The Parrillo Family

Sadie continues to get involved in making the world a better place.  This year, she was a leader in the school Environmental Club where they learned about the impacts on the Earth of our behaviors and how to best recycle.   She also continues to be our animal lover.  All sorts of animals.  She DESPERATELY wants a ferret.  Not going to happen.  But, she does love her Lizzie. And, she's still involved with Girl Scouts.  Here she is (below) sorting her Cookie orders to get them ready for delivery. And, 2022 marked the first ever FULL 5K that Sadie ran with Nat.  They ran 'the whole thing' during the Downers Grove Turkey Trot this month.

Every year, we try to get to see Santa at the annual Wannamaker's open house and this year was no different.  The kids keep growing, but this tradition is a nice way to kick-off the Christmas season.  All three - Eloise, Sadie and Frankie - gave the reindeer a little pet and then talked to (note...didn't sit on his lap.  lol) to the big guy about what they want this year.  Here are some photos from this same visit to Santa in 2016 - six years prior.  

What has Frankie been up to this year?  Taking on new activities, staying busy and learning more things than I did when I was eight years old.  He's taken to STEM/science kits.  He's done experiments in chemistry and biology and even electricity this year.  Here are a few photos showing some of his experiments he does at the kitchen table.   He also is interested in the workshop - taking things apart mostly.  He was gifted a new workbench from Granddad this year and has been using it all the time.  He's even trying his hand at music - with a new set of electronic drums.  Thankfully...they come with headphones.