Evy's First Birthday Party!

After celebrating Evy's baptism we headed over to 404 wine bar to celebrate her first birthday with the family. We had a delicious meal, presents and more cake, which made the birthday girl very happy. She was tired and not super smiley all day, but her mood changed immediately when she started eating!

(Her "Ella" birthday cake) 

(Charlie helped blow out the candle and made a special wish)

(She LOVES cake!)

(Happy girl)

(Mommy and Evy)

(Mommy, Evy and Daddy)

(The birthday girl and the best big brother ever!)

(Evy and her Godmother)

(Evy and her Godfather)

(Evy had a great day!)

Evy's Baptism

We decided to double the fun of Evy's first birthday. We started the day of her party with her baptism at St. Josaphat's Church. Evelyn is lucky to have great godparents, Uncle Patrick and Auntie Sarah. It was a very nice service and not nearly as hot as Charlie's baptism. Evy wasn't quite as tolerant either, she cried when they poured the water on her head and Charlie slept through it!

(Mommy, Daddy and Evy)

(Even Panda attended the big day)

(Evelyn and her Godparents)

Summer 2014 Recap

Before summer vacation began (my first with two kids) I put lots of effort into devising a plan that would ensure we had something to do or at least a plan every day. I assigned different themes to each day (e.g., Monday’s were field trip days) and then came up with a list of different activities that we could do for that day. Then on Sunday, all I had to do as look at the list and my week was planned. I also wanted to make sure Charlie was keeping up on everything and building on what he had learned in during the school year, so I put together some school activities to do during Evy’s nap in the morning. All in all, I think we had a successful summer. It went by a little too fast for me, but we had tons of fun as evident by what everything we did! I cannot wait for next year! 

·      

           Trampoline Park

·         North Park scavenger hunt

·         Lego land

·         Field Museum

·         Lincoln Park Zoo (several times)

·         Wildwood Nature Center

·         Geotracking in the neighborhood

·         Fire Station tour  

·         Jonquil Water Park

·         Adams Water Park

·         Target practice with the squirter

·         Lots of water balloons

·         Sprinkler action

·         Pool time

·         Dino excavation

·         Dino dig in the sand

·         Tracing pictures/objects

·         Frozen toys

·         Making rocket ship and other art projects

·         Painting

·         Polka Dot slime

·         Practice tying shoes

·         Sandpaper letters and numbers

·         Tracing letters and numbers

·         Ordering numbers

·         Writing name and new room number

·         Letter sound obstacle course

First Day of Junior Kindergarten!

Today was Charlie's first day of junior kindergarten. We started the morning with a special pancake breakfast and headed to school. Charlie walked into Room 102 like he owned the place and was excited to see his friends. He gave us a hug good-bye and walked right into his classroom -- it's still hard to believe what a big boy he is now.

(Silly face required)

(Handsome Boy!)

                                               

(Charlie's locker)

(So much older and wiser)

(He carried the sign to school both years!)

Last Day of Summer Vacation

We spent the last day of summer vacation at Lincoln Park Zoo. We started in the farm, but the animals were too smelly so we left and headed to Cafe Brauer for lunch. After lunch we headed into the zoo to check out the animals. I am sure we will be back for Zoo Lights, but this may be the last trip of the summer. It is hard to believe how fast the summer went this year. 

                                               

(Notice the gorilla participating in the picture!)

                                               

(Lunch and a game of tic-tac-toe at Cafe Brauer)