Nature Games and Rock N Roll

We have lived in this city as a family longer than anywhere else.  In fact, this is the longest I have like anywhere since I moved out of my parent's house.  Previously, we knew we would be leaving the city we lived in and lived like tourists.  But here, we have kind of become home bodies.

No longer!  We have been out and about and we are shaking things up.  In the last week we have done loads - some things simple and some adventurous.  For instance we headed to Penitentiary Glenn for their indoor Winter Nature Candy Land.  These volunteers set up this awesome wonderland with Candy Land squares all over and you had to work as a family to get from start to finish.  It was a blast!

Then, we went outdoors for a wilderness scavenger hunt.  Emmett was quite determined to find everything.

 We climbed all the way down these (161) stairs and back up again.  And, we found everything on the checklist.  Even though we had to stretch some things a little bit to fit a category.

On the kids last day of spring break we went to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.  We haven't been in years since the kids were really little.  It was a much different experience and we were there a good 5 hours.

Here is Bridget.  This is in the lobby with a bunch of the guitars and I couldn't find her.  She had been sitting "chatting" with this reporter for some time.

Beyonce's clothes were on display.  Emmett loves Single Ladies.  Some of her clothes were....Wow.  Gorgeous but I would definetely need to do those nature stairs a couple more thousand times.

We went, mainly, because they had a new Paul Simon area.  Ben took me to a Paul Simon concert once and it remains one of my favorites.  Sadly, we didn't locate the exhibit until 4 and a half hours in and all of us were a little too tired to really enjoy it.

Henry has been taking guitar lessons for a while now and he wants this guitar and strap.  Please.

I love this picture of Bridget.  Just the week before I showed her the Thriller video.  Since then she has been obsessed with the music and the dancing of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.  The Rock N Roll is very dark and no flashes are allowed to preserve some of the (really really cool) exhibits.  But, Bridget was very patient in waiting for the shutter to catch the image.

They also have some new artist things.  Here is Katy Perry's dress.

One of the really neat things about this museum is that everywhere you go there is really really great music.  It is like they know I am there and they play zero Grateful Dead albums.  Even outside there is an all weather radio station playing music.  Here they are rocking out.

Happy New Year

2014 was a year of many changes, new experiences, and a tremendous loss.  I started back to school in the fall to pursue a degree in American Sign Language.  A while ago I was chatting with my friend Jamiela about what to do when Emmett went to school full time.  The children are still so little and with so many different needs between the three of them I knew it wasn't time for me to return to work full time.  She suggested I look into Sign Language since I have always - always! - wanted to learn it.  So, I look.  And, lo and behold, the only program in Northeastern Ohio is at our local (sort of) community college.  I took one course this summer and a full load this last semester and I have been officially accepted into the program to become a sign language interpreter.  After all, what is the point of having super smart friends if you don't listen to them?  

I have loved learning again and the kids and Ben have been so supportive of me being less available.  I think the kids really enjoyed watching me make flash cards and have to study like they do!  

The semester was going fairly well until September 26th when my sister Sarah passed away.  It was far from unexpected but she is still gone forever.  It is just another reminder that I need to continue to pay attention to my family and document their doings.  I don't know if anyone still reads this blog but I use it to keep track of our family fun times and in 2015 I am going to being doing that again in earnest.  Sarah is probably laughing at this lofty goal!

My babies get bigger like they should.  With all that has happened I am thrilled to see them grow and become more independent.  They are all at the same elementary school and all the teachers and staff say they are incredibly close to one another.  Often when I pick them up from school they have chained themselves together like mountain climbers.  I can only hope their bond continues.

This Christmas Ben got a new Wii.  Our old one stopped playing disks.  We used it to play netflix for almost six months and people here (me included!) were thrilled to be able to play games together again.  Mario Kart is a favorite.

Tonight we had a big BIG New Year's Eve blow out.  We made many different appetizers and a drink made from Sierra Mist and Cotton Candy.  I think it sounds nasty but it was cool how it swirled colors and settled to a nice celebratory purple.

They loved it!  So, we dined in front of the TV and enjoyed a Flash-a-thon (thank you to the CW for this lovely new superhero show).  Ben and I got loads of snuggles which is an ideal way to end the year.  Their resolutions, or revolutions as some say, were quite hilarious.  Henry wants to save his money, Bridget wants to put on ten pounds, and Emmett promised to comb his dog everyday.

Now Ben and I are going to settle in and watch the first Lord of the Rings Movie and await the coming of the New Year.  Happy New Year!

Kindergarten!

Today is Emmett's first day of Kindergarten!!!  He has been beside himself excited for his first day.  

He is THIS excited!

He had to test the speed on the new shoes.

He went right into the classroom and got to work decorating his folder.  There was a whole lot of coloring going on!

I asked to see his work.  See how he shows it to the teacher instead?  I have been replaced.  I am just fine with that since I know his success in school depends on him transferring authority to the teachers but still.... wait until I leave!

He stays for the whole day and he will come out with his brother and sister.  Finally, no more waiting in the car for this kid!

Back to School Time!

This school year four people in our house are heading back to school.  Today, three of us started.  Tomorrow will be Emmett's first day of kindergarten.

Here is my brand new second grader and my shiny new third grader.  They were so excited about the start of school it was utter craziness here yesterday!  Check out Bridget's shiny new shoes.  Henry has his traditional "fast" shoes.  My guy needs the speed.

Happy!

Where does she learn to pose like this?!?  And, notice that she changed her shoes.  The shiny ones were not fast.  My girl also has a need for speed.  Thank goodness too because she ended up having gym today.  She also likes to pull those socks all the way up.  She has style.

She added a studious headband recently purchased at the Illinois State Fair.  I regret not getting these in every color.

And, I returned to school today.  I am taking four classes in sign language.  Oh, how happy I will be to be able to put A.A., B.A., J.D., A.S. after my name.  Seriously, this is something I have always wanted to do and I am so thrilled to get the chance to do it.

Ben had the honor of taking the kids to drop off today and did a great job getting them and all of their school supplies into the building safely.  And, he took amazing pictures!  I can assure you that this is no small feat.

One happy second grader.

Since Emmett doesn't start tomorrow Ben took today and Wednesday off to be with him while I went to school.  These two had a great day full of errands and silliness.  Apparently they went to brunch - Emmett was thrilled.  Emmett took this picture.

Tomorrow is Emmett's big day!!

Summer!!!

We had a wonderful, wonderful school year.  But, all the same I prefer having my favorite people here at home.  We are in the middle of the second week of summer and having fun whenever we can get a chance.  The old sprinkler died this year.  We took a trip out to Lowes and discovered that there were at least 15 different kinds of sprinklers!  Who knew?  We got one kind for the front and one kind for the back.  Fun fun fun!

 The backyard one was perfect for trying jumps over the water.

 No one can resist a new sprinkler!

Art Show

We hurried back from Chicago to attend Emmett's pre-k art show.   His school always does an amazing job showcasing the talents of each individual child.   Here he is walking the red carpet.  My mom made that amazing sweater - giraffes are still Emmett's favorite.

At first we couldn't find Emmett's main piece of art but it was prominently displayed in the window.  It is - according to Emmett - a beautiful sunset over the mountains.

Then we got to see his Self Portrait.  I think he painted his personality instead of his physical appearance.  No lack of imagination in our house.

See the other kids and their very pretty realistic portrays of their outward appearance?  Not my funny sonny.

The class also did weaving.

And etching.  Emmett didn't get to paint his until after the show but I was very impressed with his piece.

And we found this displayed.  It is a picture of the two of us riding bikes.  I think he did a really good job with my tandem bike.

Henry and Bridget were very proud of him and so were Ben and I.

Spring Break Park 2

After all the fun in Springfield I drove the kids to Chicago.  Ben flew in and met us there.  You can get a LOT done in a day in Chicago with these kiddos.  They can walk for miles and miles, they are unafraid of mass transportation (they seemed utterly delighted by the no car seat in the cab policy) and they are up for anything!

Before Ben got there we hit Marshall Field (now Macy's but I cling to the old names).  We bought some Frango Mints and ate them on the sidewalk.  Those are tasty.

Once we found Ben and checked into the hotel and immediately got some stuff off our to-do list.  Bridget's birthday was coming and we went to the mecca for little girls - The American Girl Store.  I always thought that Bridget would want a historical character.  But, did you know that they cycle the girls in and out?  The ones that are currently offered are lame.  Super mega lame.  So, Bridget picked a new special friend.

Here we are going into the American Girl Store.

And post conquering the world.  That big box?  Her benevolent Aunt Colleen and generous Uncle Justin purchased a horse (later named Donut) for the new American Girl.  The bag was full of outfits and a special carrying bag from my Mom.

We dropped off the purchased and took a cab to the Sky deck of the Willis Tower (gross - it will always be Sears).  From here the photos are no chronological.  Forgive me.  I'm too tired to sort them.

If you get to the Disney Store when they are opening they let you chant the magic words that release the magic of Disney and....turn on the lights.  Most people that work in Children's Specialty Stores are magnificent and these people were no exception.  It takes a lot of energy to make each day special while all around you children are having meltdowns.  Henry was a little put off by their energy and kept a firm grip on Emmett and Bridget.  Just in case.

This guy covered in spray paint scared the crapola out of the kids when they tried to touch him.  To make it up to them he gave them balloon animals.  I hate balloons.  No matter how much you warn a kid that it will pop / deflate they are always shocked and appalled when it happens.

 We got to see Brian and Jorge.  I love this picture.  It looks like Jorge is walking him to school.  Henry hates to hold hands.  Hates it.  But, he will always hold Jorge's or Brian's.  Too adorable.

Here Emmett and Jorge look like they are considering deep thoughts.

Brian and Emmett having an eye wrestling match.

We eventually had to say goodbye.

Henry doesn't like to leave them.  He wanted them all the way to the El and checked for them up on the platform.

Ah hah!  Here are the sky deck photos.  4 years ago we took the kids up for the first time.  Then, Henry was 4, Bridget 3 and Emmett 1.  Bridget was the only one who went right out on the ledge.  Henry looked and refused.  Emmett crawled to the edge and went no further.  They haven't changed a bit.

Bridget went right out onto "her" ledge.

 And then she made herself comfortable.

I went out.  Henry came out and - his words - went turkey.  I was so proud of him for trying something that he was clearly terrified to do.

Mr. Sillypants was comfy going out there once the lights went down and he couldn't see the street below.

And we saw Millenium Park, our old neighborhoods, Boy's Towns (some interesting and insightful questions there), State street, the Mile, Buckingham Fountain, Wrigleyville, and on 4 different colored lines.  I'm telling you - these kids are explorers.

Holding up the Bean!

Emmett had a fit about his coat or something and is underneath this photo.

The maid was cleaning one day when we came back.  We went up to the ballroom to kill time and Tango with Lambie.

And then we found the exercise room.  Henry loves any opportunity to run.  This is in the middle of the day.  I was dying.  He was running.

Emmett was happy to see the clean room and fell asleep in the middle of chaos.

Cheese!

It was a fabulous trip with great people.  We'll have to do it again very soon!