Chicago!!!

This week Michael and I took a trip just the two of us to Chicago!!! We had so much fun. I have been thinking and thinking and I can't remember the last trip we took just the 2 of us. I think it was New York City for our anniversary 4 years ago! Too long!
We did many great things on our trip, but probably most importantly we ate like royalty. Our favorite breakfast was probably Ann Sather, this cinnamon roll was one of the two sides that came with our breakfasts. Michael is still talking about the greatness of this cinnamon roll. I am not a sweet breakfast girl myself, but I have to admit it was amazing!



We also had a lot of fun using our citypass to go to several museums. Our hands down favorite was the Shedd Aquarium for several reasons. For one we just liked all there was to see from dolphins and walruses to a really neat 4D movie. It was super kid friendly with tons to keep them engaged and entertained as they looked at the exhibits. I also thought it was great that the only thing that cost extra was the
4D movie and that was included with our museum pass. We were not huge fans of the Field Museum, it had lots of stuffed dead animals and we paid $16 dollars to go through a Pirate exhibit that was very crowded and not that great. I don't know a ton about museums and I am sure it takes a lot to keep the doors open, but we were very disappointed that anything that seemed interesting at the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry required an additional ticket, and money. I am also bitter because the Harry Potter exhibit was sold out by the time we got there. But, we did not plan ahead at all so we also totally admit this was at least in part our faults for not researching what we wanted to do and spend money on. The space section and U505 parts of the Museum of Science and Industry were great. What a neat story about the German U boat.





Michael's favorite outing was the Chicago Cubs game. I must admit I loved it too. The weather was perfect, exactly 80, and the setting great as well. We had a blast! Michael was so excited to see the stadium he watched on WGN year after year and all that went with it. We were sad the Cubs lost to the Pirates, but it was still such a great day. We also had dinner at Harry Caray's restaurant. It was so good. Michael stepped away from his country eating habits and had a Gorgonzola crust on his steak. It was at first his favorite meal of the trip, but the food was so good by the end of the week he couldn't choose a favorite.





We had so much fun, but man did we miss this little fella. We were so glad he stayed in Tyler with Honey and Pop having a great time. We saw many kids his age at the museums not enjoying themselves, but man oh man were we glad to see him today.

Boys Best Friend

Avery has a new best buddy...

Summer Fun

We have been having lots of just good old fashioned summer time fun lately.
Avery thinks Anderson is the coolest. We were so excited that his sister, Maggie, had to go to the doctor so he got to come over and play. Anderson and Avery were troopers and rode for 5 miles Anderson mamma's super cool jogging stroller. Then we finally got to do something fun and swim!!!

The boys played and played and had the best time.
Also, we had a brief break from the million degree heat. We actually ate dinner on our porch a few nights. It was really fun family time to sit and eat together. Michael hates our kitchen table, and really I love how it looks, but it is so not functional, so I really don't like it either. So we were not on our TV trays pretending to be having a family dinner.

See Avery thinks it is so cool to hang out with his daddy even if he has a mouth full of food.
Yes, I now know that you can't leave your citronella candles on the wrought iron table because the million degree heat will melt them.

Seriously??

So, if yesterday wasn't enough again today I have poop to deal with. Avery and I did our 3 mile training walk today after he woke up. The walk went well, Avery ate his breakfast and then smeared the left overs all over his legs. I was obviously disgusting after 6 miles in 87% humidity, literally I looked it up, so we both needed a bath. I put him in my tub where I could see him and jumped in the shower. He did really well but for about the last 2 minutes he would NOT sit down. I kept asking and asking and he wouldn't. Well, I jumped out of the shower put on my robe and found the reason. He was pooping.... in MY bathtub...GROSS!
I thought I was being smart, yanked him and all his toys out and let the water drain. Well, the poop went in the drain... Not down the drain just in it. Let's just say I didn't plan on spending a significant portion of my day figuring out how to get the poop out of and then cleaning the drain.. Good grief, I am ready for work tomorrow!


And, I can't BELIEVE Jillian chose Ed, he is creepy.

Not Me Monday

I was so sad to see that Stellan, McMamma's youngest son, is very ill again so she is obviously far to busy to host her Not Me Monday blog. Please say a prayer for her and their family. You can read more about them here.
However, today has been a Not Me Monday, so I am going for it all on my own. Here's my inspiration.

It was not me in bed sleeping until 9:45 on a Monday morning because my child sleeps in, I would never do that I get up go running and make everyone a healthy homemade breakfast.
It was definitely not me who gave Avery a bowl filled mostly with a very runny smoothie and a little cereal to eat make a big fat mess with because I didn't want to fight him over who got to hold the cup anymore. I would never do that, I firmly but gently stand my ground and show him I am the parent.
It was certainly not me who then decided to just throw Avery in the bath tub because it was easier than wondering if the neighbors think I beat him when he screams like a banshee when I wipe his hands, face, hair, legs, etc. See above for my great parenting techniques.
It was certainly not me who then marched into the bathroom with Avery facing out but holding him so I wouldn't be wearing smoothie, yanked off his PJ pants and diaper and then realized there was poop all over his bottom. No, not me I am a nurse it is my job to be observant.
It was absolutely not me who then screamed like a tweeny bop girl when Avery bucked like a bronco putting poop all over my PJ's, even though I am sure I was in running clothes since I got up first thing.
And it was absolutely without a doubt most definitely not me who put Avery in the bath tub stripped down and streaked across the house even though I had opened all the blinds to show Avery the rain for clean clothes while leaving my toddler unattended in the bath tub. Nope, not me... Must have been my evil twin Babbe.

Happy Monday!

At least by the time I got to the laundry I could laugh at the perfect butt print on my pajamas. I almost took it's picture, but figured that might be a bit much.

SUCCESS!!!

S-U-C-C-E-S-S That's they way we spell success!

I finally found post card stamps!!!! I have just added the post office to my errands anytime I am out and been disappointed many times since I started looking for postcard stamps, but I can be stubborn determined and decided I would not settle for regular stamps when all I needed was postcard. I think the lady at the post office probably thinks I am nuts because I all but jumped over the counter and kissed her when she actually said yes and gave me postcard stamps. I can finally get my 3 day Thank You notes in the mail. Would you like to get to see my super cute Thank You notes that Maddie made for me? Then donate!

In another success I went to Target got the 2 things on my list and my one impulse purchase was a $1.07 pack of gum. I left the store for UNDER $30, can you believe it??? Me neither, so the little prince and I celebrated our success with Bueno!



As you can see he is a big fan. He thinks their black beans are the greatest. My friend Amie and I have decided that they must crunch up the tiniest bit of crack into Bueno, it is so good and I can't get out of my mind until I have tasted the greatness. I have to say Bueno is standing between me and 5 vanity pounds I thought I would have already lost training for the 3 day, oh well it tastes too good to pass up. At least if I walk 5 miles and then eat it I won't gain any weight, right?

Marvelous Mondays

This summer Mondays are Marvelous. My BFF from high school, Abby, that lived with us last summer is here this summer, too. UNFORTUNATELY, I can' convince her to live with us again, but she will come over on Mondays. I love it!! We have so much fun! We eat dinner, hang out, and then watch The Bachelorette! It is so so so much fun. Thanks for coming to play with us Abby. We have your room all ready, come stay with us again!!