2014 Dance Recital

Both Lourdes and Sabine enjoy dance class, but Sabine especially loves it.  When we are at home listening to the Disney Pandora channel, Sabine will show me her new dance moves or choreograph a few steps to one of the songs.  She was also obsessed with the dance recital song for this year, Mama I'm a Big Girl Now from Hairspray.  She would beg for me to play it at least twice a day.  She had all the steps memorized and was just so ready for her big day.  The little girls are always the last to go on stage (I think just to torture the mom helpers, like me, who have to sit and entertain them for 2-3 hours without getting them dirty).  But fatigue did not stop Sabine.  She literally stepped in front of all the other little girls and stole that number.  Everyone else, including Lou, was watching Sabine to know which step to do next.  It was awesome.  As were the neon green costumes.  Can't wait until next year.

Waiting for their time to shine.

Proud little performers

Father's Day

The last couple of years we have gone to Morton Arboretum for Father's Day, but we decided to change it up this year and take a trip to Starved Rock for some hiking.  Jen arrived that morning and was able to join us.  It was a nice little hike and the scenery was beautiful. 

The kids got a bit tired of the hiking, so we promised them ice cream to keep them going.  This was BY FAR, the kids favorite part of the trip.

My usual present to Joe for Father's Day is Cubs tickets.  So the next weekend, Dad, Papa, Finn and Uncle Jon got to go to a game.  I'm pretty sure the Cubs lost, per usual, but the guys still had a great time.

No need to feel sorry for the girls.  Gigi and I took them to River Park for some sprinklers and playground time.  The weather was a bit colder than predicted, but that didn't stop Lourdes and Sabine.

Spider Lou, drying off at the park.

And just like that, we have a 1st grader!

To My Six Year Old Son

Finnegan,

It has been another wonderful year watching you grow.  Probably your biggest accomplishment this year was your advance in reading.  You went from struggling through Bob books to reading Level 4 books about King Tut's Tomb, Ben Franklin and the Titanic.  You are so proud of yourself, as you should be.  You are also as engaged as ever with our nightly chapter book reading.  Your current obsession is The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  Not only did we read the book, but then you used your allowance money to buy the picture book on Amazon so that you could sit at night and leaf through it.  Just the other night in the tub you told me, even as an adult, it will be one of your favorite books.  And I believe you.  You are so smart.  You understand that it is an allegory for the story of Jesus and you talk to me about how the White Witch must represent the Devil and her followers the souls of the bad people in hell.  I can't believe a 6 year old can think that deeply, but you can.  Your love of books makes me so happy.  And I know you will make your dream of having a big library in your own house someday a reality.

You also breezed through the challenge of full day kindergarten.  I worried that it would be a big transition from half-day preschool and that you would be tired and miss Rosa and your sisters.  But you did great.  You were excited to go to school each and every day.  Even your teacher, Ms. Keighley, raved about your enthusiasm towards learning.  How it is infectious and makes the other kids excited to learn too.  She also complemented your inclusiveness, you are friends with everyone and never leave anyone out.  I expect nothing less.  You have always been the sweetest little boy I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  You don't have a mean bone inside you.  

I look forward to witnessing you grow up over this next year.  To see you finally lose a tooth, like you so desperately want to.  To see you in Cub Scouts and your Emerald City plays.  To see what chapter books you are able to read on your own by the end of the year.  Whether you will like A Wrinkle in Time as much as I think you will.  To see what friends you become closest to in school, and what games you all come up with at recess.  Whether you will continue to like skiing this winter, and insist on a ski vacation over spring break.  Every day I am thankful that I was blessed with you as a son and get to hold your hand for a short while until you take on the world on your own.  I love you more than words can express.  Happy Birthday, my sweet boy!    

A Party at Hogwarts

Finnegan loves the magical world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts, so that was the theme of his party this year.  Of course the first thing you have to do at a Harry Potter party is get sorted into your houses.  Finn, thankfully, got Gryffindor.

Then it was time for class.  The most popular class was, of course, potions.  The kids each got little cauldrons in which to make their concoctions.

There was also a seeing the future class, where the kids tried to decipher the lines on their hands and ask questions to a magic eight ball.

And, of course, it all ended with some delicious cake from Dinkels.

Sabine's seal of approval!

Finn's 6th Birthday

Finn's birthday was over Memorial Day weekend this year, so we had the Mudra family out to help us celebrate.  We had a blast.  They arrived on Saturday afternoon, and, after a quick lunch, we were off to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

The kids had a good time seeing the animals, and worked up an appetite for Mexican food at Mayan Palace.  Mayan Palace also happens to be across from a fire station, and, because it was almost his birthday, the firemen were nice enough to let Finn try on their gear.

Then, because we weren't sure they were exhausted yet, we hit a park on our way home.  Everyone slept well.

We woke up on Finn's birthday and went straight to, well Starbucks, but then Chi Che Wang park.  The kids got along so well.  Here's Juliet and Sabine holding hands on the way to the park.  

Feeling like Captain American on his big day!

Then we hopped in our cars and headed to the Morton Arboretum.  That is one of our happy places, so we loved sharing it with our friends.  

Sabine was fearless and did this rope bridge at least 10 times by herself.

Can you tell we are really trying to wear them out?

Then it was home for Spiderman ice cream cake and presents.  A boy couldn't ask for a much better way to ring in his 6th year.  

And the celebration wasn't over yet ....