Birthday cake

The boys are always wild to make me a birthday cake, but it's tricky for Matt to make anything interesting with them helping. So this year I made my own spiced sweet potato birthday cake and turned it over to them with a cake decorator full of frosting! They got to make me a cake, and I got a yummy birthday cake.

Self portrait

This is Jack's self portrait that was hanging on his locker at parents' night tonight. I love that it is so modern yet still looks just like him!

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Sweater weather

We had our first fall weather today, which allowed me to bust out this ridiculously cute sweater I have been saving for Cate.

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Great playground

This morning, Ellis, Cate, and I went with our playgroup to check out a new park here in Chicago. It is called Adams Sangamon park and it is one if the coolest little places I've ever seen. They have created an interesting landscape of hills and valleys - even in the playground area - and the playground has lots of levels and interesting climbing structures. Ellis was in heaven! When we go back I'll take more pictures - I just got one of Ellis and Cate in this bowl swing.

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Flag football

Jack is in a junior flag football league this fall.  He is in the 5-6 year old division and his team is the Lions.  All the teams have their own jerseys in the colors of their corresponding NFL team.  Here is Jack in his Lions jersey before his first game of the season.  It was pouring rain and not very warm, but the kids played anyway.  Jack is very proud of playing football and has been trying very hard even though it is all new and a little challenging for him.

Finally peaceful

Cate had a rough night, until I finally gave up trying to sleep. Now that I'm sitting up next to her she is miss peaceful.

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Happiness is...

...being naked and having your big brother helping you.  Cate loves it when Jack helps her stand!

Firehouse visit

We got to visit a firehouse in Chinatown with our playgroup. Ellis thinks sitting in a fire truck is serious business.  The woman in the picture is our good friend, Emily Fong.

The little girl in the mirror

While we were in Vermont, Cate and Granddaddy were always talking about the little girl in the mirror.  Cate is very fond of that little girl.