Chi-cago

We had a great visit in Chicago the end of July.  Andy had an interview for the .....program, so we tagged along again.  After all, it's only 6 hours away!  We spent the first morning at the Lincoln Park Zoo.  Yes, it's free (although parking is NOT).  It was an incredibly humid day and the animals weren't doing much...although this picture was from the bridge between the regular zoo and the Children's Zoo.

After bagels at the zoo for lunch, we headed across the bridge to the beach!  It was so beautiful!!!  The water was freezing-cold!  Mitchell finally crashed in his stroller while the kids played.

After he woke up, he was more than ready to explore in the sand.  It was just cute as could be!

The next day Andy slipped away for his interview while the kids and I met my friend from TEXAS, Amy Nunn and her kiddos for a few morning at The Children's Museum, Mexican food, and a stroll on the Navy Pier.  Super fun!!!  I love when kids can just get together and play, knowing that their moms are friends!  The kids had a blast together.  It didn't hurt that we found a balloon man making pirate swords...

That night we finally checked out the BEAN.  That was really fun - as well as the face fountains...should have worn swimsuits!  Alas....

We walk to the BEAN since our hotel was only 5 blocks away.  We had plans to take a cab to pick up our pizza and take us home, only we realized that we could just keep walking!  The kids were such TROOPERS!  Andy had to get a little bit creative to keep little bodies happy, but it was such a fabulous night!  There was a concert in the park...such a dreamy atmosphere!

Come on, MOM!  Stop taking pictures!  Our walk was great!  halfway between the pizza place and our hotel (about 10 blocks total), the kids were beyond exhausted (really?  after playing in a museum and running around Navy Pier and playing in fountains allllllll day?).  We happened upon a Mrs. Field's store that lifted our spirits one more time!  Such a delightful vacation...wish we could do it again next year!

Everyday Events

The kids took piano lessons onthe weeks we were in town this summer!  A friend came over and taught some basics.  A very proud Mommy-moment: Ben played Jolly Old St. Nicholas while Annie performed.  They practiced and practiced to get it just right to perform for Family Home Evening.  Just beautiful! 

 A Mitchell haircut.  We found it was easier to hold him down in his high chair.  We rewarded him with an apple after he was 'tortured.'  Poor kiddo...I think this was haircut #7.  He just doesn't understand what is going on!!!

A First Race!

 Our local YMCA had a kids fun run race with a 1/2 mile and 1 mile run.  Emily did the 1/2 mile.

 She is so funny to watch run!  She's quite dainty and kind of prances!  She did great and was thrilled with her ribbon, water, and otter pop!

 Ben and Annie did the mile race.  Looking back, we probably should have signed Annie up for the shorter race; she's a bit smaller than the other kiddos!

 Compete much?  Notice she and Ben are in the lead and she's trying to keep up with them.  We reminded them over and over before the race started NOT to sprint at the beginning.  It's just too tempting!

 Ben and this kid ran together the whole time...until the last 100 feet when the kid passed Ben for 5th place.  I was shocked at how well Ben ran with no preparation!  He just kept going!

 Knowing my little Annie might have a hard time, I met her at the 1/4 mile mark and did the rest of the race with her.  We walked and ran.  I tried to keep her distracted from the workers picking up the cones behind us.  I kept telling her how proud I was of her - that she could finish!  The sweet bicycle-guy was a great motivator.  "We can beat him!"  He must have had a hard time staying behind us...

 It's over!  They all did fantastic!  Next year we will train a little bit and do it again!