Visiting the Children's Garden at the Arboretum

We were so thrilled to hit 70 degrees today --and were extra lucky we were on spring break. We spent a long time in the Children's Garden at the Morton Arboretum. The kids loved exploring, playing hide and seek and most of all...getting wet. We went to the zoo yesterday and ran around a lot. The animals were very active so the kids really enjoyed watching them.

The Sports begin.....Parker's first T-ball practice

Parker is part of the Mariners team for T-ball this year, through Elmhurst Youth Baseball. He is on the team with his friend, Katelyn, and our neighbors too. He did a great job his first practice and we are all excited about the first game. He was so excited to get his uniform at the end of practice and gave me a big smile. We also signed him up for Soccer which starts in the fall. Mike's next question was when are basketball sign ups?

Easter Egg Hunt

The top 2 pictures are at the Easter Egg Hunt with friends. Parker's friend, Katelyn, was over for a playdate and we colored Easter eggs (the kids favorite thing to do)...it is amazing how quickly 24 eggs are done! The last picture is with Mr. Singer and our friends over for music class. the kids really enjoy the hour. We are all excited about the Easter Bunny coming to visist and wondering where he is going to hide our eggs and baskets...and what will be inside. Happy Easter!

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Tia is giving up her room to the baby and is now moving into Iris' room. The girls got a new coat of paint (pink of course) and new bedspreads. Parker couldn't be the only one left out so he got a Batman bedspread and a new coat of paint too (he wanted pink but lucky for Mommy and Daddy he wanted the Batman bedspread so he relented to blue since it matched). Now blue is his favorite color, replacing pink....I think a little brother would be a good addition...of course the girls want a girl this time and then a boy next time.....wish it was that easy.

St. Patty Day Parade and Pretend Babies

The kids had fun at the St. Patrick's Day parade with their friends. They didn't get much candy but enjoyed watching the floats and bands marching by. Parker and Iris were having fun pretending they had babies in their bellies and that they just had a baby, each taking turns saying 'Congratulations' to each other.

Our winter getaway...in Key Largo

We really enjoyed our vacation and the kids did great. We visited the Everglades and saw about 50 alligators on our walk through one of the trails. Those are real ones behind Mike and the kids. We also went to feed the tarpon at a marina on the Keys. We bought a bucket of fish for each of the kids to feed them but the girls took one look at the dead fish and wouldn't touch them. Parker was getting bored feeding the fish so Mommy stupidly suggested feeding some of the pelicans that were hanging around...we were all afraid they were going to get his fingers, he got very scared and was screaming so loud everyone on the dock thought one got him. We rented a canoe at a State Park nearby to the hotel and went out on an adventure of our own. Mommy kept getting the kids wet when she would switch sides with the oar, Daddy had quite a few frustrating moments when Mommy's stearing wasn't so good and we ran into the mangrove trees on the side. We enjoyed plenty of pool time at our hotel and ate lots of pizza (the kids favorite restaurant).

Children's Museum Pictures