Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent at my parents house this year. Thankfully everyone was healthy unlike last year when my mom spent the week in the hospital.
The house was packed with friends and relatives. Our kids were the only ones under 15 however they did not seem to mind. Matt spent hours either on the kitchen counter playing with pots and spoons or in the family room whirling around my grandpa's cane. Jack loves being teased by my dad, Uncle Greg and my grandpa. This year Jack wore his construction hat and work gloves (my black mittens) to my parents. By the end of the night everyone had a turn wearing the hat but Uncle Greg had the most fun when he put on the hat and mittens and chased Jack around trying to steal his blanket. Jack cannot stop talking about it and says how silly pop and Uncle Greg are. I am dying for some cousins for the kids but it is nice that the grownups fill in in the meantime.


Congratulations to the newly engaged couple, Colleen Johnson and Ryan.

Love You In The Shower

Jack has had a huge break from school. He really just had Veteran's day off but one day off makes a difference when he only goes three days a week. We spent one day with my parents, another day raking leaves and today was spent at the Children's Museum. The boys and I are constantly in the car and when we are, I listen to Madonna. Yesterday I was getting Matt out of his car seat and I was still singing the last song I heard before turning off the car. I really was not paying attention until I stopped singing and Jack picked up by belting out "she might make you breakfast and love you in the shower". I now may have to switch to The Wiggles or Justin Roberts.

Matt is getting so big. Here the boys are goofing around on the stairs.


Matt ate graham crackers as Jack actually helped put leaves in the garbage can.


Matt loves Jack's blanket just as much as Jack. Matt has his own but there is just something about the green blanket! Lucky for Matt, Jack was in a sharing mood and let Matt walk around biting the blanket and hugging it.


Here is an action shot of the monitor falling on Matt's head. Even Jack closed his eyes because he knew what was coming.

Matt digging for bones at the CCM...

Jack enjoying the water works at the CCM. He spent a good hour in this room.

Jack was soaked from head to toe but still on a high from the water works room. He kept himself warm under one blower while I tried to dry his shirt under another blower.

Time For a Commercial?

This morning Jack and I went to my friend Courtney's house to babysit Hayden and Declan. We had a great time at the park and enjoyed the 70 degree weather. Then the ride home got a little harry. The kids were tired, hungry and hot. A normal 15 minute walk took about 45 minutes. Just when I thought I could not go on, who do I see but my husband eating a sandwich at our favorite former neighborhood spot. While Jack kept asking me if that was his daddy (like he doesn't recognize him out of our house?) I notice these people gathered on the corner. One man approached us and asked if we would mind shooting an Allstate commercial with our family. Sure! Why not? So we did. Terry, Jack and I were even paid for our time! I was so nervous about getting Hayden and Declan home that I did not ask when it would air and I did not say goodbye to Terry (and he did not help me across the street with the three tired kids - a UIC student finally offered!).
Keep your eyes peeled for us in the Allstate commercial.



I left the kids in good hands....

Happy Halloween

The boys went trick or treating through the neighborhood yesterday. Jack is just starting to understand Halloween and Matt just enjoyed being outside picking up sticks and smiling at the neighbors. Matt's favorite part of the night was meeting a stuffed Dracula on a neighbor's lawn.
Now I have to explain Jack's costume. He was supposed to be a fireman but changed his mind last week and I was too lazy to find a spider costume for him. I meant to stuff black nylons for spider legs but never did. Instead he wore a sweatshirt with spiders on it, black sweat pants and Spider-man socks. I thought that was sufficient. Jack did not seem to mind!