Circus

The circus was in town this past week and we decided to go out on a limb and take the munchkins. It turned out to be a great time! The highlights were certainly the elephants and tigers for Teagan. The adults even enjoyed the Greatest Show on Earth! I went back and forth between watching the show and turning to watch Teagan's face light up with the jaw dropped expression and wonderment. We went with Grandma C, Ryker, Dan and Cara. Even little Breckin came along for the ride! I have to admit I am excited for future shows and even the kids movies that come to the theater. It is fun to pretend you are a kid again and join in the excitement! 

Lately

We have been on a whirlwind lately! Weekend travels, a short little tummy bug, job changes, new nephew, baby showers, birthdays, visitors and wham it is winter time!  I have several drafts I need to finish on said events. Oh and it is Thanksgiving week. Life has been good as we prepare for the days of winter and the holidays. We are so fortunate to have such amazing opportunities with friends and family. This past weekend was spent quietly at home as Breckin (3 months!) recovered from a little sickness.  I think the whole family needed a little downtime at home! The Dr said to keep the contact between Breckin and Teagan to a minimum. Well, that is just not possible these days. She just adores him...and sometimes shows it just a wee bit aggressively.  Breckin is equally enamored with her as his eyes get big and he kicks his legs when she is showing him a toy or her jumping. "Watch Teagan jump, Breckin." And "I sit next to baby" are daily phrases. Just yesterday, one of T's school friends came up to look at Breckin and she said "that is my baby brother!" It makes me smile every time! 

A visit to the Helmers

We visited the Helmers family the first weekend in November. It had been far too long since we headed to Ohio and saw our friends and the kids are at such a perfect age to play together. And that they did!! We brought the bouncy house and Jacob and Teagan went haywire. Teagan loved playing with all Jacobs toys (namely the cars) but they were a great matchup in the bounce house. They roughed each other up but still snuck in hugs and kisses and really played well. It was a nice quiet weekend just eating, hanging out, catching up, checking out their newly finished basement (which is amazing!) and letting the kiddos run loose! 

Trick or Treat 2013

We are fresh off of a 2 day Halloween celebration. The first night was the annual Trunk for Treats party at Teagan's school. The next night was trick or treating with cousin Ryker in G and G Tiltges' neighborhood. Both were rainy celebrations but that didn't stop the kiddos from stomping through puddles to get their candy! To piggyback off Teagan's love of balloons and the movie, Up, we chose to do an Up theme. Teagan was the house, Rick was the old man Mr. Fredricksen, Beth was the bird Kevin and Breckin was the Boy Scout Russell. It was so fun because Teagan understood the concept of trick or treating this year and was completely elated to participate! We just had to limit the candy intake otherwise it would have all been consumed in one sitting! 

2 Brothers

Tonight Teagan learned what a reflection was as we were eating dinner. She always enjoys checking herself out in the mirror but tonight she thought Breckin was outside as he sat in his chair at dinner and she quickly yelled out "two Breckin's" and "two Teagans." She danced around chanting about her new discovery. The new discoveries occur daily and definitely make things interesting and exciting around here! I love watching her learn. 

MSI with cousin Ryker

We were lucky enough to attend the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago again courtesy of CDW. I wore Breckin and chased Teagan because Rick had to work. We met Dan, Cara and Ryker there for some cousin play time. The kids loved exploring the children's area and the weather display! 

Sleeps

I have so much to write about...a visit from the grandparents, Teagans second birthday, Breckin's one month, Teagan officially in Twos, etc. BUT, I have to get this down on paper...er, electronically because things change so fast! Teagan has morphed into a such a great sleeper. She moved into her big girl room and twin bed about a month before she turned 2. We let her call the shots and she climbed into that bed with great pride and has never looked back. She would get out for a little while at all hours and then there was a stage where we would have to lay in bed with her until she drifted off. But now, it is all independence for this little dreamer! She goes to bed and pretty much melts our hearts each night. Now WE are the ones that have a hard time leaving the room. "Goodnight mommy/daddy" ""lay down right here mommy/daddy" "I wuv you Mommy/Daddy/Bweckin" "come back" "I had fun" It is the cutest thing ever...Rick can't get enough of the way she says Daddy with every statement or request. And then she sleeps great through the night with rarely a peep. The mornings are too funny. She wakes up and doesn't cry or say a word...she begins her gathering of all the books, blankets, toys, animals she can find and makes a pile at the door. We open the door and are greeted with an immediate smile and then back to work. She often asks for help to relocate the said belongings. The piles get larger and there are contents of her room strung all over but it makes for peaceful mornings until we get dressed. We are so proud of her big girl sleeping habits and routine! Plus, the nightly ritual is just adorable!