Yesterday was the official “Play in the Snow” day at the Bischoff’s, although we probably waited a little late in the day. It was pretty stinkin’ cold out there by the time we got the girlie bundled up. Here are some “Before” pictures….
These pics were taken after church on Sunday. Charlie is wearing her “S-Dosa” Oilily dress that I found at the end of season sale LAST summer. What a cutie!!
This morning Charlie had breakfast with her Auntie Em and Auntie Kate. She’s such a big girl these days that she insists on having her bagel whole instead of in pieces. All of Panera Bread was in stitches watching Miss Priss take over the entire section we were sitting in…not only that, but she took her first actual steps (to a person)!!!!! Auntie Kate must have the magic touch!!!
Tonight Charlie had the pleasure of meeting her newest friend, Miss Georgia Grace Speelman (pictured above with her Mommy and Daddy, Ms. Lauren and Mr. Craig). Born two weeks ago, Little Miss G is definitely a peanut next to our peanut! This is not the first thing these two gals have in common (although they did both weigh 6 pounds flat at birth!)…they also have a love for all things girly and are big fans of snuggling. Way to go, Georgia!! We can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you will do!! 
Charlie was a busy girl today. She spent the morning at the gym nursery while Mommy sprinted on the treadmill (uh yeah, does the word “Hawaii” mean anything to you?) and then got her own exercise this afternoon, happily walking her shopping cart back and forth the length of the apartment. To say that it’s a pretty cute sight would be an understatement, and as she gets better and better at it, she is definitely exercising her independence. So much so, in fact, that she pushes our hands away if we try to help her.It is really fun being able to dress her in some of the outfits I have been holding onto, now that she is upright more often these days. Dirty knees!! Ack! She’s still very cautious, but each day it seems she learns a new way of approaching this next stage.
Our final stop before lunch was “The BIG Backyard” which allowed Charlie and Emilyn to walk (or crawl) through fields of butterflies and life-sized flowers. After all that activity, I’m happy to report that Charlie has been asleep in dreamland for the past 3 hours.
Our favorite stop of the day was the “Repurpose and Play” room. It’s a project the museum is doing that allows kids to express themselves in a controlled environment. They have all different forms of media and “stations” that encourage creativity and free play.
At first, I wasn’t sure if it was ok for Charlie to pull every straw out of the canister (pictured above), but as it turns out, they ENCOURAGE it. And after every session, they “reset” the space. So, basically, Charlie and Emilyn got to do what they do at home all day, a.k.a. DESTROY, but it’s encouraged and someone else gets to clean it all up….
Um, did I just rub a lamp and gain access to a magic genie??
Today was so much fun! Charlie spent the day out at Navy Pier at the Chicago Children’s Museum with her very good friend Emilyn. We got there when they opened (which allowed for free reign over all the toddler areas) so the girls went hog wild. Here they are in the “city” playlot, which boasted an actual bus (that played “The Wheels on the Bus…”) and a general store!
