Miscellany

Here are a few photos from recent days. Next week Clara starts at her new pre-school and before much longer there will be a new person living in our house. I imagine those events will probably dominate blogging for a while. So- until then, here's just some stuff we've been up to. 

This is the new couch we're buying: 

 I really thought this fabric would be fun for it, but Pete didn't go for it.

 Last weekend we spent a rainy afternoon driving out to the special hell that is Woodfield Mall, in order for the kids to make a teddy for the new baby. They chose this one:

 They each picked a little heart to put inside the bear. They did all kinds of silly things like rubbed the heart on their heads to make the baby smart and on their faces to make the baby cute...

 Then the lady filled the bear.

 And the kids combed it and let the blowers rid the bear of excess fuzz...I guess...?

 And Pete stuck his head under the blower as well, because that's what Pete does.

 After making the bear we decided to bite the bullet and take the kids to Rainforest Cafe. Here they are, looking all grown up, by the animatronic crocodile at the front of the restaurant.

 Our typical days at home have been a little more mellow. Here's Clara reading a library book to Franklin.

 And here are the new Hello Kitty shoes we found for Clara.

 On Thursday we realized it might be one of our last chances to go meet Pete for lunch for a while, so Clara and I met him and went to our favorite; Thai Elephant. I love this picture.

 We had a few very warm days this week, so we filled the pool and Clara floated around while I soaked my feet and tried to read.

 Bathing Beauty:

So far this weekend we've had our ducts cleaned, Pete and I had a dinner and movie date and we watched the Hawkeyes scrape out a win. Tomorrow we'll have a very brief visit from Grammie and Uncle Tom. Did I ever share this photo of the summary of our summer?

We were at the pool at least once more and the library too, but since it was after Henry started school, I wasn't sure it counted.