Summer is finally here and we have the schedule to prove it! We have had a busy few weeks filled with lots of family, friends, and fun.
Cari and the kids came over to my parents house to swim but it was a little cold still. The kids didn't seem to mind too much but the moms only lasted about 5 minutes. At least we got a little sun! After we were sufficiently frozen, we headed over to their house for a cookout. Emma and Evan are at that age where they would rather beat each other up than play and Ella is content to just go with the flow. They all came together for a little dancing at the end of the night-too cute.
I saw a cute idea for a camping invitation online and decided to make it into an invite for a smore party. I have been wanting to have lots of fun little parties throughout the summer for Emma and her friends and this was a fun last minute get together. We just sat around the fire and chatted while the kids ran around being crazy from all the sugar.
For Mother's Day, we had gotten my parents tickets to see Mary Poppins in Chicago. We all headed up there for the weekend. Overall it was pretty low-key, just a lot of window shopping and a quick trip to the zoo. We saw some lovely flowers at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and I am going to try to use the pictures for some kind of project. Mary Poppins was fun and Emma really liked it but it was no way near as cool as Wicked. I guess when you already know the story it isn't really as exciting. It was very well done though, and perfect for Emma's first musical.
We don't have anything big planned for a while which means a lot of time by the pool. Ahh, summer. I always love these first few weeks when you have the whole summer ahead of you. The possibilites are endless. Playing outside until your parents have to carry you in because you are so tired. Eating dinner at 9:00 because you were having too much fun to come inside. Parties in the cul-de-sac with all your friends. Spending the entire weekend by the pool. Tan lines. The smell of barbecues, sunscreen, and even bug spray. The excitement of hearing the ice cream truck coming down your street. A pair of flip flops for every day of the week. Watching the Cardinals beat the Cubs. Again. Popsicles and lemonade. Camp-outs and sleepovers. September is so very far away.
We tried out the local farmers market and the selection was pretty good for this early in the summer. We are going to try to make it a regular outing-especially when the berries and the sweet corn start rolling in! Ryan got some perfect looking (and tasting) spinach and I got a new basil plant. Hopefully I can keep it going-I don't have the best luck with keeping things green.
Cari and the kids came over to my parents house to swim but it was a little cold still. The kids didn't seem to mind too much but the moms only lasted about 5 minutes. At least we got a little sun! After we were sufficiently frozen, we headed over to their house for a cookout. Emma and Evan are at that age where they would rather beat each other up than play and Ella is content to just go with the flow. They all came together for a little dancing at the end of the night-too cute. I saw a cute idea for a camping invitation online and decided to make it into an invite for a smore party. I have been wanting to have lots of fun little parties throughout the summer for Emma and her friends and this was a fun last minute get together. We just sat around the fire and chatted while the kids ran around being crazy from all the sugar. For Mother's Day, we had gotten my parents tickets to see Mary Poppins in Chicago. We all headed up there for the weekend. Overall it was pretty low-key, just a lot of window shopping and a quick trip to the zoo. We saw some lovely flowers at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and I am going to try to use the pictures for some kind of project. Mary Poppins was fun and Emma really liked it but it was no way near as cool as Wicked. I guess when you already know the story it isn't really as exciting. It was very well done though, and perfect for Emma's first musical.We don't have anything big planned for a while which means a lot of time by the pool. Ahh, summer. I always love these first few weeks when you have the whole summer ahead of you. The possibilites are endless. Playing outside until your parents have to carry you in because you are so tired. Eating dinner at 9:00 because you were having too much fun to come inside. Parties in the cul-de-sac with all your friends. Spending the entire weekend by the pool. Tan lines. The smell of barbecues, sunscreen, and even bug spray. The excitement of hearing the ice cream truck coming down your street. A pair of flip flops for every day of the week. Watching the Cardinals beat the Cubs. Again. Popsicles and lemonade. Camp-outs and sleepovers. September is so very far away. 
Emma and I had a great time in Chicago. For me, the best part of the weekend was on the train there. We had a great time talking, coloring, and anticipating all the fun. Aunt Rachael came and picked us up at the train station and we drove back to her apartment and realized that the power was out. Rach's building has a courtyard that you have to walk through to get to her place and it was sooo dark. We were all a little creeped out and there were huge sighs of relief when we made it in the door! We had a little candlelit pizza party--a nice way to start the weekend!
Friday we walked around and went to the American Girl store, of course. When it finally warmed up a little we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. All the animals seemed like they were so close. It was cool to see them like that but it's a little daunting to look a lion in the eye with only a little moat between you!
It's been a long time since Emma and Aunt Rachael were able to spend this much time together. Emma was super excited so she got roudy quite a bit but I think Rach understood.
The weather cooperated a little better Saturday so we walked along Lake Michigan and Emma played at the beach for a while. The water was absolutely frigid but, of course, Emma didn't mind. 
Emma didn't want to sit and have her picture taken with Abe until after we went through the museum-he was a little intimidating. When we were walking to the car she said "I'm ready to sit by Abraham". I guess she felt like she knew enough about him by then-though she still didn't want to sit too close!
Emma has really missed her aunts lately. We didn't get to see Rachael since she spent the day with Ryan and their mom but she had a great time with Aunt Alli. I need to spend less time behind the camera -I am really sad that I didn't get any pictures of me and Em together on Mother's Day. I need to remember to pass the camera to someone else once in a while!
We ended up rescheduling the photo shoot for this weekend but it was a little windy and chilly. The kids did great anyway and we ended up getting several great shots! I think we will try again when it is a little warmer-and sunnier! 
Everyone that has been around me lately knows I have been going crazy keeping a secret! My friend Cari graduated from ISU on Saturday. We threw her a huge surprise party and I can't believe it but it was actually a surprise!! She knew that her family was taking her out to dinner after graduation so they were able to get her to the restaraunt without tipping her off. After dinner we had an after-party at our house and celebrated all that she has accomplished. Cari was so grateful and kept saying how much it meant to her. The turnout alone was a testament to how much she is loved. There were over 70 people there! She is a wonderful wife and mother and was so happy to be going back to school even though it meant juggling everything else. I have always admired her ability to stay positive and enjoy the moment--she is a great example for everyone and an amazing friend. Congratulations Cari-we love you!!
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