Choo-Choo Boogie

Spring Break 2011This Spring Break we headed South for the winter via the "rails"!

We decided to make it an adventure this year and we jumped on an Amtrak train and made our way to Chicago.

What an experience! On our way down we sprung for the sleeper car and travelled in complete comfort. It also helped contain the crazy boys who were over the moon about taking a train to Chicago, and of course for the pool that awaited them at our hotel!

As a Mom, I have to admit that having our own bathroom was also a big plus...because they can never time the bathroom breaks together!

We arrived the Sunday after the HUGE St. Patrick's Day Celebration Parade, so we were able to catch the beautifully dyed river. Here is Dominic in front of it...unfortunately this picture doesn't quite capture the vivid green it was. I have to admit, that after seeing it I came home and researched how they actually dye the river....it's an amazing story...click on the link below to read about it!

http://www.greenchicagoriver.com/

Once we were there we decided the see the Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry...although there were many more recommendations, we figured that these two came the most highly recommended.

The Shedd Aquarium was a beautiful experience. I can never get enough of the majesty of aquatic creatures. We watched a dolphin show, experienced a 4D movie and wandered through the Amazon. But, I especially liked the Beluga Whales and the boys LOVED the penguins.

Here is a picture of the boys being cheesy in front of one of the many aquariums!

On Tuesday we rode the bus down to the Museum of Science & Industry.

One word...AMAZING!

I could have easily spent days there, all the boys agree.

Upon arrival we were thrown into the circus and we had a blast with the magic mirrors...this one made me giggle...a lot..."Come one, Come all to witness...Little G Big Head Boy!"

Then we moved on to the U-505 exhibit. What a moving exhibit, pure heroics and planning; our naval men were able to capture this German U-boat and get it to America fully intact. Here are the boys manning their own U-boat mission...they succeeded!

On our final day before we caught the train home. We made our way down Michigan Ave. to the Hershey's shop. Where the boys were factory workers and then treated themselves to this yummy cupcake.

After we left the Hershey's store we caught a ride with Rave & her driver along the lake front of Lake Michigan. After we were done the boys thanked Rave with some carrots and she was much obliged to take them out of their hands!

What a wonderful way to end a fun adventure.

Thank you for having us, Chicago!

A Three Year Old and A Camera

Often, I find myself sitting on the sidelines waiting for the next great Gianni move. I am a patient observer...but VERY fearful...

Then there comes the time, when there is such a hilarity to these "moves" that they MUST be shared, quickly, so as to entertain those in most need of a good laugh or smile in their day...

So, here is a most current delight.

Gianni and I spend Monday, Wednesday and Friday together, just us two. Some of these days we spend the mornings in our jammies after we have seen brother off on the bus and other days, Mommy actually has to "get stuff done".

So, not long ago, I was sitting at the computer, sifting through the emails in my Inbox and Gianni came over to check out what I was doing and looked over on my desk and noticed our camera sitting there. Well, that can't be...we must take pictures...of the dogs (mostly their butts because they are running in fear), the fireplace (see below), the coffee tables, the plants....you get the picture (haha). THEN, something amazing calls! A brilliant idea (as I can only imagine) of a three year old, but quick it has got to happen NOW!

So, I sit, at my computer and after what I realize seems like an eternity of blessed quiet...I notice that he isn't in my line of sight anymore and he has my GOOD camera.

"Gianni...Gianni...where are you?" Followed by more quiet....I must admit, that is when the fear kicks in...I walk down the hall...the bathroom door is shut...I try the knob...it's locked (a BIG No, No in our house). "Gianni...Gianni...open this door RIGHT NOW!"

"Hold on Mom.."

It is at this moment that I imagine my camera going for a swim in the toilet...in my mind it looked something like the camera going up, down, up, down, into the toilet held by the neck lanyard.

CLICK, the door is unlocked....I slowly open the door..Hmm... the camera is sitting on the counter, facing my little guy who is sitting on the toilet with a big smile.

"Momma, I was taking a picture of me peeing and pooping!"

"Oh!...Well..." I say as I lift the camera from it's place and prepare myself for what the camera has captured.

See below....

(looks good, camera all lined up...)

(we call this a Thelma & Louise...holding the camera out and pushing the button to capture the moment...)

Not quite what you were expecting?? ME EITHER!

I was more then happy to find that he was more of an artist and used the counter for a tri-pod rather then the straight down view I had anticipated!

Hope this made you smile, but I am hoping for more of a giggle!!

XOXO

Happy New Year January!

Boy...

January came and went...

It always amazes me how quickly the days fly when you are having fun!

The boys welcomed the new year with great excitement for 2011!

This January our little fireball started a short round of Basketball.

BTW...I am still trying to come up with or find a sport that requires running from one end to a building to the other until they are so exhausted, they can't possibly cause any more trouble...when someone finds that sport please let me know where we can sign Gianni up!

The third weekend in January brought me a MUCH needed reprieve from MN and gave Dad some time to bond with the boys. I got to take a trip this time!

I flew off to CA to meet my new "nephew" Liam and catch-up with his brother, Landon...oh yeah it was nice to see Shawna and Dave too!

It's so amazing to revel in the fact that Shawna and I will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary of friendship this Fall...gosh...who would have thought, I would be holding these precious boys, when we were 15-year-old girls!

To wrap up our January and embrace our MN home...we joined a Polar Bear Picnic!

We made our way to the Lowry Nature Center and celebrated winter and all it's beauty.

We went on a medallion hunt, visited an ice house, enjoyed Kick Sledding (Go Dom & Jr!), snow golfed and Snow Shoe'd our way across a frozen lake (G got a kick out of that!).

The January freeze came and hopefully the February thaw is on it's way ;) We can always dream...