One last photo of the gardens; the water lilies were in bloom and they ranged from white to pink to purple. They were really exquisite.
In other news, we have been reading lots of "Fancy Nancy" books. Fancy Nancy is a girl who likes to use big, fancy words for things. I feel like Fancy Nancy trying to think of good words to describe the CBG. I can only think of one: Awesome.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Water Lilies
Norah's Favorite
We all said we would choose our favorite plant or garden after our visit, and, when asked, Norah responded that "all the brides" was her favorite. There were lots of bridal parties there taking photos. This particular bride had about 10-12 bridesmaids/groomsmen! I had never seen such a large bridal party!
The Rose Garden
Finally, we went to the Rose Garden where there were all sorts of varieties of roses in bloom. It was really beautiful!
Japanese Garden
One of our last stops in the garden was the Japanese Garden, which is enormous and really spectacular. There are hundreds of conifers that are pruned to perfection, and lots of other really cool landscape features.
English Garden
I think my favorite was the English Walled Garden, where I felt like I was in the book, "The Secret Garden." They had some lovely poppies planted outside this garden. I want poppies in my garden, now. They were stunning!
What are these darned things on my feet?
Luke is quite the walker, but when he has shoes on (which isn't very often), he doesn't quite remember how to walk anymore...
Sensory Garden
One of the gardens was called the Sensory Garden, where you are encouraged to look for textures, listen for sounds, smell the plants, feel the plants, etc. James liked this garden the best of all.
Frog or Toad?
These amphibians were swimming around in a little pond at the Gardens, and I said they were toads (they had bumpy skin) and James said they were frogs (toads don't typically swim). Turns out I was right--they were toads, but they must be water-loving ones because there were lots in this fountain!
Chicago Botanic Garden
We went to the CBG for the first time since moving here, and it was fabulous! I loved every minute of it, we had beautiful weather, and Norah and Luke had fun, too.
We became members so when you come to visit us (hint, hint) we can all go together!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
5 Giraffes
We hung out and watched the 5 giraffes for a while. They are so beautiful. Norah loved them!
Luca was intrigued, too. And he had something to tell them, I guess. He kept yelling something at them, and people around us were laughing.
A rainy day
I packed up the kids and we went to the zoo yesterday; on the way there it started raining (it wasn't supposed to!) and it rained on and off while we were there. We ran for cover a few times, but still managed to see some animals. After about 2 hours, Norah said, "Mommy, I am all wet and cold, and I want to go home now!" "Don't you want to see the lions?" "No, they will be here next time. Let's go!"
Monday, June 20, 2011
Luca Walks!
Luca started walking about a week ago, and he's already a pro! Yes, he falls, but he is getting better and better each day.
The kids
Norah and Luke were posing for our moving announcement (coming soon), so here's an outtake--I like that they are all cuddled up on the blanket (a.k.a. Luca's island of safety in the sea of grass!)
Uhh....Norah, does your eye hurt?
Norah got a mosquito bite near her eye and the next day, it looked like this!
Luckily, the swelling is going down, and she doesn't seem bothered by it at all.
She was the one trying to convince us that mosquitoes aren't so bad...that'll show her!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Norah Bear
Norah hates posing for photos, but she doesn't seem to mind hugging trees and peeking around them when I happen to have a camera in hand...
Daddy Day!
Happy Father's Day!
Norah and Luca are blessed to have such a wonderful Daddy!
I know this photo is fuzzy, but I had to post it because I love their expressions.
Cell phone prodigy
"Upload new software that allows one to instantly dial numbers in Japan at the touch of a button? Erase all of mommy's contacts? Yes, please!"
Relaxin'
Norah loves to relax and hang out in the family room, which is why we bought this new house! I love that room!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
In other news
Luca is walking now (video coming soon)!
Luca can say "Hi!" now, and he waves or holds objects to his ears (to pretend he's talking on the phone).
Luca is quite different from Norah. Today, while we were getting ready, he picked up the shampoo bottle, marched right over to the open toilet, and dropped it in. Like he had planned that all night long and was waiting for the right moment! I think toilet locks are in my future.
Luca also likes to try to aim his nuks for the diaper pail, so I have to watch out when I dump diapers, because I could be unknowingly dumping nuks too! What a stinker!
He keeps me on my toes. That's what I love about him!
Luca can say "Hi!" now, and he waves or holds objects to his ears (to pretend he's talking on the phone).
Luca is quite different from Norah. Today, while we were getting ready, he picked up the shampoo bottle, marched right over to the open toilet, and dropped it in. Like he had planned that all night long and was waiting for the right moment! I think toilet locks are in my future.
Luca also likes to try to aim his nuks for the diaper pail, so I have to watch out when I dump diapers, because I could be unknowingly dumping nuks too! What a stinker!
He keeps me on my toes. That's what I love about him!
Ever wonder...
...what a 4-year-old keeps in her purse? Well, you're in luck, because I found one today!
Contents:
1 airplane toy (because she knows Luca loves it so she must have it!)
1 bulldozer toy (Luca might eat it otherwise...it's tiny)
1 panda key chain with no keys on it
2 pairs of sunglasses (you never know when 1 might break)
1 LipSmacker chapstick (Vanilla; thanks, Amelia!)
1 ladybug kitchen timer (so THATS where that went!)
1 rubber snake (to scare off would-be purse snatchers)
Monday, June 13, 2011
New Garden
We also put in our raised bed garden yesterday. We will be planting our vegetables and herbs in it today.
New Tree
We planted a Redbud tree with Oma and Grandpa's help this weekend. Here's Norah by the tree. We can't wait to watch it (and our kids) grow at our new house!
Look what I can do!
Luca figured out how to stand on his own yesterday (without furniture nearby). As you can see, the invisible fence still works; he won't leave the towel because he hates the grass!
In the stacks
We had an hour to kill before our train back home, so we went to the Des Plaines Public Library. Here's Luca cruising the stacks for his favorite book.
First McDonald's
Des Plaines is also the home of the first McDonald's restaurant, so we had to go check it out! Unfortunately, getting everyone to look at the same time is difficult, so this is the best pic I have of the group!
Choo Choo cupcake
Norah finished her meal with a special cupcake with a train whistle on top. She was on Cloud 9!
Choo Choo Cafe!
We went to this cute little restaurant in Des Plaines called the Choo Choo Cafe. Your meal is delivered on this little train! Norah got a kick out of it, and the food was pretty good, too!
Funny Face
Grandpa and Oma got a kick out of seeing Luke do his funny face. Here we are on the train riding to Des Plaines, IL for an adventure!
Luca's Perspective
Grandpa took this photo from ground level--Luke's perspective most of the time. I like seeing the world the way he does!
Wierd Photo
Grandpa J. and Oma came to visit and they had fun playing with Norah and Luca. We did a few projects too, which was great!
New tent
Norah and Luca got this cool tent from Grandma and Grandpa H. for their birthdays. They love to bring ALL their toys into it and play.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Visitors
Ethan and Lucia (Norah and Luca's cousins) visited (along with their parents), and they all had fun playing together.
Morton Arboretum
We took a day trip to the Morton Arboretum and saw this strange yellow tree (an art piece called "Bound"). Norah was intrigued (where are the yeaves?....)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
New Bike
We got Norah a new bike for her birthday. She is still figuring out how to use it, but we will get there!
The windy city 2
The end of the pier was really windy! Norah lucked out and got a piggy back ride from Uncle Pete. She loved it!
The windy city
Here are Norah and I at Navy Pier....you can see a storm brewing behind us...but we had a window of nice weather while we were on the pier.
Navy Pier
Next in our line of visitors was Norah and Luca's Uncle Pete and Aunt Liz. We took them to Navy Pier one day. Here's Norah having a great time in the fountain!
Guess who's 4....
Norah turned 4 last week, and she wanted a strawberry cake with white frosting, so....that's what she got! I am under strict instructions from James to try to encourage another type of cake for next year!
Jarrod "exercising"
We also went to the Museum of Science and Industry, where Jarrod tried to break the adult record on this "exercise" machine. It might have been easier had the guy in the blue lab coat not been talking about how difficult this task is the whole time. Jarrod looks a little terrified in this photo. Despite our loud cheers of support, he didn't break the record. Maybe next time, Jarrod!
At the zoo
Francesca and Jarrod came to visit at the end of their long road trip out west. It was great to see them, and we took them to the zoo to try to cheer up the sad lion. I think it worked a little!
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