Waterpark & Zoo Trips

Busy weekend (and weeks).

Took the boys to meet up with cousins Cameron and Alexis at the Splash County waterpark waaayyy out yonder in west Aurora - far out there, but a pretty cool place. As usual, Connor wants nothing to do with it for the fist 15 minutes. Once I force him in (Connor saying ,"no daddy, daddy no") he is fine and then never wants to leave. Carter is much more easy - he's ready to roll right away. Both had a blast - even got to float on the lazy river.

Sunday we headed out to the Brookfield Zoo. We had entertained thoughts of walking to the train station and taking the train (as the zoo is only 2 blocks off the line) - however, glad we did not - as I don't remember that zoo being as big as it is, and we were beat. They boys made it about 3 hours before they passed out in the stroller. Connor got a kick out of the monkeys and liked the elephants the best - he was making his elephant sound and gesture he picked up from somewhere. I had not been to Brookfield in years, but that is an impressive place - it would take a entire day and then some to cover all the ground and really see stuff (which is impossible with kids). Sad to see we missed Sister Hazel performing there the previous month :(

Couple other attached pics of Connor's new favorite place - Trader Joe's. He likes it because they have toddler sized carts and he thinks he is King pushing that cart. Problem is he likes to fill it up with stuff he wants and occasionaly gets the urge to play "bumper carts" with others. All in all, he must watch us, as he pulls up to the checkout lane and waits to unload and then puts his cart back in the rack on the way out.

Connor is quickly becoming a "wordsmith" as he finds new ones to spit out everyday. His favorite thing to do now is scold Carter. Whenever he sees Carter doing something that he gets in trouble for, Connor the disciplinarian runs over to him and yells, "No Carter, No Carter." Problem is it usually includes Connor pushing or pulling him as well. But somehow Connor is still the coolest kid in the world to Carter.

Carter is leaps and bounds ahead of where Connor was at this age - Carter is pretty much off bottles (gets 1 per day now),can crawl up stairs, eats whatever we are eating and take a few steps along the furniture. He is nothing but trouble in the rental house though - gets into any and everything.

Will have an update on the house at some point this week...not much progress - but at least the bus has left the station and is now moving a bit.

Thinks he is cool wearing my hats backwards...

Brothers (on the charming 1970's vinyl floor)....

Bathtime...

Still cool (apparently)...

In front of the elephants at the zoo...

Waterpark & Zoo Trips Part Too

No, not a real cow...

Making his elephant gesture...

With his big boy cup...

Petting the bunnies...

Trader Joes newest shopper...

Looking for the freshest oranges...

Moved In (to the rental)

Well, 1 week into the new place and a bit of a new routine is forming. Connor still having a bit of a struggle w/ the new school, but each day seems to be getting back to normal more and more. His vocabulary is expanding more and more everyday, fun ti hear the words he puts together.





Do to all the chaos of moving- Connor turned two kind of quietly, but somehow managed to get 2 cakes over two weekends...one with Grandma Fitz and the other with Grandma Cook (Connor does not turn down a cake).





We will get plenty of walking in at the new house...I think we have made the walk downtown nearly everyday so far. Is nice to walk down for dinner, park, river, etc, and head up back home.





Thanks to Grandma Cook and Aunt Carolyn for coming down to lend a hand this weekend. The boys had a good time. Connor especially liked the Mickey Mouse cake from Aunt Carolyn and the Mickey Mouse pancakes at Butterfields in Naperville.





While we were cameraless on Sunday, Connor went on a few amusement park rides for the first time with his cousins at the Taste of Westmont...he was very hesitant and always wanted "daddee" to go on with him, but I am too big for most. He did great - but sorry, no pics.





Connor says thanks to grandma for the pool - he went it in on Sunday evening after the Westmont fest. It looked rather white trash as they both went in with their clothes on...oh well. And thanks to aunt carolyn for the toddler rake and broom - now he can help even more!!





Short update - but too busy and tired for more (just got back from a 4 mile run...really nice running in this area - not trapped in cul-de-sac).

Free Mickey Mouse Pancakes at Butterfields (and a free t-shirt!!)

Not sure if its Connor or Carters B-day

As good a family shot as we can get at the new rental...(1930's luxury)

Cake boy

If Mickey is President, Elmo is Vice President.

Moved In (More Pics)

New rake/broom/shovel set for Connor (exciting, I know)

Connor runnign through the bubble machine while we try to have a relaxing evening by the firepit...

Fun in the pool...

Lotsa Stuff

Busy weekend this past weekend. Grandma and Grandpa Fitzgerald were down to lend a helping hand with the boys while we contiued are move. We are now officially moved into the rental...certainly feels a bit odd given 5 yrs in the Bartlett place, but all goes on. Miss the finished basement already but like having a backyard and living in-town.





Wednesday I rented a cargo van from enteprise ($65 unlimited miles) and took 4 loads between Bartlett and Naperville. And then this past Monday the real movers came and finished off the big stuff. At $140 an hour for a 3-man crew - glad we did alot of the litte stuff ourselves - as it still took them nearly 6 hours to do it all. All in all - moving is not a fun process and if all goes well we get to do it again in 9 months (joy).





On Friday night Gma and Gpa Fitz took the kids and Bridget and I were able to walk downtown and live the college life for a few hours. Stumbled into a place we always thought was a small bar (Peanuts Bar & Grill) and were surprised to find they have a massive oudoor patio overlooking the river...by far the most underhyped and hidden jewel in Naperville. And absolutely perfect place on a nice night.





Connor had a busy past week...the last few days at Chesterbrook in Bartlett were probably tougher on a couple of his teachers than him. Ms. Jodi - who adores Connor - was in tears when we came for the final pickup. You feel bad ending all these relationships this little 2 yr old had established. Needless to say - before we left the building Connor had collected several phone numbers (for babysitting), cards and collages.





Connor also went to his best buddys b-day party on Saturday at Splash Park in Streamwood - really a fabulous place for being FREE. We live 2 miles away for 5 years and never knew about it. Just a big toddler focused water park where everything is water related. Connor - who until that day has been a pansy with sprinklers - appeared to get over his fear and did not want to leave. Hopefully we are able to keep in touch with Trevor as they really do seem to have a special bond. (Carter loved the park from the get go - no fears with him).





Both had a tough first 20 minutes at the new school on Monday - but the adjusted quickly - and by days end the report was what we have been hearing from the Bartlett school - that they did great and were perfect (for some reason, they only like to push our buttons). Connor already appears to have attached himself with a new teacher there, Ms Ashley





Anways - we close tomorrow at 11am on the Bartlett home and it could not come sooner...its been in the back of my head for 4 weeks that something will fall through...does not appear so (yipeee).


Connor and Trevor at the Splash Park Party

Carter - does not want to be the "little" boy - has to mimic his "mature" brother

Getting ready for Elmo cupcakes.

Connor and older cousin Cameron (who he looks up to like Carter looks up to him)

The three Chicago boys in their Mickey mouse chairs...

Lotsa Stuff (Video Section)

Just some video snippets from the splash party. Connor has no fears about shoving food down his pie hole in front of people...

Splash Park action...