Happy Birthday, Mike! It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating your 21st birthday together (Mike and I met about 3 weeks before his birthday in 1999). Today, Libby and I joined Mike and his co-workers for lunch, cake and ice cream. Tonight we’re celebrating with dinner at Carolina Grill with the Barron Family.
P.S. The photo is quite old, but I couldn’t resist Libby in her party hat! We’ve been working all day on saying Happy Birthday, but it’s coming out “Hop Birdie”!
We had a nice relaxing weekend and intentially planned it that way as it looks like we’ll be out and about a lot in October. We headed to the last Farmer’s Market in downtown Zionsville for the season. After the Market we played for a while at Lion’s Park and then headed to Plum’s for an early birthday lunch for Mike (he’s finally turning the big 3-0!). I continue to be impressed with Plum’s – their food is outstanding – so fresh and flavorful. While enjoying lunch it occured to me that Plum’s reminds me of the Spotted Pig in NYC – similar decor, same fresh, flavorful and delicious food! I highly recommend it to anyone in the area. Mike’s posted a photo of the great soup we enjoyed at lunch AND dinner.
Saturday afternoon we hung around the house working, doing laundry, playing outside, running some errands, etc. Saturday evening I helped a neighbor make a padded cornice for above her sliding glass door. It turned out great and I learned a lot. I’ll have to take some pics and post them.
Sunday was another lazy day of playing (outside and in) and a bike ride. We had dinner at our neighbors (as thank you for helping with the cornice). Libby loved playing with all the babies and balls Paige and Parker have. I’ve noticed that her sharing has improved over the past few weeks. I’m not sure if Mom’s Day Out has something to do with it or if all our talks are sinking in. 
Check out tooth #3 that popped through this weekend. Tooth #4 may have already cut – I can’t quite tell yet!
I have to laugh when I watch Libby talking on the phone. It’s got to be hard to balance the phone on a shoulder that’s only a few inches long!
Two Saturdays ago we hosted around 20 of Mike’s high school friends and their families. Friday (the 19th) was talk-like-a-pirate-day, so we decided to throw a pirate themed party. The decorations were easy to find – thanks to talk-like-a-pirate-day being close to Halloween. Below is a sampling of some of the decorations we put together, including eye patches and hoop earrings for all!
Libby and I headed to the Cool Creek Nature Center for a puppet show – the place is fantastic! We had a great time and Libby loved the puppet show. The Nature Center was so neat – lots to see and do – a craft each day, animals to watch, a playground, walking trails and a small amphitheater. The best thing: all free!
Note: Libby now tries to leave the house. MULTIPLE times a day. BY HERSELF. She’s figured out how to slide the back screen and open the front storm door. I caught her in the act the other day.
I am loving Libby’s hair in pig tails. It’s getting quite long in back and I don’t want to cut it because I’m afraid the curls won’t come back (it happened to a family friend), so we’re wearing it in pigtails quite often. Libby’s gotten better about letting me pull it up and twist a few fine pieces of hair into clear elastics. I found sitting in her highchair and watching TV are the easiest times. My sister in law used to do Avery’s hair while she brushed her teeth – also a good idea! The next step is having her sit there long enough so I can tie ribbons around the elastics….A mom can dream can’t she?!
P.S. Mike posted a picture of Libby post pigtails that cracks me up.
Parents Magazine outlined some science museums in a recent issue (I’m not sure which issue to be honest. I had a huge stack next to my bed and went through them ripping out interesting articles/things so I could recycle the magazines and get them out of my house – I was sick of looking at them). I was excited to see that Bloomington’s own WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology made the list…it was even ranked higher than the Museum of Science and Industry. To be honest I’ve never heard of the WonderLab (I spent most of my time at IU drinking studying) and look forward to checking it out one weekend with the family.
Another family friendly spot on the way to/from IU is the Musgrave Orchard and Cider Mill. We haven’t been with kids but I think Libby would enjoy it!
I am lucky to have two talented sister in laws. They’re both good seamstresses and all around crafty. One night in Maine while looking for cool things on the internet I mentioned to Julie that I found a ruffled skirt tutorial online. Julie said she’d been wanting to make skirts like that so I sent her the link and we continued looking at cool things on the internet (namely fabric, ribbon, clothes for kids Julie can make…she already makes the cutest pillow case dresses and I’m very envious of her ruffle pants….I did buy a pants pattern as I’m determined to become a good seamstress…someday). BUT, I digress…Not a few weeks after returning home from Maine Libby received the ruffled skirt you see above. Not only is the skirt adorable, it’s made of super trendy Amy Butler fabrics.
I need to take lessons from Julie – not sure how a Mother of 3 (6 and under) has the time to make her daughter and niece such cute, fashionable clothes. . .but she does!
Last week Libby and I made a very quick trip to St. Charles to visit my colleagues and attend a babyshower for one of my favorite people. I have not brought Libby to St. Charles since she was 2 months old and a lot has changed in the last 16 months!
We had a great time and the baby shower was a lot of fun – full of kids…and Libby made a particular connection with one little boy, Emmet. In addition to the hug-fest, they also kissed on the lips..I couldn’t believe it!! So cute…a little scary when Emmet kept referring to Libby as “baby girl”…I swear the words “come here, baby girl” came out of his mouth! Needless to say, they were the hit of the shower!
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