Miscellany

Storytime with Helena

This past week or so has been loaded with fun. We spent a morning at the Morton Arboretum, where we proceeded to get sopping wet from chasing corks down the stream. It made the threat of Nora wetting her pants a non-issue! Speaking of that, Nora is doing a great job going to the bathroom on the potty, and Owen is taking a turn for the better as well. He peed in the toilet all day for Jan yesterday; alas, at home, he's less interested.

Helena and Auntie Dana dropped of Tinker and Trixie earlier in the week for an extended play date for Nesta. They may have ingested a few extra dog hairs this week, but for the most part, the visit went without a hitch.

Ancient Chinese Water Torture

Aunt Annie came Friday night for a weekend of fun, fun, fun! She helped keep an eye on the kids while Josh and I attempted more work on the basement. We can actually say we're in the final stretch -- patch, paint, carpet...move in!

Sunday we went to a Kane County Cougar game with Steve, Dana, and Violet as well as Josh, Nicky, Abe, and Abbie. The kids had fun running around; the adults enjoyed the Miller products and lots of fried stadium food. I also had the pleasure of visiting the women's room, oh, about seven times thanks to potty training. It's quite clean for a baseball stadium, in case you were wondering.

Potty Time!

We officially started potty training this morning. Sigh. I think we went through 9 pairs of underwear by 10 AM. Nora seems to be getting the hang of it (thanks to the promise of jellybeans), but Owen just isn't havin' it. The experts say once you start, don't go back. Yet they also say don't force it. What? Can an expert please swing by and just do this for me? Wish us luck!

Vacation Part II: MN

From the beach to wild air mattress rides courtesy of the cousins, our Minnesota leg couldn't have been more fun. Nora and Owen keep saying "Going to Grandma's house again...soon?"

Vacation Part I: Cottage

Our family had a wonderful vacation together that started with 5 beautiful days at the lake with Meemah and Annie followed by 5 funfilled days with the family in Minnesota. These pictures don't really capture all the fun we had (blame the photographer, not the subjects), but you get the idea.

Nora and Baby taking a break from outside.

Off to the Mangan's cottage for a much-needed bath.

Storytime with Meemah.

Cruisin' on the boat with Annie.

Our little waterbug.

He's having fun--I swear!