5.29.2011

City Slickers



We spent the weekend in Chicagoland! 

We had a nice visit with Danny's uncle and dad (who's been sick in the hospital) before heading downtown to visit with some good friends (true city slickers).  Here's a conversation which me and dear husband had while on our journey.  You know, in case you were wondering. 

Me:  Dear, sweet husband.  Would you mind telling me when you get a chance where I should make my next turn to get to the hotel in this this peaceful village of "Chicago"?  Take your time, my love, for we are in love, and lovers have all the time in the world.

He:  Why, my precious darling angel face, I was just sitting here waiting for you to speak to me again because I so love the sound of your voice when you are driving in the city.  It is like a meadowlark in the spring time after a fresh rain on my soul.  I would love to tell you where your turn is, if that would please you my dear.  Really, ANYthing to please you. 

Me:  Oh sweetest of peas!  You are just so kind to me!  Just whenever you get the chance, I'd love to hear where the turn is.  Maybe when you complete your meditation, or tomorrow afternoon...you know, whenever.

He:  My sugardrops with cream on tops, I am so very sorry, for we have just missed our turn.  Is there anything I can do to repay you for my faulty navigational skills?  I do not know much about directions or maps or GPS'esses.  Wilt thou helpest me, pleeease? 

Me:  Love of my life, filler of my soul...there is nothing you must do to repay me, for I will just find another way to the hotel.  It will be easy after all, it is only downtown Chicago.  Why look, everyone is so friendly, all waving and calling out to us as we gently maneuver our car this way and that in front of them.  Look, they must think we are stuck between these two lanes that we are stopped in and are actually TELLING us the directions we need.  What a lovely display of humanity.  Thank you, kind people of Chicago, thank you!

He:  I agree, daydream sugar pie.  Of course, I always agree with you because you are so often right.  Shall we stop and say a prayer of thanksgiving for each other before we continue on to the hotel? 

Me:  What a splendid idea you have had once again, my prince.  If there is one thing I would like to do right now, it is to stop and give thanks for you. 

The End. 

Wasn't that lovely??

I think so too. 




Okay, picture time! 

Here we are on the train where we were OBVIOUSLY the only ones from "where the blacktop ends."  My sister in law (also a city girl) was kind enough to point out that we had chosen "checkered" shirts to wear, making us even more identifible as the certified hicks. 

Actually, I'm not really sure what we were thinking when we deemed this particular wardrobe as appropriate for city train riding (we didn't even consult with each other on the matter!). 

The point is is that we're able to laugh at ourselves. 

No, wait a minute...what was the point?? 

Oh yeah, hicks on a train (which I affectionately call the subway, further confirming my hickish ways).



The kids may or may not have thought the train was an actual amusement ride and not a form of transportation.  We may or may not have furthered this belief by snapping a few hundred photos for their scrapbooks.  Do you think this will get us out of ever having to purchase tickets to Disneyl@nd?? 







Look kids, it's the Magic Kingdom!!!! 



Our train ride destination...ice cream sundaes the size of our HEADS!!!!  (This was JUST Luca's!)



You'd better get crackin' on that thing, girl!  It's gonna' be a looooong night at the ice cream parlor!







Our friends made us dinner at their place right downtown and only a few blocks from our hotel before the train ride.  They gathered a schmoargasboard of Chicago-made foods to serve us...it was INCREDIBLE and SO sweet!!!! 



Willis Tower (used to be Sears Tower) in the background.



Home Tweet Home...most beautiful hotel ever!



My swimming superhero.



...and bathing beauties.



View from the pool!



Love all the beautiful architecture!



Peanut in the Pool.



Oh Lordy, this one. 



This about sums up their relationship these days...a true snapshot in time. 


There may be a similar photo of their parents.  Minus the peaceful smile. 

We're so cool in the city. 

The End. 

5.27.2011

Field Trip



We're happy to be wrapping up the school year pretty soon around here and having fun with more "nature oriented" study as the temps are rising.  A few pics from a field trip to the botanical gardens and zoo! 












5.21.2011


Last week we had a visit to the eye doctor and got the news that BOTH girls need glasses!!  We headed to Madison this week to look for some super cute frames, and our mission was accomplished! 

Here are my little stylish smarties sporting their new glasses! 



Bren's objective was to find a blue pair.  She found these brown ones with blue inside and blue swirls and heart on the arms and had her mind made up.  Her's are a pretty storng prescription, so she's taking a little time to get used to wearing them. 



Luca was loving these black frames with pink inside and a pink butterfly on each corner.  Her prescription is lighter, and she hasn't given me any trouble about wearing them!  (LOSING them may be a different story though). 


A new phase for us...excited and seeing clearly! 

5.14.2011

Mother's Day Update



Spent Mother's Day a little differently this year...I skipped town! 

I had the privilege of road-tripping up North to the cabin with my mom for an extended weekend (Friday through Tuesday!) of scrapbooking!  I printed off a whole year's pictures to work on (and yes, I am THAT far behind) and made a good dent in them over the weekend.  It felt so good to get some scrapbooking done and also have some down time with my mom.  We were sure to be good to ourselves, eating all sorts of yummy things, watching all the chick flicks we could handle, shopping and doing all the wonderful things you just can't get away with with two little monkeys hanging from your ankles.  It was pure fabulousness! 


When we returned from up north, we had a couple (I repeat, A COUPLE) of warm days in the 80s.  The girls and I wasted no time in heading to the lake to dip our toes (see pics below).  We've since cooled back down to the 60s and have resumed our moaning and groaning about this ULTRA late spring weather we're having this year (come ON, summer!!!!)  Crossing our fingers and toes and whatever else we can cross that those warmer temps will return to us SOON!!!  Until then, I'm going to stare at these pictures of my beauties standing knee deep in water, rockin' their tank tops and shorts, soakin' up some sun! 












Gifts from Afar


The girls received beautiful lapis lazuli necklaces all the way from Afghanistan!  A friend is serving in the military there and shared a bit of the culture with them.  Here they are modeling their treasures.