Higher and Higher

I always knew Charlie was a monkey, but he officially proved it on Sunday. We were at Pump it Up for his friends birthday party and Charlie wanted to climb the wall and ring the bell at the top. He is persistent and kept trying until he succeeded! 

(SUCCESS!)

(Looking down for a photo op...he was almost there) 

Earth Day

For Earth Day Charlie's homework was to use materials from home to create something...anything that he wanted. He told me right away he was going to make a flower. When we sat down to do the project I asked him what kind of flower he wanted to make and he told me he wanted to make a sunflower with yellow leaves and color the middle brown because that's what sunflowers look like. So, this is what he made with a little help cutting the leaves. His creativity always amazes me.  

Chicken Duty

We had chicken duty last week at Charlie's school. It was hard work (for some of us)! We had to clean, feed, and give the chickens water nightly. Our hard work was rewarded with fresh eggs daily and after one week we collected over a dozen eggs! The kids loved it and they cannot wait until our next tour of duty in May.

(He finally got the nerve to pick one up)

(Evy really wanted to pick one up, but she couldn't so she chased them instead)

(She grabbed the wings of this poor chicken)

(Evy loved being so close) 

(Another happy chicken) 

(Evy watching her brother) 

Evy's Park District Toddler Class

This morning we attended Evy's first park district class. She had a blast playing with new toys and working on an art project. Her favorite part of class was definitely the music. She was the only kid to sit on the rug and when we started singing and she asked for more songs every time one ended. It was a fun day. 

(Evy the gymnast) 

   

(Her favorite toy)

(Evy dancing) 

(Tunnel fun) 

(more dancing fun) 

(Check out those moves) 

(Some swing time after class) 

I Can Do Anything He Can Do

Anything he can do I can do too! Hopefully Charlie teaches her some good things too.

Dinnertime...

Dinner is not my favorite time of day. Usually our meals consist of Evy yelling for more food and throwing what she doesn't want on the floor and Charlie finding ways to do everything except eat. We have one nice dinner tradition, which is when we share what we are grateful for, the worst part of our day and the silliest part of our day. Charlie's world is fascinating and I love hearing it from his point of view. Below is a glimpse of a semi-regular dinner post gratitude. 

(Evy tries to make Charlie laugh)

(Charlie returning from his bathroom trip) 

(Evy post dinner and dessert) 

Arizona Spring Break - Last Day!

Matt went out to enjoy one last round of golf in the Arizona desert so the kids and I started our morning at my favorite coffee shop (after a visit from the Easter bunny). Once Matt got home we headed to the festival down the street called The Great Arizona Picnic, which is similar to the Taste of Chicago. The kids played a few games and we grabbed lunch before heading home for nap. When the kids woke up we went to a nice dinner at Don and Charlie's to celebrate our last day of vacation. After dinner we headed home, but Charlie and Daddy had one more thing to do before we left Arizona -- play golf together! There is a public course behind the complex we are staying so Matt took Charlie out for his first ever round. They only managed to get in one hole before it got too dark, but the darkness didn't stop Charlie. He wanted to keep going and finished 4 holes before Matt convinced him it was time to call it a night. He was so excited when he came home. He had a blister on his thumb and he showed it to me proudly and said, "now I am a real golfer". He can't wait for his next round. (The video is below, it's dark, but adorable. 

(Easter Bunny Round Two) 

(Evy making faces like her brother)

(Happily eating his morning muffin)

(These two...there are no words!) 

(Sibling love) 

(Quite the subject) 

Arizona Spring Break - Day Five

We had a relaxing day today, which was probably good for all of us. We started with a coffee/chocolate milk stop and the nearby coffee shop that I love! After Evy's nap we hit the pool and for the first time Evy LOVED the water. Charlie was his normal fish like self. After naps we hired a babysitter to stay with Evy and Charlie so we could go out for an adult dinner with our friends Katie and John who are also in town. It was nice to get a break and the kids really liked the sitter so it was a win-win!

(Loving the water)

(Cannonball!)

(Born to be a fish)

(She's getting brah-brah)

(Snack time)

(Goldfish for everyone!)

Arizona Spring Break - Day Four

The plague finally caught up with Matt today officially making this is a vacation we will never forget. Despite the plague we rallied and visited the McCormick Stillman Railway Museum. We saw model trains, toured the Presidents train car and rode the carousel and train ride before having a picnic lunch and playing in the park. Once we headed home the kids napped before we headed to a nice dinner and then we called it a night after visiting the Old Town candy store. We are making the most of this trip despite all of the obstacles! 

(The train car that Roosevelt once waved from)

(Conductor Charlie)

(Evy riding the train)

(Again, how sweet are these two?)

(Riding the choo-choo)

(Evy LOVED the carousel)

(Charlie is always a fan)

(Great Mexican dinner al fresco)

(Sheriff Charlie) 

Arizona Spring Break - Day Three

We don't have quite as many pictures today because Matt was out experiencing his first desert golf course in the morning so I didn't have free hand to take many pictures. For the most part it was a low key day, we went to a near by park and hit up the pool before heading out for dinner and ice cream. I think everyone was satisfied.

(Playing in a park covered by a canopy)

(Super Charlie!)

(She thought she could make it up the bridge)

(Family Photo as we head to dinner)

(Isn't this the sweetest picture?)

(Evy sort of sitting in the big girl chair)

(Charlie eating all of his food because he wants a treat!)

Arizona Spring Break - Day Two

Today we took some time to stock up our kitchen, get the lay of the land and we took an easy hike through the MCDowell Sonoran Preserve. Despite all of us battling various types of illness we are trying to make the best of our vacation and enjoy the sites! 

(Evy really wanted to walk the trail rather than ride)

(Charlie led us on our adventure)

(Look at those blue eyes!) 

(Cake pop face)

(Happily eating his dinner) 

(Taking some time to meditate)