Halloween with Family

We had a great Halloween weekend last week, as the kids' uncles, aunties and cousins came to visit and trick-or-treat with us. Too bad the weather was so cold . . . but we carved another great set of pumpkins, and the girls had fun with their fairy costumes!








The kids didn't collect a ton of candy (never a bad thing) since the weather was so chilly, but it was fun watching them call out "Trick-or-Treat" together. Dominik was a hoot--he kept wanting to get into everyone's house. And Josie kept running so fast her shoes fell off. Jimmy tried to get the little ones involved by asking them to do the doorbell, but of course the doorbell was always too high for them. You can't ask for sweeter, cuter or more-fun-to-watch kids than that!

Hmmm . . . I'ts Been A While. Must Be in School!

Last weekend we went to the Des Plaines Valley Rendezvouz, a kind of re-enactment of life along the river centuries ago, when people would come by boat to camp and trade for goods. It was really cool. We got to see a teepee fully furnished, and along the river people in costume basically had their camps set up--and they'd tell you about their site and so on.

Jimmy really liked the "skirmish"--where some fighting broke out between some soldiers and the Indians.

We were only there a little while, but plan to go back next year when we can spend more time!

At the Beach

We went to Mount Baldy today. Years ago we used to climb the huge sand dune, then find everyone at the summit, leaping off into the deep sand. Nowadays you have to take a different trail to get to the beach, and you can't jump off the summit so much; the dune is eroding. Even so, kids had saucers they were using to glide down, and Jimmy and Josie had fun running down the slope. They both loved the beach; they're at a great age now where they simply occupy themselves with the waves and sand. We were there from about ten in the morning until after five--the kids should sleep well tonight!

Jimmy's 7th Birthday

Last weekend we celebrated Jimmy's birthday up at Auntie Jeannie's house, where Jimmy got a chance to go fishing with Dad and Grammy. He ended up catching his first bass--a good-sized one! Dad caught one too, but it had swallowed the hook and got pretty bloody. Uncle Danny cleaned the fish, and we didn't think there'd be much to eat, but in fact once I battered them up (as Gram used to do), we had enough for our family of four.

Jimmy enjoyed his cake, too. He'd wanted a violin one, and the best I could do was come up with something that had one on it (versus one that was shaped like a violin). I tried doing a rolled fondant cake, which I'd never done--but the fondant wasn't as good-tasting as regular icing. Jimmy still liked it, though!

On his actual birthday we did a "normal" cake, which we all enjoyed a lot, and Jimmy got a cool toy from Gram Crackers and Pop that allows him to build models of factories that feature all kinds of water pumps and valves. The one he made today was called a Vinegar Distilling Factory, and once he turned it on, he had fun changing the different valves to see what would happen. Just wish he could keep his cool when parts don't fit together, or things don't work immediately . . .

Josie's Wish List

I updated Josie's list for her birthday, too . . . which will come up so fast. I can't believe it's almost Jimmy's birthday! Just another week and a half, and he'll be seven!

Birthday Boy

I asked Jimmy this weekend what he'd like for his birthday--his wish list is updated with the things he told me . . .