of the way :)

(We have quite a few trees in our yard (this is all "relative" to KS -- I don't want any of my "northern USA/Canada" readers making fun of the lack of trees in our yard)...And, we've had a BUNCH of wind lately...yep, a lot of branches blown off of trees).



And then, you keep on going....







Last night, Luke wanted "to go and see Daddy's lawnmower" outside. Marc was gracious enough to spend some time outside in our backyard with Luke -- just to look at the lawnmower (and I believe Marc even started it for Luke very briefly -- didn't want to use too much expensive gas up).

Then, because we have an electric start lawnmower, the battery needed to be charged -- it charges for 24 hours.

So, after dark, Luke was inside with his little lawnmower. He wanted to charge it as well. Marc and I had to be creative and come up with a way for him to charge his lawnmower. I don't have a photo, but our creativity for indoor lawnmower charging involved using an old dog leash as a charger....It worked for Luke!

This morning, the lawnmower is still charging behind our house. Luke spent some time this morning, looking out our back door -- at the lawnmower charging :)

Good times had by all!

If Luke's ever visiting your home and he needs entertainment, just get out your lawnmower. A few of you have done this for him (i.e. Smith Family), and that MAKES Luke's day.