All Done

It took a statement from my little Stella to inspire a blog post. Yeah, its been two months.

So the loving mother that I am, I still wipe miss Stella’s bum when she uh, you know. Yeah. Gross. But she has not quite mastered the act of wiping clean herself, and I have been too lazy to make her do it. Yesterday we were having one of those said moments and I said, “Stella, you really need to do this yourself” and she said, “Mom, I will do it when I’m a wife.”

That kid.

So, I will post more later. Right now we are getting some serious snow. And Penny is trying to type her own blog post. Gotta run!

The School of the Art Institute was gifted a house in 1997 built and owned by artist Roger Brown. The house is now offered to faculty and staff of the school for 2 week stints of vacation and art (if you decide to use the studio). We were able to take advantage of this generosity and had a great time. Its only an hour and half away and because Todd teaches twice a week we did a little driving to come back to Chicago in the middle of the 2 weeks. It was so nice to get out of the city and be in such a small quiet town. We need that occasionally.

Stella was so excited to play outside. She did a lot of leaf hunting and tree planting.

The house was across the street from the beach. A little cold but so fun.

Stella trying to skip rocks like Dad.

Here we are about to embark on a cold Trick-or-Treating adventure.

Penny wore Todd’s old tiger costume.

Tinker Bell, winterized.

Best buddy, Princess Claire.

Tinker Bell’s wings needed a rest, so we did some Stroller-Treating.

Best costume of the night.

Are you kidding me? It’s been a year since Penny was born?!

Now look at her. Oh wait, look at the spread first.

Now look at my one-year-old.

If you want your house to smell gloriously like fall then make this bread immediately. Even Stella will eat it.  And its a great way to use up some end of summer zucchini! Its cooking right now at our house.

recipe here-

Nothing like the change in seasons to initiate another blog post. Has it really been over 2 months since my last one? Psssh. Whatever. I’m sure many of you have just given up on me all together. I know I have. But I will trudge through this one anyhow.

So yes, Miss Stella has started Pre-school. Everyone kept telling me how much she would love it and I had been gearing up for this for a year now. So putting my brave face on, Stella and I (and penns on my hip) walked into the classroom for the first time. Stella was ready to go with her shiny, new Hello Kitty Backpack and hair with proper hair bows. In the hustle of parents dropping of clueless, wandering children I suddenly somehow found myself out the door with a faraway wave to my oldest and I could see Stella just making herself right at home picking out a book to look at and finding a carpet square to plant herself. And Penny and I bewildered and lonely walked back to the car and drove away. (Somehow, writing this is more difficult than it actually was).  What just happened? Seriously? NO!!! Stella needs to stay small forever. Sigh. She’s not. She is stretching taller by the second and spouting out new and surprising phrases consistently. Although she is not yet jumping for joy with excitement at the thought of school (mom, I can’t go to school today. I have a lot of work to do at home) she is still having fun and I guess that is good for now. I’m just sad.

And as for me and Penny. We are doing just fine. She will have been around for a year coming up here which is just plain nuts. Oh she is just hilarious and loves her sister like crazy. Her favorite thing to do right now is push around her little cart and wave as she walks by.

Taking a break from walking.

Stella hard at work on one of her many masterpieces. This girl LOVES to color.

Up next, apple picking this weekend and see if I survive the sewing of a Tinkerbell costume.

Stella had her very first dentist visit yesterday. She really didn’t know what to expect but before we left she kept saying she had a tummy ache and that she couldn’t go. I don’t know where she got the idea to be nervous about it. We went to a brand new pediatric dentist office and Stella just happened to be their very first patient. It was pretty cute. There was some squirming and near gagging. But all in all Stella did great and she has 20 shiny teeth.

Sitting, waiting, wondering.

Dr. Connell came out and read about Dora’s first visit to the Dentist to prep Stella a bit.

She didn’t want the napkin on her. I told her it was her special pink apron. dr. Connell used Little Mermaid and Tinkerbell references to make things easier.

Here is where Stella is wondering why I brought her here.

I just love Stella’s little smile here. She was pretty proud of herself and she gots lots of fun goodies.

The day before the holiday, we got together at Wicker Park for some yummy food and bocce ball. We had great weather and a great time.

I love this picture of Penny staring up at Daniel. She’s giving him her stink face.

Stell.

Cutest picture of the day award. Miekie and Penns.

And I had to throw this one in too. Poor Penny. Stella likes to surround Penny in blankets so she can’t move.  Here she is looking for a rescue. You can tell there is still a smile on that little face though. Always.

So I decided to take some holiday pics. Because it’s America’s birthday. That’s why.

And I couldn’t leave these out from yesterday.

Stella’s princess gown. (Because I haven’t made hers yet).

Phew, sorry for all the pictures. You’re welcome grandmas and grandpas.

Hey, how’s everybody doin’ tonight? Any requests?

Check out the DJ’s moves.