Author: pazmeyer

kohls museum

Our morning was spent at the Kohls Children Musuem which is one of the best in the Chicago area. So much fun stuff for the kids to explore and there are exhibits for all ages. We could stay there all day. Becky purchased a membership so I know we will definitely be back on our next trips.

navy pier

It was just me and the girls today while Becky and Darnell worked. Annabelle did not leave Lily’s side and Gwyneth monopolized Madison. It worked out really well. No fighting for attention.
We headed down to Navy Pier for lunch and a ride on the carousel. It was PACKED! There were tons of field trips. Kids everywhere! I’m a freak about supervising children. I read too many books about kidnappings and other horrible things so I’m constantly in a state of panic when I’m in large crowds with young children wandering about. My girls seem to take pity of me for my anxiousness and stay near and don’t fight holding hands or buddying up. Thank goodness! If they were more rebellious and prone to wandering I would probably be institutionalized after one of these trips.
Despite my annoying stranger-danger anxiety, we had a lovely time. Lily was probably the happiest of everyone. She loves riding in her stroller which Annabelle gladly pushed all day. She had a huge smile on her face and loved the wind blowing her hair.
I do miss living in the city, but that time has passed. The public transportation, large crowds, and over-priced everything doesn’t seem quite as fun as I remember. Perhaps I just built it up too much? No. It really was fun. I’m just a mom now. Gladly.
Dunkin Donut Lemonade donut on National Donut day??? Yes, Please!
Breakfast with Lily. Triple Trouble! 

cold chicago

It’s June in Chicago and we’re freezing. What the what?!?! Who would have guessed it? I didn’t pack or plan appropriately for cold weather, but we’re nothing if not flexible in our travels plans. We spent the day hanging out with Madison and then picked Lily up from daycare in time for Becky’s department party at their new house.
 
Rebecca is the department social committee planner — not surprising for that little social butterfly. Today was their last day of school and they were ready to party. I spent the afternoon meeting all her co-workers who are high school special ed teachers and counselors. Wow! What experiences they have with the students. I can’t even imagine! Rebecca specializes in behavior disabilities and she is the last chance these kids have before being expelled. I can’t imagine dealing with those jerky kids all day….and from the sounds of it, some pretty jerky parents. But Miss Becky laughs her way through it all. Those kids are very lucky to have her (even with all that annoying singing she does).
 
Lunch at the Choo Choo café:
 
Party time!

happy graduation, madison

The girls and I headed to Chicago to celebrate Madison’s graduation from middle school. Hard to believe this beautiful young lady is going to be a freshman in high school. She has grown to be a fabulous, gorgeous, extremely brilliant, slightly moody teenager. She graduated from middle school with the highest honors and will be starting AP courses in basically everything but Math (I’m pretty sure she could be in honors Math too, but she is self-proclaimed lazy…and proud of it. Oye!). She will be on the swim and gymnastics team too. Look out high school, here comes an amazing young woman! I can’t wait to see what the next four years have in store for her. She is already talking drivers ed….I’m pretty sure I just got a few grey hairs.

Congratulations to my wonderful niece and Goddaughter!

Relaxing in Madison’s chair and watching her get ready:

Yay, Madison!

Acknowledging the national honor society students:

Catching a 7 am flight makes for a very tired little girl:

Her Grandma and Grandpa on her dad’s side:

Exhausted!!

yankee doodle

Tonight was Annabelle’s picture day and studio dress rehearsal. She was not really excited about her costume, but has decided it is just fine because of the gloves. She really likes the gloves. The costume is perfect for their routine and I think she looks really stinkin’ cute. 

She still has one more dance class to go, but we are counting down to recital!

butterfly

I am really trying to keep things entertaining this summer, but we sometimes we just gotta get stuff done. Today we ran to the doctors office, picked up fabric for some of my new orders, hit the library and signed up for the kids summer reading program, and visited the Butterfly Pavilion to sign up for a few summer camps. After all those errands we decided we really needed to stop and tour the pavilions and take some time to hold Rosie. 
Even though it was a pretty hectic day, Annabelle was so fabulous to run around with and I really enjoyed my time with her. When we got home she even helped me sew. I think I may have found my assistant for the summer. 

happy birthday, elodie

Annabelle is back! She woke up feeling better and requesting FOOOOOD!! I made her breakfast and then she requested a 2nd breakfast so we tried a new breakfast joint. I’m so glad our girl is feeling better and back to her old sassy self. 
Gwyneth is our breakfast gal so TWO breakfasts was fabulous for her: 
She colored a beautiful peacock for me. We do love our peacocks. 

In the afternoon Gwyneth attended one of her 1st drop off birthday parties at Pigtails and Crew Cuts. The girls celebrated Elodie’s birthday with princess treatment. They got their nails done, hair done, dressed up and had cupcakes. Gwyneth adores Elodie and was so happy to be able to party with her. Elodie’s parents are lovely and I’m so glad these two are friends.

We tried another new restaurant for dinner. We try not to eat out during the week but kind of lose our minds on the weekend. I am not much of a cook and B cooks all week. The weekend is our break and we try new restaurants and then complain that we should have stayed home and B should have cooked for us. Its a vicious cycle and I wish we could change, but we are who we are…..and it kinda works.

We tried a new Italian restaurant and Gwyneth was thrilled. She ate so much lasagna! The girls just knows food. I think it touches her soul. Just a bit:

Canoli  baby! This girl is our foodie:

happy birthday, rosie

Our 2nd birthday party today was for Rosie and unfortunately, Annabelle was invited to this one and had to miss. She was not pleased. 
Gwyneth got to bounce with the girls at Jumpin’ Jordy’s. Rosie is a super sweet little girl and we are so lucky to know her. We met her when she was just a baby and I can hardly believe she is now 3! She is hilarious and always has me cracking up. Gwyneth adores her like a little sister and loves to have her over for play dates and is always looking out for her. 
I have to admit I have a special place in my heart for this girl too. I’m a sucker for a middle child. Happy Birthday, Miss Rosie. We adore you!

These were the best shots I could get. They don’t stand still for long. 
We headed back to the Johnson’s house for present time and cake. Such happy kiddos. 
Miss Rose thanking G for her gift. So, so sweet. 

Rosie put on ALL her gifts from us. Backpack, shirt and hat. She may not have put them all on…her sister, Emma may have helped (you can see her behind Rosie working on the backpack):

Of course Kristen made a homemade chocolate cake. Which was delicious. Of course. Kristen sets the bar rather high for the rest of us. Unattainable really….but I had a big, yummy piece of chocolate cake so I shall forgive her.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Rosie!

happy birthday, essy

Sometimes my desire to be a good mother is truly tested by my very weak stomach. This was evident with diaper changing, spit up, potty training and now vomit. I was greeted by Annabelle at midnight with an upset stomach which led to her throwing up….again, and again…and again…and then again about once an hour until 6 a.m. 
I am a good mom, I am a good mom, I am a good mom…. all mom’s cry and gag cleaning up puke. Right? RIGHT?!?!
So, Miss Annabelle’s day was shot, but Gwyneth was feeling just fine. She had a day of birthday parties lined up and she wasn’t going to miss it. I was worried about Annabelle because she couldn’t keep anything down but little sips of Sprite, but BJ is so much better than me. He never gags or vomits when the girls are sick. SO, he was assigned sick kid duty and I was sent off to birthday parties. The carpets were cleaned and Annabelle was happy when we got home so I’m pretty sure he knows what he is doing. 
Gwyneth’s friend Essy had a really fun birthday party with park play and splashing in the pool. Something tells me Gwyneth was happy to get out of Vomit Hotel: 
Super Cool Pool:
Cake time with friends. Essy, the birthday girl is on the far left. 
Gwyneth and  her school friend, Elodie. 

free bowling

I found a great deal for free bowling this summer. Kids get two games FREE every day over the summer. I signed the girls up and had to check out the closest bowling alley. It’s a little shady in the late afternoon….honestly, no more shady that any bowling alley, any time of day. It’s not a super hip trendy bowling alley, but the games are free. FREE. So it’s our new favorite. 
That’s a strike! Go Annabelle!
I don’t even know what to say about these children:

Bowling is too stressful for Gwyneth. She just can’t watch. She says “tell me when they are all knocked over”. Sometimes it’s a long wait….

Yes, this would be Gwyneth heckling her sister. Awesome: