Brookfield Zoo

 We got a quick trip in to the zoo before my doctor's appointment this morning...Josh wanted to see the monkeys and the elephants so we headed right over to the tropical world...it was much less crowded first thing in the morning than later in the day...then we went to check out the pacyderms, but there are no elephants at Brookfield right now...I guess they are making a bigger habitat.

As we were walking in, Josh really wanted to ride on the carosel, but I told him it wasn't working...as we were walking out...he notice it was "working!" and I couldn't say no to him...so he got a ride on the carosel...I think we are going to have to do that more often - he loved it!

Weekend Stuff

Madden and Josh in Madden's backyard swingset

washing Jared's car

Beach Day

We visited the Evanston beach with Mary Nick Olivia Annie and Elle...luckily we got there early enough to get a good spot and not have to pay!  The water was cool at first but then Josh jumped right in

We brought ALL of our sand toys...

Josh really liked to have the water lap up on him...he also liked when we went out a bit further to jump the waves.  It was nice to have such a level beach so far in to the water...Mary made yummy lunches for us to share and Josh fell asleep on the ride home...though he woke up once we got home...I guess no day is perfect.

Update: just found this video of Josh playing at the beach.

Illinois State Fair

I've never been to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, IL .  Jared had been to the Indiana State Fair, growing up just outside Indianapolis.  Since Jared has a client that brings him down once a week this time of year, I thought we could take the trip and check it out.

First we went to the petting (feeding) zoo.  Josh quickly caught the hang of things

 Then they had this place you could milk a "cow"

coming back from watching part of the horse competition

we found pigs to pet

and sheep

and a baby cow

I'm glad we went.  It was a three hour car drive by myself with Josh in the car.  Even though we timed it so he would be taking a nap and I had plenty of books, toys and books on tape, it was a bit tough.  Josh did well at the fair and slept late the next morning.  I don't think we'll go again.  The part we got the most out of, we could have just taken him to the zoo

Dobbins

Our friends from Colorado were in South Bend to celebrate Aaron and Carter's birthday and introduce their baby Cohen.  (Christi came in too).  We drove out to see them

Josh playing with Carter's Cars cars

playing together

we were at Aaron's brother Adam's house.  Adam has two boys Cameron and Lucas who are 8 and 10.  they love playing video games and Josh and Carter were memorized.

dirt cupcakes  - cupcakes with chocolate frosting, rolled in oreo cookies, and a gummie worm on top...so yummy!

I think he liked the cupcake

all the kids together 

Josh, Carter and Cohen just before we left.

Brushing Teeth

Aunt Sara was in town and Josh was showing her how much he likes to brush his teeth.  He doesn't brush them in the bathroom in front of the sink...he prefers this mirror since he can stand in front of it and watch himself.  he also has to walk around with the toothbrush, (which makes me nervous) toothpaste to re-apply after each brushing (he just touches the brush to the tube so I don't worry about too much flouride or whatever)  At least he likes brushing...now we just have to get him to stop "eating" the toothpaste and work more on actually brushing

Brookfield Zoo

camels

Josh and Colin laughing at something funny

giraffes

zebra

I'm not sure if Lori and my heads were cut off intentionally...

Jared as a two-toed sloth

so of course Josh to had to copy

Josh! I can't see where we are going!