Como Town

Today was a glorious fall day so we decided to check out Como Town before it closes for the season. It was a big hit all around! Elliott was in awe of the rides, the music and all of the lights, and Sam enjoyed testing out his driving skills on a few of the rides - each a take on a different moving vehicle.

The adjacent Como Zoo left us missing the expansive and meticulously maintained Lincoln Park Zoo. I found myself actually looking away from a few of the exhibits, but I suppose the kids don't know the difference -- looking up at the giraffe still got lots of ooohs and ahhhhs.

Can't wait to go back in the spring when Elliott can really get in on the action!

First Day of Preschool

Sam started preschool today. He couldn't wait to get out the door and was all smiles on the way to school. It really went unbelievably well. He hit the sand table as soon as he got there and was busy playing when it was time for Steve and me to leave. It was all I could do to get him to tear himself away for a quick hug. I had to ask three times! I am delighted that the transition went so well, but I think a little piece of my heart is sitting on that sand table.

Sam My Man

I’ve been writing a lot about Elliott, but Sam deserves a moment in the sun too. We’re nearing his first day at preschool which has me reflecting on how much of a kid he’s become. I like to say that he’s wonderfully rambunctious! I swear, he’d run everywhere if he could, and recently, he’s started to really let loose in the dance department. He used to clam up a bit, but now he unleashes the dance moves at the first sound of music – and there are some interesting ones. Fist pumps, kicks and lots of jumping. You can’t help but join him when he gets going.

Sam has this tiny sing-song voice and if I could bottle it for later, I would. He’s very verbal and some of the things that come out of his month leave me astounded (in a good way). Funny things come out of every kid’s mouth, and I understand why parents sit around rehashing everything their kids do. It’s hilarious, and Sam matches his words with priceless expressions which makes him all the more entertaining. He’s assured us that football players have elbows, pointed out that the baby orangutans look just like Elliott and declared that he has “a lot if important work to do on the computer.” The “whys” have also begun in earnest and I find myself talking about things I stopped noticing eons ago (why do trucks have mud flaps? Why do we need a sewer?)

He’s just this amazing little guy – very lovable. He pulls hugs “out of his pocket” and gives “magic kisses.” The joy he gets from eating a bowl of ice cream or a lollipop is enviable, and seeing him hold Elliott’s hand on a recent stroller ride is one of my all-time favorite mom moments.

So I’m obviously a proud mama, but it’d be totally misleading if I didn’t say he’s also stubborn as hell and has a knack for whining, but I think he probably gets both from me, so I can’t really blame him. His procrastination skills are second to none and he can throw a mean tantrum. But if he wasn’t difficult at least part of the time, I’d probably smother him to death with my kisses.

Elliott's Baptism

Elliott became an official member of the catholic church this weekend. It may have been the hottest baptism on record -- temps soared close to 95 degrees, and we were all left thanking the good Lord that the church was air conditioned!

Elliott was a real champ. He made it through church without so much as a peep and had plenty of smiles for the congregation during the ceremony. Sam and his cousins didn't fair quite as well -- by the time Elliott was being blessed, Claire, Charlotte, Sam, Grandpa, and Aunt Angie were outside trying to keep the peace.

All in all it was a great celebration and we were reminded once again how lucky we are to live closer to family.

Elliott at Eight Months

Elliott is eight-months-old and what's notable now is his newfound ability to sit up for longer stretches and crawl around. He doesn't have the hang of picking his butt up off the floor, so he relies on the army crawl, but it's pretty amazing how quickly he can get from point A to point B. He squeals a lot and has learned to make a stink when someone leaves the room without him. But overall, I'm still amazed at how well-natured and easy going he is in general.

Beat the Heat

It was blisteringly hot yesterday and we succesfully beat the heat while having some fun. We were at the pool and the park in the morning and then we logged some serious time in the kiddie pool and sprinkler in the afernoon.

Grandview 2010

We’ve just returned from a week at Grandview Lodge (our return was actually a week ago, but the days following vacation are grueling)! Our trip was great fun, and in true Clark Griswold-style, filled with lots of ups and downs.

Sam and Elliott loved it – between the lake, the pool, the beach, the boat, the playset and the constant swirl of cousins, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, what’s not to love? We’ve been doing this for a few years and Sam gets into it more and more every year – I get a smile on my face just thinking about it, and I can't wait until Elliott can really get in on the action. We fed the ducks every morning, indulged in lollipops, looked for pirates on the lake and ventured out for a very short, nail-biting canoe ride. And it didn't stop there! We hit the pool about 10 times, celebrated Charlotte's first birthday and went on a wildly popular scavenger hunt. Really fun and so great to truly unplug for an entire 7 days (I didn’t turn my computer on once and Steve owes me $10 for it!)

On the flipside, Sam battled a heat rash for the first few days and Elliott ended the week with a couple of sleepless nights and an ear infection. We also returned home to find that a garage cabinet had fallen and dented the hood of our new car. Not really the homecoming you dream of, but I figure it wouldn’t be a true family vacation without a few hiccups.