Nothing New Here

With a myriad of illnesses, work craziness and a broken camera, there's not much to report (or post). Preschool is going very well for Liv - she loves her teachers and friends. In fact, Thursday is show and tell. As you can guess she'll be bringing her pal Bones. Oh, to be a fly on the wall. And since Fall is here, we are completely immersed in all things spooky. Liv treated her carpool friends to "The Monster Mash" on the way to school. What a great start to the day. Halloween costumes are in discussion, and right now a mean witch and Lois Lane are vying for the top spot. Hopefully my camera will be back for the weekend - Laura's shower is Saturday! And then it's off to Houston next week, which will of course warrant some good shots as well.

Halloween Preview

Olivia insisted on wearing this to her Nana and Papa's today. This is one of her many costume options, recycled from last year. The top frontrunner seems to be Lois Lane, narrowly beating out the "scary witch" with mean eyes, a green face and shaky hands. Her words, not mine.

Fisher Fest

My iphone photos just aren't doing the trick. For some great pics of the fun times Liv and Esme had, visit Aimee's blog.

Enough Already!

I asked Liv to pose for a quick pic before she ran out after dinner. Talk about a fake smile!

And Hilarity Ensues

After a late night of rides, music, and fest food, Olivia and Esme are punch drunk.

A Travesty

In anticipation of her cousins coming over, Liv spilled the bowl of candy corn. Also, my camera is broken, out for repair.

First Dentist Appointment

Olivia had her first dentist appointment this afternoon. She did great - keeping so still, and snuck in a wave to me every few minutes. Perhaps this is due to our nightly reading of Dr. De Soto by William Steig. His books are right up Liv's alley (Shrek, Pete's a Pizza, Wizzle). De Soto is a mouse dentist who out-foxes his fox patient - I think Liv felt right at home at Dr. McGowan's. Then it was my turn. Liv alternated between patting my arm and putting her head on my shoulder. What a peanut.

Fall on the Green

Olivia was so scared going down this slide.

Here we have "The Bolts" - the same kids we saw on the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk. So cute.

Liv wanted to be a scary witch with "mean" eyebrows. Not so sure it came across that way, when she saw one of our neighbors they said to Liv: "what happened!"

***

We went to the annual fall fest in Oak Lawn on Sunday. I am sad to report that my camera is broken - so my iphone stood in. I hope to have it fixed by next weekend...

The Girlies

Liv, Mia and Sophia had school pictures today. Can you imagine! It was adorable to see all of the little kids dressed up. There was even a 1st grader in a suit. There was a brief skirmish when Sophia wanted to wear Liv's shoes, but overall the morning went without incident and then it was back to Mrs. Durkins.

Peanuts

This was in Liv's school folder yesterday. That photo looks nothing like her - but her little allergy-swollen eyes and earnest face break my heart. And what's not to love about the group shot. Kudos to Miss Katie and Miss Linda for wrangling the kids for this pic on day 1!

**Last night one of the preschool Moms hosted a "ladies night out" for the preschool moms. It was nice to meet everyone, and to hear that Liv isn't the only one that clams up when asked about her day.

And Over Here We Have...

Olivia loves to have fresh flowers in her room. Who doesn't?

Smitten

Lately I have been making a lot of recipes from smittenkitchen.com, like this one. A fresh summer salad with cornbread croutons and a buttermilk-lime dressing. Except sometimes the recipes require equipment or ingredients that I don't have, so I turned to Meghan's blog, I knew she had a fantastic cornbread recipe. It really made this dish!

Gym Class!

Today was Liv's 2nd day of preschool and being a Tuesday, that meant gym class. So cute.

Not For Long

Liv's baby pool boredom didn't last very long once Dad and Jim Welsh intervened.

Liv took a hard hit.

Hard enough that she flew out of the pool. And there's Dad, laughing in the background.

Liv going after Jim, who is always a good sport.

Sticky Fingers

I was looking everywhere for my glasses yesterday. I finally turned to Liv to ask if she'd seen them and saw this.

Rainbow Cone

Last night we visited Rainbow Cone, much to Liv's delight. This was her second time having one, her first when they were "over the rainbow" cones on her 3rd birthday. Liv is definitely a fan!

A Night Out: Rosie Style

Latitia, KR and Thomas during pre-dinner cocktails.

What a lonely little bear.

Drinks at Rockit, Thomas ordered the infamous (albeit girly) bomp pop.

We really enjoyed some quality time with Thomas and Latitia. It does not seem that two years have passed since his last visit, and we're already looking forward to his return for Mike's wedding in December. And many thanks to KR, for her hosting us at the fab RRP locations.

Guilty

En route to our "business meeting," Steve and I spied this scene at Navy Pier, one of Liv's favorite places. Had we told Liv we were going out to dinner in the city, she would have been insistent on coming. Hence, our little white lie. But Liv is now turning the tables, and has told me twice that she is going to a meeting. "No adults" was one of them, and just recently, a prayer meeting.

Swingy

My Papa's France

Our cousin Thomas and his girlfriend Latitia are in for a visit, so we all headed to my Parent's for dinner. However, I completely neglected to take pictures of anyone but the kiddos. Maybe I'll do better on our adults-only outing tonight.

***Earlier this week, I was talking to Olivia about Thomas and Latitia's visit, and simplified things by saying he was from France (really though,Belgium). Olivia has a favorite Strawberry Shortcake episode based in Paris so I thought she'd identify. However I forgot that there is some confusion around France - Olivia's Papa's name is Vance - but all she hears is France. So in her mind, it's not a place, but a person.

Stop The Madness

Every time we see Emmett, he gets a little bigger, and more cute. I swear he just got home from t-ball practice.

Last Chance

We were kind of surprised that the weather was so nice on Saturday. So we had an impromptu swim in Liv's pool. Impromptu = ice cold hose water. Very refreshing!

Tent City

This is Liv's 3rd Tent City. Here she is 13 months old with her girlfriends: Molly, Mary Claire, Grace, Grace and Hope.

Fast forward to the teen hiding out in the tent.

Liv's never one to turn down a blank easel.

Mom!

Joining the girls in their cheers.

For the past few years Labor Day weekend meant tent city on our block, where dozens of kids all camp out in the Banky's yard. There's always a boy tent and a girl tent (and never the two shall meet). There's also a tent of parents, this year 3 moms were chosen, the tent thus earning the name "cougarville." While the boys were at football practice, the girls put on a spectacular talent show. What was most impressive were the three 5th graders who each did a solo - each so confident and sweet. Liv is a lucky gal to have these ladies as her role models.

Not So Much

We brought Liv to her first "back to school skating party" on Thursday, Liv was beyond excited to go. But 10 minutes into it she abandoned her scooter to dance freely to the DJ with a florescent necklace. Perhaps she was a raver in a previous life.

Breaking News: No Tears Shed on First Day of Preschool!

Crimeny, I've been spotted!

Liv and her pal Mia wait patiently on the rug.

Liv and her future babysitter, Lizzie O'Hara.

I was really nervous for Liv's first day of preschool. Not so much for her (she did great, I knew she would) but for myself, and how embarrased Liv would be when I started sobbing. But neither one of us cried, thankfully. In fact, Liv basically said "don't let the door hit you on the way out" as she waved me out of the room.