Big Truck Day 2009

Well, it's that time of year again. The local Parks & Rec district hosts a free event one afternoon each August. It is called Big Truck Day and it is brilliant. Big rigs of every kind are parked in the parking lot and anyone and everyone can come and take a look. Kids (young and not-so-young) get to climb inside, honk the horn, push the buttons, etc. of all of the vehicles. They have semis, limos, buses, tractors, Department of Transportation vehicles of all kinds, police, fire, medical, commercial, etc. The timing was perfect because B's Godfather and his wife came to visit for the weekend. Mamama and Cousin B also joined in the fun. T's folks joined us as well. We had a blast.

The Motley Crew

All 3 of the little ones checking out the line striping machine.

The kids got plowed!

B and "The Godfather" (and his lovely wife)

G is ready to take over

The newest addition to the fleet this year was a Life Flight Helicopter. The first one had to leave, so we all watched as it rose up vertically, barely moving any debris.

A few minutes later, another landed and our kids were able to take a closer look.

I have no idea why G is so serious, but it cracks me up!

The 3 munchkins posing in the Monster Truck tire.

We stayed until the very end of Big Truck Day and got to watch many of the vehicles leaving. We decided it probably looked a bit intimidating to the neighbors when these three vehicles left in a caravan.

Wedding

We were very pleased to help celebrate the marriage of T's cousin this past weekend. She also happens to be G's Godmother, so we were doubly excited! We especially enjoyed visiting with all of the out-of-town relatives.

G and B get all dolled up for their roles as flower girl and ring bearer.

The photographer is snapping photos of B while G watches for pointers.

G just couldn't bear to watch all of the kissing involved!

Well, OK. As long as she got in on the action.

B's two new BFFs. These two lovely ladies stayed with us over the long wedding weekend, along with their parents and grandparents. (Their Dad is T's cousin and also a cousin of the bride.) We could not have asked for more enjoyable house guests. B and G loved having 6 more people to chase after them for 4 days.

The two youngest family members played a bit during the reception. I think it helped them both that we visited Mr. C here in Chicago in June.

The wedding party. (Flower girl #2 is blocked out since I don't know her parents.) The kids were so well behaved. We were all pleased.

T's uncles (first 3) and Dad (far right). Do they look like brothers, or what??

Where, oh where, have we been?

T and I have been golfing a bit. We got behind a slow foursome that I named "The Wiggles". Anyone with young children will understand why...

While T took B golfing with Grandpa, G and I spent a few hours with Amber at the zoo. Since G loves to say, "Gabby-Gabby-Choo-Choo-All-Aboard!" we thought we'd take her on the train.

As a way to celebrate B's speedy recovery from his tonsil surgery, we spent a morning with Mamama at an old favorite, Enchanted Forest. The kids loved it.

While B had to have some alterations on his ring bearer suit for Amber's wedding (coming up this weekend)...

G needed to feed herself some berry sorbet.

Another trip to the zoo brought a little horse back riding...

And fun watching the polar bears escape the 100 degree temperatures.

We continue to make our weekly trips to see Nany (J's 96 year old grandmother). B has been helping her gather her laundry each week. Now G wants to help, too. You can see here just how helpful they were getting her sheets into the laundry bag...

Finally, G had fun trying on frames while she "helped" T pick out new glasses.

And away she goes

G began going to preschool this week. She was more than ready, as evidenced by the fact that whenever she helped me drop off her brother at school, she didn't want to leave the classroom or building. As well as the fact that when we would arrive early to pick him up, she'd join right in and sit with the other kids to listen to show-and-tell or story time.

It came as no surprise that she didn't even blink when I dropped her off the first day. Just a hug, kiss and, "Bye-bye, Mommy." While B still gets a little choked up when I drop him off, G doesn't look back!

Today at school, the kids had a special visitor, "Reptile Man". From B's description, he brought turtles, tortoises, lizard, snakes, etc. One snake is large enough that several students got to help hold it (though not B, who would prefer to watch from a distance rather than touch anything). B explained that many of the reptiles were dangerous. It should also come as no surprise that G was more than happy to step up and say hello...

To an A-L-L-I-G-A-T-O-R!

I know she likes dogs and cats, but an alligator! She was able to tell me after school, as she was getting ready for her nap, that the alligator touched her on the head and she gave it a "high-five". Anyone else feeling a bit nervous about what our future may hold?????