look ma, no training wheels!

Cooper learned to ride a two-wheeler today! This afternoon Paul took off his training wheels and took him to the school park to learn. He picked it up right away! After they got home Cooper wanted to show the rest of us how well he could ride.




And just for fun, a couple pictures of the other kids playing outside as well:

sorry it's been a while

I know I haven't posted anything in a few weeks. All is well here. The kids are doing great in school and having fun. We've been busy with school, piano lessons (Kestrel's taking them now as well), Brownies (did I mention I'm one of the leaders this year), playdates and now soccer is starting up (Kestrel).

I just got back Monday from a fabulous long weekend away with the girls. It was our second annual girlfriend trip. This time thirteen of us were able to get away (and left 29 children behind). We rented a GORGEOUS house on Lake Michigan in Michigan City, IN. Thanks to my wonderful husband who showed the kids a great time while I was away. I believe they had a fun movie night, went to the Sweet Corn Festival and played mini golf.

I'll leave you with a few pictures from my weekend (taken by Amy, Michelle and Mary, respectively):

The view from our upper deck. The house had three levels, with a deck on each.

The view from the middle deck at sunset. That's the Chicago skyline just to the right of the sun.

Looking up the stairs from the lower level.

If you'd like to see more pictures of the house, check out Joanna's blog at http://blondeinabottle.blogspot.com/.

we passed! meet our canine good citizen

Tonight Harrison passed his Canine Good Citizen test. We've been going to training classes since March (with a 6 week break earlier this summer). The place where we've been training gives the Canine Good Citizen as a level 3 class. We already completed levels one and two, but I was really nervous the first couple of weeks of this level three class that we wouldn't be able to pass. There are 10 items the dog has to complete, all without his head collar and without treats. Tonight was the 4th class (we missed one class when we were on vacation). Because all the dogs in the class passed early, we will get to do Rally Obedience for the last two remaining classes. You could tell Harrison knew he did something to be proud about, even if he wasn't exactly sure what it was. He looked all pleased with himself when we got home and told Paul about passing.

Harrison, the Canine Good Citizen, 9 months old.

This was just a moment later. He deserves a rest!