Thank you, thank you!

A few weeks ago our new friend Bo Kim took our family pictures at the University of Chicago campus and at Promontory Point. Calling them family pictures is almost an insult to the pictures and to Bo. They're just so...beautiful! Thank you Bo for making the experience so fun and so fruitful.

Take note Chicagolanders, she worked wonders with us.

I couldn't choose, so here are a million pictures in no particular order.

Mom, Chicago, Fun!

My mom came to visit us a few weeks ago. It was so much fun to spend time with her and to enjoy the city together. I loved Atlanta, but it's not quite the destination that Chicago is. I mean, the Coke museum is great, but how many of you even knew there was a Coke museum? (It's awesome by the way...especially the international tasting section at the end!)

Anyway, Chicago's got a bit more glitz to it. Most days of mom's visit we jumped on the train or bus (I make it sound easier and breezier than it is, but it's not bad!), got to town and then got to do something pretty cool.

Here's just one of those cool things we got to do. Really cool. Like amazingly cool.

A river tour!


















The day we did this tour was pretty much the nicest day of her trip. Clear blue skies, warm weather and lots of sun. Perfect to enjoy the views.




























Cool pic mom took, huh?


















Cool kid on my lap, huh?




























Pack your knife and fork and stay tuned for more about Hilda's trip to the big city! We love you mom.

Just what I needed

I had to have a dental crown today. (Beware your old silver fillings!) By the time my two hours in the dentist's chair were over I felt like I'd been punched in the face. About 5 times.

As I sat watching the boys eat dinner tonight I just felt yucky. I slouched in my chair and said, "Sorry guys, mommy's just not feeling great right now".

Nicholas looked at me up from dinner and simply said, "Boiler ache?" (pronounced "boyla ache").














I really didn't think Nico would understand not feeling well, but he understood it and linked it to his favorite Thomas book in the which Henry has a boiler ache. What sympathy and brains!

That, along with a very amusing duck-duck-goose round, was just what I needed.

Too bad no one did something cute at bedtime. Mother was grum-py. You can't win 'em all.

I promise this is the last time I'll mention it

But they just look so much older!




























These pics were taken 3 days apart.

Seriously, I'll get over it.

Sigh.

I hate haircuts

This baby is gone.














Forever.














His hair is much, much more blonde. This has happened to me before. I do not like it. The above photos were taken thirty minutes apart. Who knew thirty minutes could age you a year! Sob.

Plus, as an added bonus, Nico's hair has a few large blonde patches. These patches look like completely bald patches. Especially the one smack dab on the back of his head. A real refugee look. Nice.

Jacob (who I am more used to seeing look grown up) got his hair cut too.














Cute boy. A little bit evil, but mainly cute.

Oh, Jacob

The other day I was squeezing a lemon into my water. Jacob started asking me all sorts of questions about it. He wanted some lemon for himself. He said he wanted it on the cup. I wasn't sure what to make of that, so I squeezed the lemon into an empty cup. I handed it to him and he dropped the cup as if it were made of fire. He said there were things (pulp) in it and he didn't want that.

So I went back to the drawing board. He told me multiple times, very emphatically that he wanted the lemon ON the cup. I had no idea. Then he picked up the lemon and the cup did his best to put the lemon on the cup.

With that, I got it.


















I really don't know where he learned this since after I squeeze a lemon into my drink I just throw the lemon away.














He's so observant. And, he winks!

I'm sorry Nicholas,

but you're pretty.










































Pretty, pretty, pretty.














And pretty awesome, too.

Definition

The Mullet.

Business in the front:




























Party in the back:




























I promise we're cutting it all this week.

Here's how those mullets look dry (while pretending to eat my birthday cake). You can actually see Jacob's party in the back.














Excuse the mess in the background and the fact that this is the second recent post with Nicholas staring vacantly at the TV. We're pretty human around these parts!

Look familiar?

My Grandma gave Jacob the book No Jumping on the Bed for Christmas. This book is a cautionary tale about the risks of jumping on the bed. Risks like having your bed fall through the floor! (Excuse my copyright infringing photo booth pics.)














And not just fall through the floor, but continue falling through all of the floors beneath you! Eeeyikes! As the bed travels down the building you are introduced to the residents who live below this little golden haired boy. Amazingly, their names all rhyme: Miss Hattie, Mr. Matty, Aunt Batty, Patty and Natty, Mr. Hanratty, and Maestro Ferlingatti. It's uncanny!

I instantly liked this book after our first Christmas morning read. As I flipped through the pages I noticed the title page.

I ask you, does this look familiar?















That's right, it looks just like our building!

































Walter (the non-rhyming maverick of his building) lives a floor above us and our windows are more decorative, but aside from that it's a pretty convincing match.

Walter and Jacob's beds are even in the same spot.














Here's the view out his window (with cousin Jackson in the middle).













Here's hoping Jacob's bed stays put.