Birthday parties galore

Lucas was invited to two birthday parties this week. Last Saturday it was his Dutch friend Laszlo's fourth birthday. Laszlo's mom has a 1-year old as well, and number 3 on the way, so it's a busy household! Her sister had come over from Holland so we had lots of Dutch goodies and games - Dutch apple pie and a fab game called 'koekhappen' which involves pieces of ginger cake strung up on a piece of string, and you then have to eat the cake without using your hands. As you can see from the pics below Lucas didn't quite get the 'no hands' stipulation but he had a good time anyway. He also had a mean shot at the Pinata, especially after it had already been broken!
Then his friend Brynne turned 3 this week and invited him to go bowling! I didn't understand how toddlers can bowl but when we got there I realised they have little stands from which the ball can be pushed down. Lucas absolutely loved it, and watching some adults bowl in the lane next to us got into the swing of it, doing a little run up before pushing the ball off the stand. He has this curious disposition (that he definitely has not inherited from my side of the family) that he prefers sports to food, and when all the other kiddies sat down to have pizza and cake, Lucas grabbed his chance of not having to wait his turn and happily kept on bowling. (Lucas thinks the whole turn thing is the biggest injustice after the 'no more than 12 hours tv a day' rule.) Then he discovered an even more exciting game.... see below.
Last Sunday we walked over to his Aunt Jane's house through the forest. It only takes about 10 minutes, or anything upwards of an hour if we stop and investigate all the little bugs on all the branches and leaves. Lucas loves disovering the forest so when we go for a walk I try to give it lots of time so I don't have to rush him. After this invigorating excursion he fell asleep on Jane's sofa and slept for FOUR hours, so I managed to do the supermarket run as well as having a really relaxing afternoon in the garden in the beautiful sunshine. The weather has been springlike and some days even summery, and so I have started cycling in to work. I have borrowed a friend's bike which is temporary as I want to get one that can hold a child seat so Lucas and I can go places on the bike together. This will be good exercise as well!
This week I finally managed to do my employee induction course - we learned lots of interesting things about the history of the University (its existence is actually in the Constitution of Wisconsin) and we also went for a tour on a trolley bus from 1920. I messed up my employer good relations somewhat when at question time I asked why we weren't unionised. There followed a fairly confused rambling - and the end of question time. I was just asking...
It has been raining all night and it is still drizzling so this may be a good time to visit the Farmers' Market. It's a great event every Saturday but it gets insanely busy which is no fun for Lucas. Now the weather's not so good I might try it today. Unlike many Markets in London here the actual farmers drive in from farms all around Madison and sell their wares. It's a great way of doing the weekly shop - al fresco.
Mother's Day tomorrow! Last year Lucas bought me a cappuccino maker but this year I have asked him to put his money towards my new bicycle. He made a card for me at school, and if we make it to the Farmers' Market he'll probably buy me a bunch of flowers. He's been helping me with the washing up which is wonderful as it washes the floor and his clothes at the same time!