The rest of Aug and Sept 2013

-Benson's First Day of Preschool-

Benson started the 3's program at the Eola Community Center on Sept 3. We went for his first day to meet the teachers. He has two teachers this year, Mrs. Renee and Mrs. Sharon. He was very nervous to talk to them and I barely got a picture with them. His best friend Cailyn is in his class this year. He is so excited to see her and his other friend Stella at school. I am interested to see how Benson does this year. He doesn't sit well for me and doesn't really have an interest in projects.  

-Allyson came to visit-

So happy to have Allyson come and visit and for her to meet Finn for the first time! We had a great time having her here. I got in a little shopping and craft time with her which is always my favorite. It was nice to have a little extra help while I was getting my kids off to school. We made our annual trip to the Last Fling, which my kids look forward to each year. They loved all the rides and the yummy food. This is one of my kids favorite traditions we do every year. We love downtown Naperville!

-Herrick Lake-

We took the kids to Herrick Lake and let them ride in the kayak for the first time. They both were very excited and couldn't wait to get out on the water. As soon as Christian got the kayak in the water we found out that they didn't allow personal ones in the lake. So we had to go and rent a canoe instead. 

Addy was not thrilled about the canoe at all. She was so scared and I could here her screaming and crying across the lake. Sitting in the back made her really nervous and every time the canoe would tip she would scream. I convinced her to try again and to sit in the middle. She loved it and went out a few more times! Benson had a great time in the canoe but loved throwing rocks in the water the very best. We packed a picnic lunch and the kids had just as much fun pretending to row the kayak on the grass. Addy begged to hold Finn in the kayak. Such a sweet sister!

-Finn 1 Month Old-

My sweet boy is 1 month old. He continues to be such an easy going sweet natured baby. He is sleeping so well for me at night, around 7-8 hours, and naps off and on most of the day. His stats at his Dr. check up: 10 lbs 14 oz 75%, 22 in long 70%, and his head is 15 in 75%. He is a healthy and growing baby. I am loving every minute I have with him. My transition as been so much easier than I ever thought thanks to this little cutie.

 -First time riding the bus-

Addy rode the bus for the first time. She was so excited and felt very grown up, which made it easier on me to let her go. I wasn't all about the bus at the beginning. After I drove every morning and waited at the school every day at pick up with the boys in tow, I knew there had to be an easier way. Having Abbi at our house every morning before school to help Addy on the bus and to her classroom made it all the easier. The bus stop is at the end of our driveway and I can stand on the porch to see her off.  All kindergartners have to sit at the from of the bus and can only be let off after school if their parents are at the stop.  It really has made my life easier while adjusting to 3 kids!

-Steck Fun Run-

Our family participated in Addy's school fundraiser this year. I didn't think I was going to be able to run it with her, but I surprised myself and did. We chose to run the mile and she did such a great job. She ran the entire time and only stopped when I gave her a drink of water. She was so proud of herself and I loved seeing her accomplish something that she had been really wanting to do. Benson did pretty good and took off running really fast in the beginning, rode with Finn in the stroller for a little bit in the middle, and then ran at the end to cross the finish line with his sister. 

-Andrea came to visit-

We had a great visit while Andrea was here. We got in some serious shopping and made a few trips to downtown Naperville. We ate lots of yummy food and spent the day at Blackberry Farm. Definitely one of my kids favorite places to go. They got to ride the paddle boats for the first time. Chris and Andrea really had to paddle hard and Benson and Addy had a blast on the back of the boat. Love seeing these two cuties so happy! The weather the entire trip was gorgeous. It really has been a beautiful start to Fall.

Addy's 5th Birthday

Addy turned 5 in October! It seriously is crazy how fast she is growing up. She is such a fun little girl to have around. These pictures were on the day after her birthday right before school.  She had snack for pre-school that day and we made a fun little birthday treat for her class. She was so excited to take these treat pouches to all her friends.

Some things to remember about Addy at 5.....

- She weighs 38 lbs and is 43 in tall

- She is wearing 5T in clothes and 8 1/2 in shoes

-She just got her bangs cut short after having them grown out for 2 yrs.

- She loves jewelry and all things girly

- Her favorite restaurant is Olive garden where she always orders Zuppa Toscana

- She loves school

-She is very good at writing all her letters and tries to write words

-She loves arts and crafts

-She is a very sweet friend

-She loves to play dolls and role play

-She enjoys playing in her sports class, t-ball being her favorite

- She loves primary and singing time 

- She is still loving her singing group and has become a great singer

-  She is obsessed with dogs and also is very fearful of them

- Her favorite places to go are the pet store with her dad and downtown Naperville with the family

- She is such a great help to me and is good about doing chores

- Her best little friend is her brother

We celebrated Addy's birthday this year with my parent and my sister Allyson. We love when we have visitors for Holidays! Benson slept through half her party so she got plenty of extra special attention. Here are some pictures of the birthday girl, party decor, and her guests.

Benson woke up in time for presents and cupcakes. After we sang to Addy and she blew out her candle, Benson wanted a turn. He loves to blow out the "fire".

I was really excited for Addy to open her presents. Christian and I surprised her with her first "big girl" bike. I took her randomly to a local bike shop to see how she would do on the bigger bikes. She rode all over the store and was so proud of herself. She liked the black bike in the store best. I was kinda surprised but was excited for that choice. It will be perfect to pass down to Benson. Addy had no idea we were going to get the bike for her so it was really fun to see her reaction.

 Allyson made Addy a quilt for her gift. Quilted in the top is a sweet message for Addy. It is her very favorite quilt to snuggle with. Since she has had it, she sleeps with it every night. She calls the quilt her "special blanket". We love it! Both of our families gave Addy very nice gifts. We are so lucky to have so many people that love her! 

May 2012

We had a last minute visit from my family the first part of May. Christian found some really cheap tickets and a week later nanny Elaine, Allyson, and Brooke were here for a fun weekend. We stayed up way to late every single night chatting, ate lots of yummy food, shopped, went to a cubs game, and of course had a hair party.

The Cubs game was a lot of fun. It started to rain while we were waiting for the game to start. Of course it postponed the game, so we headed to Portillo's for lunch. There were some intense plays in the game and the Cubs ended up winning in the 11 inning. Nanny Elaine purchased Benson his very first baseball. He sure loves that ball! Christian took the kids down to run the bases after the game. It was seriously such a fun opportunity for my kids. They were so brave and ran all the bases alone. Benson was hilarious! He fell and got right back up and started running again. He made it to home plate and turned back around to find his sister. Of course I just had my little point and shoot for this event so I wasn't able to get very good pictures. It was dark and the kids were in motion. The pictures are blurry but I was still able to capture the moment

Addy's first performance for the spring show of Singer's Company was at an assisted living in Naperville. The people there loved the girls! It is so sweet to watch them enjoy the music and our cute girls. Addy did great and sang a solo in "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Here are some pictures of after the show with most of the girls in our ward that are in the group.

Addy had her 2nd performance at the Morton Arboretum in the children's gardens. It was a very hot day, but the girls did great! I was so excited for Christian to hear all the new songs she has been working on.

We stayed after the performance and played in the children's area. It was our first time ever at the Arboretum. They had several playgrounds, fountains, ponds for the kids to explore, and lots more. Addy was very brave and wanted to try and catch a tadpole. This is definitely something she would normally be afraid of.  Both Addy and Benson loved it! Addy could catch them all by herself! It was so hard to get them out of the water because it was very refreshing to cool off from the heat.

Later that night, we got our 2nd babysitter for the year and went out and celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. We ate at McCormick & Schmick's for dinner. It was so yummy! We both got mahi mahi, but the way Christian's was prepared was the best. After dinner we walked the river walk in downtown Naperville and just talked. It was amazing to actually hear what each other was saying and not have our kids screaming over us. I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband! We have definitely been through a lot in the past 6 years. We have lived in 5 different homes in 2 different states. It has definitely been an adventure but one I would not change!

Addy's last performance was at the library. She had a second solo also in "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Daddy brought her flowers which made her night! This has been such a fun group for Addy to be in. She has definitely built more self confidence and loves to sing. We are very excited to sign up for the Fall semester.

Addy had her last day of preschool the 3rd week in May. Christian surprised her and took the day off of work. The class put on a little program for the parents. They sang all the songs they had learned through out the year. Mrs. Linda gave them their certificate and a treat for completing the class. 

Addy chose to eat at Olive Garden afterwards for her special lunch. She is so much like her mom! We decided to let her pick what she wanted to do for the rest of the day, and she chose the zoo. We had a great day together as a family celebrating Addy.

Memorial Day we went to Nike Park and played for the day. Christian and Addy made us a picnic lunch. The kids played for hours on the playground and Benson got to fly a kite for the first time. 

The wind was blowing like crazy so it was perfect for our kites. Addy did great and loved running all over the soccer field with her kite.

After the park we came home and grilled for dinner. The kids enjoyed a sprite and sherbet float for dessert. They were being so silly and I couldn't resist more pictures of them! Shocking, I know!