Starring.....

Miss Annaliese! She was part of her Kindergarten play and did wonderfully! The class wrote a play called "The princess and the wedding." Annaliese played the part of the good fairy. She said her lines clearly and loud enough for all to hear. Not shy at all!

Also the paper program featured her art work! Bravo Annaliese!

January 2010 Hightlights

So here is a fun thing that happened with us in January. We moved all three girls to the back room! For months all three were in the smaller middle room. Annaliese on her bed, Avrie and Addie traded off sleeping on a floor mat and the crib. Yes, we had four year olds in cribs. (Eyeball roll, I know.) They seriously are the most wiggly sleepers ever! Whoever was on a mat on the floor would end up under Annaliese's bed by morning. They seriously needed the rails that the crib gave them. Now that it has been a few months in the big girl beds, I am happy to report that they no longer fall out of bed. The cribs have been dismantled and are now being stored down in the basement. AND...look at this cute room! I love it! They love it too. Annaliese's old room is now "the visitor room." So if you want to come visit us....we have a room just for you! Come soon!

Also another fun January 2010 HIGHLIGHT was a visit from my sister Erin! Did I take any pictures? No. Erin, did you take any? (I thought that we took one at the airport before you left but I can't seem to find it. Lame.) ANYWAY, I always love it when Erin comes. The very night she arrived the twins decided to get the flu. Lovely. We each took care of one of them through the night keeping the barf bowls at the ready. Welcome to Chicago Erin! Luckily nobody else got it. The rest of the visit was delightful. We just had fun visiting and being together. I love that girl! Come again...the room is ready for you (and we'll try not to get the flu)! =)

Catch Up Post - December 2009 Adventures!

Before I can post spring pictures....let me post these winter ones! One of these days I'll be better at keeping this blog up to date....for now it's me playing catch-up! Enjoy our flashbacks!

Every year for December we have a little wooden advent calendar with little doors that count down to Christmas. Behind each door of the calender is a note inside that reveals a special something that we get to do as a family. Sometimes the advent calender will send us somewhere exciting like Navy Pier Winter Wonderland, other days we get to decorate candy houses. Sometimes we get a new Christmas book to read. Every day is exciting as the kids pull out the note that tells them what fun thing they get to do for the day. Here are some pictures we took from some of advent calendar outings. Good times!

I took the kids and hopped on the EL train. Three stops later we were at Kermit's NEW office building! We met up with dad and had a lunch date to remember! 42nd floor!

December would just not be complete without a visit to Navy Pier's Winter Wonderland. Loving the little Ferris Wheel!

We went to see CSO's Welcome Yule! Fun! The girls primary teacher sings professionally and is a member of the CSO choir. It was fun to get dressed up all fancy and to see their teacher perform. (Fun extra tidbit...during intermission a youth orchestra was performing in one of the ball room lobby areas. Addie started to dance and twirl to the music totally uninhibited. Soon the other two joined in as well and they all just stole the show! It was too cute! Oh how I wish I had video! I knew then that I needed to get them signed up for a dance class!)

We visited the Botanic Gardens. You'd think that there wouldn't be much to see or do in the winter....but what a fun place any time of year. They have an elaborate indoor exhibit of little trains traveling all throughout villages made of tree bark and all kinds of woodland plants. So cute! They also had a variety of fun activities for the kids to do as well. Love that place!

Can't forget Rain forest Cafe!

Took the girlies to the Art Institute. They did pretty good. (Lost Addie for a good five minutes! Now that was the worst feeling ever! Luckily she was wearing bright pink and was easily spotted clear across the other side of the museum. Whew!)

PUMP IT UP!

Guess who was the star of the kindergarten class play? Great performance Annaliese!

That's about it for now! Next we'll be skipping to February. Come back soon!

Dancing Queens

I signed the girls up for their first dance class. It's a combination tap/ballet/tumbling class, 20 minutes of each. They pretty much LOVE it!

This clip was taken right after their first class when we got home. Makes me laugh out loud every time. They are dancing queens for sure! Enjoy!





The girls call their leotard and tights...their "costumes". Avrie chose a black costume because it's her new fav color. Addie chose the pink with a skirt and has it on everyday at some point. Annaliese wasn't with us when we went shopping so her sisters chose for her. She likes what they picked. Pink, no skirt.

After our second class Avrie accidentally came home with two left tap shoes, one two sizes too small. Obviously we learned quickly that names written big and bold in shoes is important. We have not found her right shoe yet....but somebody in her class has it I'm sure. She has been a good sport wearing her ballet shoes for tap class until the mystery of the missing tap shoe is solved.

The class is for 4-6 year olds. Annaliese is the only 6 year old and is a full head taller than all the other girls! There is one five year old, her friend from church...the rest are four year olds. She doesn't mind though. She gets along just fine with 4 year olds. =)

I think this class is perfect for these girls! They are loving it!

P.S. I need to update my blog

I am still alive...just so you all know. =) We are doing great and loving spring! Pictures coming soon!

P.S. I need some sunshine

We've had a wonderful time this winter season. We've been busy doing about all there is to do here in the winter. Good times! But dang it, when I came across pictures from this balmy September day it hit me! HURRY SPRING! I NEED YOU NOW!

Ice Skating

When my sister Erin was here visiting a few weeks ago we headed downtown to take the little ones for their first shot at ice skating. We thought that having 3 adults to 3 children would be just what it would take to pull off this adventure.



So we were wrong. If we go again anytime soon, we'll know that we need 2 adults for each child.

Not only did we have a good time but our biceps got a nice work out. Whew! The girls did great! If we had had more time they would have been able to go around with just one person helping. Guess we'll have to get Erin back out here for another visit!