Our Annual Trip to the Apple Orchard...

This was our 3rd annual trip to the apple orchard. We've made it a yearly outing with Dave's family - and it is really one of our favorite family traditions. Dave's mom could not be at the orchard this year due to school, but we were with his dad and little brother. The girls don't get to see Dave's dad too often, so it is really fun to watch his relationship with them. They are very physical with him - they just love to jump on him and give him huge hugs!

We had one new face this year, as we brought our little friend Kate with us. She is just a few weeks older than the girls, so we had triplets for a day! Her parents were at a wedding out of town and we hung with her - and had a sleepover!! Kate only wanted green apples, so she and Grandpa Ed had a lot of fun scouting them out.

We thought it was going to rain - the forecast did not look good. But, we had a great day! We were actually a little warm! Our jackets never made it on our shoulders. The girls wore rain boots in case it was wet and that was really pretty unnecessary.

We found a little furry caterpillar - apparently that's called a woolly bear. Of course, Ev wanted to hold it - she is always the little daredevil. Erin would not touch it - no surprise there.

We had a wonderful time on the train and carousel as well. Topped the day off with dinner at Grandma's where we got to see her Halloween decorations and chickens! The girls just loved it all! They both made sure to eat their meals so they could enjoy a huge cupcake!

Man were we tired by the end of the day. Perhaps it was because I am so darn pregnant, but I was just wiped out!

Oops...

Today was a rainy, icky morning. The girls woke a little later than usual. I thought to myself today would be a great day to play hookie and not go to preschool. But, we busted our tails to dress, have breakfast and be out the door by 8:15. Sitting in the driveway I opened their backpacks to put their snacks inside. Lo and behold, I see a reminder note that there is no school today! Yikes - how could I have forgotten! Here is the conversation that transpired...

Me: Girls - there is no school today!

Erin: Then why are we in the car?

Ev: Why are we wearing our preschool shoes?

Me: (silently) What the heck are we going to do at 8:15am!!!???

I called Dave and asked is we could visit him at work. The girls had never been to his office. Of course he said yes - and the girls loved it there! Since he works in a "fun" field - gambling or gaming - there are many fun things to see and do at his office. They loved the magnets in his cube and his little dart board. They liked seeing their art work on his walls. And, just about everything else.

We then headed to Old Orchard mall to play there. I was very surprised the stores don't open until 10:30 - I thought everything opened at 10??? Whatever. But, they had a blast running on the dragons in the play area and hiding in the tunnels.

We made a great day of what started as a bit of a disaster! Glad we can be so "go with the flow."

Preschool Update

The girls are loving preschool! My favorite part is when I pick them up. Every day Erin runs to me and SCREAMS! She is so happy to see me. She gives me the biggest hug ever. Ev just waltzes over - very much her style! I got this cute note from one of their teachers - it sums up their personality.

I was just thinking about the girls... I wanted you to know what a great job they both did and have been doing in group. Evelyn answered questions about the book on her own in a 10 person group setting which I thought was great for her. Also, they both made associations with the book. Erin asked, "is he a grown up?" and evelyn asked, "why doesn't he take a shower?" In the story Mr. Gilly, the trashman, takes a bath at the end... both girls worked together and made the association of grown ups taking showers and kids taking baths... it was really cute and thoughtful.

Weekend Get-Away!!!!!!!

This weekend we planned on going camping. But, it was chilly! At night it is getting into the 40s - and I think that's a little much for the kids (and me!). So, we had to make a plan b. We took the train downtown and had a weekend in the city!

It was the girls first train ride - and they really liked it! They liked looking out the windows and seeing all of the people. It was a fun experience for them!

We stayed downtown for just one night and made the most of our time! Our first adventure was taking a trolley ride to Navy Pier. They loved the trolley! Erin had her arm out the window waving and saying hello to everyone we passed - which was precious!

Navy Pier was pretty chaotic! But, we saw a Omnimax 3-D movie - Under the Sea. Obviously it was all about sea creatures. Erin was next to me and enjoyed much of it. However, when the sea snakes got in her face (due to the 3-D glasses) she was in my arms wigging out! Ev on the other hand, turned to Dave and said "I like those guys." My girls could not be more different!!

Next stop was the pool!! The girls have not been in the pool for a few weeks, so they were thrilled to put on their swimsuits and jump and play in the water! Their favorite is the hot tub which we held off on because I can't enjoy it - boo hoo.

Sunday we walked to Millennium Park and they had fun watching themselves in "The Bean" and playing chase in the park.

All in all, a terrific weekend away!

Daddy's on Duty...

Today was my twins club resale. This means last night I had to help get everything set-up and today I had to work the event - morning through mid-day. This leaves Dave responsible for the kids. Dave does a great job, but there are always some strange things that happen while I am gone.

Namely, on this day I found Erin's pants to be very tight - they were 2 sizes too small. And, Dave sent me this pic of Evelyn. Please keep in mind it is September and about 80 degrees outside!! She's got on a winter hat - and has completely painted her face at the Kohl's museum.

Oh boy. Good thing I am home.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today was my birthday! Dave was kind enough to get me some really great gifts - the digital photo frame was my favorite! But, the very best part of the day was having Erin sing Happy Birthday to me about 5 times. She has the sweetest little voice and I could listen to her sing all day long! Ev did join in and sing - and she also has a kind and sweet little voice.

Both girls singing really made my birthday special.

The big walk is nearly here...

I have not been good about posting my training efforts for the walk - so sorry! I have been training, although not as much as I'd like to of. But, I am going to give it my all and not push myself too hard. I never thought when I signed up that I'd be pregnant - never mind six months pregnant. But, I'll do my best and take it one step at a time! I'll keep you updated on the big event......

Ouch...

The other day Dave took the girls to the park to play while I was at a baby shower for Dave's cousin, Kayte. While there, Erin got stung by a bee. Erin does not like bugs or mosquitoes - never mind bees! She swatted it away and gave herself a good scratch. But, despite the bite and it swelling and turning bright red, she handled it like a champ. Dave asked if she wanted to leave the park and she said she'd like to stay for 5 more minutes. Ev saw everything that was going on and her response was - "Daddy - I need more buggie spray." Smart girl.

At least we know she is not allergic to bees!

Summer Camp is Almost Over...

Just 3 more days of summer camp for Evie. She's done such a great job at camp for the past six weeks - I think she will really miss it. She has so much fun with her new friends and also really likes her teachers. She'll be in great shape for preschool. She loves to talk about her friends - especially her boyfriends.

Thankfully, Erin will be attending the same preschool as Ev. It will make my life much easier to have them both in the same school - and classroom. Coordinating two schedules would have made life just that much trickier.

Since Ev has been in camp Erin and I have had time to do all kinds of fun things - crafts, errands, shopping, playing at the tree house, kids museum, local parks, attending music concerts and so much more... But, she is so excited to start preschool. Nearly every day she asks when preschool starts.

I recently bought them school shoes, jeans, tops and little fuzzy jackets. They love nothing more than trying on their preschool wardrobe, running in circles and jumping! It is really cute to watch. They put on a show for Dave a few days ago and it was precious.

Flirting at the park

Over the weekend, the whole family went over to our local park for a small summer party. Anne and the kids were in from Arizona, so the entire Doherty clan came by. We played catch, ladder ball, ate pizza and played on the park equipment.

I was pushing Ev on the swings (which is a full blown commitment since she will stay in those darn swings for 45 minutes straight). Meanwhile, Erin was off doing her own thing. She has taken a liking to laying on the big kid swings on her belly and running back and forth.

After a while I walk over to the other side of the part to check on Erin and she is gabbing away with this other boy and his dad who were also at the swings. I was very shocked because Erin is not one to talk to strangers. But she really liked this other little boy.

A few minutes later, Erin and this boy were laughing and chasing each other like crazy. She was running around squealing with delight. Then the boy started hiding from Erin. She would run all over the park yelling "Jackson!!!, Jackson! Where are you? Daddy, where's Jackson?" I'd point to a tree or something else he was behind and she would run to get him.

I later found out from the dad that Jackson was 4 1/2 (really, Erin, you are almost half his age!). I also found out that the his name was not Jackson, but Collin. I have no idea where Erin got Jackson from, but strangely enough, he had taken to calling Erin Sophie. So in about 15 minutes these two already have pet names for each other.

No matter where Jackson/Collin would go, Sophie/Erin was like his little shadow. But she was far from being a pest. When I took Erin to the washroom, Jackson/Collin was apparently very concerned that she may have gone home. I guess he liked all the attention he was getting.

Now comes the "holy cow" part. I walking around the park equipment with Sophie/Erin as she and Jackson/Collin are playing, talking, and laughing and all of a sudden they are standing face to face (much too close) and Jackson starts to make his move. He actually went in for a kiss!!

I'm happy to report that Sophie/Erin had the good sense to put up her hand and push him away. That-a-girl, Erin! Chase the boys, make them interested and push them away. Keep up the good work, especially about 10-17 years from now.