Super pink ballerina!

After much anticipation, Stephie finally started her ballet class today. On her way there: what an outfit!So fancy! Dancing with scarves.
Girls on parade:
Look, Haley came to dance class too!
Lots of pink.
Exhausted after a strenuous class, the girls hung out later at home. Whew!

Good clean fun

Looks like someone had a messy breakfast......and perhaps some drool to clean up too!
Nothing a quick bath can't fix.
Haley likes the bubbles.
Soapy hug!

Tiny toes

Stephie is starting a "Tiny Toes" ballet class this week, so we tried on her ballet leotard and slippers tonight to make sure that they fit. It started out well enough: posing for the camera......and practicing her turns...
...and walking on her tip-toes......uh oh, losing interest and taking off down the hall!
Here she comes back again! This teacher has her work cut out for her!Haley proves, yet again, that she can sleep through anything, even her sister's mayhem.

Look, actual animals!

Today was a gorgeous 70 degree sunny day! The animals at Brookfield Zoo were actually out and about, unlike our visit there last week. Stephie was excited to see some buffalo......and giraffes...
...which one is the monkey?There were a few non-live animals to explore too. Hey, wolf, get away from my baby!Grandma Julie took one for the team on the carousel. Yarf!

Last Friday of freedom

Stephie starts preschool next week! We took advantage of her last true Friday "off" by heading downtown on the train.Aunt Stephanie taught Stephie to keep her "buns" on the seat. Stephie thought this was truly hilarious!
Waiting for the river taxi at Michigan Avenue:
On the steps of the Tribune building with Aunt Stephanie:
Haley's first boat ride!
Later, we celebrated Aunt Stephanie's last night in town with dinner out at Stir Crazy. Yum!A crazy Stephie story from today: Mommy *THOUGHT* Stephie was sleeping until 90 minutes into her "nap" when Mommy heard her dragging her step stool across the floor. Mommy walked in to find Stephie sitting on her stool wearing her purple fuzzy slippers, necklaces, and bracelets, munching on fruit snacks, with the lights on and all of her buddies reorganized onto shelves in the closet. Apparently Stephie decided it was party time instead of nap time! Silly Mommy.

5 months old!

Two very short naps + possible teething = massive fail for Haley's 5-month pictures. This is the best we could do! Haley now has two teeth and is great at rolling onto her tummy. She continues to be the sweetest baby ever and amazes us with her easygoing personality. We love you Haley!!!
In other news, Stephie is talking up a storm. She told us today, "the rain falls from the sky onto my head and then onto the ground." Perceptive!"Hi, Haley!"
Mommy loves having two daughters more than anything else in the world.

Two Stephanies at Two Toots

Aunt Stephanie took Stephie on a very special lunch outing today. After saying goodbye to Haley......the two Stephanies headed to Stephie's favorite, Two Toots, for lunch.
Patiently waiting for her food to arrive by train...
...not one hot dog, but TWO!
With plenty of ketchup, of course.
A great way to work off that post-lunch slump:
The two then headed to Main Street Park for some outdoor fun.
Digging with Bingo!
Well, now we know where Stephie gets her taste for fancy shoes.
See Haley's TWO teeth? She is very proud of them!