Ballet Observation Day

Twice a year we get to visit the CBA studio during class. It's always such a treat. Josie is learning so much now that she's moved up to Children's Division II. (Less play, more ballet.) Grrrr...I forgot my camera so phone snaps will have to suffice.

Look who's talking

Despite the fact that Bea has spent the better part of the last month sick, her language has really blossomed. Last night, somewhere around 4:45 am when I was taking my two hour shift with a super sick, super sad baby, she uttered her first sentence. We were watching TV to take her mind off the cough and when Daniel Tiger cut away to the PBS sponsors, she let out this little sweet "Tiger back...Tiger back." Dear sweet girl. We're also noticing that some of her first words are getting more clear. Most notably, "bubbas," which grew out of her early obsession with washing her hands and splashing for hours on end, just transitioned into a full "bubbles!" Little Bea just grows and grows. Here's a quick snap of her last night after finally giving in to sleep.

The last time

Baby Bea has weaned. She was just over 18 months old.  Here's the photo I took on what ended up being the last time.

Being a mother is the most amazing job on the planet. Period.

Saturday in Chicago

On this quick trip to Chicago, we somehow achieved the perfect balance of lazy, family chill-time and get out and play-time.   Here are some photos from Saturday.

(An afternoon trip to WonderWorks:)

Oh and a little bonus from the drive up on Friday night...

Sunday in ChiTown

Quick trip to Chicago this weekend, wrapped up by a fun first trip to Oz Park. Here are a few phone snaps from today.

Halloween Happenings

October was a busy but festive month for our family. Halloween just spread right out across the whole month - which was of course fine with us.

The festivities began back at the beginning of the month with jack-o-lanterns at the Brazee School of Glass.

Josie of course wanted to be Dorothy this year, and since she already had the costume, I agreed to order her a wig to kick it up a notch.

We all had a blast with this wig! This was pretty much the most I laughed all month long.

We found a great Toto basket at the Salvation Army, and the Dorothy costume waited for Josie.

We carved giant pumpkins.

Josie hand-drew her own stencils for maximum spooky action!

 We finished the cinnamon pumpkin seeds we roasted.

 Then toasted and carmelized the next batch.

 MMMMmmmm!

 Lou had his carving work cut out for him.

Reality Check time! (We learn there are candy bars out there without the peanut info in the allergy information. A reminder we have to be extra attentive to keep Josie safe!)

Trick or Treat Time! Bea was hysterical. She wanted to eat every piece as soon as they handed it to her.  Josie wanted to take hers all home and put it in one pile to see it altogether.

We left all the peanutty candy for the Halloween fairy (over half of Josie's basket which led to big tears).

 The fairy took all the candy to convert it into pixie dust to help the fairies fly another year.  And, in the candy's place, she left a really cool Wizard of Oz pop up book for Josie and some paint dots for Bea.

It was a super fun, super spooky season.

 And now for my favorite... the little gem captured as the girls were walking up to the house of one of our favorite houses in the neighborhood. It's this beautiful, magical home that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Dorothy and the Lion sure look like they belonged there.