Play date with Tia Erica and Godsisters!

We had a play date with Tia Erica (Caroline's Godmother) and her Godsisters Eva and Sofia!




We had so much fun playing together and then going out to lunch. Two mamas and four kids age 2 and under!

Caroline's first school picture!

2nd Helper Day at preschool

I got to be the parent helper for the 2nd time at Caroline's preschool. It was such a blast seeing her in her little class. I definitely give props to the teacher. Eight 2-year-olds for 2 1/2 hours. I swear, it felt like it was 8!

Growing with Mr. Bear - 14 months

19 weeks

And this is only at 19 weeks. With 20 more weeks to grow, I am going to be an absolute circus act by the end!

Time-out for Caroline, but the joke's on me

So today, Caroline kicked me while I was changing her diaper. I don't tolerate kicking so I whisked her right off to "bad girl corner" (our version of time-out). Since we were mid-diaper change, she was diaperless, but she knows how to hold it after a bath, so I didn't worry about it. I left the room and after about 2 minutes, I heard her say "I'm ready to be a good girl. " I went in to get her and she continued with "I went tinkle." "Perfect", I think. She tinkled all down her leg, her pants, and all over her socks. Lovely. I guess maybe I'll make sure the diaper is on first before I time-out her again for diaper changing kicks.

today's activities...

included Clayton's daily ritual of pulling all the books off the shelf and then deciding which one to read...

...and decorating pumpkin and ghost cookies with frosting and sprinkles.

Breast Cancer walk

Kevin did a Breast Cancer walk with some co-workers this weekend. I have to say that I am proud of my husband for taking time to do this walk (after an INSANELY long and busy week at work) and show support for cancer research. Yeah Kevin!

Pre-bath bums!

Field Trip to the fire station

We got to take a field trip with Caroline's school to the fire station. It sounds like fun, right? Actually, it was pretty terrible. It was supposed to be a 20 minute visit (very appropriate for 2 year olds), but ended up being an HOUR (not so appropriate for 2 year olds). The fireman giving the tour also spoke to the group as if we were all 18 year olds and lost the attention of all the kids by the first 5 minutes. By the time they got to the garage with the fire trucks (the part 2 year olds are most interested in), the kids were all running around and jumping like monkeys.


"Hang on!"

At the end of the trip, Caroline showed her brother a little love.

Indian Summer & fun in the leaves

We've enjoyed a bit of indian summer as of late, so why not break out the ice cream cones!

And of course what could be better than playing in a pile of leaves?!?

Baby Ryan comes home!

After a few weeks in the hospital, my friend Michele gets to bring newborn baby Ryan home!

The best part too is that Andy got to come home (from National Guard duty) for 10 days of emergency leave. Here they all are...

Truckfest & Pumpkinfest

We took the kids to Libertyville's Truckfest and Pumpkinfest.
Caroline got to climb into a police car and ambulance, and see a bunch of other cool trucks.
She got her face painted with a pumpkin and we tried to have lunch in the park. (The bees had other plans for us, however.)

Conversation at breakfast

Caroline: "Daddy, what is the cereal you're eating?"
Daddy: "Cap'n Crunch"
Caroline (innocently): "Can I try some 'Crappin' Crunch' "?
Daddy & Mama: No response for the first minute because we were laughing so hard.
Daddy: "Wait. What do you want to try?"
Caroline: "Some of your Crappin' Crunch"

mmmm chocolate cake

I tried making "egg free" chocolate cake. I wasn't wild about it, but Clayton had no problem digging in!

It's funny. The color of his eyes depends on the day. Some days, they are dark blue; some days gray; and some days green. I think they were green the day I took this picture.

downtown outing

Kevin's parents watched the kids overnight this past weekend while Kevin and I had a "date" downtown. We got to go to dinner and spend a fun night in the city, then sleep in and bum around Chicago for the morning. We went to the Garfield Conservatory for the first time which was a really cool place to visit. I highly recommend it!

Here are the kids with their grandparents and cousins...

Congratulations Michele!

Congratulations to Michele on the birth of baby Ryan (#4)!

We went apple picking at Oriole Springs this past Thursday. We all had a great time! Even Clayton picked a few apples!
We stopped at Harvest time right down the road to get their amazing doughnuts, summer sausage and Wisconsin cheese. Yum!

Here are all the pictures....

Apple Picking 2008

Growing with Mr. Bear - 13 months

Clayton Dancing