Happy Birthday, Daddy!

With the 100 degree temperatures and 3 kiddie birthday parties on the docket for the weekend, we decided not to make the pink cupcakes CJ suggested for Daddy's birthday. Instead, we whipped up this Strawberry Whipped Sensation. Pretty yummy.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Another Fountain

With 100 degree temperatures in the forecast, we decided to head to Grant Park for some play and time in the wading pool. Unfortunately, the Parks Department only staffs (and fills) the pool through August 14th! Fortunately, the park also has the Beverly Cleary Tribute Fountain. CJ loved riding on Ribsy (hopefully she didn't get any ideas about doing this with her dogs), copying the big kids splashing in the mud and using a ziploc bag to try to fill up the wading pool. The water and the shade kept us cool.

High Season

Mama and Daddy aren't big fans of crowds and prefer to take the budget option when possible, but this summer we did make it to the beach during high season. It sure is nice to be able to get some sun and visit the Pacific Ocean without your rain gear. CJ loved it - especially the hotel. She said she wanted to stay there "all day and all night", but truly loved building sand castles and little dips in the water more. She's even told us that she'd like to move next to the beach so we can go there every day. Now we just have to figure out how to make that happen!

(9/6/08 - Mama just downloaded Picasa 3 to create this photo collage and even used the "blog this" button to quickly add the pictures to a new posting)

Taking the Show on the Road

By the show, we mean "spinning" and the road in this case meant "the stage at Oaks Park. Although you can't tell from the photo, the stage is very popular on the preschool mornings. Today CJ seemed more interested in having a snack than in riding the rides, but she did take a break to perform on the stage. We made it on the Rockin' Tug for the first time this year and CJ even ventured up to Chipper the Chipmunk solo to say hi.

Obsessed

A warm day, a morning bath and an early dinner gave CJ the opportunity for a quick dip in the pool before bed. She loved cooling off and blowing bubbles, but the highlight of the swim was tormenting Little B. CJ used her purple froggie to give B a squirt for a drink and then B was hooked. She wanted the little puple froggie and watched its every move until Mama removed him from the scene. CJ looks a little too happy with the trouble she was causing, doesn't she?

Dinner and a Show

The day started off quite cloudy, but a visit from Daddy's Uncle B, L & J brought the sun out for a nice walk around the neighborhood - with a visit to the local gelato shop and a trip to the playground included. We ate dinner outside for the first time this summer, where CJ's meal was interrupted for a quick show. You'll see the sandbox doubles quite nicely for a stage.

S-O-A-T

So, the spelling continues around here. Tonight after dinner CJ proclaimed "We still have time for S-O-A-T!" When Daddy asked what SOAT meant Mama expected to hear something about ice cream, however CJ squealed "books". She really does love to read before bed.