The Parrillo Family

For the second year in a row, I was able to bring both Sadie and Eloise downtown with me for "Take Your Kids To Work Day" yesterday to participate in what Edelman Public Relations calls "Edelkids Day". Here's the post showing last year's activities . The kids were so excited about going to my office and we talked all about it in the days leading up to our adventure.  I gave them the 'authentic' version of my day including a train ride on Metra and even had them listen in on a few conference calls.  I know they had fun, but as you would expect:  I had even more fun and loved every minute of it.  Wish they could come with me everyday!  (well...kinda.) Here's how the day went: We started with a ride on the Metra Rail.  It was raining, so the kids braved it out on the platform with me getting wet for a bit.  So glad we got a seat.  Last year, we had to sit in the stairs! I normally walk about 20 minutes across town once I get off the tra...

That's our Sadie.  A big four-year-old (almost five!) ahead of her Little Lambs graduation this week.  She was so proud to wear her Little Lambs shirt and have her 'special night'. Both Eloise and Sadie have been through Little Lambs - which is a program at a local church that teaches the kids and cares for them one morning per week during the school year.  It is a really lovely set of volunteers and a nice community that we've been a part of for a few years. I've covered the girls' experiences with Little Lambs over the years. Here's SD in her Christmas performance this past Winter . Here's SD in her 2015 Christmas performance at Little Lambs . This week, Sadie and her classmates performed some songs about Moses and then the kids that were moving on to Kindergarten were given green graduation hats.  Sadie was soooo happy and proud.  She wasn't the only one.  I'm so proud to see her keep growing up and becoming a strong, independent k...

Eloise is taking on the challenge of playing softball for the first time this Spring.  Her team, called "Team Dynamite" is full of young ladies from St. Mary's (her school), so she has a good level of comfort with her teammates.  She seems to have taken to the sport and with her new mit and practice tee, she has gotten the hang of catching and throwing and even doing some hitting.  (She loves her new gear, that's for sure! Check her out above.  Measuring up her swing first...then hitting the ball right into her target.  First game is this weekend, so exciting times ahead.  I'm really glad that she's enjoying playing some team sports and that some of her friends are encouraging her to take some risks be on the team.

This year, we celebrated Easter at home.  Or...at least at the place we live!   Last year, we were in Sea Island and were away for the first time during a holiday.  While being away at Sea Island was pretty great, it was awfully nice to have a the kids wake up and come down to their Easter baskets in their pajamas. We started the morning with baskets and then off to Church.  The kids loved what the Easter Bunny brought for them and couldn't wait to get home from Church to play with all their stuff. After that, we hosted the Parrillo, Coyle, Marini and Dyer families for a big brunch.  I even made a ham! We had the traditional egg hunt, but because of the rain, the eggs were all on the driveway.  Kinda easy to spot there, right? Look at that photo below of the five of us.  My...how much things have changed in just two years.   Look at the photos in this post from Easter in 2015 .  The kids have grown!?!?

For Spring Break this year, we joined up with the girls cousins and went down to visit Mickey the Mouse at Walt Disney World.  Where else, right? This was our 11th trip to WDW and while each trip is different, this one was very special because we got to share it with Noonie and our family.  My sisters brought their kids down and we were able to wander around the parks together for a few days. Having Noonie there was great, not just because she's a big help with our kids, but because we get to see the kid-at-heart come out when we're trying to keep up with her!  My goodness...Noonie is a machine!  She walked every mile with us and rode every ride.  Simply amazing. Aunt Sharon and G & I were a special treat, too.  We've been to visit Disney World with the Gooz a few times including a trip in 2015 and in 2014  and all the way back in 2012 - when we were total Disney rookies. This trip, Aunt Linda and Uncle Shaun, along with C & J came...