Halloween 2011

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Weekend with G and G

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Scottsdale Getaway Weekend

Thanks to the Fund, Jason attended the Philanthropy Roundtable conference at the end of October and I was thrilled to ride on his coat tails and enjoy three perfect days in Scottsdale, Arizona.  (Finn and Wylie were more than happy to take their own private vacation with Grandma and Grampa.)  October in Scottsdale is idyllic. Perfect blue skies, 80 degree days, 60 degree nights. 
I had no trouble adjusting to life without kids.  I slept in, went running, enjoyed a massage, sat by the pool and read my book—all without coordinating a babysitter.  I looked up once and noticed some cute little boys, thought how much Finn and Wylie would enjoy the pool, readjusted the volume on my iPod, and went back to my book, and margarita.
Jason and I continued the without-children act by spending Saturday hiking and horseback riding, telling ourselves this active lifestyle is how we would spend our lives if it weren’t for naps and grocery shopping and, oh yeah, the fact that we live in the Midwest.

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Estimation Jar

We have been loving Finn's new preschool class at Concordia. Since Mrs. Coogan mentioned it during Open House, I've been waiting for the Estimation Jar to come home.  An empty jar that Finn would need to fill up with objects, then bring back to school for his classmates to practice estimating.  Today Finn brought it home.  Jason and I both were inexplicably excited.  After first trying to put his tools in the jar, Finn settled on cars as the best option. 

Can you guess how many cars are in the Estimation Jar?

Block Party--Costume Parade

Our cute little otter, trying out his costume.

An otter with hippy classes--cool, dude.

The otter and the fireman.

Marching in the costume parade with Paige.

The whole neighborhood gang.

On the Move!

Woo hoo!  Today Wylie achieved a milestone--his first true little bit of crawling.  Even though a part of me would rather he stay stationary and stay a baby, we are all proud of our little man. 

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Of course Finn was more than happy to help Grandma blow out her candles and lick the icing off of them and devour a slice of cake!

Wylie's been doing a lot of this "scrunch face" lately.  We think it means he's excited!

Apple Picking (finally!)

After unsuccessful apple-picking attempts both last weekend and the weekend before, we finally made it to Homestead Orchard in Woodstock today.  If you're looking for a no-frills orchard, this is a decent choice, but it was small and the owner had a lot of rules--no running through the rows of trees, really?!  (Next year, we pledge to go in September and we want to go to Ziegler's Apple Orchard in Grayslake.)  Finn was his usual difficult-to-get-out-of-the-house self and grouchy on the way there, but once we were at the orchard, none of us could help but enjoy the simplicity.  Pick an apple.  Eat an apple.  Move on to another tree. Wylie loved his vantage point from the wagon and was thrilled that we gave him apples to gnaw away on. 

We filled up three 10 pound bags, and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the orchard.  Then we ventured into the town of Woodstock for a little small town exploration.

Three boys, three apples.  Eating while you pick is the best, and not against the rules--Papa!

"Let's go to that tree, at the very end on the row!"

I thought it would be a good idea to take a big bite out of the apple for Wy, so that he could more easily eat the flesh.  I did count on the apple juice squirting him right in the face!

Sorry, little man.

Finn's Fourth Birthday

It is impossible to believe our little boy is four years old already.  I have asked him many times to stay little, but he seems set on reaching each new milestone.  

His birthday extended throughout the long weekend and was full of celebrations.  Jason has said lately that we should do less, but really, I can't imagine less celebration.  To begin the birthday hoop-la, Finn brought popsicles to school on Thursday and came home with a crown and believing he was four already.  On Saturday we celebrated with his friends at My Gym and out to dinner with G and G at Cucina Paradiso.  (Joe and Robyn were busy celebrating too, as little Lyra made her appearance on October 8th, to share Finn's birthday.)  The family gathered to celebrate over brunch on Sunday. 

Thank you tons and tons to Finn's family and friends for helping him celebrate.  He is lucky to have you in his life, and bringing him  presents!


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Welcome to the World, Lyra Jane!

We are overjoyed about the birth of beautiful Lyra Jane Kovar.  Our first niece!  Lyra was born on October 8, 2011 at 11:23 pm.  She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 20.5 inches long.  Finn is delighted to share his birthday was his sweet little cousin.  Congratulations to Joe and Robyn.  It will be such fun to share the adventures of parenting with you!

Poopy Planetarium

Sammy took Finn and Wylie to the Adler Planetarium today, which was fabulous for many reasons--she chose a beautiful day to be at the lakefront; she planned the outing because today was a free day at the planetarium; they took the train, Finn's favorite mode of transport; apparently, Finn was a huge trooper, walking all the way from the el stop and back without complaining; and Finn had a blast in Adler's kids zone!  Yet, when I asked Finn about the outing, here's what he told me:

"There was horse poop on the sidewalk!"

8 months

Phooey, Wylie seems to be saying, about turning 8 months.