First Day of Preschool

Today is a big day, it's Charlie's first day of preschool at Oscar Mayer. We have been talking it up and trying to get him excited for weeks. It is hard to believe the day has finally arrived. We had to wake him up this morning at 7:30 (early for Charlie) because he has to be at school by 8:30 am now. We had breakfast together and made sure we had everything we needed before walking out the door.

Once Charlie was up he was very excited all morning. His lunchbox is his favorite school supply and he carried it the entire walk to school. We walked Charlie into his classroom and his teachers showed him where he was going to put his lunch and backpack every morning. Then he was introduced to a boy who is in kindergarten and is going to be his classroom buddy and show him the ropes. He was a little hesitant to let go, but his buddy brought him over to see the classroom turtle and then he didn't even know we were there. Fingers crossed that drop-offs are this easy every day and that he is enjoying his new school!

(Ready to go!)

(Funny Face) 

(And, we are off!) 

Navy Pier Fun Day!

We wanted to spend some time with Charlie (just the 3 of us) before the baby arrives and before Charlie heads off to preschool so Matt and I took some time off work. Our first day off we decided to head to Navy Pier and take him to see the Shrek Musical and spend the morning roaming around the pier. 

The Shrek Musical was 90 minutes without an intermission and we were not sure Charlie was going to make it through the entire performance, but he surprised us. Aside from a few scenes that were too loud he watched the entire performance and actually enjoyed it! 

Once the musical was over, we headed to the Ferris Wheel. Charlie has been asking to ride it for months so we let him have his wish. As you can see from the picture below, he really liked the ride. After the Ferris Wheel we had lunch and wandered around before heading home for nap. It was a great family day! 

(Relaxing before starting the day) 

(Up, up and away we go!)

(Being silly for the camera)

Last Day of School

Today is bittersweet for our family. Since June 2011 Charlie has been at Goddard School three days a week. We adore all of his teachers and the administrators and I think I can safely say they all adore Charlie. Alas, all good things must come to an end and today was Charlie's last day of school.  I am not sure he completely understands that he won't be back, but he definitely had an easier time saying good-bye than his parents.

We really wanted to make a big deal of Charlie's last day and transition to Oscar Mayer, in hopes that it will help make his first day of his new school a little easier. To celebrate his last day Charlie brought a big cookie to school to share with his classmates. We also had his first "teacher" sign his book, "Oh the Places You Will Go". The idea is to have his teacher sign it at the end of every year, but we will see if I can keep up. After we said good-bye to friends we told Charlie we could go to dinner anywhere he wanted. Without hesitation, he pick Potbelly's. He wanted broccoli and cheese soup with a chocolate milkshake. We finished out the evening at the park before heading home and getting ready for a long family weekend.

(Charlie and Kiera. Kiera just told her daddy that she wants to marry Charlie)

(Last time we will drop-off or pick up at his Goddard cubby)

(Time to go to Potbelly's)

(Cheers!)

 (Swinging from the monkey bars)

Lunch with Daddy

Throughout the summer there is a kids tent at Millennium Park and they offer a variety of activities everyday. Last week when Charlie and I went there was a musician singing children's songs so we listened and danced along. There was also a local plant nursery that had lady bugs and worms to touch, which Charlie loved. Once Charlie was done with the tent activities we headed over to the fountain so he could play. From the pictures below, it is obvious that he had a great time. We finished our morning by meeting Matt for an early lunch. Charlie was very happy to see daddy in the middle of the day! (There are a few more pictures of our day in the gallery) 

 (Being silly for the camera)

(Playing in the fountain) 

(Loving daddy) 

Tall Ships

We ventured out to Navy Pier this weekend to see the Tall Ships. We thought Charlie would like seeing big "Captain Hook" ships, but his excitement didn't last long. He was far more interested in running around Navy Pier, which was ok with us too.

(Watching the ship sail away) 

(Rare family photo)