Museum Fun

The girls LOVE going with Nana and Pa to the Children's Museum

And they are always excited to share the museum with visiting Friends and Relatives.

Papi and Gran were thrilled to take a spin on the carousel with Lillian during their visit.

And no trip would be complete with out bouncing on the animal pals outside the gift shop

First Day of School

It is hard to believe that a new school year is upon us.

Both girls were thrilled to return to school and their friends.

 Lillian returned to preschool where she will attend 4 mornings a week. She is thrilled to be in the BIG classroom and to do the activities. Each day she will have a bible lesson, craft, motor skill activity, as well as, free play with children her age. Lillian will even have lunch each day in her classroom before I pick her up.

 Madison is now in 4th grade (I can't believe it). She is a bit disappointed to not have the teacher with all the snakes but seems to like the teacher she has been assigned. We dropped off her supplies yesterday (the day before school started) and had the opportunity to see her 3rd grade teacher and the art teacher (2 of Madi's favorites). With 45 minutes of homework a night, it looks to be a tough year but Madison is up for the challenge.

My Two Sparkles- heading toward the bus stop! Look out school- here they come!

Audit Week

Last week I returned to work (yes a very short maternity leave) for our yearly audit. The girls (along with their friend Bethan) enjoyed a week of activities while their Mum's and Dad's worked (yes we all work for the same company).

Monday- they returned from a weekend in Chicago
Tuesday- a day at the office making Critter houses our of shoe boxes
Wednesday- Fun with a baby sitter

 They played in the sprinkler and made water balloons.
Created duct tape bags to carry all their important stuff.
And...

made Chocolate chip cookies together (which were a delicious surprise for us parents when we returned from work)

Thursday and Friday: Adventures with Nana and Papa

It was a great week for the girls and a productive week at the office.

Until next year...

Super Cooper- 2 weeks old!

Cooper is 2 weeks old.

He now weighs 8 lbs 2 ozs and is quite the eater!

We are so blessed to have him as a part of our family.

Handy Daddy

When Mommy has an idea, Daddy is willing to buy a new tool to make it happen!

Our latest projects completed included:

Hooks in the hall for the kids backpacks.

 And Cooper's initial for the wall in the nursery

Cut and painted just for them by Daddy!

Blanket pants!

Who needs a blanket to cuddle when you have your pants to hold.

Lillian helps change a diaper

Lillian is the best Big Sister helper. She loves to get out a clean diaper and wipe for her brother.

 She always checks to make sure it really was a stinky diaper.

 Yup, this one was a stinky one.

Then she races to throw it away.

We are so lucky to have such a great helper.

Bath Time for Cooper

With everything healed (belly button and circumcision), it was time for Cooper to have his first bath at home.
Big Sister Lillian also wanted a bath, so Cooper would not be scared. Thank goodness for a double sink!

 Cooper seemed to enjoy the warm water.

 Time to soap up.

 Now to rinse.

 Lillian was happy to share her cup to help.

 Daddy did a great job of rinsing all the soap away.

 Warm and snugly in a towel with Mommy.

With Cooper safe in Mommy's arms, Lillian enjoyed finishing her bath in the sink.

 She loves playing in the water.

Downtown Chicago

After brunch, we drove to Downtown Chicago to meet our friends Mr. Jim, Ms Emma, and their daughter  Bethan
(Madison would be spending the weekend with them touring the city before returning to Indy on Monday).

We met by Union Station and enjoyed walking to Millennium Park together after a quick lunch.

 Lillian just had to give her brother a kiss!

Every time we stopped (to take pictures) Lillian sat down. It was just too hot and too far for a 3 year old to walk.

(Unfortunately, by the time we made it to the park, it was very clear that it was time for the Sparkman's to leave. Lillian really needed a nap. So we said our good-byes and we began the 9 block walk back to the car).

Brunch with Omi and Opi

Saturday morning (after an early morning swim) we left the hotel and went to brunch with Omi and Opi. We went to their favorite restaurant Andreas. It was delicious.

 Snuggles and hugs from Omi and Opi while we waited for our food.

 Outside the restaurant we snapped a few more pictures.
Omi's gals

 Great Grand Parents- Omi and Opi.

Can't wait for their next visit in 2 weeks.

Hotdogs in Bed!

A trip to Chicago would not be complete without hot dogs from Gene and Judes.
(My husband really loves me... he booked a hotel that REQUIRED us to drive directly by the hot dog stand :)

Even though we had a yummy dinner of pizza with Omi and Opi, we were not too full for hot dogs (well all of us except Madison).

Rob ate his in the car before we drove to the hotel.
I ate my at the hotel while the kids went swimming.
And Lillian ate hers...

 In bed (after an hour long swim in the hotel pool with Daddy and Madison).

 No meal would be complete without apple juice.

 That's a big bite!

I am not sure Big Sister Madison was as thrilled with Lillian's picnic choice but as always, Madison was a trooper!

Belly full... sweet dreams!

A visit with Omi and Opi

Friday afternoon we loaded the car with the kids and headed to Chicago for a brief visit with Omi and Opi. It was our first excursion as a family of 5 and it went relatively well... for traveling with a 9 year old, a 3 year old and a 2 week old infant. Traffic was not too bad and we made it to Omi's house in time for pizza.

 Everyone enjoyed snuggling Omi and she was THRILLED to meet Cooper.

 Lillian and I enjoyed a few snuggles in Omi's chair- just the 2 of us.

 Omi's great grand kids!

 A family dinner of pizza.

 Daddy thought Cooper needed to have a closer look- to see what he was missing.

 It must be good pizza- Opi had 2 slices! Thats a feast for him.

We love you Omi and Opi.

Sparkle Siblings

We have been blessed by many outfits for Cooper (so far he has not worn the same one twice). His Little Brother onesie is one of Lillian's favorites (it matches her big sister shirt). 

Mama's 3 Sparkles!