Peter Pan

We took the older kiddos to see Peter Pan in the 360 degree tent (in the circular sense not the temperature) erected in Chicago. It was Cirque du Soleil (sort of) meets Broadway. Besides some minor language issues (Trinity had to ask me what a "dilly ass" was), it was a great show. Everett has been obsessed with Peter Pan / Captain Hook for about a year now so this was a pure joy for him. He was sad it ended...and talked about it for days...

Couples Skate

Put on the 80's jams, lace up your pom pom skates and roll...

It took awhile but at the end of the hour, Trinity was officially off the wall.

She is clinging to the pink hedgehog she won in the crane machine. :)

Everett was a mess the entire time. The first picture you can see him on his knees with our neighbor Ally. That was him about 99% of the time.

Artist of the Year.

Trinity showed off all her art projects she has been working on all year. I was "art mom" once a month since the beginning of school and am so proud to see all the artwork I help create with these little people. You work on one project at a time. When you see it displayed all at once you realize what a neat thing it really is.

zoölogy

It is great being a member. We can do whenever the weather cooperatives and just go for lunch or stay the whole day. This time we spent about 2 hours in the Hamill Family Play Zoo and then walked to see the giraffes and rhinos and elephants...although they are no longer there. :(

The highlight of the day was hearing/seeing the lion roaring. We were on the other side of the zoo when we heard it and thanks to my conditioned legs, we ran across the zoo (with 100lbs. of kid) to see him. phew!

roar from Leslie Campins on Vimeo.

Putting Green

It was a windy and stormy day. Outside looked scary. It was a Sunday.
My babysitter works full time at the Downers Grove Library. They were having a mini-golf fundraiser through the aisles and rows of books. It was a full 18 hole course and such a good time. Trinity and Everett did really well and had the best time.
I won with a score of 102, Trinity was 2nd with 120 and Everett with 168. We averaged about 7 hits a hole. It was a rather tricky course but I did it one handed and the other two...well... they have to work on their short game.

I came home and spent some time with Reeve outside staring down the rain clouds and possibly a tornado.

What is that smell?

Trinity asks that on a daily basis lately. She smells the delightful smell of spring in the air. It is hard not to be in a good mood when you open a door or window and you catch a whiff of thawed ground, fresh grass and blooming flowers.
I love all these things. Most of all, I love that we can now venture outdoors and play. It makes for happy kids and a happy mama. We have been visting several parks looking for the best one. The kids love this one. I really has everything I need for every child, plus it is completely fenced in. yay.

Everett stills loves firemen and insisted that this pole was a fireman pole. You can guess what he played on for over an hour.

It's Out!

Trinity has lost her first tooth (3/27/11) with the help of some Oragel, dental floss and a tug from Daddy. The tooth fairy left her 5 sparkly bucks!

The Raymonds.

A year ago I met Amanda at church. She introduced herself to the newbies (Eddie and I) and made us feel at home. She got me involved in the moms group at church and made sure I made connections with many, many families. We joke that our relationship was like a summer romance. It was quick, effortless, fun and amazing. Her hubby is a talented hockey professional who was offered an amazing job in Canada. It is there they move. They will be greatly missed and our children will be without their buddies until our paths cross again.

Their daughter Faith has a big sister bond with Reeve. She always takes him under her wing and comments on his cute cheeks daily. Trinity and Faith bonded immediately. Trinity is already looking for airfare deals. :)

We got together with another family to say goodbyes before they left.

Their little daughter Sophie cracks me up in the picture. It is the silliest face I ever saw.

March 20th...

...was Trinity's actual birthday and we had a full day planned. I spent the late night/early morning writing special birthday wishes to Trinity on the windows, mirrors, doors. She loved it. We headed to Old Country Buffet for breakfast. I think it is the most disgusting place to eat but for some reason Trinity loves it. gross! We went over to Grandma Marie's and Papi Ed's house to say hello and visit.

Trinity and I headed north to Jumpzone in Niles to celebrate her friend Ana's birthday.

Trinity and Ana were born the same day, same hospital, same floor and met in a mall bathroom when they were 6 months old. They spent their first couple years as friends taking Gymboree and Bubbles Academy classes together. 6 years later, they are still buddies.

It was then time for a tearful goodbye as our friends, The Raymonds, had a goodbye party at the hockey rink that Al blessed many lives at in Orland.

Al recently accepted a job, as director, at the new Canadian International Hockey Academy in Ottawa, Canada. They left the USA this past weekend. :( Good news is that Trinity's and Everett's first time on ice was a success. They both loved it and did better than expected. Everett espeically liked the penalty box. I hope he doesnt frequent it too often if he (we) decide to play hockey.

Six...

We celebrated Trinity's 6th birthday with 27 of her kindergarten and neighborhood friends at our local bowling alley. It was loud, crazy, busy and super duper fun. I heard her wish for the best birthday ever and later overheard her whisper to herself, "my wish came true!" sweet! Trinity and Cousin Ava.

T with her fantastic cake thanks to my friend Jill.

Love this birthday dress I found at Nordstrom Rack for $15.

We came straight home from the bowling alley to host a celebration with our family and finish opening the gifts from her class (we are still opening presents from her class!)

I *love* this picture. I think it captures the mood perfectly from her and surrounding peeps.

Those Crafty Leprechauns

Before bed on St. Patrick's Day Eve Trinity decided she was going to make a leprechaun trap. She was very excited to catch one. Hmmmm, I wasn't aware we did such things in our family and panicked at the lack of supplies I had on hand. The kids went to bed and I tried my best at leprechaun tricks.
Thankfully, a leprechaun did come but outsmarted the hi-tech paper trap. In it, he left leprechaun poop. He then stacked chairs on top of the kitchen table.

He make a trail of green pipe cleaners leading to the refrigerator...

where he left mint chocolate chip milkshakes for the kids.

phew!