Creek walk

Alterra on the way to the Door.

Boy in new jersey.

Hot wheels ramp from grandma sue and grandpa owie, another winner

Natalie loves her globe. Yay Christmas!

Huge box of soccer trading cards from grandma bonnie

Helping clear the snow.

At The Nutcracker.

Winter Break Kickoff Soiree

I am not sure how we got into this. Friday after school, 15 kids (more or less) came over for a super playdate. Getting them home from school was just the first challenge. Dad played food police in the kitchen. Jules handled the rest. Only one carpet got ruined so, success?

Supporting historic preservation through cookies

Holy Trinity Cathedral bake sale.

The Hobbit

The Nutcracker

We hit the Joffrey Ballet's rendition of The Nutcracker with G'ma Bonnie, Grandpa Owie and Grandma Sue. It was at the Auditorium Theater which is old and big and cool. Quasi-racist Russian and Chinese dancers were the highlights (at least for me). We took the train to and from the show which was fun as well. EB brought along "his" Blackberry and got some pics.

He also took a thought provoking picture of his Mom taking a picture of him on the CTA.

Contemplating second floor takeover, ninja style.

Returning Fin to Mr. Edwards classroom.

Pinball at Rainbo. Holiday block party.

LaSalle II Snowman Event & birthday cake in the garden

 

Jules and a crew of Moms put together the snowman event again today. The weather was fantastic. Owie was there all day again helping people decorate using a staple gun. He even brought a pile of firewood so kids could make smores. 

Nata and her buddies Jameela, Lindsey and Gabbi worked on their project off and on all day. Dad and Grandma B made minor appearances at the event and spent much of the day helping EBD shake off the last of his cold. The day ended with a birthday dinner and angel food cake in the back garden.

By the end of the day Elliot felt good enough to come and check out the results of the day's efforts. It think it is fair to say that Bren and the kids win the snowman game. The 85 Bears ALWAYS win.

Friday Night Fun

Mom stayed home with a sick brother. Nata headed downtown with the Mercs and McMahons to see Santa. Dad caught up for pizza, caroling at the Bean and checking out the windows at Macy's. Big time.

Garfield Park

 

First there was a lot of unsupervised basement play which is one of the many things that is great about older kids. 

Then we headed out to see how Garfield Park is recovering from the hail storm. It looks great (the show room is still under construction) and the koi really like Ritz crackers. Elliot came too but was off roaming about with Mom.

Second grader

This is the photo that pushed us over the 1GB limit for pics on Picasa. Our obsessive documentation of our kids lives now begins to cost us a couple of bucks a month. Good thing he's a cute kid.

Thanksgiving

 

Temps in the 60s meant a bike ride/run followed by dinner in the garden. Global warming, huzzah!

Circus

Circus!

 

Jules got free mid court tix for Ringling Brothers from a former client. Nice dude, nice.

Kindergartener.

This is Fall?

Firewood.

We met our neighbor Tadas today. He saw us out scavenging for firewood and offered us a couple of boxes full he had under his deck. Nice guy.

First time seeing Mom's sign

Refueling at Letizia's as we collect firewood.

First snow

Sears Tower Trip

Nata went with Elizabeth, Calvin and Thomas to the top of the Sears Tower this afternoon.The boys stayed home, made soup and watched football. Mom went to work. Not too shabby.