Hot, hot Millennium Park

I took the boys to Millennium Park a couple weeks ago. There is a ton for the kids to do. They have free music classes and an arts/craft center set up during the summer. I made the boys pose in front of the famous "Bean." Zack always has a blast at the face fountains and wadding pool.

Birthday party #2 for Alex

Grandma Jude and Grandpa Scott came to Wilmette a week after Alex's birthday. We were lucky enough to celebrate Alex turning one, twice!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! We had a jam packed weekend of fun. Zack adores his cousins and they had so much fun playing together. On Saturday morning we went for a long bike ride (all of us!). After the bike ride we headed to the pool for the afternoon. We then hoped back on the bikes to go watch the fireworks. We watched the fireworks from the beach. It was a beautiful setting. The kids all loved it. I told Alex it was for his birthday. I think he bought it.

The Bike Gang

Jacob and Zack

Audrey

Emma

Alex's 1st Birthday Party

The Koch's spent the weekend with us to help celebrate the 4th of July and Alex's birthday. We had a wonderful party for Alex. I made Alex his favorite - Grandma Joy's mac salad. He also enjoyed his Whinnie The Pooh cake. Cousin Jacob and big brother were very helpful with the presents.

Happy 1st Birthday Alex!

Our big boy is 1! This past year just flew by! Alex is a very busy 1 year old now. He loves to explore and try to do whatever Zack is doing. He is close to walking. He stands alone and thinks about walking, but then sits down and claps. He eats anything we put in front of him (except eggs). He loves all fruit, blueberry pancakes, Grandma Joy's mac salad, tomatoes, cheese and much more. He has transitioned to a sippy cup with whole milk nicely. We are such lucky parents to have two beautiful and healthy boys.

Hockey and swimming - all in a day

Z getting ready for hockey - confusing when it is 90 degrees out

All ready to skate!

Pool time!

Summer in the suburbs is fabulous! Now I know why we moved out of the city. We have been hitting the beach and pool daily. It is so nice to be at the pool or beach in 5 minutes. Zack has summer camp 3 times a week. Camp is through the park district at the elementary school in our neighborhood. He seems to love it, but is very brief when I ask him what he did at camp today. Typical answer is "I don't know" or "nothing." Someone told me to make friends with the girls in the class so I can get details - ahhh boys. Zack also continues to play hockey - EVEN during the summer. Actually it is a nice break from the heat. Above are pictures from Friday afternoon. Zack had hockey practice and then after practice we went swimming. The hockey rink and pool are at the same facility.
Alex is loving all his fun in the sun. He enjoys eating sand and drinking pool water. He is transitioning to whole milk and the sippy cup nicely. My baby will be 1 on Friday. So hard to believe. Where did this past year go? I'm pretty sure I'll be saying that for years to come.