Choo-Choo

Yeah, the Choo-Choo sweater finally fits! Gilbert got this from my God Son Tag a few years back and now he's big enough to wear it. Only problem, he wants to wear it everyday!
Thanks Em, can you even remember Tag being this little?

Saturday Afternoon in the Big City

One of the advantages to living in the city, is you can "just go" and it's not a big deal. Last Saturday we jumped (yes PJ, we actually jumped:-) on the El at Lake Street and got off 4 stops later at Madison and Wabash. A short walk and we were in Millenneum Park. We ventured to all corners of the beautiful lake shore. Then we got back on the El at Roosevelt and were home just like that. I think we were out 2.5 hours total- now that is something you just can't get done when you live in the burbs! This sculpture/art installation as always kinda creeped me out, but after visiting it in person I have a new appreciation for the legs.

Gilbert at the Harbor trying to pick out just the right boat to get for mom and dad when they they retire. (notice he has one foot crossed over the other-love that)

PJ spoting his new Southern Miss Hooded Sweatshirt- I like it. reminds me of college. Gilbert- to focused on the "airplane with a banner" to pose for the shot.

Bangs?! Yes, I have a new do. A girlfriend of mine, Laura, was sporting new bangs last week and I thought they looked great on her and decided to get some myself.

Mom, I smell poop.

I cannot tell you how many times I heard this statement yesterday. Gilbert was not a fan of the "fresh air" that the fair had to offer. We managed to get through several barns, but when we got to the turkeys and chickens Gilbert grabbed his nose, jumped out of the stroller and headed for the door- I wish I had it on video- I have never seen him get up and out so FAST!!

John Deere Green

I didn't know when I dressed Gilbert for the County Fair that he would match John Deere Green PERFECTLY! He got lots of compliments, little did the farmers know he is a city kid through and through. It was our second annual trip to the St. Joseph County Fair in Centerville, MI. with Gram Taya. I went to this fair ever year as a kid, it is fun to share it with Gilbert now.

Needing a headboard

I have been wanting to make a headboard for us for over a year now. It seems that fall is my time to be inspired, now I just need to decide:

Upholstered? if yes, what shape? nailhead trim? or perhaps an old slavged door with crusty old paint finish would be a better option.

Thoughts? I will keep you posted with my progress, hopefully it won't take me another year to get it completed!

FYI: this is Kristen posting, not PJ:-)

Go Bears!

The NFL season is finally here! Gilbert has been quite excited for the regular season. Completely bored with preseason games, his apathy for the sport could not have been higher.

He woke up Sunday all exicted to put on his 'go bears' shirt and hat, eat "football food" and take in all that is NFL SUNDAY!

Kristen even got into the spirit! Little Man and I went to the park in the morning to burn off some energy (and it was a beautiful morning) and when we came back Kristen was decked out as well!

Getting pschyed for the game, Gilbert wanted to work on his "Go Bears" scream. Check it out!

Labor Day

was spent with friends out in the 'burbs. In Naperville there is an end of season event called The Last Fling which involves a parade. Hurray for the kids!








We treated our morning as if it was a work day (grrrr!) in order to get out in time for breakfast and situate ourselves with a front row seat.












Gilbert had a great time with his friends J and K. And they loved having him out. They played all afternoon chasing, chatting, and just being kids!

A Saturday Day Out

Today was errand day. We are having some friends over for sushi tomorrow and this will be my first test making sushi rolls since my class recently. We spent the morning shopping for the ingredients (ahi tuna, Japanese chili sauce, black sesame seeds, Japanese beer, chopsticks).

That involved a trip to the local fish market (just one block from the home), Whole Foods, Chinatown, and a specialty cooking store!

Gilbert enjoyed all the stops especially Whole Foods as it is located next to a major rail yard for Metra and Amtrak. The parking garage is elevated so he had a bird's eye view of the yard. It was all we could do to pull him away to do our shopping!

We ventured into Cost Plus World Market looking for chopsticks. Gilbert found a cart on wheels and enjoyed pulling it around the store. Kristen wants a new floor rug and found a few she was perusing. Gilbert decided to get involved as well!

What A View!

Living in the city has its advantages. One is keeping Little Man occupied with urban life. Our street has been a bustle this summer with construction.

The road was recently grated and then repaved providing weeks of enjoying as Gilbert quizzed us on what was happening, the names of the equipment, the names of the construction workers (seriously), where there live and what they do on the weekends, and so on.

But the best was after the road was finished there must have been an apparent gas leak as the gas company came in and tore up a section of the street.

To Gilbert this just did not make sense and he asked why the road was being cut since it was just fixed. Ah, the clarity of an uncluttered mind. How do you counter such poignant observations!

Well, the work done, it was time to patch and this allowed Gilbert to go 'al fresco' and watch!

Moving Up

Gilbert has moved up from his Toddler class to Pre-Primary! Our 2.10 year old is now in a class with kids up to age 6. This is the Montessori way. Ideally, Little Man would be three before the move, but he kicks butt so he's moved up in accordance with the school year (even though school goes year round).

For the past few weeks, he and his classmates have been 'transitioning'. This includes going 'upstairs' for a few hours each day to acclimate with the new classroom and 'mates. All the kids have their good and bad days. Gilbert has oscillated between enjoying his time in the new class and other days telling us in the morning that he "doesn't want to go upstairs".

Well, today was the first day of the new school year. We started pumping him up about it last night and this morning and Little Man was on board. Then it came time to put on shoes and he wasn't so enthused. Then in the car on the way to school, the first tear came with a "I don't want to go upstairs, I want to stay in Miss [name here]'s class. We quickly shifted conversation and he seemed fine for the moment.

Back on the subject, I asked him why he didn't want to go upstairs when he informed me that it is scary because the girls scream. How can you not laugh at that one! I informed him he will need to get use to it as girls will be screaming for one reason or another the rest of his life. I advised him to say "You ladies, stop the screaming and use your inside voice." Kristen was not pleased. with my sage advice.