Passing the Time. . .

We have been trying our best to pass the time while we wait for Baby Sissy to arrive!  It's just a waiting game at this point.  We don't have any upcoming plans, as with each passing day I have less energy, and we don't want to stray too far from our house at this point.  The temperatures have drastically dropped and have ranged from the 50's to the mid 70's for a week straight now.  It's been wonderful weather for playing outside in the yard and going on long walks.  I even managed to walk a total of 4 miles today.  Please come out soon, baby!  Everyone seems to think she will arrive on my birthday, which is Wednesday.  I'd prefer a different day, but we shall see...

Marcus taught Sonoma how to play cornhole

A little long jump action

Wind blown stroller ride

I surprisingly had a lot of energy on Saturday morning, so we spent some time down the road at Blackberry Farm.  Unfortunately it was our first time there this summer with the temperatures being as hot as they have been.  We had such a great time and still can't believe everything it has to offer.   Plus, it's only 3 minutes from our house and it wasn't very crowded.  We had a coupon for $3 off, and so the admission for the 3 of us was only $7.  $7 included ALL activities, which is one of the reasons we love this place!  Sonoma went on a boat ride, a pony ride, a tractor ride, a train ride, a carousel ride, visited all of the farm animals, stopped in the little pioneer shops and even saw Abe Lincoln!  Anyone in the Chicagoland area looking for a fun, kid and budget friendly outing, please check out Blackberry Farm.  They are undergoing a huge renovation and adding a big playground area and more picnic space.  We look forward to all of their fall activities and festivals coming up.  We already signed up for a fall hayride.  

Sonoma's 1st Pony Ride

She LOVED the pony ride

Watching the Blacksmith hard at work.  We bought one of his dinner triangles

From the lake, you can see the train that we rode in the background

Waiting in line for our paddle boat ride.  Abe and Mary Lincoln walking by in the background!

Poor Marcus was exhausted after paddling all of us (mostly me and my extra weight!) 

Tractor Ride

Sonoma had her last swimming lesson of the season today.  I get so much joy out of watching her and Daddy in the pool together.  She is truly so happy at each lesson and gets better and better!  I was able to get some great videos of her jumping in and going under, as well as perfecting her "spider crawl" along the edge of the pool.  We are taking the early fall off from swimming since we will be so busy with the baby, but she will resume lessons in November.