Storytime In Our Costumes

We have discovered a great storytime program for 2 year olds at one of the libraries here in Naperville. Last week they told us that the kids could come in costume this week, so we did! I wasn't sure if Evie and Gavin would like wearing their costumes, since this is the first year we are doing this, but they were really excited. They seemed to know that they were wearing something different.

Here were are in the storytime room. Evie is Snow White and Gavin is Anakin Skywalker:



After the stories were over, we played with beads and blocks:

We played peek-boo at the little puppet window:

Evie LOVED her pretty dress!

Gavin thought his Jedi-padawan costume was pretty neat:

Stay tuned for more costume pictures as we continue to celebrate Halloween!

A Fall Day At The Riverwalk

It's always fun to walk around Naperville's beautiful Riverwalk. We went over there one afternoon to see the fall colors and wave at the ducks. Gavin and Evie were delighted with the area under the Eagle Street bridge, below. The river bubbles over some rocks right there, and it makes a neat sound as it moves below the street. The concrete also made our voices echo a little, which was interesting to the kids:

Gavin loved running up and down the steps of the outdoor amphitheater:

Just standing on the covered bridges is always a big hit:

Gavin really wanted to climb into this fountain (this is the "horse trough" fountain, for those of you familiar with the Riverwalk):

I convinced him to head over to the Dandelion fountain instead, where he and Evie decided it wasn't too cold to splash around!

Gavin and His Broom

Remember how much Gavin enjoyed the broom he found at the pumpkin patch? Well, the other day we went to Target to get him his own broom. I found one with a short handle, and he pushed it up and down the cleaning aisle several times and was very happy with it. Here he is doing a little sweeping just before bedtime:





Francis thinks Gavin is holding the broom like a sword:



He even wanted to bring it upstairs to his bedroom! We have a rule that all toys stay right outside the bedroom door while he sleeps, so he set the broom down by the door frame and was happy as a clam!

Tuesday Cuteness

Evie and Gavin usually fight over who gets to push their toy stroller, so Francis got another one. Here is Evie pushing it and giving her teddy bear a ride:



Gavin has been more affectionate toward Evie lately, when he's not climbing, jumping, or running around the house. The other day he wanted to hold her bottle for her:

Bears Game Day

The Bears got pummeled on Sunday, but Gavin got into football mode with his new jersey. He also learned to put his arm around Evie:






He just loves this disposable cup (Take-n-Toss cups from Target)! Unfortunately, he gnaws on the spouts, so the cups don't last too long.

Another Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday we visited Johansen Farms Pumpkin Patch with Uncle David. We were sad that Uncle Brad couldn't go, but he had to stay home for the house painters that are working on their house - pictures to follow sometime next week! The weather ended being perfect and sunny, despite forecasts of rain. Evie and Gavin had a GREAT time exploring and being silly!

Check out last year's visit to Johansen Farms with David and Brad to see how much the kids have grown! Gavin was just begining to walk then, and you will notice that Evie is wearing the same winter coat in both visits (it still fits) and she weighs almost the exact same amount in both pumpkin scale pics.

Evie picked out a gourd:



The kids loved touching the cornstalks:



"Can I get this one, Mom?"



"This one is just right for me!"



"Oooh, baby pumpkins. We love these!"



Gavin tried to pick up several giant pumpkins:

Evie in her kitten hat and mittens.

This orange wagon was a big hit:

Gavin was scared of a creepy, talking, life-size, ghoulish statue, so he hugged me tightly:

Gavin found this broom, which belonged to Johansen Farms and was not for sale, but he pushed it around for a good 20 minutes and cried for 5 minutes when we had to take it away from him when we left. We're going to get him his own little broom. Seriously, why do we even have toys?

We put Evie on the pumpkin-weighing scale. She's not even 20 pounds with her shoes and winter coat on! Here's last year's pic.

The kids got silly doing a new move that I call the "pumpkin bump:"

Friday Cuteness

The kids both have had runny noses and slight coughs this week, but that didn't stop them from hugging and smiling and giggling:

A Visit To Uncle David's Office

On Tuesday morning we got to drive over to Uncle David's office at Old Second Bank's headquarters. He had the day off, so he came over to our house early and we all rode together into "beautiful" downtown Aurora (David really wanted to be with me so that we wouldn't take a wrong turn)! David is constantly talking about his niece and nephew and wanted everyone to meet them, and Evie and Gavin wanted to grab as many office supplies as they could!

Uncle David entertained the kids with his iPhone while I got everything ready to go:



Gavin jumped right into David's chair and grabbed his coffee mug:


Evie was shy and clung to David for about the first half hour!



Coffee mug - check. Time for Gavin to grab the whole coffee pot!

After we made the rounds of the office and met lots of co-workers, we came back to Uncle David's desk. Evie snacked on some cheddar goldfish from David's partner-in-crime, Bridgett...aka "honorary Aunt B!"

Bridgett showed Gavin her iPhone:

Bridgett and another training department member, Veronica, made treat bags for the kids. They got crackers, cookies, cups, and window clings, and put them in cute bags...thanks, ladies! Here is the Old Second Training Department, with Evie:

Evie decided to climb onto the desktop and dump her goldfish crackers all over her lap:

Gavin takes a call, while Evie hangs out on top of the desk:

The bank survived the twins' visit. Thanks for letting us come by!