American Girls

For a birthday treat our daughters (all born in July) will remember forever, my good friend Kristi and I took them to an American Girl birthday tea in Chicago. I never knew having girls would be this much fun! We were in the store for four hours and the time flew by. The staff there really made their birthdays special. The girls also enjoyed browsing the dolls and accessories and watching the dolls get their hair fixed at the hair salon. Their friend Kati got her doll's ears pierced while there and also took another doll to the hospital to get a "birth defect" (lazy eye) corrected. They put the doll in a hospital gown, filled out her chart and whisked her away. The whole experience was pretty awesome.

My favorite memory of the day, however, was telling Clara we would get her a doll for her birthday. She was disbelieving. She laughed and cried at the same time. It was a coming-of-age moment and very precious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago Science Museum

We got a museum membership to the Indiana State Museum last fall because that means we can get into the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for free. And it was amazing. We look forward to taking the kids back! We could have spent at least another half day there!!

 

 

 

Yes, this is their first bubble gum ice cream experience. And, yes, they did pick out all the gum balls and save them for the end. :)

 

 

 

Joy over a tooth ...

If you can't tell by these pictures, Meredith was overjoyed to finally lose the top front tooth that had been stubbornly clinging on for weeks and weeks. What a transformation in her smile!

 

 

 

 

Several minutes later, I took a picture of Clara and then noticed that Meredith was jumping for joy in the background! Silly girl.

 

Broad Ripple

On a nice evening a few weeks ago we headed to our old neighborhood in Broad Ripple. We miss the canal and the amazing snow cone stand!

 

 

 

 

 

Food Stand

The kids have been wild and free and lovin' it all summer long. It's going to be a big adjustment when we start school next week! I have enjoyed watching all their creative juices flow this summer. As Meredith told her grandmother recently, "I am never bored." I love it!

Here is a pretend food stand Meredith set up. One of our top priorities this year in first grade is working on spelling! But I must confess I will miss the creative spelling a little--it makes for a fun guessing game. :)

 

 

 

 

Water Lillies

A few weeks ago we pulled the car to the side of the road to get a closer look at these gorgeous water flowers in front of our local CVS.

 

 

 

 

Peek-A-Boo

 

 

Meredith Turns Six

July is birthday month around here. Meredith is now six and growing into a lovely little lady. For her birthday we had lunch with dad, which has become quite the tradition, swimming with friends, and a teapot/tea themed family birthday dinner with two friends joining in. I made her cake, using fondant for the first time, and had fun with it. :) her gift from us was a much-needed "big girl" bike.