A quick trip to Chicago

Brian worked in Chicago last week. At the end of the week, we joined him to visit some of the girls' favorite places. First, we went to the American Girl Store. Lillie took her doll, Julie, with us to the store.Lillie is wearing her new American Girl sweatshirt in the historical girl section of the store. (side note: Lillie and I have read all of the "Julie" series and "Julie" mystery series. She wants to read the Molly ones next. Julie's story is from the 1970's and Molly's story is from the 1940's.)

Next, we ate at the American Girl Cafe, where we discovered that Sophie likes to cross her arms like Brian.

After lunch, we did some shopping at the American Girl Store and the Disney Store. Next, we went back to our hotel room for some rest and nap time.

For dinner, We took a cab (per Lillie's request) to eat at the Rainforest cafe. When we walked in, there was a robotic snake hanging from the ceiling. Brian suggested that Lillie pet it and she started screaming. The rainforest cafe had a lot of salt water aquariums and robotic animals. Their mascot, the red-eyed tree frog, even came around to see the kids. Sophie still does not like full sized characters. She kept an eye on him the entire time she was eating.

It was not hard to get a good smile out of Lillie that day. The next day we stopped at the outlet mall on our way home.

Little Swimmers and Cupcake makers

Last week, Lillie and Sophie started swim lessons. First, Brian and Sophie had their class. Sophie loved playing in the water.
Then Lillie had her lesson. She is pictured her kicking with the other kids in the water.

Monday, Lillie and Sophie helped me make cupcakes. Lillie learned how to crack eggs by herself.

And of course, we had to try the cupcakes. This is the first time that Sophie has had cake since her birthday. She loved every bite.

Happy Halloween!

On Sunday, we carved the girls' pumpkins. I transferred the pattern to the pumpkins with a pumpkin knife and Brian cleaned up the designs with his Dremel tool. Sophie picked out the Blues Clues pattern and Lillie picked out Rapunzel.
This month has been a busy month for Halloween festivities. We celebrated Halloween at a playgroup Halloween party, at Zoo Boo, at the library story time, Preschool and trick or treating last night in our neighborhood. Lille dressed up as Rapunzel and Sophie dressed up as Minnie Mouse.