Saturday Fun

Riley has been asking, yet again, to make another trip to Bouncetown. We made some quick last minute plans and met the Knoll's for a day of fun. Riley and their daughter Clare are about the same age, so they had a blast chasing each other and climbing and sliding. It was great that she had a partner in crime. Mike and Mike, yes they have a daddy Mike too, had a blast. At times, it was hard for Colleen and I to tell who was having more fun, the girls or the daddies!!! Colleen and I as usual had a great time catching up. Their son Danny tried out a few things and baby Audrey caught some zzz's. After a lot of bouncing, we decided to check out the new Sonic. We always see the commercials, but there has never been one around here before. We had a great time spending lunch together, but decided that you go there for the drive-in experience and the slushies:)

First Day (Week) of School

Here is a picture from Riley's first day of school. She really was excited, but did not want me to take her picture, so that is why she does not look happy. She was all ready to go and just a little whining at drop off. The day went pretty well, although she was not yet ready to try other people's cooking and play with all her new classmates. The rest of the week had it's ups and downs. Two of the days she had to be peeled off of me while screaming and other days she said goodbye with just a little sadness. She continues to settle into the routine and each day is doing a little better. She is now testing the waters with all the new kids and trying out all that preschool has. Riley has made a great adjustment and hopefully this week will be even better. At her old daycare it was just one grown up and towards the end, just Riley. Now she has 2 teachers, 2 helpers, and 15 classmates...it is going to take a little getting used to, but that is to be expected. Our little girl is growing up!!!

Three Rivers Festival

Sadly, today is my last day of summer vacation:( We decided to have a great last day and go to the carnival in Channahon. Grammy and Papa Bruce joined us and it was a blast!!! Riley loved all the rides, well except the cars...she went alone and they really whip you around the turns. She also had a great time playing a "carny" game and winning a Dora. What would a carnival be without fun snacks? So of course we had to get a pretzel, some popcorn, and especially for mommy...cotton candy. After a few quick turns on the inflatables, we had to leave because it started raining. Luckily we got a very close spot because by the time we got to the car it was pouring! We ended the day with some good food and corn on the cob, shucked by Riley and Grammy. This was a great way to end the summer. Thanks to Grammy and Papa Bruce for spenging it with us. Now I have to get myself back into work mode. Oh and tomorrow Riley starts preschool...wish us luck:)

There are a lot of pictures....I know. And many of them are courtesy of Papa Bruce.

The new Mr. and Mrs.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Michael Beavers!!!! Today Mike's sister Mallory got married. It was a very busy, and fun two days as both Mike and Riley were in the wedding. The day was beautiful and everyone did a great job. Riley and Jadyn were too cute as the flower girls. They stopped at every pew to throw the petals at the people sitting there. I captured just a bit of them walking down the aisle.

After the girls made it down the aisle, they did not last long before they had to leave the church and let off some steam outside. The ceremony was beautiful and Mallory was gorgeous, as was the rest of the family and bridal party. The reception was fun and allowed the kids to let off a lot of steam. They all danced on the floor every opportunity they had and ran around all through dinner. Riley's dinner mainly consisted of a butter packet:) It was a fabulous evening to finish off the great day. Riley partied hard until about 11 and then said she was ready to go home. She was so exhausted that she passed out in the car not long after leaving.

We wish the best of luck to Mallory and Mike as they begin their new life together!!
(There are a lot of pictures. Remember, if you see one you like, double click on it and then you can save it.)

Build-A-Bear

Today we took Riley to Build A Bear. We saw it last weekend at Navy Pier and thought that she would really love it. Riley was so excited to go and make a bear. She had a hard time making her choice, but in the end decided on a rabbit. She was a little apprehensive when the stuffing part came, although she did stand on the pedal. Riley also did not want to give the rabbit a heart, but after Daddy put one in, Riley added hers. She has a special two heart rabbit now. Riley did have so much fun picking out the clothes and shoes. Riley decided to name her rabbit Carla...no idea where that name came from...and since we have gotten home it had been all she has played with, so we guess it was a hit. Oh and she also tried to escape taking her nap by coming downstairs in Carla's shoes. Don't know how she got them on because they are pretty small, but she managed to and also walk down the stairs in them. Welcome to our house Carla!

Ready for School

This year when I go back to work, Riley will be heading to a new place. It will have preschool in the morning and then more like a daycare in the afternoon. She is very excited and keeps talking about school. To make it more special for her, we got her a new backpack. She was so excited today when it came in the mail. It made her so happy, that I could not resist taking a few pictures of the big girl. How is our baby that grown up already? We cannot believe how big she is. Let's hope she acts in her best big girl behavior at preschool. Oh and another milestone reached...no more pull ups!!! She has only been wearing them at night for months, but this week we have switched to underpants at night and she is so happy. See more reasons why our little baby is growing up!!!

Raging Waves

Today we went to a water park in Yorkville. My friend Chrissy had gotten us a free ticket through school and on the day that they went, we were unable to join them. Mike and I decided that we would spend our last summer day together (he usually has Mondays off, but not next week) and check out the water park. My friend Colleen and her family are members, so we asked them to join us. They were not able to come, but did allow us to "borrow" their 3 1/2 year old Clare. We thought that if Riley had a partner in crime she would have more fun. Well when we got there, Riley went on one little slide and then decided that she was not going to go on anymore. Since Clare is an old pro, Mike decided that they would go on all the big slides and Riley could just sit out and have her fit (did I not mention that she had a mini-meltdown every time I suggested doing anything). Mike and Clare had a blast together and I finally did convince Riley to float around in the lazy river with me, even though she cried the 2 times the bridge rained on her. We met back up and had lunch. Then it was time for Clare to go home, but we stayed for a while longer. We checked out the "beach" and the wave pool. Then Mike decided that I ought to have a little fun, so I went on a few slides alone and they bummed around in the splash area. The one place that she did enjoy herself. Even though Riley was timid, we still had a fun day and it was good to be together (for the most part) and soaking up the nice summer day, especially since it started off raining and we thought we would have to cancel. Later on tonight, Riley told Mike that she did not want to go on any slides because it was too cold and she did not want to get wet:)

Date Day

For my birthday, Connie and Dan got me tickets for a day at Navy Pier to see Cirque Shanghai and today was the big day! We dropped Riley off at Granny and Papa Dan's for a day of fun and we headed downtown. The weather was a little rainy and dreary, especially for August but we made it a great day anyways. We saw the show....which is amazing...and both really enjoyed ourselves. Then we took a ride on the Ferris Wheel and walked around the pier. After that, we had a great dinner at a table overlooking the lake. To wrap up the day we took a boat ride. It was great to see all of downtown, even though the weather felt a little more like fall. Thank you again to Connie and Dan for the great opportunity, as well as taking Riley for the day and overnight. It is not often, even though we have many offers, that we get to spend this much time to ourselves without worrying about Riley. (Thanks also for the umbrella and coat...I did not think ahead before leaving home, and who knew I would need a coat in August!)