Always an adventure....

Dear last 2.5 weeks,

From what I can remember, the kids are ready to play outside again.  Weather hasn't been bad, but we were SO spoiled with 70degree weather afew weeks ago.  Alexi is starting to bring his A-game and loves to get into everything.  Say, you are sweeping and you see him start to climb the open windowsill.  Naturally, you'll put Alexi down and try to close the window.  Inbetween putting him and down & reaching for the window, Alexi will make a beeline for the broom and dustpan that you JUST put down......  Yeah and he's been waking up in the middle of the night too.  What a busy kid, must have something to do with his spectacular head shape.  Anyways....  Ava started dance class and is having a blast with her friend, Sacha.  Austin is really into Lego Ninjago's.  On a recent walk-thru at ToysRUs, he left empty handed, on his own, because they didn't have any of those Legos.  I never thought that would happen, but he really loves his Ninja's.  Bleacher workouts have started, Playground Tour 2012 has ramped up, while easy picnics have started to become the norm.  We've even made our appearance at ReptileFest with good buddies, Noah and Kyle.  Lastly, we've chased seagulls, tried to fly kites, and the kids visited Daddy at work.  Did you know that you can camp indoors???  Is playing in the rain bad???  

P.S.  Really, this was all in the last 2 weeks

P.P.S Next update, I'll add Easter weekend activites(long weekend at Wilderness Waterpark)

Train ride at Yorktown Mall

With the help of friend Sacha(black leotard), Ava is comfortable

See how composed she is???

Testing out the tap shoes.  Poor hardwood floors.

If you want to keep your kites out of trees, don't fly them with Mommy-Kathleen.

Millie didn't mind that we stacked things on her

Visiting Daddy at work.  Yes, they stayed out of the water fountain.

Can you spot the wild Austin deep in the woods???

Is Mommy scratching her head in confusion???  No, she forgot where the marshmallows were for roasting.

As-if these seagulls had other friends to play with....

If I can't play outside, than Austin, Ava, and Alexi have to come inside too!!!

3 years ago, we attended this same ReptileFest.  Afew hours after leaving, Ava was born.  No joking.

Table service at the Post-ReptileFest Coloring Jam

Oh my, oh me.... Ava is 3

Our dancing princess is 3 and what a year she had.  Ava's sparky attitude, loving compassion for her brothers, and genuine smile - all made the transition to a 3 year old, more enjoyable.  Thank you Ava, we love you this much(with arms open).

Austin & Ava; behind the scenes

After a very busy and fun birthday party for the Szczech boys, Daddy got to see Team Aggie(with Coach Mommy) work their magic.  Watching them strut their stuff, reminded me of my days trendsetting, working for Calvin Klein in Italy.  Ah...  the glory days. 

Alexi and I were on security detail.  His diaper was fully loaded.


brushing his teeth


Before dinner, we'll spend afew minutes on our porch


Ava, being a Power Ranger

Molly's Cupcakes for breakfast and Ava doing peace???  So much going on here

Weather in the 40's and a quick picnic, naturally.  Only in Chicago.

Believe it or not, we still have Coda.

Ava.....  We can't believe she'll be 3 next week.  2 years of talking, oh my.....

So we go to bring Austin to Carlson Gracie MMA, but Alexi had more fun rolling around and playing in the ring.  Too bad they don't offer a class for toddlers.

The Great Outdoors

We've had 80degree weather this week and LOVE IT!!!   Busy Mommy has played with them outside afew hours every day.  Our sidewalk's chalk mural is always changing.  Austin took his first swings at the driving range much success while Ava asked, "where are my clubs?"  Of course, first thing I did when I went to work - FIND AVA CLUBS.  Alexi continues to be the Bam-Bam that he is. 

I swear, with his wedge, he was hitting 65 yards.  True story.

Ava wasn't scared after almost falling, she was more determined.

He will only wear his hats to the side.  We gotta fix that pronto.

Austin and Ava were so happy they pulled off this stunt.  Afew moments after the camera stopped rolling, they bailed.

This WAS NOT forced.  Who am I to stop what Ava enjoys doing???  I wouldn't be a parent, now would I?

Teaser Trailer - Arboretum run around

Afew weekends ago, we met up with the Szczechs' and it was a BLAST!!!  We might have lost the kids during the maze, but we brought them home - and that is what matters.  Good thing the chocolate taste testing cost money, or we really would have had the kids charged and sweetened.

Spring weather is here and we...are...outside!!!

Talk about March Madness...  70 degree weather in Chicago already???  Of COURSE we'll take these days to play outside.  I should probably look into new gym shoes, these kids are FAST.  We are heading into another season of outdoor play; Alexi is ready to eat dirt, Ava is primed to balance on everything, and Austin is ready to kick/punch/play everything - even his siblings.

The UIC soccer and baseball fields have been a godsend; it'll get the kids used to the rigamarole of the Division-1 sports atmosphere.

This sequence sums up when Austin and Alexi in tandem.

"Austin, Alexi - can we take a...."

"See ya Dad, gotta go...."

Living in Chicago, these kids have swag for days.

When in Florida, do as Floridian's do - wear shorts, use pacifier

Cupcake snack-date with Chloe.  Ava cannot get enough of her.

When its Dad-Austin-Ava, its a whole new ballgame.  With Mommy Kathleen outta town,  it was up to me.  One word - TIRING.  Two words - less baths.

Dunkin Donuts for breakfast

Watching Lorax, with Lola

Daddy's Target = Home Depot

This is the super sand pit at Austin's preschool - City Garden.  It makes us do laundry everyday after school.

What would this blog be without dance moves???

It's Time for the Percolator

With Alexi grappling a fever, we decided to keep a low profile this past week.  I wish we took video over the last weekend, we went mattress shopping and the kids were all over the place - jumping from bed to bed, hiding under the mattresses, it was crazy.  I was fine, I was testing mattresses.  Aside from that we had a pretty relaxing week, nothing too crazy, outside of the usual errands.  Not too many pictures, bare minimum documenting(as far as I'm concerned).

Austin didn't have school this week due to Parent-Teacher conferences.  Funny story, here.   "He's always smiling and very playful", his teacher said.  We were not surprised.  "He listens and puts away the toys."  Huh????  Austin????  Our Austin?!?!?!  Mommy and Daddy were floored after that one....  After all was said and done, it was a good meeting and everyone was pleased with school-boy Austin.  Next year, he'll be there for 3-days-a-week and the school will also have Princess Ava for two-days.  They have NO idea...

We've introduced Ava to the classics.

At Target, lunchin'

Ava couldn't find the paper.

See you next week......