CUBS CLINCH! GO CUBS GO - off we go to post season!!!!

Enjoy the highlights of our Cubs season. Otherwise known at our house as the "Tubby Wubbies"! The song you hear on this clip is now our household favorite. Tickle Toes (a well-loved song by Simon) will have to wait until post-season play is over!

Petting Zoo and Pony Rides

We met Eric's cousin and his family in Elmhurst to enjoy Spring Road Days. We enjoyed looking at firetrucks, watching Simon's escaped balloon rise "up high" in the sky, a petting zoo, and a pony ride. Simon wore his serious face for most of the animal events. The petting zoo was a little cramped with a crazy llama that butted his way into our food. Dodging the llama was not an easy task to protect our little 2-year old. Then the short little goats nudged their way to be fed by Simon. Quite the adventure. Simon first wanted to ride the pony, but up close was not so sure. He did not "saddle up" until just before the ride started. Can you tell from his expression if he had a good time?

Aunt Debbie's and Uncle Masato's Visit

We enjoyed several days with Aunt Debbie and Uncle Masato/"Tato", all the way from Minnesota! Okay, not quite right. All the way from Japan via Minnesota! They took a mini vacation to come visit us in Chicago, now just how wonderful was that! I think they got a pretty grand tour of our home and favorite places. They enjoyed several trips to Chicago, some on their own and some with us. We enjoyed dinners, car shows, the art museum, a train tour, a cafe, and lots playtime! We felt like we were on vacation, in our own backyard! The Chicago food that Masato and Debbie were exposed to include pizza, the Chicago style hot dog, and Italian beef. Hopefully we can share more pictures on our blog that were taken by our guests! I love the last picture with Simon and Masato. Simon is in his pajamas, wearing goggles, with his arm on Uncle Masato's leg while watching Sesamee Street. But there are so many to love. Enjoy our visit with them!

Ice Cream Social

We had an ice cream social to tell our June Bugs group of friends that our family is expanding! It is always so much fun to see these four, same aged children together. And it was the first time we met T.J.'s little brother!

We Had a Pet

In my pursuit of cleaning out practically every closet in the house and trying to reduce the items we possess (with some, but not much luck), I actually put an item to use! We received a very large vase as a wedding gift, which has since sat in our china cabinet for seven years. I pulled it out and put it on and end table, empty, to see what Simon would do with it. I told him we might get a fish, what else would go in a very large vase? So he proceeds to find a toy fish and puts it in. What else could we do but go get fish! So, we headed to Jim's Pet World, our local pet store, and came home with a blue beta fish. After dinner we had a family outing to deck out the new fish's home with colored pebbles, a plant, a fan tailed goldfish and little feader fish (12 cents a piece). Simon loved the fish and looked at them all day, before and after naps and bedtime. If it was up to him, he would have fed them all day long! He kissed them good night and gave them breakfast each morning. He helped change the water after one week. Unfortunately, our experiment lasted only 2 weeks. So now, according to Simon, the fish are "hiding". Enjoy the pics and keep posted to see if the fish come out of "hiding"!

Our Little Fish

Uncle Gordon and Aunt Dolores always throw an end of summer pool party over Labor Day weekend. Family and friends gather for lots of food, pool-time fun, live music, and just a good time. Simon did not want to get out of the pool, even with quivering blue lips! Here are a few good clips of Simon the fish! Look at how fast his little legs go! He does so well in the water!

Simon enjoyed jumping into the pool into Daddy's arms!