Halloween

Snow and sleet were on tap for Halloween, but we braved it anyway.  Layla got a load of candy at every house. So few kids were out they were giving her handfuls!  Jayden loved trick or treating but got cold really fast, he and Jason headed home after only a handful of houses to make the first fire in the fireplace of the season. 

Run, Beth, Run

......and I'm off!  My second 5k is going to be a chilly one this weekend, the Hot Chocolate 5k:  http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/chicago/

It's projected to be about 37 degrees at race time in the morning so we will definitely be running as fast as possible to the hot chocolate at the end of the race.  I am raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities if you are interested in supporting my efforts, every dollar counts.

https://ramracing.enmotive.com/registrations/fundraising/52d6b9ac-5a64-4244-a485-7079c0a86524

Jayden is 2!

Jayden is 2 and I have very few pictures to show for it.  He had 2 cute cakes, one on his actual birthday, chosen by his sister and an ice cream cake for his family birthday party.  It was very cute with train tracks and Thomas on it and I did not take a picture!

JJ scored big with a lot of trucks and trains and he is a very happy boy.  Finally, he has some things of his own to play with that are big boy toys, not baby stuff or princesses.

On his birthday Jason was at a golf tourney in WI, so the kids and I had a fun morning at gymnastics, then open gym at school and Mickey pancakes for brunch! 

 The spider cake that Layla picked out for JJ at Whole Foods.

 He loved it and it tasted DELICIOUS!

 Walking the balance beam solo.

The ice cream cake, can you see it?

Pumpkin Patch

Jayden's favorite saying this fall was "punnnnnkinnnn patch", with enthusiasm! Jason was in Arizona for a baseball tournament so it was just the kids and I.  We decided to try out a new place in the western suburbs called Goebbert's.  It's similar to the place we have gone before but less carnival and more things to explore and more animals.  I liked it much better and I think the kids had a good time, especially when it came down to the business of getting the actual pumpkins.

Pony rides, natch. 

 Feeding giraffes and all kinds of other animals.

Te pumpkin eating dinosaur is the most kitschy thing they have.  Here he is taking a brief break from pumpkin smashing (and burping). 

Pig Races! 

Smores and More

Fun at Wagner Farm in September.  I thought I posted these earlier, but I guess not.  It was a great kick-off to the fall!   The kids enjoyed the wagon rides the most. 

JJ likes to dive face first into his smores. 

I thought it was a little too early to bring pumpkins home, but she had to find her favorite anyway. 

Sun setting beyond the corn.  Are we in the suburbs?

"Trattoo"  (someone's happy place)!

I-L-L I-N-I

Saturday, October 4th we took the kids down to Champaign for their first U of I experience.  It was a blustery cold day, it actually SNOWED on our way there.  Layla asked me outright, "Mom, is it supposed to snow in October?"  Generally, not especially in central Illinois.  In Minnesota, it's not out of the question.  We met up with friends for the football game, visiting our old house, beers and lunch at our favorite place and a good run out on the quad.  

Street fair outside the stadium gets the kids excited while Jason goes to buy hats for us. 

Family selfie at the game.

Halftime Festivities

We actually made to the end of the third quarter, which seems like a pretty good victory given that is was about 40 degrees outside.  It was a high scoring game, which was fun for everyone and we were in the end section near the band (in the end zone) so the kids were well-entertained throughout the game.

Look at this huge football player! 

Snacks and beers at our favorite haunt, Murphy's.

Two of my senior year roommates worked here. 

Alma Mater 

Goofing off on the quad! 

 

Family pic in front of the Union.

Jayden's Birthday

Our handsome little boy is turning 2 in just a few short weeks.  He is a funny little guy and into all the classic 'boy stuff' like cars, trains, planes and trucks.  He likes Daddy's tools and recently drilled his hand, with fortunately minimal bleeding.

If you are inclined to buy this kiddo a gift he would love it.  While we expect he'll have a full college scholarship for baseball (left handed pitcher), college savings money would be excellent.

 He would also like to have trains and train tracks, sets for his train table.  KidKraft and Melissa and Doug have a lot of great train sets and I believe that the tracks are all compatible.

Other books or toys with construction or transportation themes would be well-received.  We are full up on Princesses and the like, it's time for us to get this kid some toys of his own.

Thank you!