The Cutest Bears Fans

Kate Griffith and Liv Elsener

First Day of "School"

Olivia had her first day of "school" today, or at least first day in a school setting at our Parent-Toddler class at Cardinal Bernardin Montessori. She loved every minute of it.  After at least thirty trips down the slide, she bounced from one work station to the next.  She painted, fed and washed a baby doll,  colored, snacked and did many projects.  I think the class is going to be a great growing experience for her while teaching her independence and life skills all at once. 

Halfway

 

Baby Boy Elsener is at the midpoint of my pregnancy and his growth is right on track. We are starting to get ready for his arrival and wrapping our heads around the changes to come!

Freak Show Carnival

A very strange vaudeville carnival came to our local park this weekend filled with odd characters, rides, games and music.  Sam, Jonah and Larry won Livie many crappy little toys and even a goldfish!

And as usual, Liv loved the music and did some serious dancing.

Pony Rides

Not everybody loved the County Fair pony ride at the Garfield Park Conservatory.  

Cravings

For the past few weeks I have had serious cravings.... 

...for Oak Park Farmer's Market cinnamon donuts. 

Let's just say they totally delivered.  Delicious.  

I intend to return in the next few weeks before the market closes for the season. 

Ready for Fall!

We welcomed the colder weather today with a trip to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and a walk along the nature trail.  

Please Don't Interrupt While I Am Reading!

Goodbye Summer!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Football has officially started and Liv is psyched about her favorite teams, Michigan and the Bears.   She was thrilled with the win that Michigan had over Notre Dame on Saturday.  Go Blue!

We were lucky enough to kick off football season and Fall up in Michigan City with Jonah, Art, Lauren and Ava.  

 

 

 

Happy 30th Birthday Stace!

Since we met way back in 1999 at the University of Michigan...

To Florence, Italy....

To Post College Chicago...

To weddings, celebrations and festivities...

To good times in New York...

And to life-changes...

You have been by my side every step of the way and you are the best friend a girl could ask for! You definitely make life more fun :)  I hope the next 30 years are as great as your first 30 have been.

Happy Birthday Munch!!

For the Love of Cream Cheese

Liv doesn't eat any of the bagel, just licks all the cream cheese off and request more and more cream cheese.

Happy Labor Day

Congrats Kelly and Jay!

Such a fabulous wedding surrounded by friends and family.  Congrats!

17 Months Old

Lately whenever I think about Olivia, the word that immediately comes to mind is "sweet."  She really is such a sweet, loving little girl.  She gives adorable and unsolicited hugs. Sometimes unexpectedly she runs up behind you and hugs your back-- it's enough to melt your heart.  Her kisses have her own style.  She tilts her head back, smooshes her eyes closed and purses her lips to deliver sweet kisses.  Like a real lady, she generally only leans in halfway and waits for you to lean in the other half.

We've started talking about how her baby brother lives in my tummy and she often lifts my shirt up to plant a wet kiss right on her brother.  Liv blows kisses constantly, although sometimes she forgets to release the kisses from her mouth and just keeps her hand planted over her lips. And there is lots of love being shown to baby doll these days (and we're working on the gentle aspect). 

Favorite new phrase: "No No! No No Mama!"

Favorite toy: Etch-a-sketch, her play kitchen

Teeth: Top two middle are through finally, with the side two finally starting to break the surface.  The fourth on her bottom is just starting to come in too.  Whoa, teething all at once!

Three Amigos!