Chicago Seidlers

Mathias and Lillian are still in that snuggly stage, as this recent post-dinner pic shows.

Of course, it doesn’t take much to swifch to silly. Imaginary food fights, complete with asparagus arrows snd spinach shields, are a big hit!

Lori went to Mathias’ parent-teacher conference today, which was fun. Here are a few things he’s been working on. 

A little block work for an elective. 

 Counting…are those Jerry bears?

If you haven’t been to our place, this is pretty much it.

 Right…”play.”

 Right after Christmas 

 All in good play, we promise. James gave back most of Mathias’ territory afterward. 

 He can throw a pretty solid ball.

Last weekend we made the drive to our nation’s capital, lured there by the prospect of a wonderful wedding, a visit with James’ sister, Sara, and, of course, some cool culture. It was a great weekend–here are pics from the trip!

Kicking things off with the obligatory Washington Monument photo! Mathias wasn’t feeling too hot, though, and crashed for a couple hours in a stroller on the Mall.

Lillian flashes some high style in the shadow of the Smithsonian.

Posing in front of the Great Emancipator.

Lillian takes in the second inaugural address.

Mathias poses with the Viking lander at the Air and Space Museum. He liked the name AND the robot-like frame.

On Friday night we headed up to Aunt Sara’s new place for an awesome enchilada dinner. She was even nice enough to watch the kids overnight so we could go out.

Lillian gets some cuddle time in with Sara’s boyfriend Matt, who got plenty of ping pong in with Mathias.

Congrats to Mr. Jesse Yuhasz and Ms. Shayna Maskell!

The L.A. friends pose with the lovely bride. It was a great wedding, a great party and an even better weekend.

As you may have seen, Chicago got just a little snow this Sunday—19 inches worth at O’Hare! We were content to let our car get buried (sorry Super Bowl party) and head off to Horner Park for a little sledding. The kids did great in the snow…and Lori even got a run down the hill by herself. School was canceled today, so we were able to dig out, play in the backyard, and watch cars get stuck in the street.

James hauls the kids down Montrose.

Summitting to the highest point in the neighborhood.

Lori and Lillian ready for a ride.

The wind was picking up by the time James and Mathias made their run.

Lillian shows off a snow angel.

Catching up on some Christmas photos. Right before the holiday we went to the zoo for their annual lights festival to take in the glow–and give Mathias a chance to share his Christmas list with Santa. It was a lot of fun…although maybe Lillian worried she was on the naughty list!

Mathias has the exchange figured out, but Lillian still needs a little work.

Lillian was happier to get outside…even with her tummy uncovered!

We’ve been cooped up a bit with the winter weather, so we’re finding creative ways to exercise, including moshing along to Andrew W.K. Originally deployed for James’ college parties, the headbanger has found a new way to party, complete with handstands and air guitar.

This happens about every night, right after dinner. It’s a nice way to get good and riled up before bed!

Among the family’s many wonderful presents this Christmas was a karaoke machine from grandma and Grandpa Mike! And Chicago’s recent cold snap (and school closings) gave us the perfect excuse to fire it up. Check out the hits!

Our balladeers, ready to sing!

Mathias sings the contemporary Christmas classic. This was before we figured out how to work the echo knob.

Both kids give us a rousing version of the Christmas classic.

We got our first real snow of the season this weekend, and since it’s supposed to be hovering around zero the rest of the week, we made a point of getting out to play in it. Both kids tossed some snowballs, and Mathias even brought his bat to try snow baseball!

Even after she started feeling the cold, Lillian couldn’t stop picking up the snow! I had to carry her home.

Mathias ready to take a snow baseball out of the park.

The kids toss a couple snowballs in slow-mo thanks to a newly discovered feature on the phone. Thanks Mr. Michael!

Halloween isn’t until Friday, but we aren’t waiting to get the kids into their costumes! We had a couple kiddy events around town this weekend that sparked us to get an early start on the holiday started.

First up was the Spooky Sing-Along at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Mathias wanted to be a mummy warrior, so Lori got out the long johns and did her best wrap job.

The mummy warrior prepares for battle.

Lillian dressed up as Dorothy, complete with “ruby slippers” from Oma.

Posing on our porch.

Then the next day we joined the Kellys for some trick or treating on Southport!

The cousins pose on their traditional stoop. Mathias had enough of being a mummy, so he opted to be a pirate instead.

Lillian’s not sure what’s more impressive…her sucker or her shoes!

Sister Lori poses with her children. Good luck explaining that one to the Mother Superior!

Mathias crashes on the couch that evening.

We had fun with a little project this week, with Mathias and Lori (and to a lesser extent James and Lillian) building a robot in our living room! Dubbed “Beerbot” for his lovingly repurposed 12-pack chassis, he has all the requisite robot parts…well, except the fusion reactor inside. We’ll work on that next time. 🙂

The kids do their best robot post next to their manufactured friend.

Maybe Lillian’s trying to develop her own binocular vision?