So this happened...

I've been saying for awhile the girls need "big girl beds". They were still in toddler beds (converted from their cribs). Many nights I would find them with their legs hanging out of the bed. They were just getting too big for those little beds. So, we took them shopping to pick out what they wanted and they loved these loft beds. They both wanted to be on top, so we got them each one.

It took maybe 5 seconds of being up on the bed before Morgan tried standing up and walking and totally bonked her head on the ceiling. Ouch! We had to make a rule about no standing, only crawling! The girls love their new beds and keep wanting to play in their room on them. They like to "visit" each other like each has their own "house". We are now trying to pick out new comforters and accessories. Since the girls have such different tastes, we will have a different theme on each side of the room. I'm hoping we can at least keep similar colors overall!

We also got these big "marshmallow" chairs free with the beds. These are so soft and comfy. Avery wants to sleep on hers. :)

We've been telling the girls for a long time that when they got big girl beds, the binkies had to go! They were only using them at night and we just kept letting them. It's so hard to take away something that is so comforting to them. :(  The first night without binkies didn't go very well. Morgan cried off and on for a long time. She kept almost falling asleep and then would cry again saying "I miss my binky". Over and over. I think she finally fell asleep around 11:30PM. Definitely a late night. The next few days have a gone a little better. I'm just glad I don't get called at 3AM anymore to help them find their binkies. That was never fun.

BYE BYE!!! (Hooray!)

Beautiful morning for the zoo

We spent the morning at the zoo checking out some animals we normally miss. Seems like when we go, we do the same things each time. :) Then, we had a picnic (along with 1,000 bees, a duck and a peacock). We even took a ride on the tram this time. Always a fun time and guaranteed to make two kiddos tired!

We just HAVE to do the carousel every time we go! We were first in line this time and Morgan picked the lion and Avery the kangaroo. She called herself the Kangaroo Princess, mainly because she was wearing her princess dress today. If I would let her, Avery would wear a fancy dress every single day! And Morgan would wear this striped dress every day. They are both perfect "twirling" dresses!

Chillaxin'

Our friend from work, Shannon, had a BBQ at her house this past weekend. The girls fell in love with her hammock. They also played soccer with her nephew so late until the only thing you could see was their little shoes lighting up in the yard. Then, there was a skunk sighting, which put a quick end to soccer! They are still talking about that skunk and the smell!

A little Avery time

Avery has been more aware of the time she spends with us and her sister and requests just "mommy and Avery time" or "daddy and Avery time" now. Morgan does the same. So, we've been making an effort to do things with just each girl by themselves. I spent some time with Avery this past weekend.

Such a goofy little girl!

It was raining and she really wanted to get her rain boots and jacket on and walk around with her umbrella.

She asked if we could go to the mall. We rode up and down the escalator and elevator. Then, we went to the play place in the middle of the mall. I thought it was so cute when we got there and she just stood still for a second, kind of lost. She's never been there without her playmate Morgan. She told me it just wasn't as much fun without Morgan there to play with. :)

Labor Day Weekend

We had quite a busy Labor Day weekend!

It started off with a visit from Matt's dad and step-mom.

We all went to the zoo on Friday and had a picnic. The picnic was Avery's favorite part of the excursion... other than that, she thought the zoo was "stinky" (ha!). Even the butterfly house freaked her out! Morgan was loved by the butterflies... one even landed on her shoe and wouldn't fly off! She eventually got upset, so we helped it on its way. Luckily, the carousel is always a big hit for both girls!

The girls were asleep in the car ride home within 5 minutes of leaving.

We walked around the Downers Grove car show and Avery picked out the car she wants when she's 16 (it's purple, of course!) The girls also got to pretend to be firefighters! We grabbed pizza at a local place. The girls had a great time hanging out with their Grandma and Grandpa from Utah!

On Saturday morning, my Dad and I took the girls to the Home Depot kids' workshop. They are getting really good at these crafts!

On Saturday, we ventured into the city for a Cubs game (thanks to Richard!). The weather was gorgeous! This was the girls' first big sporting event or any event for that matter with this many people in one place. It was definitely overwhelming for them when we were walking through the crowds of people to get to our seats. They did both ask Matt and I separately when we were going to play baseball. Apparently, we forgot to clarify that we would be watching the game and not playing. Oops - sorry kiddos! Morgan doesn't do well with loud noise, so I was a little worried how all the cheering and yelling would go for her. There was a huge play in the first inning and the whole place erupted in loud cheering, which totally surprised her and of course, totally freaked her out. She had a complete meltdown and was really scared! I managed to find a patio outdoors for her to recover and she did much better after that. We made it until almost the 7th inning before the girls were done with the game. I asked the girls what their favorite part of the game was and Avery said "nothing, I didn't like it". Ha! But, then she remembered that Grandpa Richard had bought her a little Cub stuffed animal and she said that was her favorite part. :)

On Sunday morning, we had a quick swim lesson. We've had the same coach now for a few weeks in a row (after having different people every week, which I did not like). Coach Hugo is great. Avery told me that Coach Hugo said he wouldn't make her do anything she wasn't ready for. She has been doing much better now with the consistency and trust that he's not going to dunk her!

On Sunday, Matt and I went back into the city for a night out to celebrate our birthdays. My parents were watching the girls, so we stayed downtown, grabbed dinner at Chicago Cut Steakhouse and met up with friends for drinks. We went to a bar with some interesting drinks - smoke/dry ice/whatever... they were delicious. Such a fun night!

On Labor Day, we had my family over for a BBQ and another birthday celebration. Matt made peach BBQ chicken, my dad made homemade ice cream and the girls (with Mama's help) made cake and cupcakes. The kids played in the backyard in the water table and sprinkler.

New Buffalo

The first week of August we spent with my family in a house we rented in New Buffalo, MI. The first year we took this trip, I was pregnant with the girls and we sat by the pool reading baby names on our phones trying to figure out what we were going to name them! It was so quiet and relaxing. Now, it's pure craziness with six little ones running around! :)

There was a lot of pool time. I think the swim lessons really helped the kids be more comfortable in the water. We'd just throw their floaties on and they would play for hours. Morgan loved jumping in off the side and putting her face in the water. It was nice that we didn't have to hold them constantly in the water and we could just watch them play.

We also got a tip from our photographer on a nearby beach to go to that would be perfect to take the kiddos. It worked out so well! The kids had a blast playing the sand. Not too many ventured into the cold water.

Papa building sand castles with all the kiddos!

Who is this guy?!?! Mr. GQ... posing on the beach and on his beach blanket. Love the green sunglasses! Ha!

There were walks around the neighborhood and along the small beach area near the house we rented. There were also lots of rides in the golf cart that came with the house! All the kids loved driving!

I'm pretty sure this girl thinks she's already 16!

We spent a morning at a small nearby zoo. It was the perfect size to walk through and tire out the kids! Morgan loves animals, so this was a highlight of the trip for her. There was a tunnel in the otter display that kids could climb through that went under water so you could watch the otters playing. She sat in there in awe of those otters playing and swimming around her! :)

A couple of selfies on the train ride...

We had art projects by the pool, a lot of dance recitals courtesy of two little ballerinas, a few trips to the splash pad, lunch at the Stray Dog and yummy homemade ice cream!

And of course, we can't forget the gorgeous Michigan sunsets! The kids loved watching the sun go down and waving good night to it! We were lucky enough to catch a couple good ones! :)