Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy

Last week was brutally hot — highs over 100 and hot by 9:00 in the morning — so when a front blew through on Sunday night and dropped the temperatures, we were thrilled.  Yesterday the high was around 90, so when we treated ourselves to Cajun Cones after dinner last night, it was much cooler, and this morning we woke to 70 degrees and rain.  So delightful for this time of year.  The girls wanted to watch the rain, so we let them enjoy Taco Bueno and Sprite in the garage at lunch.

Enjoying Cajun Cones with Jozie

Rain Watching

Master Puppet Theatre

I was treated to a puppet show last night.  I’m not really sure what the plot was, but it was fun nonetheless!

Here Cow and Dog are talking about why Dog’s ears are red and why Cow is pink — I don’t recall that they came to any conclusions.

Cow and Dog

You never know what goes on backstage…

Behind the scenes

Back to School, Already?

Molly is going to Rainbow School on Wednesdays this summer.  She loves school so much that we decided it would be good for her (and her big sister) to go once a week.  Last week was the first week, and they had pirate week.  They searched for treasure and read books about pirates.  This week is sports week — so she’s in her tennis shoes and ready to go!  She’s asked every day since last Wednesday if it’s a school day.

First Day of "Summer School"

Flower Girls Need Rain to Grow

This past weekend, the girls and I got to be in the wedding of our sweet, sweet friend Jessica.  Jessica has been in our lives for about 4 1/2 years and we love her so much!  We are all so happy for her and Jared!

Girls and Flowers

Molly waiting for the festivities to start

If you take one more picture, mom....

Is that a good looking family, or what?!

As we came out of the ceremony, it started to pour.

Please...can I play in the rain?

In a flower girl dress, hair all fixed (not typical Molly hair, if you notice), at a wedding reception — do you think Mommy is going to let her play in the rain?

Absolutely!!!

By the time she came back to the porch, she was soaked (JA had managed to go back inside and find some wedding cake).  She had been so good for lots of pictures and the wedding, she deserved to be a three-year old for a while!

American Girls

Today we took the girls to American Girl Place!  We ate lunch in the bistro — Jane Anne had the chicken tenders, Molly had the macaroni and cheese, and I enjoyed the quiche.  It was quite an experience: their dolls sat with us in special chairs, there were pink pony tail holders for napkins rings, pink lemonade, tea sets for the dolls to eat off of, etc..  Then the girls shopped around for a while.  Molly picked out a tea set and cart for her baby, and JA got some accessories and a miniature doll for her dolls.

Molly and her bitty baby waiting to eat

Jane Anne is a little excited!

Sisters and girls

The Carroll girls

Molly, Jane Anne, Addy, Sydney

Molly finding the Molly doll

Rockstars

Checking out the goods

A Great Day

Church, Hot Dogs, Botanic Gardens, and Pizza — It doesn’t get much better…

This morning we worshiped at Hope Lutheran with the Paunans and then went out to Portillo’s Famous Hot Dogs for lunch.

At Portillo's

Daddy's solution to brain freezes -- she claims it works

After naps we headed to the Chicago Botanic Gardens on a gorgeous afternoon.  Everyone had a great time running around and looking at the fountains and the flowers — there are too many great pictures not to post, so be prepared.

Sydney, Addy, Jane Anne, Molly

In the train garden

Another family photo

The Paunans

Globemaster Onion

Molly and the Globemaster

Sweet Friends

Sweet Sisters

We ended the day at my favorite pizza place ever — Giordano’s.  It was yum!

Pizza!

Bowling

We’re in Chicago hanging out with our dear friends, the Paunans.  Yesterday we all went bowling.  It was Jane Anne and Molly’s first time to bowl, and had a great time.

Jane Anne

Molly

Dad won’t let Molly wear makeup

While Jane Anne and I were out getting our hair cut, Molly and Daddy were at home playing.

Found Mommy's makeup

Close Up

Hopefully, the lesson that Bill learned from all this is: take pictures first, chastize second.  I’m just proud that I’ve trained him to grab the camera!

Ahhh…Summer!

Today really feels like school is out! We’re just hanging around the house, playing, and cleaning (out) a little. Jane Anne has her bestie Keylee over, and Molly and her buddy Bonnie are watching a movie. After naps (including Mommy’s!) we’re going to go swim at Nana’s! Loving this slow pace!!

Keylee and Jane Anne

Molly and Bonnie

The Pool is OPEN!

Tonight the girls got in my parents’ pool for the first time (of many) this summer.  They didn’t swim long, but they had a blast splashing around!