Preview to the preview

I'm running out the door for Leo's last day of preschool.  Ever.  Sniff, sniff.  I need to post something happy so I don't cry as my baby boy finishes this chapter in his life. 
Here's a quick preview to the preview I plan to post next week from Laura and Eric's Springfield wedding.  It was beautiful and so unique.  I loved every personal touch they added to their special day.

Sydney

Sydney is such an awesome girl.  Volleyball star, National Honor Society member and rock star Spanish student ;-), she's going to do great things with her life.

Love this one.  Add natural model to her list of awesomeness.

Here are a couple of Sydney and her mom.  I think next year will be tough for both of them.

Buena suerte, Syd.  I know you'll love playing volleyball in college!

Partners in Crime

I don't mean to brag, but I have the greatest friends in the world.  Seriously.  They are all so different from one another but the one common thread is their passion for life.  I could call up any of my girlfriends and say, "Hey, let's go _____________" and I know every single one of them would be up for anything.
Enter Miss Header (that's what Leo calls her).  She is my neighbor, my friend and my partner in crime when it comes to being a mom.

I remember Heather calling me last June and asking if I wanted to take a trip down to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  I called my mother-in-law to ask if she could watch the twins - because surely I couldn't handle taking all three kids down to the city - but she was unavailable.  As I picked up the phone to tell Heather I couldn't possibly make the trip, something dawned on me.  I had two choices.  I could either shelter my boys and myself from the challenges that would surely be waiting in the 'outside' world, or I could face those challenges and teach my boys how to behave and function in public.  Never one to shy away from a challenge, I chose the latter option.  My life is exponentially better for having made that choice.  Thanks Miss Header for giving me the boost I needed at just the right time.
Here are a few snapshots of Leo and Claire splashing in the fountain and making wishes as we were leaving the Shedd.

Then they decided to dip their feet in the water. 

And, really, once you've got a foot in you might as well just go ahead and have a seat.

Last week we headed over to Hawthorne Hill Nature Center in Elgin.  I have passed that place thousands of times, but I never knew it was there until recently.  It is a hidden gem and I plan to make it one of my go to photo locations.  Beautiful!

I usually bring my point and shoot camera on our outings because six kids is a lot to keep track of in large crowds, but last week I was feeling brave and decided to try to document our outing with the big guns.  I'm glad I did. 

Emily is just too much.  She's got personality plus.  I was bribing her with my McDonald's yogurt for the following pictures:

Enough pix, Miss Faye.  It's time to hand over the yogurt!

Thank you very much.

Leo and Claire were in their glory catching more frogs than they could count.  They were so excited when they caught a "double frog."  Ahem.

Wondering if he'll turn into a prince?

Emily and the boys are only seven months apart.  I think Emily has a thing for Jake.

And I think Jake has a thing for Emily.

Then and now.  I took the top picture almost two years ago.  My baby boy is getting so big.

Nothing to see here, just a flipped stroller and a couple of crazy mommies.  Notice Heather clutching Owen (he's two months old) and chasing Jake for me?

Miss Header, so glad you are my friend.  I can't wait until our next adventure.