Sept 26: Into the "Wild"

With Calli sick, and unable to go to school, I needed a new plan for our afternoon. I wanted to get out of the house, drive a bit (Calli usually fall asleep in the car, even though she can lay awake in her bed for hours instead of napping), and end up somewhere where we could walk around without exposing other kids to our germs. We ended up checking out two parts of the Cook County Forest Preserve. It was beautiful! These were taken in the Big Bend Lake area. (Near 294 and Golf Road) We walked a little and had a picnic snack.
Then we went to another trail system and did some hiking. With Mari in a backpack carrier, Calli and I took off. See the video below:

Sept 24: Our Art Gallery

After we painted with water colors the other day - I hung up all the pictures on a ribbon so they could dry, out of the way. But it has proved a great way to display art work. Our fridge is cluttered enough, and this feels like a banner for a party that is about to happen.

(Artist from left to right: Mari, Calli, Mari, Calli, Me)

Sept 18: Around Our House

These pictures aren't of us at some special event or activity. They are just shots from around the house - us doing things you could see us doing most every day if you were a fly on the wall.

Mari - in her most recent FAVORITE activity: trying to brush her teeth. Or actually, sucking water off her toothbrush.
Miracualously, she has only fallen twice as she stands on the toilet and leans waaaay over to reach the faucet. I often find her like this, yelling "(pl)EASE" for toothpaste or "is-hot, is-hot (it's hot)" because she would only turn on the hot water. But I'm trying to teach her to reach to the cold knob.



The girls in our bed. They usually like to jump on the bed, jump on pillows, tackle each other, or hide under the covers.

Calli - she doesn't like to pose for the camera, so good still shots of her smiling are rare these days.

Sept 4: Extreme Library Makeover

We have participated in programs at the Evanston Public Library before. They have been good, but we always wished the environment was a little more welcoming, especially for kids. So I was excited when I heard they were planning a renovation, and even more excited when I drove by and saw from the outside the difference. These pictures are from our first visit. Everything was still clean and new.

Check out the Evanston Library Website for pictures and more information.

Sept 3: Labor Day @ Brookfield Zoo

Having the day off, we decided to make the trip out to Brookfield Zoo with Jamie & Aogu, and Jason & Kristen with all the kids in tow.

We started off with a ride on the carosel. I never consider paying for a 2 minute ride, but we went - and I have to say it was worth it. Koji - yes, he is winking, so cool!

Calli on her buffalo. (I even sang "Everybody's got a water buffalo :) )


Aogu and Izumi - this is more impressive than you know since she is incredibly scared off all largish animals.

Rich and Mari

Me and Calli


Mari - looking ultra-cool with Koji's shades.

Calli wearing a REALLY BIG shirt!!

Sept 25: Bubbles!!

Despite feeling slightly guilty that it is way tooo expensive, I signed the girls up for Gymboree. We have great library programs (that are FREE) but Mari especially likes to move around, dance, and climb. I think the bubbles are both girls' favorite activity at Gymboree. I even bought the bubble wand for us to use at home because it blows so many bubbles so quickly, and is so easy that even Calli can do it!!

The above is supposed to be a video - let me know if it works for you or not. I'll include a few pictures just in case.

Mari popping bubbles.

Calli, pretending she is a cookie - about to jump into a glass of milk.

Splash!!

Parachute time - with lots of kids under the parachute.

Fun at the Library

We have been enjoying the children's programs at the Skokie Public Library this fall. This week, we stayed afer the program to play. Mari played with the train table and the bus. Calli LOVED playing the Dora game on the computer. She did really well using the mouse too!

Can you survive a drought??

My Thirsty Plant

I currently own/maintain/care for 4 plants. These plants have been with me for a long time. We have come to an understanding. In order to survive my care, or lack thereof, they need to be able to survive a drought. A couple of weeks may go before it occurs to me to water them. When we go on vacation, they go thirsty.
I guess I need to ask the same of you, my patient blog readers. Can you survive a posting drought?? It has been a month (minus one day) since I last posted. Hopefully, you have not given up hope, and will return once again to see what the Bushy Bushy Trio has been up to.

Warning: I have some serious catching up to do. Hopefully you won't mind.
The same plant - after receiving water :) much happier!