Sylvia, Reese & Co.

It’s been a busy week leading up to Halloween here. First we went to the Chicago Botanic Garden with Owen to see the train exhibit which has been decked out with tiny jack-o-lanterns and spider webs. Sylvia’s school had a costume parade with class parties after. Sylvia is trick-or-treating as a space monkey this year. She has the monkey outfit, but we’re not really sure what the ’space’ part is.

Yesterday Luke and Cindy came to town for a visit. We all carved a jack-o-lantern and roasted pumpkin seeds.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

 

Share on Facebook

Sylvia has spent a lot of time dressing up in her swimsuits the last two days, but she has been hesitant to leave the condo (which is understandable since she has hardly spent anytime at home lately). So this afternoon in an attempt to lure her out into the beautiful, sunny fall afternoon we told her we could go to the beach, and yes, she could wear swimsuit. It was only in the upper 50’s out, of course, but she went along with it.

We did get our feet wet and sandy and played for a while before the late afternoon shadows made it too chilly.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

 

Share on Facebook

Unfortunately, I don’t have many photos, but Sylvia and I attended Harlan’s (my boss) daughter’s Bat Mitzvah yesterday. It was a festive occasion, and Sylvia did great during the service. At the reception she was the first one (and only one for a while) on the dance floor. Harlan’s daughter Leah did an amazing job, and Sylvia has been talking about her ever since.

I’m sure later there will be plenty of photos since so many photographer were in attendance, but here is one from Stef’s camera:

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

Sylvia has ridden on numerous bikes, and she has a tricycle which she has finally mastered. But today marks her first day as a real bicyclist. Pop-pop and Grandmom arrived this morning with a birthday present – a brand-new purple Trek Mystic complete with front basket and training wheels. After some adjustment, Sylvia was comfortably riding down the hall. We convinced her to take it outside where she could pick up a little more speed.

During the first outing she circle two blocks. Like a true urban bicyclist, though, she wasn’t content just riding around in circles. She wanted to put her new mode of transportation to use, so she rode to Nevin’s, our local pub.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

 

Share on Facebook

Wish we could be there!

Share on Facebook

Sylvia has some news.  She will be a big sister in the spring.

Estimated completion date of Project: Family Expansion is March 30, 2010.  We are not making any promises to be on-time.  Questions can be directed to the project manager in utero.

Share on Facebook

I have been making an attempt to be more creative with Sylvia lately. This afternoon we made a robot helmet complete with robot ears from a grocery bag and a used paper towel roll (Luke, you would be proud). And in that spirit of creativity, tonight she and I built our own little hot air balloon.

It wasn’t really powered by hot air, of course. While at the park, a man had given us a few balloons that had been used in an event at a nearby church. We stuck them in the trunk of the car and brought them home. Our condo is beginning to feel a little like a balloon orphanage. So I decided it was time to put the balloons to some good use.

Sylvia and I made a little basket out of a grocery bag and then cut out some figures from a magazine – social reformer W. E. B Du Bois and a U of C student eating pudding – and placed them in the basket. We attached the basket to the balloons and finally tied a roll of kite string to the whole thing:

Up, Up, and Away

Managing the String

W. E. B Du Bois

A Pleasant Flight

The Right Way to Do It

Share on Facebook

Today was perfect apple picking weather in Chicago, which was lucky because we went apple picking. We met up with Sabrina, Nathan, Quin, Sarah, Jamie, Nate, Carey, and David at Heinz Orchard (about 45 minutes outside of Chicago) to pick Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, and Empire apples.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

 

Share on Facebook