Tuesday morning started off with dark clouds. We figured it was a good day to stay inside and head to the children's museum in Naperville. The girls had a blast. There was a section of the museum called "Airworks" that the girls loved and where they spent the most time. Amelia also loved the water table and bubble station. Allison thought it was pretty cool that she could use real tools with her Dad in the workshop area.
After the museum we headed to downtown Naperville for some Chicago-style pizza. It has been ages since we have had that. The rain lightened up enough to walk down to a book store nearby so the girls could pick out a book.
On Wednesday, we stayed at the resort and went to the free 18-hole miniature golf course. Watching the girls play mini-golf was so funny. Allison was on a mission to get through the course as fast as she could. It was a good thing nobody else was on the course with us. We spent the rest of the day swimming, playing games, and just hanging out.
For dinner that night we went to a restaurant called Hanks which is located in a rural farming area. It started off as an old restored barn and has expanded since then. Dinner was pretty much of a disaster between the meat sauce on the kids spaghetti (I forgot to order just plain tomato sauce) and the girls not wanting to sit still. We should have just went to Culvers or somewhere like that. It was one of those nights that we "swore off" family vacations for a very long time. However, after dinner we walked around the grounds of the restaurant and the girls had fun looking at the peacocks, turkey, and ducks (and making funny faces for pictures) and everyone was happy again.
On Thursday we went to Morton Arboretum in order to go to their Children's Garden. I was very impressed with it and the girls had so much fun playing in all the different areas, including a small pond and a creek that kids are allowed to wade in. After the gardens, we went to an outlet mall and picked up a few things.
On Friday, we played miniature golf one last time before we headed back home. After a long drive and arriving in our neighborhood, we told the girls that we were almost home and both girls cheered, however, when we pulled in the driveway, Amelia cried "I want to go to the new house." She has asked several times since then about the "new house" (e.g. the condo we stayed at). Brian and I agreed that we should go back next year and find a few new day trips we can take.
Although there were a few (OK more than a few) stressful moments on the trip and times we considered packing up and heading home early, Brian and I were both sad that our trip had come to an end. This vacation allowed us to spend more quality time with the girls and just enjoy the little things with them like coloring or playing board games. When we asked the girls what they loved best, Allison replied "golf" and Amelia said "ummm..staying home and coloring." I think that says it best...it is the little things that mean the most.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Vacation 2011 (Part One)
We did it...we survived another family vacation. This year we went to Silverleaf's Fox River Resort, about an hour southwest of Chicago.
On the way there we stopped at the zoo in South Bend. The girls had a good time. Allison was excited because I had printed the map of the zoo about two months earlier, so we had been studying it since then. She was ready to lead the way. At the end of our zoo trip, we were waiting for Brian to come out of one of the buildings and Allison was playing with the turnstile gate that led people out of the park. I told her not to do that, but sure enough she went past the point of no return and couldn't get back into the zoo. She was halfway in between the gate and the exit. I couldn't go with her since I was watching Amelia in the stroller and could only exit out the main gate. The look on Allison's face was priceless; I in the meantime had a hard time keeping a straight face. I told her simply not to move. However, another family came along and needed to leave, so I told Allison to go all the way through the gate and wait for me. Another mother had offered to sit by Amelia's stroller until Brian came out. We were both cracking up. Luckily Allison waited patiently by the gate where I could see her.
Once we got to the condo, we unloaded our stuff and tried to make dinner. We learned our lesson and next year we will eat dinner before we check in. Having both parents busy unpacking and/or cooking did not work well. The girls were excited about being in a new place and were running around like crazy kids. The stress level only went up when I discovered I didn't pack any shorts or shirts for Amelia. Luckily, between the outfit she was wearing and a few back up outfits I had in various bags, I didn't have to buy an entire new wardrobe for her, just a few pieces.
On Sunday, our day started off bright and early at 5:30 am. Amelia, our morning riser, was the first one to be up. Luckily I got her to lay in bed with me until 6:30. By the time most vacationers were just waking up, half our morning was already over. We were at Walmart in Ottawa, which was the closest town to the resort, by 8:30 am to buy some new clothes for Mia and to cruise their toy aisle. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the resort and going back to Ottawa, where we found a great playground for the kids to play at, and an ice-cream shop to indulge in some dessert.
On Monday we went to the Brookfield Zoo which is an amazing place. We spent six hours and could have easily spent another two hours there. Amelia was so tired that she feel asleep on the tram ride. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out at the condo playing games and coloring. The girls thought it was pretty cool hanging out at the "new house."
On the way there we stopped at the zoo in South Bend. The girls had a good time. Allison was excited because I had printed the map of the zoo about two months earlier, so we had been studying it since then. She was ready to lead the way. At the end of our zoo trip, we were waiting for Brian to come out of one of the buildings and Allison was playing with the turnstile gate that led people out of the park. I told her not to do that, but sure enough she went past the point of no return and couldn't get back into the zoo. She was halfway in between the gate and the exit. I couldn't go with her since I was watching Amelia in the stroller and could only exit out the main gate. The look on Allison's face was priceless; I in the meantime had a hard time keeping a straight face. I told her simply not to move. However, another family came along and needed to leave, so I told Allison to go all the way through the gate and wait for me. Another mother had offered to sit by Amelia's stroller until Brian came out. We were both cracking up. Luckily Allison waited patiently by the gate where I could see her.
Once we got to the condo, we unloaded our stuff and tried to make dinner. We learned our lesson and next year we will eat dinner before we check in. Having both parents busy unpacking and/or cooking did not work well. The girls were excited about being in a new place and were running around like crazy kids. The stress level only went up when I discovered I didn't pack any shorts or shirts for Amelia. Luckily, between the outfit she was wearing and a few back up outfits I had in various bags, I didn't have to buy an entire new wardrobe for her, just a few pieces.
On Sunday, our day started off bright and early at 5:30 am. Amelia, our morning riser, was the first one to be up. Luckily I got her to lay in bed with me until 6:30. By the time most vacationers were just waking up, half our morning was already over. We were at Walmart in Ottawa, which was the closest town to the resort, by 8:30 am to buy some new clothes for Mia and to cruise their toy aisle. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the resort and going back to Ottawa, where we found a great playground for the kids to play at, and an ice-cream shop to indulge in some dessert.
On Monday we went to the Brookfield Zoo which is an amazing place. We spent six hours and could have easily spent another two hours there. Amelia was so tired that she feel asleep on the tram ride. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out at the condo playing games and coloring. The girls thought it was pretty cool hanging out at the "new house."
Friday, August 19, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Camping Adventure
We took our first camping trip with the girls last weekend. On Saturday, Brian and I dropped them off at my parents so we could "set up camp" and relax for a night. We haven't been camping since 2006 (i.e. pre-kids), so it was really nice that we were able to have one night to ourselves. The next day, we picked Allison and Amelia up to bring them to the campsite. They were both so exhausted from the slumber party with their cousin that they feel asleep on the way there.
When we got to the campground, they were very excited to check everything out.
To keep them busy, we gave them their "bubble guns" I had purchased a few weeks ago, only to discover that they didn't blow bubbles, they were "bubble chompers." Basically, someone has to blow the bubbles and they use the animals to try to catch and "chomp" them. Luckily they were on clearance when I bought them.
After dinner, the girls tested out their new camping chairs. Allison was very proud of the bucket of rocks she collected at the beach. We then roasted marshmallows, which Allison really enjoyed (check out her very adult posture of crossing her legs while balancing the plate on her knee).
The girls did pretty good sleeping in the tent; they did better than Brian and I did. I was so worried about potential thunderstorms and the idea of Amelia trying to escape the tent, that I only slept in brief periods. However, despite the lack of sleep, I am glad that we went. I think it made an impression on Allison as she asked when we could go back to the woods and the beach!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Birthday Celebration
Party Number One was at my parents' house with an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Allison celebrated with her cousins. She received lots of fun presents including a "laptop" computer (a pre-school kind) from Nana and Papa and a baseball glove and ball from us. Now she can play catch with Dad in the front yard, just like the neighbor kids across the street.
On her birthday, Allison wore a crown at school and was very proud of it. I picked the girls up a little early so we could get ready for Allison's birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Lynn, and Uncle Mark and her cousin Faith. She was so exited and was bouncing off the walls waiting for everyone to come.
With everything going on that night, Brian and I almost forgot to give Allison our big gift, an art easel. We had her sit on the couch while Brian brought it up. As you can see, she had a great reaction and was excited (for about 60 seconds and then she moved on to something else).
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Fab Four
Happy 4th Birthday to our sweetheart. You turned four this week. You were so excited for your birthday; you were counting down the days until the big day. Each day you would ask Dad how many days. You were a lucky girl and got to celebrate your birthday twice - once with Mom's family and once with Dad's side of the family. As a special treat, you got to have a slumber party with your cousins.
Last year for your 3rd birthday, you received a bike and while you may have started on it tentatively, you have been going gangbusters since then. A big excitement is to ride around the block. You look so big as you ride down the sidewalk peddling away so fast with your head bobbing along, as if you were singing a song in your head as you go along. You haven't lost your strut yet either, especially when you are somewhere you are familiar with and want to lead the way - that's when you proudly strut along.
You have been very helpful lately and once again love to help unload the dishwasher after taking a hiatus from that chore for a while. Even your new teacher at daycare commented how helpful you are.
Speaking of daycare, you started a new center this spring and did very well with the transition. We are very proud of you and are excited to watch you learn new things. You love your CD and story set that you learn at school and can't wait to play your CD as soon as you get home - often times we can't hear the actual CD because you are singing at the top of your lungs.
You are very kind and caring. You love babies and have to peek into the baby room every day at daycare. Out in public, you and Amelia are quick to spot out the babies. At the mall play areas, you want to help out with the "babies" and make sure they are OK. This always causes your Dad and I to smile because it only seems like yesterday that an older kid would be fascinated with you in the play area and follow you around. When you were a baby and toddler, you always attracted an older child who was completely fascinated with you.
You are testing your limits and trying to see what you can get away with. You have developed a smirk which drives Mom crazy as she tries to discipline you.
You love to play games and do puzzles. Luckily we have a cupboard stocked full of those items to keep you going. You also love to talk on the phone. You have learned to dial Nana and Papa with Mom's help.
Allison, your Mom and Dad love you very much. We are so happy to be your parents and are happy you are a part of our lives. Even though Mom gets all sappy and sad about you growing up, she is very blessed to have this opportunity to watch you grow. Happy birthday honey!
Mom and Dad
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Happy Birthday to Me....
I thought I was uploading the video of Amelia riding her bike, however I must have clicked on the wrong link. I figured since I just sat her for five mintues waiting for it to upload, I might as well show this video.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)