My Picassos

It's so darn hot and humid this week.  We've been spending a lot of time inside - partially because of me and partially because of them.  They don't even want to be outside much (oh, thank you, God!)  Nora was sitting in a chair outside, occasionally walking to get something, and there was sweat on her upper lip.  Sweating from sitting on a chair.  It's that hot.  

But even so, I can't keep them inside all day.  We'd all go crazy.  So why not paint {nearly} naked?! 

This hazy picture shows just how humid it was.  The camera
kept fogging up.

I didn't notice until after I uploaded this picture that they
are sitting identically.  So cute.

Hard workers.

What {nearly} naked painting session doesn't end with body painting?

Not ours!

Easy clean off!

6th Grade Friends

Michelle and I had been friends since we thought we were cool wearing Umbro shorts with spandex underneath in sixth grade.  It was the style then.  Don't judge.

This weekend she loaded up her family for a second annual weekend vaca to visit us and Chicago.

Last year, we went downtown to see the Bean, the splash pad and Navy Pier.  It happened to be the weekend of the air show as well -- super busy downtown -- tons of people.  This year was the Taste of Chicago.  Not nearly as crowded but still lots of people.  

  

Michelle's boys (2/3 of them) were very excited to take the
train to the city.  Unfortunately, the train was delayed
10 minutes but they were both very patient.
(Niko is on the left - he's five and a half.
Gio is on the right - he'll be three on the 27th of this month.)

At the train station.

Finally on the train! 

Testing out the waters at the splash pad.

Getting a little more into it.

Totally loving it.
I'm telling you, this water was cold.  Perfectly hot day for
the splash pad though. 

Giovannni strutting his stuff.

This kid cracked me up.  He'd get a
running start and try to kick water on
me.  That devious little tongue sticking
out the entire time.

Niko was the first one to call it quits.  Picked a spot on the
steps to dry off and warm up.

Off to the Taste of Chicago for lunch.
All of our little ducks in a row (including 7 week old Angelo).

Nora really wanted to take a picture with the loin outside of
the library. 

All the outside time was too much for this dude who
still very much loves his naps.

Stopped at the "peanut" as Niko called
it from last year.
Notice the pucker she's giving herself.

Fred with Gio.

Baby bump in the Bean.

Angelo - my godson!

Thinking we arrived at the train station 12 minutes early we were actually 2 minutes late.  I guess that's what we get for accidently looking at the weekDAY schedule rather than the weekEND schedule.  An hour to spare at the train station with 5 small kids sounds like torture but it went quickly and thankfully they were all in good moods.

Finally able to get on the train, Myles
props Lenny up right next to him.

Heading back home after a fun filled day with
good friends in the city.

Summertime....

.... is no time for blogging!  We've been up to a lot and a lot of nothing.  I'm starting to work on filling in the holes so keep looking back.  There will be a few posts from June, I promise.

You know what I really should do is edit the pictures before I put them on here so they look super good.  But, who am I kidding.  I can't even get the unedited versions up on time.

In the meantime, I'll post this.  Since it's Throwback Thursday in Instagram world, this is from almost exactly a year ago.  Myles getting his first haircut.  A couple months back, we wizened up and bought our own set of clippers.  Dan does the dirty work now.  At $22 a pop, every 4 weeks or so, it just made "cents" to keep our pockets a little more full.

Happy Thursday 

and 

Happy Summertime!

Plays Hard, Sleeps Hard

It's his motto. 

Summer Reading Program

I got this in the mail today.  St. Paul is starting their summer reading program.  When you read a book throughout the summer, you add a {paper} scoop of ice cream to your {paper} cone with the name of the book you've read (or in Nora's case -- had read to her).  Then in August, right before school starts, they're having an ice cream social.  You bring your reading ice cream cone with you and they'll hang it in your classroom for when school starts. 

Used the tracer they enclosed to make lots of scoops to add. 

Dan looked at the pamphlet and commented about her going to school.  He asked if I was ready for that.  I laughed and reminded him I cried the first day of VBS so no, I'm not ready.  But I am.  

Last fall when we signed her up for pre-k it just seemed so far off.  But now, we're reading for a reading program, getting physicals, awaiting the supply list, looking for backpacks.  It's really happening, people! We are really going to have a child in school.  Whoa.

Whoa.

I suppose a program like this is a good reminder to prepare myself.  My little girl is growing up.  I'm ready.  Looking forward to walking in her classroom that first day and finding her ice cream cone proudly hung on the wall.  

for the love of his kids

A neighboring city had their festival this weekend so we went to grab a bite for dinner and check things about.  

Walking up to the entrance, Nora says, "Wow, Dad! This
is amazing!"  Love the enthusiasm. 

After eating, it was the plan to go on a
couple of rides.  Bought tickets for the merry-
go-round and found out I wasn't allowed on
because I'm pregnant.  Anyone who knows
Dan knows he doesn't do well with anything
that spins but he was a trooper and took
them anyway.  They were all yelling "YEE HA!"
as they went round and round... and round and round.

He also took them on the Ferris wheel.  It
wasn't even to the top for the first time when
Nora asked, "Is this ride almost over?"
She didn't like it.  Myles loved it.  On his knees
waving at me every time he passed.   Big smiles.

4th of July

4th of July. The BBQs. The smell of sunscreen. The fireworks and sparklers.  Kids running around waving flag., The parade!  And let me tell you, our city definitely makes up for their (dare I say) crappy Memorial Day parade with their 4th of July parade. One hour and fifteen minutes of candy-throwing, siren blowing, band playing fun.  

I really had to laugh at this guy this year...

As most parades do, ours started with fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars.  I just named a third of the things this boy is most interested in.  I can still hear him yelling, "HI! HI! HI!" at every single vehicle.  I swore he was going to develop carpel tunnel by the end of the parade from all the waving he was doing.

He spent much of the parade like this
looking for what was coming next.

What could be better than a parade?  A train going past
just behind you during the parade!  Mind blown.

They both enjoyed the parade but for both of them it was probably 15 minutes too long.  Dan carried Myles to get the car while Nora and  packed up our chairs and the insane amount of candy they collected (not to mention two freeze pops, two cookies, flags, and a water bottle).  By the guys pulled the car around to pick up the ladies Myles was completely out in the backseat, still clutching his American flag.  Dan said he fell asleep on the walk before they even got to the car.

That night we built a fire after dinner and enjoyed an
American classic... s'mores.

And of course there were sparklers. 

There's just something nostalgic feeling about the 4th of July, isn't there?