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We have had great luck with classes from the parks department recently – the kids especially love gymnastics, which includes a “ball pit” (aka spongy cubes) and obstacle courses.  A huge thanks to Aunt Jira for turning us onto this gym.  I am most proud of Natalie though for her participation in “seasonal sports,” which turned out to be all boys.  Our amazing nanny “Lala” told me a cute story, where all the kids lined up to sprint across the gym or a field.  Natalie was first to the finish line.  One little boy looked oddly at Natalie, as if to say “what?  She beat me?  That must be a fluke.”  And then the kids sprinted back – Natalie finishing first again.  Woot woot!  That’s my girl.  Although I am (quietly) proud of her for being the fastest runner, I’m more proud of her for trying hard and going to a class where she is out of her comfort zone (she really gravitates towards playing with girls at preschool but when she does play with boys, she has a great time – which her dad is okay with for the time being.  May be a different story in a few years.)

Come into my “ball” pit!

Catch me if you can!

We had a very peaceful trip up to Wisconsin, helped by a couple shows on the iPad and introducing the kids to a jr. Frosty.  Natalie made my mom’s day by visiting her at work – I was very proud of how polite she was.  Even though she was a little shy, she at least said hello to everyone.  Her favorite area to visit was the “Grandpa area”.  One grandpa-type gave her a mint, grape lifesaver, pack of ketchup and a spoon.  Her face was priceless – what?!?!  Then, he had a squeaky rubber chicken that poked his head over and to the side of his cubicle.  Another grandpa-type had the good idea to throw rubber blocks a the first grandpa-type…. always the teaser, Natalie was game for this…. her cute little laugh echoing through an otherwise quiet office.

All in a day’s work…. Grandpa will be so proud!

And I made my Mom’s and Natalie’s day the next day by treating them to a grandma-granddaughter pedicure for my Mom’s birthday.  Pink and purple with sparkles.  Lovely.  And, Grandpa made Elliott’s day by suggesting a trip to the railroad museum, where Elliott got to go in a half dozen huge, historical trains.  His favorite was “Big Boy” – a large black one (sorry, that’s as descriptive as I get), which seemed to require two drivers and had nearly 100 valves inside.  Elliott repeatedly asked “Grandpa, sit down and drive train” and “Mama, what do you see outside?”  They also have a polar express train ride around Christmas, but they sell out in July after only a day…. so I’ll have to sign us up next summer for next Christmas!

Choo choo!

We met Rob and the kids at an apple orchard for some high quality cousin time.  Our almost born baby girl cousin and her mama rested at home –  I’m so excited to meet this little bundle at Thanksgiving!  I could use some cute cuddly baby time…. my “baby” (and Elliott does love to play baby) is 33 lbs.

The picture below occurred right after this conversation:

Trevor: I’m a farmer!
Natalie: I’m a farmer too!
Trevor: No, you’re not
Natalie: Yes I am!
Trevor: But your thing (aka pitchfork) is not up like mine
Natalie: (extreme sad face + pout)
Me: Trevor, Natalie wants to be a farmer too – hers is just a little different.  Look how sad she is.  Can you tell her she’s a farmer too?
Trevor: But she’s not…. (wait 20 sec).  Well, she can be a little farmer.  Actually, she is a BIG farmer (with his gaze going up to the top of her head since she is – insert sarcasm here – so much taller)

Who’s a farmer?

Look at the apple I snatched!

Cousin craziness

How ’bout them apples?

4 kids 4 & Under – and another on the way!

We ended the weekend with a Packers game – it only took Jordan and me 13 years to get to one together.  (I think Jordan has officially been to more games than me.)  We also got to see some of our cousins (no pics – sorry!)  Our tickets were an early Christmas present…. with baby-sitting included! (My fav kind of gift – thanks Mom & Dad!)

Elliott’s been dropping Natalie off at preschool from the time he was in utero, so when I told him that he got to go to school soon too, he was thrilled.  The first day was a little tough – the teacher wanted the class to go outside too soon after they arrived, and he definitely didn’t want to give up his play on the train table.   He even skipped snack time (a big sacrifice for Elliott) to get back to the train table.

But he was ready to go back the next week.  “I go to school!  With Mama!” (Did I mention its Mom & Tots?)  He had rushed down the stairs, waiting for me to put on his shoes, well before I was fully dressed or had our stuff packed.

Isn’t he just the most adorable scholar you’ve seen?

2.5 years old but  is one of my favorite ages.  Elliott still adores us and has an increasing amount of spunk in his personality.  He has started developing a bedtime routine of procrastination that I have fallen for, hook, link and sinker.

His bed is covered in stuffed animals – including a Teddy Bear from godmother Leah.  He has his 1 Leopard Lovey and 2 RoRos (blue robots – one new, one old).  He insists on having his toes covered, so we tuck a blanket into his crib, so he can be just like the big people in our house.

Then, we move onto singing.  His favorite song is a poo poo truck song, which I’ve had to make up, since I obviously didn’t previously know songs about trucks or garbage.  Then, he moves onto Daydream.  I lay next to the crib on the floor and he tries all sorts of ways to engage me… dropping RoRo on the floor, trying to kiss me through the rails, holding my hand.  He always asks for just “2 more minutes”.  And he often comes up with additional procrastination techniques, like “I’m thirsty” to “Where’s RoRo?” to “I need the fan on” to “Too dark”.  Tonight, in desperation, when I was leaving the room he shouts out “Mama!”  I ask him what he needs… “Prayers”.  So we said another round of prayers (Jordan had already said the first round).

I realize this post is probably cutest to me (and probably Mammaw b/c she is the softest-hearted person I know) but I just want to remember it.

Choo choo!

“I win! I’m fast Mommy”

He also had his 2.5 year appointment…. 33 lbs (75th percentile), 50-75th percentile in height and off the charts for head size.  (Shocker – you may note that his toddler helmet above is way too small)

Linville’s go to WI!  We went to Wisconsin Dells with Jordan’s family – it was Jira’s first time in my home state!  On the way up, we stopped by my cousin’s Mike’s new house.  The Dells was great – a bit of rain, which resulted in some indoor arcade-type fun, and a trip to Wisconsin Dells!  Nat’s favorite were the Slidewinders, I believe – orange and blue.  And Bill fulfilled a childhood dream of going to Paul Bunyon – the kids loved the donuts and “cow hats”!

Family Fun time!

High Five – we’re with the big kids at the world’s greatest water park!

FERRIS WHEEL!!!

Uncle Mike, what’s the longest way to your house?

Welcome to our post office!

Welcome to our home! (Two chairs, two kids and two babies)

Natalie’s conversations and comments are just cracking us up lately!  She has a very impressive vocabulary and has a lot to say.

On Tuesday, Natalie had ballet class and it was in the mid-80’s.  When we got home, she jumped out of the car, went right in the house and started to strip out of her ballet shoes, tights and leotard.  Jordan was working from his “office” (aka downstairs room without a door) and was warned by Natalie…. “Dad, don’t give me a hug right now.  I’m really sweaty, just pulled toe jam out of my toes and picked a grundy.”  (Thanks for the warning!)

On Wednesday, I took the kids to one of our schools that was having a Green & Clean Day (the carrot was a new playground to play at!)  In the car, we played a game of saying the animal name associated with the sound, so “moo” is responded to with “cow”.  Then, Natalie gave one to me…. “swoosh”.  Here’s the convo:

Nat: “Swoosh”
Me: Hmm, swoosh.  I need another hint. (I peak in the rear view mirror and see her flapping her arms.)
Nat: The animal soars through the air.
Me: Is it a bird?
Nat: No, not a bird.
Me: Not a bird?  What soars through the air but isn’t a bird.  Can I have another hint?
Nat: Yes, it starts with a “p” sound.
Me: Penguin?  Pterdactyl?
Nat: No – not a bird.  And it flies.
Me: Are you sure its an animal?
Nat: Yes!  Its a “puh” sound.
Me: Pumpkin?
Nat: That’s not an animal!
Me: Plane?
Nat: That’s not an email either – and its a PUH sound!
Me: I’m just so stumped.  Will you please tell me?  (This goes on for awhile.)
Nat: PONY!
Me: Pony?!?  Ah – My Little Pony.  Yes, they do have wings!

Today, Natalie and her amazing nanny Alison went to the pool with Natalie’s best friend Nuala and Nuala’s nanny.  I asked if her friend had floaties.  Natalie said, “No.  She wanted to borrow mine, but UNFORTUNATELY, I don’t know how to swim.”  I cannot do it justice – it was so sweet, so matter-of-fact and with perfect inflection.

And, you cannot forget Natalie’s parrot of a little brother.  Everything Natalie says has an echo.  “Mom, can I have 3 animal crackers and 4 chocolate chips?”  Then I hear a somewhat unclear, “choc chips?”  OR, “Mom, can I watch a show?” and then a “watch show?”  Its so cute.  I realize I’ve just picked examples that show my less stringent side of parenting, but its for everything.  Those are just the ones asked everyday!

He does have a mind of his own when it comes to many things though… a quote from a couple months ago: “Truck Turn.  Honk. Honk.  Move Nat!”

Have you hugged your “comf” / “comfy” today?

I’m a big boy now…. (or, not so much – still in a crib, borrowing my big sister’s frozen sheets)

I’m a big boy now – #2…. once again, kinda…. these lasted about 30 min before needing a change!

A whole bunch of loving in this pic – our wonderful nanny Alison, Natalie and her baby Ellie, Elliott and Natalie’s baby Elsa!

We had a wonderful weekend trip to Fontana, WI, with my family.  (Credit on finding the place still goes to my lovely in-laws, but thankfully, they don’t seem to mind too much that my parents have also gone there with us, since the drive from Chicago is so much closer).  I think every person we met was from the suburbs of Chicago – including the nice family that let Elliott “drive” their boat.  The only downside to this wonderful weekend away was that I got bit by a horsefly.  I’m not sure how its possible to get a horsefly bite when you’re practically in a suburb of Chicago – and not at all the “wilderness of Wisconsin” as I know it – but it still happened.  The kids – especially Natalie – loved swimming…. she slept in and wanted to take naps nearly everyday, after 6+ hours in the pool.  Thanks G&G!

After a month hiatus, which included a temporary new job (b/c my boss left), 4th of July in the burbs, our 10-yr anniversary, a couple family birthdays, our nanny’s vaca and probably countless other things, here’s some much-needed cuteness:

The John Deere Tractor is Elliott’s favorite part of the zoo:

Just gotta drive my tractor….

Natalie, her bff, her bff’s mom and I saw Natalie’s first real play – Little Mermaid at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre:

Wow – a real mermaid!?!? Finnoula, isn’t this amazing???

After missing Natalie during her 2-hour art class, Elliott was more than happy to reunite with his bff.  He is such a little imitator – always doing everything his sis wants to do.

I see you!!!

Come on, El… this way!

We celebrated Clayton’s 2nd birthday!  The dino theme was (surprisingly – due to Natalie’s “fear” of dinos) was a hit.  The take-home present was a blow-up dinosaur – “Diney” – even went to Lake Geneva with us on vacation.

Happy Birthday, Little Couz!

Happy Father’s Day to the best Dad Natalie & Elliott could ever ask for!  Thanks to our awesome nanny Alison, the kids made homemade rock projects that Natalie was so proud of – and from which she and I accidentally super glued our fingers trying to fix a fallen stone yesterday.  (What a pain – we spent an hour with combinations of nail polish remover, salt, laundry detergent and an emory board getting our hands clean!)  Natalie also filled out one of the “All About My Dad” worksheets… highlights included:

favorite food: salad

he is smart because he knows: about being nice

It makes my Dad happy when: I give him hugs and kisses

I really love it when my Dad: let’s us watch and extra Yo Ho show

If you could go on a trip: to Alaska to visit Nana, Pop and Aunt Leah…. and he would take: his whole family

On Saturday, we went to Millenium Park and the new Maggie Daley Park downtown with Kathy, Bill, Alex, Jira and Clayton.  I only captured videos on my phone – our nice quiet picnic turned into a rough housing extravaganza and open air concert (courtesy of Elliott’s imagination turning a paper towel roll into a guitar).  Nana and Pop also baby-sat so we could go to a circus (think Cirq du Soleil – sp?)  And today, we met Natalie’s best school friend’s family at the park for another picnic.

I know its Father’s Day, but I feel like I’m the one that hit the jackpot with an awesome husband/dad and kiddos.  And, equally important, happy father’s day to Grandpa and Pop.  We are all very lucky that they were and are very attentive, loving, present dads and grandfathers.

In Green Bay last weekend, Elliott spoke one of his longest, clearest sentences: “I want more hot dog.”  He was obviously highly motivated.

His most frustrated times are when he’s trying to get Natalie to do something.  Here was a cute one earlier this week, when Natalie was clearly in the way of his semi-truck: “Move Natalie, please.  Truck turn.  Honk honk.”  What a cutie – here’s Elliott teasing his dad yesterday: