Rolling in Style

Evy was rolling on her brother's big wheel this weekend. She was moving and loving every minute!

Ready for Winter?

Charlie found a hat that fit his 18 month head a little better than his 4 year old head, but he looked so cute I couldn't tell him!

Charlie's Open House

Tonight was Open House at Mayer and Charlie showed Evy and I all around his school. We got to check out Room 102 (his new room this year), music class, art class, spanish and library. He was so happy to show us around and so proud of his school. 

(Charlie's picture of his family)

(Junior Kindergartner and Future Mayer student)

Happy First Birthday Evelyn!

One year ago on a rainy and chilly Sunday, our beautiful Evy was born. She loves to smile and her laugh is contagious. She is shy and observant. When she likes something you will know it because she is loud. When she is not happy, you will also know because she is equally as loud. She loves to hug and cuddle and gives very wet kisses. She crawls so fast she sometimes stumbles because her legs cannot keep up. She can climb up and down the stairs like a pro. She is a mommy's girl, but she loves her brother and would follow him to the ends of the earth. She is learning all kinds of tricks from him, like how to climb up a slide. Unfortunately, this is also how she ended up with her first black eye! When Charlie and Daddy are wrestling, she loves to jump in and hit daddy on the head. She thinks it is hysterical She loves dogs and screams every time she sees one. When she wants something she pushes her hand out and grunts -- it is adorable. She loves the book, "That's not my Dragon", but specifically the first page of the book and screams every single time we open to that page. Evelyn is an amazing and beautiful little girl.  She has brought us so much joy this past year. We cannot wait to see what the year ahead holds for our little girl.

Happy First Birthday Baby Girl! 

Evy's First Birthday

Evy's birthday was a rainy one, just like the day she was born. After Charlie went to school Evy and I headed to the shoe store to get her new shoes, she was so excited and was screaming (loudly) in the store. After the shoe store we headed to Barnes and Noble and played with some new friends. Once Charlie and Daddy were home we had her favorite dinner, spaghetti. Can you tell?

(Big girl attempting to eat with a fork)

(Yum, yum)

(She loves spaghetti!)

After dinner it was time for the best part -- cupcakes! When we started singing Happy Birthday, she was not sure what to make of it and was very focused on the candle. However, once we served her the cupcake, she knew just what to do. 

(I really want to see that candle!) 

(Ooh..this looks like fun)

(It tastes good too)

(Success!)

Once we cleaned up, we gave Evy her birthday present. She loves books that have different textures, so we bought her a few new ones. It was a fabulous day and I think the birthday girl went to bed very happy.

Riding in Style!

        

Evy loves mommy's sunglasses! 

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)