Christmas Cupcakes

Brooke received baking stuff from Grandma and decided she needed to make something this am. Despite the fact we need to be at the store to work and there are tons of other things on our plate today. But how do you tell a kid this excited they can't bake? You don't. You let her bake :)

Brothers

Nothing like Technology to bring these two together

Little Picasso

Luke has made us a new family portrait ;) Apparently the drawing of Dad made the kids crack up in the car on the way home.

He Said / She Said

Luke: Some people like their Dad more and some people like their Mom more.

(Me... trying to interrupt before he finishes)

Luke: I like you more.

Frozen T&T Challenge: New Berlin WI

We spent the day in New Berlin, Wisconsin ... which is actually close to home (right over the border). Brooke was pretty nervous for this meet. It was the first one of the season, which is scary enough in itself. But, also, she moved up levels in both events. Despite her nerves, she was cool-calm-and-collected (as is how Brooke operates) and came in first both events. What a great confidence booster to start the season ;)

1st Place, Level 6, Trampoline

1st Place, Level 6, Double Mini

Metal Mouth

Brooke went in last Thursday to get a tooth pulled and on Friday to get a transpalatal bar. It's the beginning of the braces process. Both procedures went well, but she's been suffering since with mouth pain and also general confusion as to how to eat. It's been a frustrating 24 hours and we likely have a few more anxious days ahead!

He Said / She Said

Talking about Luke's first soccer game tomorrow ...

Me: The most important thing is to have fun.

Luke: No it's not. The most important thing is to get a score ... I'm gonna beat everybody.

Luke Family Portrait

Little Picasso

Ryan's art for the 3rd grade art show. He said he chose a different picture, one with a castle and stone walkway. Apparently it was before the strike and the teacher lost it. So, she chose this one.

It is a taco attacking a city. In the top right it was supposed to be a moon, but it leaked. Now it's apparently a spaceship.

He Said / She Said

Dad: I said no games, you can't play that.

Luke: It's not a game. It's just math!

Dad: No it's a game.

Luke: Im going to be in 1st grade soon and if you don't let me do it I'll be bad at EVERYTHING!

Dad: No.

Luke: Please? Just let me play the game! I mean math! It's just math!

He Said / She Said

Luke: Spoons are for snacking and forks are for stabbing

Hamilton

I've wanted to take the kids to Hamilton for a long time. But, the tickets are expensive and the show is a bit complicated. When we found out the show was coming to a close in Chicago, I knew this was our last change. We coordinated with our best buddies for an outing and took 5 girls and Ryan (!) to see the show. Between Brooke & Ryan, Ryan was way more into the show. He's been listening to the soundtrack with me and we've discussed the story. Brooke went along mostly because her friends were going ;) It was a school night, and it was late, but I convinced everyone to stand outside the stage door after to try to see some of the actors. The girls were insanely thrilled about this. Ryan less so - he was tired and wanted to go home.

Miguel had messaged me during the show (but I didnt check my phone) to suggest we come down to the stage after. Unfortunately I missed that message, or the kids would have had a chance to stand on the actual stage. THAT would have been amazing. However, they were more than thrilled to have the chance to meet him in the alley (surrounded by trash cans, haha). Andrew Call, who plays King George, actually was the one they were most happy to see after. With good reason, he is hilarous! What a great night.

Miguel Cervantes: Hamilton

Andrew Call: King George

Tamar Greene: George Washington

Signed Playbill

Luke Visits The Children’s Farm

Luke's class went to the farm today (despite it being 30 degrees) and he was featured on the Cook Facebook page!

Museum of Science and Industry

No School Day seems like a good day for the museum. We actually haven't been here since Luke was in a stroller. It was nice that the kids are now big enough to basically explore on their own. The mirror maze was definitely a favorite.

All About Luke

Luke "I Am A Artist"

Kindergarten self exploration

Ryan is 9!

We celebrated Ryan's birthday this year with a trip to Chuck E Cheese. We went right after school because Brooke had trampoline practice later. The benefit of going there at 4pm on a Tuesday is that there really isnt anyone there. The kids got to run all over the place to maximize their game time. We also had some pizza (which all three of them actually like). Ryan chose a cookie cake (vs cupcakes or regular cake), his general choice since he's not really a fan of traditional birthday cake. It was a bit of a rushed celebration, but everyone had fun.

Brooke was really into the game where you keep dropping
a quarter and trying to get more quarters to fall. She
couldnt stop playing it.

Luke still likes every game at Chuck E. Cheese. Ones wit
and without tickets. This one showed a video and had
vibrations. He did it like 5 times.

Ryan was mostly concerned with maximizing tickets. He tried to find games he could win and get the most tickets. He
played every game there, but I think spent most time on Ski-Ball.

Letter to Santa

Luke wrote quite a few letters to Santa over this holiday. Many of them were quite similar. The toys changed a little, but "guns" and "Nerf" were pretty common themes. The "dog" popped up a lot, probably more than any other thing.

Downtown Trippin For Hamilton Tickets

I had planned to take a trip downtown to pick up our tickets for Hamilton, but Luke ended up home sick from school. Since he technically seemed fine (and I likely got played) I figured we’d make a day of it. He loves the train, so it’s an easy sell. We strolled around, grabbed donuts, stopped to look in the Macy’s windows ... and wrote a letter to Santa. It was actually a really fun day and I’m glad he came along.

Halloween 2019

Little Picasso: Luke Halloween Art

Luke's drawing of ghosts & a bat

Southport Trick Or Treat

We can never pass up another opportunity to 1) get more candy 2) get more use out of our Halloween costumes. Tonight we went to the trick-or-treat on Southport (which was crazy, insane, crowded) and met up with Trampoline friends (Teddy, Declan & Vidya).

Cuddle Buddies

For 5 years Luke refused to sleep with anything but a pillow in his bed. Then one guy after another got added. Now it looks like this.

Roscoe Village Trick or Treat

Its impossible to even describe what perfect weather we got for the annual Roscoe Village trick or treat. The kids had so much fun. The small issue was that it was actually TOO HOT. Ryan was literally melting in his gorilla suit. It didn't help that he insisted on travelling like a gorilla - literally walking on his hands and feet the entire time. When he would take off his mask to breathe, sweat would be dripping.

A zombie, gorilla and Power Ranger

Ryan actually had to sit on this couch and rest.
He was exhausted.

Picking Pumpkins in MI

Who knows how accurate this measure is, but the kids always get psyched about standing next to it. For some reason, the best pic Luke would take (despite the fact he WANTED it taken) is with his eyes crossed. Pretty much well explains this age, I guess. Dinges is not always where we go, but its definitely the closest to our house. There have been many seasons spent here now :)

This year, Brooke only cared about little pumpkins. No interest in the big carving one.

Ryan didnt really care about pumkins either. He just wanted to
be in charge of the wheel barrel.