Sears Tower...finally!!!

Since we went downtown last summer for the walk for Nikki, Reagan has been asking to go up in the Sears Tower. After much putting it off and busy schedules, we finally got there on July 5th.
We were going to take the train, but found out they were on the holiday schedule so that wouldn't work. We drove and I felt like my brother - we got great parking on the street for only $2.50/hour. Knowing him, he would have parked in Greek Town and walked to save $0.25/hour, but since I am 8 months pregnant we spent the money :)
It was great timing to arrive since there was no line. We got in pretty quick and Reagan was excited to sit down and hear the story of how the building was built - definitely Pat's girl!
When we got to the top she couldn't believe how many windows there were - she told us she thought there was only one window to look out of. She spent the first 15-20 minutes just staring out the south-facing windows - not much to see but she was amazed.
It was great because Reagan loved it and Nola really enjoyed herself. For being young and not really getting the whole idea of being 103 stories in the air, she had fun.
When we got to the ledges that stick out Nola just ran out there to see what she could. We told her we had to wait for the rest of the people to get out so we could have a turn. And when it was our turn they layed down and looked straight down with no problems.
After about an hour we headed back down and headed to the water taxi. We thought it would be fun to take the kids on a short boat ride on the river to Michigan Ave. They loved the boat and Nola was excited to see the kayaks in the river - Nola was looking for her Uncle Sean!
By the time we got off the boat we were all really hot - nothing like 90 degree weather in Chicago. We headed to Walgreens with hopes of finding some cool air and silly bands. We didn't find the cool air but got the girls their first packages of silly bands.
Luckily we found good air conditioning at the Nordstrom mall just down the street. We had great lunch at Nordstrom Cafe and then got into taxi to get back to our van. The girls loved that part of our adventure as well. Just riding with no car seats was exciting enough for them!
Such a fun family day filled with great memories and fun pictures. What will be our next adventure in Chicago?!?!

Eyes to the Skies

After having so much fun last year, we headed back to the Lisle Eyes to the Skies festival on July 2nd. We picked up sandwiches on our way out there and met my parents and Aunt Karen & Uncle Nick.
The crowds weren't as large as last year which made it easy to find space to spread out. We ate dinner and waited to see if the balloons were going to actually fly. Unfortunately the wind was too much (it has to be under 10 mph) so they couldn't fly. But they did inflate them and we were able to get out in the field and see the balloons up close. Then after the sun started to go down the balloons lit up for quite a pretty show. It was cool to see all the colors of the balloons really show up under the light of the fire. Uncle Nick introduced the girls to their first elephant ear. Reagan wasn't so sure about it but Nola loved it (of course). The girls loved seeing all the balloons and then went on a mission to find light up necklaces. Thankfully they got back just in time for the fireworks - which weren't great, but to the girls they were wonderful. It was a late night, but well worth it (especially when we all slept past 9 the next morning).

Dance Recital 2010

Hard to believe, but in June we went to Reagan's 3rd dance recital. This was a big year because it was Reagan's first year of tap and ballet together. So she was in 2 dances - one for tap and one for ballet.
For ballet she was a coral reef. She had ribbons around her waist and a pretty tutu with beautiful colors. She did a great job and we could just tell how much she loves to be on stage and dance. She really knew the routine and was having a great time.
For tap she was a fish - complete with an orange head covering and orange scales for her arms and legs. She just loved to tap and see how loud she could make the tap shoes be! Hopefully she'll become more talented at tap than I was (she doesn't have far to go!)
Reagan was so excited that we were there but her other guests really made her day - Grandma Loretta, Grandma Jane, Grandpa John, Cassidy, Cori and Aly. We are blessed to have such amazing family that makes our kids their priorities. Thank you!

Preschool End of Year Celebration

On a Friday night in May we went to Grace Lutheran for Reagan's End of Year Celebration. She was practicing her songs for weeks and told us there was some surprises that she couldn't tell us about. The kids marched in by height - Reagan was 2nd, just behind Ava! (and then Neva & Reilly were 2 of the last kids). They were so proud to sing their songs - and they did such a great job. They knew all the words and actions - too cute!
The last song was 'May there always be...', which was sung by one of the teachers, and then each child walked up to the microphone and showed off a poster they had made of what they wanted there to always be. Needless to say, time for tissues! Some of them were funny (ice cream, baseball, etc) but there were plenty that were more sentimental (my brother, my mom, etc). Reagan said 'My Family' - yes, she is a sweet, sweet girl. On her poster she had drawn Pat, me, Reagan, Nola and then a very small stick figure which is the baby.
We then had time for desserts and conversations in the fellowship halls with all the other families. They showed a DVD of pictures from the year - so it was fun to see the kids in different activities and field trips. We took some pictures with friends and then it was time to go home.
A perfect night to celebrate amazing children - most notably, Reagan!

Last Day of Preschool

After 2 amazing years, Reagan had her last day of preschool at Grace Lutheran. She had such great teachers both years and learned so much - yes, even in a play-based preschool!
They had a picnic for the kids during their last day and then it was time to pick her up. It was sad to say goodbye to Mrs. Thoms and to friends, but we will see them plenty over the summer and into the future.
Reagan was blessed to have 3 close friends, Ava, Neva and Reilly, in her class. And starting last fall, they had a rotating 'girls playdate' every Tuesday. So each mom took a turn picking up all 4 girls and then keeping them until 1:00. The girls loved their time and the moms loved it too! Not only did we get extra time for 3 weeks, but then we had great time for conversation when we picked up. These moms have become my friends, and I think I was more sad that preschool was ending than was Reagan.
It was a big decision as to where we should send Reagan (and our other children) to preschool and I know that God led us to Grace Lutheran and we are so thankful that He did.

Spring Soccer

After sitting at cold games in the fall we were lucky to have some nice Saturday mornings this spring to watch Reagan play soccer again. We did have a cold day one week, but the rest were perfect.
Reagan scored a couple goals in one game and had fun each week. Even though they don't keep score, she was keeping it in her head. When she played her friend, Grant's team she was sure to keep him updated as her teams racked up the goals. I think the 'unofficial Reagan' score was 7-1.
Reagan had a great coach this year and fun kids to play with. She will miss the Blue Dolphins come this fall, but I am sure she'll have another great AYSO season.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

It is always fun to celebrate Pat's birthday with the girls. This year we went to his office and took him to lunch and then celebrated with him after work. The girls helped me make his favorite - ice cream dessert. And they helped him open his music cards - their favorites! Reagan & Nola are so lucky to have such a loving, caring and amazing dad. Happy Birthday, Pat!