HeartFELT Christmas

Since we put up our Christmas tree, Mila has been fairly good 

about not touching those tempting shiny ornaments. 

But after seeing this idea in the blogosphere,
Mommy had to make it for her.  

The felt Christmas tree and ornaments were so simple 

and cheap to make, and she loves it!

Mommy bought a yard or so of the green for the tree and
we picked out a few colored sheets of felt to make the ornaments.
It took less than an hour to cut it all out.

We attached it to the wall with push pins. 

Now Mila can play with "her ornaments" all she wants!

Birthday Pops

This week Mila and Mommy made Daddy a special birthday treat...

 We unwrapped Andes mint chocolates

and melted them in a pan...

 ...then we slid Oreos onto lollipop sticks

and dipped them in the melted chocolates...

...and decorated them with sprinkles!

 We spread green glitter all over a styrofoam cone 

to make it look like a Christmas tree

and stuck in the Oreo pops.  

Mila insisted Daddy try them as soon

as he came home from work.

He loved them!  

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

Big Wheel

During a bout of unseasonably warm November weather,

 we spent the afternoon at Navy Pier. 

After checking out the toy and game fair, 

we decided to ride the enormous historic ferris wheel.

Mom was probably the most apprehensive...

 but even at 150 feet in the air we had a wonderful time together.

Halloween Traditions

For the 3rd year in a row, we hit up the children's parade in 

Roscoe Village the weekend before Halloween.  

Some friends have a condo right on Roscoe where 

Mommy and Daddy enjoyed hot spiced wine after the chaos of the parade!

The highlight for Mila: Giving Elmo a high five!

Mila's version of The Limbo :)

Candy lover. 

Sweet girls.

Artsy and Crafty

Just about everyday Mila wants to "do a craft"...

 It's hard coming up with ideas for such little hands,

 but she really loves anything with glue, paint, markers or glitter.

Thank goodness for Target and

 JoAnn Fabrics dollar bins!  

LPZ

The recent warm weather called for a day at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Chicago is so lucky to have such a fabulous free park to explore. 

Yesterday, Mila most enjoyed running around in the leaves, 

snacking on popcorn and of course, the carousel. 

As for the big cat house, not so much.  After a lion let out a roar,

 she clung to my neck and whispered, "Let's get outta here!"

Pumpkin Lovers

Prepare yourself for a fall photo extravaganza...

We took Mila to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm in Barrington, Il. 

 They had everything!  Pony rides...

 ...slides...

 ...and lots of animals to feed. 

Daddy protected Mila from the "spooky" barn,

and from the pumpkin eating dinosaur,

and the camels she was too scared to feed.

Mila loved the hay ride...

 ...and so did we. 

After running around in the straw maze like a crazy woman,
 Mila got a little tuckered out. 

 It was a beautiful, warm fall day.  

Our little pumpkin. 

 As Mila says, "All Together"- October 2012

Fall Friends

Adorable Ava and her Mommy came to see us last weekend.  

We made the most of our girl time together by hitting up the
Design Harvest Fest, going for pizza, visiting the American Girl store
 and doing a little shopping.  Come back soon, Ava!

Build-a-Big Girl

Every time we go the Children's Museum at Navy Pier we pass the Build-a-Bear store.  We usually tell Mila she's too little, but when she is a big girl we'll go there.  On Friday we passed by and she said, "I'm a big girl!" and went running in.  Mommy couldn't resist.  

She picked out this bear herself and aptly named him Pumpkin.

 Besides putting in the heart,
giving Pumpkin a bath was her favorite part.

The proud Big Girl.  

Cupcake Face

 Last weekend we took Mila to the Lincoln Square Apple Fest.

 Mila waited patiently for her first face painting.

 She choose the little pink cupcake herself.  

Face painting, balloons and apples in a great neighborhood--

what a perfect fall day!

Lil' Clogger

As mentioned in the last post, Mila was a dancing queen at Wheatland.  

In these videos you can see her getting in on a clogging lesson! 

We were impressed that she seemed to really be trying,

and hope to sign her up for a dance class here in Chicago.  

  

Wheatland 2012

Just like last year, Mila had a blast the Wheatland Music Festival:

 She loved saying Happy Wheatland to people,

though at first she said,

"Happy Wheat Thins!"

 Happy Girls.

 Daddy needs a shower!

 Thank goodness for the little red wagon.

 Riding in comfort.

 Put your party hat on...

 and your dancing shoes!

 We couldn't keep her off the dance floor.

 Fun times with friends and glow sticks.

 Sleeping in a tent didn't bother these two. 

Mmmm, Mila's favorite--

whole grain pancakes at the Happy Farmer. 

 Watching the Wild Ukulele String Band.

 Mila was inspired by the music!

 We told her to sit up by the other kids

 but she just ran right on stage!

 Daddy let Mila give him a pedicure 

during Gospel Hour.

What a nice Daddy!

Happy (Wheatland) Family.