Coneheads

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago, when the weather was colder (note everyone has a long-sleeved shirt). Uncle David was here and so things got very silly. Everyone had to put a caution cone on their head!

After all the silly stuff, Evie read a Grover story with her uncle:

Auntie Clare

On Sunday, we got to spend one last afternoon with Auntie Clare before she moves to San Diego this week. Evie and Gavin had a great time playing with her at the park and back at our house.

Gavin helped her open a present:

Have fun surfing, and we'll look forward to seeing you in August!

Touch A Truck

Every so often I hear about village events where kids can get up close to city trucks, construction trucks, and more. The timing never worked out, though, until I heard about one last Saturday morning in Lisle. Nana & Grandpa Cermak planned to meet us there. We thought both kids, and especially Gavin , would LOVE it. Well, things don't always turn out like you think they will.

He was a little shy around this backhoe - he didn't really want to stand on it. I think it's the difference between seeing a truck in a book and seeing the real thing - so much bigger than a toddler can imagine!




Then we were standing in front of a big city pickup truck, and some kid had climbed inside it and started pushing on the horn. (Not a parent in sight that we could see - argh!) It was really loud, and scared Gavin completely out of his wits. Nana and I left the truck area with him and went inside to calm him down.

Grandpa, Francis and Evie stayed outside to see this big firetruck:


Next there was a Lisle Police K-9 demonstation. Gavin got a little scared of the dog- I think he was still upset about that truck horn. The Cermaks and I watched with Evie, and she loved watching the dog search for items in the field.



Back at home. Francis, Evie, and Gavin had all worn their Batman T-shirts:



Gavin was much happier playing with his motorized Batmobile:

I guess we'll wait another year to see more trucks up close, and for now we will just watch them working around town, from the vantage point of our car!

Friday Cuteness

Here are some random cute photos from the week:

Gavin piled his stuffed toys all around himself:


I read Pinkalicious to Gavin. It's one of his favorite books and every time we get to the vegetable page, he asks for peas!



Uncle David entertains the kids with his iPhone:



Daddy and Gavin read a story:

Evie tries to hide behind her oxygen machine:

A Visit To Daddy's Office

The week before last, we went to visit Daddy at his office. We hadn't been there in quite a while, and everyone there likes to see the twins.

Gavin sat at Daddy's (very messy!) desk and checked his messages:


Evie wanted to stay in her stroller the whole time:



Gavin found the squeakiest foldup cart in the office and pushed it everywhere:

Gavin was thrilled to discover the "Rec'd" date-stamper and the mail room scale:

Auntie Clare's Going Away Party

Auntie Clare is moving to beautiful San Diego soon, and her BFF Katy had a party for her. Katy has an adorable daughter, Paige, who Gavin had fun playing with. Here is Gavin feeding goldfish crackers to Paige:



Gavin and Paige played in the ball tent:

Evie and Daddy:

Clare, Evie and me:

Gavin sits in a tree, with help from Katy's husband Mark:

Gavin gave Auntie Clare a big hug goodbye:

Evie and Grandpa:

Good luck, Clare! We know you'll love all the California sun and beaches!

Mother's Day

I know I am a week late with this post, but last week was not very productive with Gavin being sick. He is doing better, by the way - no more fever and he is running around, He just has a lingering cough but is not contagious.


Anyway, I always read to the kids in the morning and before and after naps. (Their newest favorite book is Fancy Nancy.) Fran was there to capture it:









Then we went to Grandpa and Grandma Cordes' house for a cookout. Gavin was fascinated with the sliding door:





Auntie Di and Uncle Kevin:




Evie with Grandpa and Uncle David:

Evie likes Uncle David's cold Smirnoff Ice drink:

Diana and I with our dear mother:

Uncle David helps Evie "fly" to Uncle Brad:

Flying Evie, in action:

Here is Evie trying to avoid getting her picture taken:

Gavin Is Sick

Gavin got a runny nose on Sunday (Mother's Day). Then he developed a cough on Monday afternoon, and by Tuesday morning he was lethargic. By Tuesday afternoon he had a fever and he did not eat any solid food all day. He just wanted to be held ALL day...not that I minded, but he didn't even want me to put him down to set up Evie's nebulizer. Luckily, Grandma Cordes was here on Wednesday to help out!

Wednesday morning he still had a fever so we went to the doctor. It turns out he has a "touch of bronchitis" and an infection in his right ear. (This is the very first ear infection for either of the twins!) The doctor said the infection spread from the nose and throat to the ear.







Gavin has an antiboitic that must taste awful, because he barfed up his entire first dose all over both of us Wednesday afternoon. He still hadn't eaten any solids. He was so weak and tired that he fell asleep on the couch with Clifford:



Gavin must have superstar tastebuds, because he could tell when I tried to hide the antibiotic in his orange juice yesterday (Thursday). Then I put it in his milk but he didn't finish it, so I didn't even know how much of it he got. He was playing with cars all day yesterday, but he still had a high fever when he woke up from his nap (103.7). I called the pediatrician and requested a different antibiotic, one that I know he will drink with no problems. Good old pink, refrigerated Amoxicillin!

It is so unusual for Gavin to not be full of energy. We need our little "Cyclone Cermak" to get better soon!

Another Haircut For Gavin

Gavin's hair grew like a weed since his last haircut, so it was time for another one. Thank goodness he enjoys it!

Gavin was getting so relaxed that he was leaning farther and farther over the arm of the chair:



You can see a smile here! He liked being fussed over:

All done. He looks so handsome!

Gavin's polo was new from Grandma Cordes, and so is the top Evie was wearing that day. They both looked so cute in their new clothes!

Playdate!

Last week we had a playdate with my friend Laura and her daughter Keira. To my deep disappointment, they are moving out of state in a few weeks, so I was thrilled to squeeze in one last get-together. We all had such a great time! Gavin showed off all of his toy cars, and he and Keira played so nicely together that it just warmed my heart. They played basketball:

They rode around the house on cars:

Evie played with the cars as well, and then she indicated that she wanted Laura to sit next to her and read a story. Evie doesn't usually do this with people she doesn't often see, so that made Laura and me both happy!

Then Keira and Gavin decided to "take a rest" on the floor - and when it was time to wake up, Keira tickled his tummy!

We had so much fun, and we will miss you! Good luck in your new

adventures!