Memorial Day

We had a busy Memorial Day weekend with three barbecues and a parade.

The highlight was marching in the very large parade in Arlington Heights with the Dold for Congress group. Sophia got to sit in the classic car with Harper Dold and practice her Miss America wave. I asked her if people were waving back:

Sophia "No, mostly just throwing stuff at us."

me "Like candy?"

Sophia "No, like garbage"

They were probably reacting to Katie who was at the front of our pack cruising on her scooter coming within an inch of the crowd sitting on the sidewalk. She may be following in her father's footsteps as an expert in crowd control. She had this grimace on her face while buzzing the spectators. I was cracking up watching the expressions and hearing the comments from her victims while yelling at Katie to slow down. I got lots of bad mom looks during the two mile parade route. Cecilia slept in the stroller through the entire parade. This was a role reversal since Katie is the one who usually sleeps through events.

Here is Katie's patented scowl. She was probably bitter at the lack of candy which was rightfully deemed not appropriate to toss in a parade honoring fallen soldiers. I'm sure there will be plenty at the 4th of July.

Ice Time

We spent a lot of time at the ice rink in May. Ella began hockey and Sophia and Ella both were in the Centennial ice show which is quite a production.

During Sophia's skating class Ella would go watch the hockey teams practice in the large rink and she asked if she could play hockey. I signed her up for it the next quarter and she really loves it. The first night she slept with her new hockey skates in her bed with her. She's the only girl and could not look cuter. Here she is in her jean skirt and pink tights keeping up with the boys:

The ice show ended up being a huge commitment when each girl was on the ice for approximately 3 minutes in the actual show. They each had multiple rehearsals leading up to the big show which was really shows since there were three performances and a dress rehearsal. Ella's group was first and they were adorable. Ella did not have patience for the slower future olympians and just skated around girls who were slowing her up in the routine of skating across the ice and back flapping their arms like little wings.

Sophia and her buddy Maggie jockeyed for positions once they were on the ice to be next to each other while trying to do the routine which was more complicated than Ella's group of munchkins.

During all the time spent sitting at the rink Katie and Ceci ran around the waiting area while I tried to keep them out of trouble with Polly Pockets, Barbies and various snacks. All in all they were troopers. A low point was when Katie walked up to me and said "Look what I found!" holding a piece of chewed up gum in her hand. When I screamed "Where did you get that!" she proudly pointed to the underside of a railing. She was pleased with her discovery and about to stick it in her mouth when I made her throw it out.

Here are some pictures: