Road Trip to Chicago-Day 1

Since summer is usually booked with traveling to baseball games, Phil and I decided to go to Chicago for a few days with the kids during Spring Break.   The older two knew we were going about a week out from actually going, but we didn't tell Clare until the night before.  Little Ruth went to grandma's b/c we knew there would be TOO much walking around in the city.  We knew she'd have more fun there than carting her around all day in museums.

We headed on the road at 7:30am.  This is the sun rising in the the east.

The kids entertained themselves with movies and listening to music.

 Arriving in the "Windy City".

We stayed at the Embassy Suites-Lakefront.  The hospitality was awesome there.  The kids were in awe of the large hotel.  It wasn't a Days Inn or Super 8, ha.  

Once we were settled in the hotel, we walked to Navy Pier, which was just down the street.  The walk wasn't far, but the cold, nasty winds made it brutal to get there.  The temperature was about 24 degrees but the wind made it feel like it was freezing out.  We walked around there for a little bit, took pictures and headed back to the hotel.  Clare couldn't wait to go swimming!

 

Lake Michigan behind the girls.  The tall building with the 2 spires is the Hancock building.  Later that evening we go there. 

Clare FINALLY was able to get in the pool.  We let her swim for about 30 minutes, then we were headed to the Hancock Building to watch the sunset.

Here we are at the Hancock Building.  Half of the building is full of businesses and the other part is residential.  The observatory level is about 1,000 feet high. 

Watching a movie on how the building was made. 

 Clare is hungry since we hadn't eat supper yet.  She is having some strawberry gelato to hold her off. 

I looked to see when the sun was going to set...6:58PM, so we had some time to kill.  We had breathtaking views from way up high.  Windows were all sides of the building to look out.

Looking west, the sun almost down for the day.

 Clare is getting antsy, making time pass by.

Once the sun was right at the horizon, it disappeared in seconds.  It's just funny that when we look at the sun in the sky or even when we were waiting in the observatory for it to set, it took FOREVER to move, but then gone once the time came.

Taking pictures from of scenes around Chicago.  Below is a picture of a McDonalds.  We actually have some ice cream there the next day.

 Chicago at sunset.  One of my FAV pictures from our trip.  It was neat to watch the city light up in all directions.

As the sun sets, the moon appears over Michigan Lake.  What a full moon it was!!


There were these photo monitors to take your photo and then it would send a copy of it via email.  The kids had fun messing around with this.   

As we were leaving the building, I took the kids picture.  I don't remember this sign when we arrived.

 Time to eat at last!!!  Phil looked for a burger place to eat after we were done.  He read good reviews of M Burger.  Once we got there, we were surprised of the little seating available.  It was more of a pick up and go food establishment.  There were two walls lined up with stools to sit, but with our family of 5 walking in, we took one length of the wall.  The burgers hit the spot after an afternoon of walking and sightseeing.

Day 2 to come......

Patriotic Parade

At the end of Feb., Ruth's preschool held a Patriotic Parade.  It was at an odd time of day and for me to sneak away from work can be a challenge.  So at the last minute, a teacher said she'd cover my class so I could attend.  Ruth didn't know I was coming, so below is a blurry picture of her as she was entering the room.  I didn't have may camera quick enough. 

 She had been singing all of her songs at home forever so today she was able sing her heart out.
















This is Ruth's daycare provider with all of the kids.  Lori is such a blessing to take Ruth to preschool 4 days out of the week.  She attends all of the programs at the preschool and brings all of the kids too. 

Time to Sing

Olivia had a music concert last month.  At first I wasn't able to go due to conferences but then it was cancelled due to bad weather.  It was rescheduled a week later, and I was able to go.  Ruth wanted to be in the picture too.  However, she looks like she is ready to do to her dance recital. 

Turning 40

I know this is a little late, but here is a picture taken on my birthday. 

Neighborhood Shovelers

It has been snowing all day today.  When I got home, Clare and her friend were out shoveling our neighbors' driveways.  Clare is all about working and earning some money.  They each cashed in with $8.50. 

The big question will be IF we have school in the morning.  We are in a winter-storm warning til tomorrow morning at 6am.  Winds are to start blowing all of that snow everywhere in the night.  Us teacher are hoping for a late start if anything.  NO more Snow Days!!!!! 

Can't Be Possible

Here is our Little Ruthie in June of 2009.  It doesn't seem possible that we have less than 80 days in our school year and then summer break.  Tonight WAS to be our busiest night of the week... I WAS to have PT conferences, Olivia WAS to have a chorus concert, Andrew WAS to have a basketball game and one of top of it all, Phil or I WAS to attend a Kindergarten meeting at her school in the fall.  Can you hear my crying?  Our baby will be going to school 6 months!!!  This sounds so crazy!!!! 

Last week, I called the school to say we couldn't go to the meeting due to me having conferences and Phil need to be at Olivia's chorus concert, which is a BIG deal this time around.  I will post on it at a later time.  So the paperwork was sent home with Clare last week.  After filling out all of the necessary forms and copying some documents, the registration packet was ready to go back to Timber Ridge.

As it turns out, the everything was cancelled tonight due to the 3-4 inches of snow and it is still snowing.  The good thing is, the kindergarten paperwork was turned in and Ruth will be ready to start school in the fall, minus the shots she still needs but that will come when she turns 5 in June. 

Now I will be able to go to Olivia's chorus concert rescheduled for next Monday and my Parent-Teacher conferences will be next Tues.  Andrew's game has yet to be rescheduled.

Music Concert

Clare had her music concert this past week.  The theme was bugs.  It just so happened that I had the perfect Bee costume.  My mom made a shirt for Andrew's music concert when he was in 2nd grade and he too was a bee.  I never got rid of it because I thought there could be a chance we would need it for Clare or even Ruth. 

For fun, here is Andrew in 2nd grade