Dairy Queen

In celebration of the beautiful summer weather, we took a bike ride to Lombard today to visit the Dairy Queen. We arrived right after a baseball team, so Stephie and Mommy took a walk to pass the time while Daddy waited in line.
It was worth the wait! We shared a vanilla waffle cone. Yum!

College kiddos

Stephie had a great time today hanging out with her friend Myles...
...as well as her two friends on the way!"Hey Myles, wait for me and Bingo!"

Reunion picnic

Stephie was reunited tonight with Val, Kyle, Hilary, Jenny, and Myles. We enjoyed the beautiful summer weather on the patio......before taking Stephie's new (old) wagon around the block. What a lovely summer night!

Bongos and Bobo

Stephie had a great day today: first, rockin' the drums at music class......and then hanging out with Bozena (nicknamed "Bobo") at the park.

Can I bottle some of that energy???

Innocence by day......leading to total destruction by evening. Mommy is tired!

Daddy's atomic clock

Daddy has been having some time-management issues in the mornings (too many times falling asleep in the shower!), so we ordered him a new clock for his bathroom to keep things in line. Stephie seemed to confuse the clock with a briefcase......that is, until she found the shipping carton which she confused with the best ride ever!

This magnet says, "Mooooo!"

Stephie is quite interested in her fridge magnets lately. We are doing our best to teach her the animal names and noises, but it so hard to concentrate when the magnets are so darn tasty and so much fun to throw on the floor!

Downtown Chicago adventures

Today Stephie visited the new modern wing of the Chicago Art Institute (the lions go ROARRR!).Though she didn't appreciate much of the art, the walk over to Millenium Park was nice......and she did thoroughly enjoy her lunch at Ed Debevic's afterward. A man even came by the table and made Stephie a balloon giraffe, her favorite!

Memorial Day BBQ

Mmmm...Stephie's first corn-on-the-cob. Delicious!Every party needs horsey rides.Peek-a-boo!Chillin' with the grandpas.

Just a-walkin' my doggy

Stephie LOVES to hold Brie's leash...much to Brie's dismay! Perhaps it's payback for all those times that Brie steals Stephie's puffs right out of her hands.

Lilacia Park

Last weekend Stephie visited Lilacia park in Lombard, at its peak only once a year when hundreds of lilac bushes are in bloom.The lilacs smell SO PRETTY!Chillin' with Bob and Bingo. Peace out!

Arboretum adventures

The children's garden at the arboretum is a great place for Stephie to explore. It is filled with tunnels, bridges, climbing ladders, and sculptures...the perfect destination for a sunny afternoon!

Everyone, meet Bingo.

Stephie's other near-constant companion as of late is Bingo, a golden retriever "webkin" given to Stephie by Grandpa Allen for Easter. Poor Bingo spends equal time being dragged around by his tail and having it used as a chew toy. Ouch!
Watch out, Bingo, Sammy is going to give you a run for your money