Thursday, May 31, 2012

Chicago, Chicago, that Toddlering Town!

A couple of weeks ago we drove to Chicago for a little vacation.  Andrew had work there, so the boys and I tagged along.  We had a great trip!
We stopped the first night in Akron, Ohio.  Judging from church the next day and walking around Brandywine falls the next day, Akron, Ohio has about the friendliest people anywhere.
I think it may have had something to do with the fact that they had captive parents with nothing to do but give them full attention, but the boys love road trips.

Chicago was really a blast.  We stayed at the Palmer House Hilton, which is more than a little bit nicer than any hotel we would ever pay for ourselves.  I guess it pays to take your family on work trips!
"Thumbs up" in our elevator lobby and waiting to go down to swimming
Sleeping like angels in their big cloud bed

While Andrew worked every day, the boys and I took advantage of everything that was free and within walking distance from the hotel, which was actually quite a bit!
We walked around a ton, with only an umbrella stroller.  Abe did awesome, and walked almost everywhere.  Occasionally we had to get creative.
Please forgive the bad phone photo.  I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera when these boys started running in their clothes in the fountain!
At the park
The downtown library was really neat and had a great children's area.
"Say (string) cheese!"
Chicago from Abe and Ben's perspective

The Bean!  The boys loved this so much, they named their beanbag chair "The Bean," and now call our basement "Chicago."

Conducting "High on a Mountain Top" on the stage in Grant Park.
Thrilled to be at Lake Michigan.
Chasing pigeons was definitely a highlight for the smallest member of our group.
At the Millennium Stage.
Meeting up with our old friend John Woolley before he and Andrew went to "The Avengers"
Our last day there we did big.  The boys and I spent all day (and probably could have spent all week) at the awesome Chicago Children's Museum.
Water + Slate = "painting."  Awesome idea.
Who's winning?
Benjamin with his ethnically diverse, anatomically correct babies
Bye, Bye awesome museum!  We'll come again!
Our last stop was the Ferris Wheel.  It was a great trip!
We did the drive home (12 hours) in one day.  The boys did great.  As a reward, we introduced them to DQ's dipped cone!
It was a great trip to Chicago!  We're glad we did it, and glad to be home!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Announcement from Agent Abe and the Big Cheese

Our two young sleuths are on the trail again in a case that will change their lives forever.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

The Yin and Yang of Mother's Day Tributes

Ariel created this lovely, thoughtful post for her sweet mother today.

In contrast, I made this irreverent little chestnut.



Happy Mother's Day!