While the dad was away, we did play

While dad was at CX Nationals this weekend kicking butt and taking names, I thought to try out this indoor playground I'd heard great things about. The kids had a great time! A few of the slides were too big for Miles to venture up by himself, but he quickly found ones he was comfortable with and went on them over and over. We had a great time and was a good place to burn some energy. Henry did a great job encouraging Miles when he needed it and also gave his bum a little boost in the jungle gym to help him climb. Notice in the video how Miles goes right up the slide again, not wasting a bit of time. He loved it.

Alpaca Hat

Here is Henry showing us the alpaca hat his teacher brought back for all the kids from her trip to Peru over the holiday. Its the softest hat ever and so colorful. Both boys really love them. We googled Alpaca together so I could show them some pictures and give them a little more info on where they live and what they do in Peru and how important they are to their people.

Holly and Jolly

Henry helped light the swedish angel chimes this year.

Miles thinks the chimes are pretty neat!

A new sled, haven't had a chance to give it a test ride yet....no snow!

Everything in front of him is sugar.

Lucy's cute pjs match the boys and that is the baby doll bed we got her that our friend Debbie painted to match her room, so cute!

Daddy Daycare

Brian took the kids and their 2 friends on a hike during winter break. Fun time!!

Happy Birthday Henry!

5 years old today. Quite the smart little guy he is turning in to. He loves to sing along to anything. He really enjoys any and all things craft, drawing, cutting, pasting. He writes and spells til the cows come home. He really enjoyed his friendship party (he called it). We had 16 kids all join us to paint some pottery. Everyone really had a great time. It flew by and I wish we could have bottled up that cuteness and energy of a room full of 3-6 year olds just painting their own artistic hearts out. Everyone loved picking out what kind of pottery they wanted to paint and the color paints to go with it.

So Happy Birthday to my first born, we love you Henry!!

Santa Breakfast

Downtown. Macy's. Hand-in-hand. Metra ride. Taxi. El ride. Face-painting. Balloon animals. And even a tad bit of shopping! (can you believe it)....such fun Henry and I had. Enjoying each others company, talking about our day plans over a milk and coffee at the train station.

Last race of the year.

Brian took 5th at the IL State Championships yesterday! So glad for him!! He raced an amazing, strong race and couldn't be more proud of him. And we were all happy to have to not have to brave this race in frigid temps like we have in the past. Boys hung out with Uncle Craig and stayed cozy at his place nearby.

Boys are looking forward to birthday festivities and Christmas of course. Henry was a huge help in decorating everything this year. He particularly likes rearranging the stockings nearly every day and commented on the cursive letterings on them, claiming his name was spelled wrong. Those lower case n and r still do look deceptively alike. He has made some of his own Christmas cards to a few select recipients and even received a letter back from Santa last week.