Milwaukee: Betty Brinn Children's Museum

After an overnight stop in Evanston, our family continued on to Milwaukee. Today while Mommy had her conference presentation and activities, Olivia, Aaron and Daddy went to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in downtown Milwaukee. The kids played there for about 4 or 5 hours. Olivia particularly enjoyed the automobile repair shop area and also had fun appearing on TV. Aaron liked the large train, the golf balls rolling on chutes, and the sand play area.

Darkness There, and Nothing More...

Happy Halloween, everybody! We hosted friends Sharon, Peter, and Nathan for our now-traditional Halloween dinner: black bean chili. The kids were very excited, answering the door several times during the meal to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters who came to our house (several of Olivia's friends paid a visit). In the picture at left, Olivia and Nathan pose in their costumes.

Tricks or Treats?

After dinner, Aaron and Olivia went trick or treating with Harmen and Willem. It was a nice night, and the kids got lots of loot. All Charlie Brown got was a rock.

They Fight All the Time...

...but when they get along, it's a beautiful thing. Today, Olivia and Aaron decided to go to "school." They put on their backpacks and hats, walked to school, did their classwork, had lunch, played on the playground, and finally came "home."

Aaron imitates everything Olivia does and says. Obviously, he really looks up to her. Not that he'll ever admit it.

My Daughter Is a Baker, a Baker, a Baker...

Good news! Olivia has inherited the Womer baking genes! She makes some mean chocolate chip cookies...with a little help from her Daddy, of course.

Yum, yum.

Catalog Shopping

Aaron got an early start on his Christmas shopping this year. "Oh yes, a space shuttle!"

Noshing Buddies

This picture was too good not to share. Kind of like the pretzels on Aaron's and Sam's plates and the porch swing under their bottoms. Anyway, little siblings also enjoyed Olivia's party.

The Joy of Six

To celebrate Olivia's sixth birthday, we had a big Batman-themed party a couple days before the official day. Lots of Olivia's friends came, as did many of their parents and Grandmom and Granddad. The weather was unseasonably hot for early October (around 90 degrees). No matter, that meant we could spend time outside (in the shade) and grill some hot dogs. The kids played on the play structure, at the sand and water table, and in the yard. Pictured here: part of the Batman pinata line, as well as attentive spectators. That's Olivia with the light blue Batman and Robin "The Buddy System Works" t-shirt (click on the pic to see a large version).

Swing, baby!

Aaron was sick this week. His fever was pretty high, he had a really runny nose, and was generally a tired little guy. And one morning he threw up a little bit on his pillow after he woke up. "Daddy," he said, "I got eggs on my bed." (well, it did kind of look like eggs). But that didn't stop Aaron from playing a lot. Like getting on the swing...

I didn't do it, Katydid it!

Olivia has never been especially brave around insects. Some might say she even has entomophobia. But she was willing to handle this katydid who visited our backyard.

A New Hope for U.S. Soccer

It was a rough week for US soccer, but there is a new hope as the next generation began its ascent to the soccer stratosphere. That's right, Olivia had her first ever soccer game. And she wasn't going solo on this mission—many good friends (Harmen, Megan, etc.) joined her in the effort. Despite the 3-0 loss by the Sharkey's Blues, a good time was had by all!

See the ball, be the ball

Olivia started playing Park District recreation league soccer this week. Unfortunately, the most noticeable results of the training sessions were dozens of mosquito bites for everybody!

Pictured at right, Olivia and her good friend Harmen have a sit-down after practice.

Olivia's first day of kindergarten

Olivia and friend Megan pose for a picture just before entering the school for their first day of kindergarten. Yeah!