Playset Cuteness

Here are more photos from the past couple weeks of Evie and Gavin enjoying their climber/playset:

Phillps Park Zoo

Last week we went over to Phillips Park Zoo with Auntie Di. This time I figured out that the Sunken Garden next to the zoo has a ramp after all! (I couldn't find it on previous visits.) Here are some pictures in the garden:

We got up close with a goose, and then my camera battery ran out of juice - oops!

Little Gamers

It looks like Evie and Gavin are going to love video games as much as Francis does (or at least they'll be really tech-savvy little kids)! They love to play Nintendo DS (Peggle) and Game Boy (Super Mario Brothers 3). The pictures, music, and sound effects are just fascinating to them.

Francis thinks this is the cutest scene ever:

95th Street Library

We have been to Nichols Library several times, but last week we decided to explore Naperville's 95th Street Library. We decided it was pretty much the same as "our" library, but it was fun to go there and check it out!

Playing with puzzles:



Evie can just about reach those puzzle pieces:



Here are some pictures to make Nana Cermak and Grandma Cordes proud (they are both librarians) - Gavin put away his book when he was done...

...then sat down contentedly with another one!

Playdate!

Yesterday we had a playdate with our friend Laura and Keenan, the 15 month old boy she babysits (her triplets were in preschool so we didn't get to see them). Evie and Gavin were a little shy at first but they warmed up fast. We had lots of fun and will probably do this more often as the weather starts to get cooler!

Evie loves to play with trucks just as much as Gavin does. At our house, we have just about every toy under the sun, so Evie doesn't think twice about playing with a tool bench, and likewise Gavin doesn't think twice about playing with a purse or necklace.



Other kids' toys are always more interesting anyway! Gavin and Keenan share cell phones:

"Ready for school, Evie? Come on in!"

Another Haircut for Evie

Last week Evie went for her second haircut. She LOVED it! She kept looking at herself in the mirror and enjoyed the way Connie (our stylist) combed her hair. When it was done, she looked at me and pointed to her barrettes and then pointed to her hair, like she was saying "Put these back in now, Mom!"

Here is Evie reading with Grandma Cordes before the appointment:


At the salon:



Gavin watched while Evie was getting her haircut. Back at home, he wanted to comb both his hair and hers (you can click on the picture for a larger view):



Gavin admires his sister's hair:

Fall Fest 5K Walk

This morning we walked in the DuPage Convalescent Center's annual Fall Fest, which features a 5K run/walk. Evie sat happily in the stroller, but Gavin was having none of that. He only let me carry him about 2 blocks and then he wanted to walk, so we just gave up and I walked with him at his pace while Francis and Grandpa Cermak finished the walk with Evie (rockin' an 18 minute mile). Gavin and I only walked about 3 blocks and then we headed back to see the rest of the Fall Festival.



Auntie Clare ran the race in 27 minutes. She's training for the marathon so this was no problem for her!



Clare won a medal for having the fastest time in her age group! Congratulations!




Gavin was so intrigued with the ambulance (which was on hand just in case) that the EMT's let us climb in!

Back at home, playtime before naps:

Gavin hung onto this bagel for about an hour but didn't eat much of it.

He was a good brother and shared it with Evie (who did eat it)!

Gavin played soccer with Auntie Clare and Grandpa:

At The Arboretum With Auntie Di

Yesterday we decided the day was so beautiful that we met up with Auntie Di and headed over to Morton Arboretum. All the big kids were back in school, so it was less crowded. Evie and Gavin were really interested in all of the activities that involved water (which is a lot - there are several water pumps in the Children's Garden, not to mention the fountains)! Here they are with the big marble fountain right at the entrance:



Gavin tried to stick his foot in the ring of water:

Gavin was so thoroughly soaked that we had to put him in one of Francis's T-shirts for the ride home. Next time I will remember to bring a change of clothes for each of them!

Evie and Gavin were quite tuckered out and took good naps when we got home (so did I)! We can't wait to go back, especially when the leaves are turning colors!