Day Downtown

We had a busy day downtown.  First we met friends in from Atlanta and their new baby Robbie.  Then we played on the playground near the fire station.  

 Then we checked out the Legoland Store.

 We were amazed how much time Josh wanted to spend here and how well he sat playing for almost 45 minutes!

 Then we went to Addy's 2nd Annual Halloween Party.  Josh wore his costume for a few minutes before he got too warm and took it off.

wrestling with a childsize big bird.

Morton Arboretum, Finally

Well, true to my word, we went to visit the Morton Arboretum...I forgot it was a day off from school - it turned out to be very crowded, since they were extending their October weekend activities, but we did well enough.  we didn't spend any time really exploring the trees, and instead spent all of our time at the children's garden.  I guess maybe the trees would have been a bit boring for Josh anyway.

 The Frog fountain was a hit again, though this time Josh was also interested in hoarding the smooth rocks.

you can see here he is waiting for the water to push the rocks off

this water pump powered the windmill below

This time we also explored the garden a little further and found this rope course.  About half way through he finally started trying to climb on the ropes instead of between them.

Zoo

The beautiful weather continues to surprise us this week, so we invited Aidan and his mom to the Brookfield Zoo with us.

We had a late start getting to the Zoo but when we finally got there, Josh essentially ran through the monkey exhibit...he was very excited to show his friend around.  We got to check out the pacyderms.  the hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses, but the elephants were not outside.  Then we saw the kangroos.  Josh is very good at jumping like a kangroo now.  They had this statue you could pose in...I think this was the most still Josh and Aidan were all morning.

We also got to check out the giraffes.  One giraffe was hanging his tongue out and waving it about...it was really silly to watch, especially since it can be up to 24 inches long. Whoa!

When we were showing Dad the pictures later that night, Josh stole the camera once again.  he loves sticking his tongue out and taking his picture.  Apparently, he got Jared to do it too!

Chicago Botanic Garden, Again

We have had some beautiful weather.  My original intention for this day was to visit the Morton Arboretum.  We had been talking about the colors leaves change in autumn in school this week.  Though we can see a lot of leaves changing colors in our subdivision and on the road as we are going places, I thought the Arboretum would be over the top, seeing as it IS all about trees.  We get reciprocal admission because of our botanic gardens membership, but I COULD NOT find our membership cards. *  So, last minute I decide to go to the Gardens, figuring it would be nice there too.

Josh was so happy after he got dressed in the morning, he wanted me to take his picture.  Perhaps because Frog was also dressed ready to go.

Then he got himself dressed to go outside, in full IU Red.  I swear he did this all on his own.

I guess there was some fall colors with the yellow mums.

I guess we have been to the gardens enough times that Josh knew we  should get a map.  I had passed by the maps and he insisted we go back in to the visitor center to get a map.

we caught a rainbow in the spray from the fountain

we watched the ducks

 We spent most of our time at the train exhibit, though.

*Hey moms, how do you organize/keep your membership cards handy

It will be a GIRL!

Well, I know this is VERY delayed, but finally we are announcing the arrival of Baby Silver 2 in the middle of January.  We are expecting a GIRL!  I am 24 weeks along and we are all doing well.  Josh knows that he is going to have a baby sister and is happy.

Baby Girl Silver

 

legs.  this is the left leg, with the right foot crossed under

a few weeks later we had a second ultrasound and you can see her right had doing the #1

Another Jared work of art.  everybody has Eagles shirts on and I have a baby in my belly!  We are holding hands and Josh has a balloon.  I'm not sure why Jared gets to wear shoes and I am barefoot though!  Josh added a little zest to the picture this time

Goebberts Part 2

We brought Dad and GaGa and PaPa Robert back with us to Goebberts.

Josh was kind of interested in the pumpkins when we first got there

but quickly moved on to the tractor to play on.

Family Picture

picture with Papa Robert and GaGa

at the end of the day, we did pick out a BIIIIIG pumpkin and a little pumpkin to carve later.

Autum Harvest

We took our neighbor Madden (and his dad and sister) along with us to check out the Autumn Harvest in Downtown Arlington Heights.  Other than the scarecrow building contest, there wasn't much for the little kids to do.  We did get them interested in colored noodle necklaces.