Halloween

This was from Trunk or Treat at our church Friday night.  Thanks to Grandma D we were the second ones in line and didn't have to wait in line for 2 freezing hours like last year.

I had fun incorporating Nathan's chair with his costume this year.  It's amazing what you can do with some cardboard and a couple cans of spray paint. It's something I plan to do in the years to come, as long as he is using it.  I kept talking about it in the days leading up to Halloween weekend, but he didn't see it all put together until we went to trunk or treat.  I got it ready while he was still in the car and when I brought him out to show him he was really excited.  He said, "Wook!  It's my digger, like Scoop!"  I was inspired by another mom and was happy to find that there were several awesome wheelchair costumes including a spaceship, ice cream truck, Thomas train, and Batmobile (check out Caleb's Batmobile here).

This was from Nate's preschool Halloween party.  Notice the construction worker with his hands over his ears. 

Baby's first Halloween.  He's growing up too fast!

And the best part of Halloween?  Nathan actually requested to hold his little brother!

Fall fun

Guess who decided to try and eat the paint?

Mommy's pumpkin-he was so excited.  "Mommy it's glowed!"

Nathan's pumpkin

Pumpkin patch

 

 

Last week

Last week I registered Nate for preschool.

Last week I bought him his first backpack and school supplies.

Last week I started trying to make arrangements for when I go back to work.

And last week we were busy trying to cram it all in before the school year starts.

On Tuesday night we went to our County Fair.

My big boy rode the carousel-and he actually liked it this time!

Yes, my husband is wearing a Wonder Pets shirt.

On Thursday we went to pick up his brace at Children's downtown.  We were never able to get him up to the roof of the parking garage after his surgery (which has a-mazing views of the city) so we made it a point to take him up this time. The kid is obsessed with "big buildings".

 

Then it was off to Millennium Park.

The Bean!

He looks like such a big boy, doesn't he?

Family shot.

Preggo shot. :)

Nate was smitten with the Bean.  Had a ball making faces at himself.

Can you spy me?

Friday, we headed to the zoo.  It was a gorgeous day.  Sunny, but not too hot with a nice breeze.

Daddy did the heavy lifting and most of the pointing and explaining.  Mommy took the pictures.

I love these, especially the polar bear one with his hands up!

Does anyone else remember these things?  I remember them from when I was a kid.  They're still around and still exactly the same.  Nate was fascinated and appropriately named his dolphin "Zoo".

My happy little wheeler. :)

Family photo (rare, I know!) Also a very unflattering picture of me pregnant.

We rounded out the week on Saturday with a neighborhood barbecue, at which I did not take one single picture.  But we had a great time with great friends.  This week it's been cleaning, organizing and getting prepared for the school year.  I'm both nervous and excited about him starting.  Lots of big things happening around here!

4th of July weekend

Our holiday weekend was pretty low key.

We finally swam in our pool,

 Nate played at the beach (still doesn't like the sand, though),

 went to the water park (he looks happy here but was really timid about wheeling through the water),

 Gramma was more brave than I and didn't mind getting wet with him.

 Then we hung out with family near the lake and tried out his new bubble machine.

On the 4th, we went to a local parade.  My sister, brother-in-law Tim, and nephew Zach went with us.  We got there early and found a perfect spot in the shade.  Last year's parade didn't go so well so I wasn't sure how he would react this year. 

Well, he made it through the line of firetrucks, police cars and ambulances...barely.

Zach loved the whole parade.  He was such a good boy! (And pretty darn cute, too) :)

But once the bands came along, Nate was less than impressed.  Although he loves music and instruments.

I think this picture says it all.

Most of the parade was enjoyable though

at least for the rest of us.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!