We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

With the warmer weather Madelyn has decided that she no longer wants to wear pants or even shorts.  I don't know if it is because she is a girly-girl or if it is because she gets too hot, but all she wants to wear are dresses and skirts.  So, it was time to sew up some things that I had in my stash.  First, the ruffle skirt with giant rick rack on the bottom:  Then I had a pattern that I used to make a dress for my niece when she was 3, which was 6 years ago! This was left over yellow fabric with little white polka dots that I had used in a baby quilt.  She chose to accent it with a red necklace, I made her a little headband too, and she loves it because it keeps the hair out of her face, and doesn't pull on her fine hair like a rubber band. Then I had found this dress on Pinterest thinking that I would make it for myself out of an old sheet, but I had found some quilting fabric in Virgina that had a hummingbird on it and Scott's grandmo...

About a month ago when we were at Navy Pier looking at the Children's Museum Store we found a butterfly habitat kit.  I bought one for my niece Maggie a while ago, and it was a big hit so I thought that our kids would like to try it.  We sent away for the caterpillars and they arrived in about a week, they were so cute, little and fuzzy. The kids loved to watch them inch up the container. Rylan wrote down observations of the caterpillars  and their growth every couple days.  After about 10 days they crawled to the top and formed chrysalises . . .  All except one formed a chrysalis we carefully pined the small sheet of paper to the habitat an waited.  We never did see a butterfly actually come out, it must have happened too fast.  We just noticed the empty chrysalis and a new butterfly. We fed them watermelon, apples and sugar water, and when they were big enough it was time to release them. 3 out of the 5 became butterflies, ...

These two have been quite the pair lately.  Madelyn was playing with the watering can and she poured it on some dirt which made MUD!  She then asked for more water so she could make "mud soup," Ian was instantly intrigued. We took their clothes off and let them play, what the heck, it was bath night anyway.                                                    Jumping in the mud Maddy was having weggie issues, she kept picking at it and leaving a mud mark!  Putting a stick in and flinging the mud Then the painting began, Madelyn painted Ian's arm completely, she started on his other arm and he was done. What happened to you buddy? Who knew that a big case of toliet paper from Costco could be so ...

Scott and Rylan got new bikes this spring. Scott gave his away to one of the nice guys that packed our South Carolina apartment, and Rylan finally out grew his. Here they are testing them out: Ian wanted to go too, he just got a little ride on dad's. Rylan's new bike has two hand brakes and gears, pretty intense and new for an 8 year old. Scott is trying to explain how they work. There they go down the street and to our pond for a ride. It was Rylan's spring break and Madelyn was sick (again) so Scott decided that it was time for him and Rylan to go on a "man weekend." They hiked, biked, camped, fulfilled some cub scout requirements, sat by the fire and talked about girls. Rylan's new bike took a little practice to get used to, he had some falls . . . and some frustration, Scott took this picture in mid-deep breath sigh A hike at Starved Rock

My niece M'Lynn finally turned 16 and what did she ask for her birthday? A trip to come visit US! We felt so special! Not only did we have her, but her temporary sisters, two foreign exchange students that are living with her family. Vilma from Denmark, and Birgit from Austria. I pulled Rylan out of school early and we drove to the airport to pick them up. After we found the car (Leah got a little confused for a bit) we drove home let the girls rest until Scott got home then we drove into the city to eat at the famous Ed Debevic's . This restaurant is famous for it's rude wait staff. Our waitress was no exception she threw our paper cups and napkins at us, called me a cheapskate for ordering water, wondered why Vilma talked funny then called her the foreign girl the rest of the time. She wore a tight leopard print skirt, 80's style make-up, and had a glare that could kill. She was quite entertaining. She and the other waiters and waitresses danced mid-way through ...