Happy Halloween

We have made it our tradition to head down to Hobart, IN to County Line Orchards (countylineorchard.com). It's about as far away from big city lights as you can get without heading east to Michigan. Yes, I could go to the local Dominicks and buy pumpkins for 1/2 the price but that's no fun. I've noticed the bigger our girls get each year the bigger the pumpkins get.

Chloe wants to be a witch for Halloween and Ava wants to be a cupcake. Now, the only issue here is I'm going to attempt to make Ava's costume. Jo Ann Fabrics here I come!! Did I mention I don't sew? I'm hoping a little bit of tacky glue and a whole lot of prayer will get me through. It's Tuesday night and she needs the costume by Friday morning for school. Wish me luck!!! I figure if worse comes to worse she could go as a ghost (can you say white sheet and a pair of scissors:>). What a bad mommy I would be if it came to that!

Morton Arboretum

The month of September was absolutely lovely. We decided to take the kids to the arboretum one Saturday and had such a great time there. We look forward to going back in a couple of weeks to see the fall colors. Great family memories to be made....

Where is my free time?

So, you would think that with having 2 kids in school all day I would have plenty of time to sit around and do nothing. Not the case here. In fact, I think that if I did nothing productive all day I would get bored out of my mind.

Good thing "shorty" aka Ava is home on Tues. and Thurs. to keep me busy. We are still able to enjoy some quality time together. The other day we took the train to meet daddy for lunch. Ahh....I just love the city and everything it has to offer. Here are some pics of Ava waiting at lunch for daddy to show up. Note that she picked out her own outfit rain boots and all (it wasn't raining but totally part of the outfit)

Oh yeah, the pics of Ava in an aisle crouched down at CVS pharmacy is of her making a plea to get a stuffed bear. We are working on this concept here in the Pace household that the girls Do Not have to get something everywhere they go. She is negogiating very hard on her end. I'd like you all to know that I prevailed! We walked out of the store with nothing in hand. Now that is worth a star sticker!

Official First Day of School

Their off...I can't believe that school is in session. Robert and I were just saying how big our girls are getting. Every year we take a picture of them on their first day back to school. I have a feeling that Chloe will be taller than me next year! Ava is growing like a weed. I feel like I've been buying her new shoes every month because her feet keep growing.

We had a great summer but I'm glad we're back to school now. We were gone for a good portion during our vacation but once we came back we had 2 weeks until school started. Let me just say that the last week I thought I was going to lose my freakin' mind. Being home with both girls all day every day with no break is like watching "Days of Our Lives" play out in real time. Someone is always crying, there's a little bit of hair pulling, a little bit of back stabbing and a whole lot of drama going on around here folks!

Pace Family

So, here is a portion of the Pace family. We spent the early part of August in Sonoma Valley for

Robert's sisters wedding. It was soo much fun and such a beautiful setting. I will have to post some more pictures soon. The girls will both be in school next week leaving me with some free time. Catch up soon.

Summer Vacation

We are trying to keep busy this summer although I must say that's somewhat hard to do when the weather is so unpredictable here in Chicago. One day it's 88 and sunny the next day it's 56 and rainy. What to do? What to do?

This past weekend for the fourth was filled with family fun. Robert was able to take the day off on Friday and we ended up taking the girls to Cirque Shanghai. Great show! We also ended up going to my parents for the fourth for a bbq. I love that we can make an escape from the busy city and get our feet into some grass and a backyard.

The girls have been getting along (most of the time). Neither one wanted to do camp because they wanted to spend their summer vacation with me which to be honest with you I don't mind and actually cherish the time I have with them. Ava will be starting full day preschool 2 x's a week in the fall and I can't imagine what I will be doing with my free time. Chloe will be going into 2nd grade and as you can see from the pictures looks like she's 10! Please someone stop time for me. I kiss on Ava everyday hoping she will stay 4 forever!

Anyway, before I start shedding a tear thinking how fast they are growing I will end my blog here. Enjoy the pics of the girls.

Is it summer?

I know it's officially summer time but it DOES NOT feel like summer here in Chicago.
It feels more like April because we have been getting more rain than sun. I was planning on spending our days at the parks, beaches and strolling along the lake instead we have been indoors trying not to drive each other insane. I have a very strong-willed 7 year old and a very naughty 4 year so playing indoors all day gets a little crazy. Let's just say there have been a lot of prayers to Jesus on my end.

Although, I must say I'm loving the fact that we don't have to get out the door by 815am to get everyone to school on time. We can sleep in and have a decent breakfast. No more cheetos in a bag for breakfast. Come on... I know that I'm not the only mother out there that did that.
Anyway, we are hoping the weather gets warmer and that we'll be able to enjoy some days at the beach before school starts back up. Here are some pictures of the kids at the park and at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Lots 'o fun!!