Aaahhh, Chicago, women friends and MG

Had a wonderful evening with Melinda June, MG, and friends. We met at MG's friend's house where we ordered Thai food. We shared entrees and all were absolutely wonderful. We then proceeded to venture out to North Center to have desserts at an interesting coffee shop. I have not been in a city atmosphere for some time and I had forgotten how much fun the city is.

Spent the night with Melinda June and BH at their lovely abode. I slept well in crisp cotton sheets perfectly complimented with a cotton blanket and feather comforter. Awoke to a nice pot of good smelling jo. Melinda knows how to make you feel so welcomed.

Of course a Sunday morning would not complete without a decent breakfast. We waited 1 and 1/2 hours for a table at Tweet-but oh so worth the wait. DELICIOUS! While we waited we went for a "walk" (read drive) to Metropolis Coffee Company for GOOD coffee drinks. I thought it to be a little silly to drive all that way for coffee-but it was a great cup of coffee-a perfectly made latte. I was so glad to be with other food/coffee snobs.

I am already looking at the calendar to find another day to meet up with Melinda and BH to hit some fun stores-especially the little shoe store in North Center. I must try on the Camper wedge in funky green and white...

New Traditions

Took the whole family to Lincoln Park Zoo yesterday. It was delightful. Very few people there and the animal houses were warm shelters from the lake wind. We left the burbs around 12:45 thinking we MIGHT need our extra layers. When we got downtown it was much cooler. One of the boys changed in to his jeans while watching the seals swim around.

We enjoyed a nice big brunch of Chorizo, scrambled eggs, bunny shaped pancakes and bacon. We also made cupcakes, dyed eggs and then used the rest of the dye to make colorful tie-dyed paper towels.

After the zoo we came home to dye more paper towels and to have a yummy dinner of grilled pork tenderloin, grilled asparagus, and cupcakes for dessert.

I missed my big, loud, extended family this year. But making new traditions is just as much fun.

Great Day

This morning my 7 year old made his own cinnamon/sugar toast. He has been getting his own cereal for some time, but toast is new. I got goosebumps watching him carefully spread the butter on the toast.
At first he turned the toaster around and around trying to figure out how in the world to turn it on. When I showed him how to put the bread into the slot and set the timer-he was no longer interested in any help from me.
His toast looked more like a pastry when he was done. It was dripping with butter and had actual clumps of sugar on it. I only smiled and told him how proud he makes me.
I know its just toast, but now I can have a cup of coffee while it is still hot AND read the paper while he makes his own breakfast. GREAT DAY INDEED!

Disney, Hormones and Too much fun.

Well, I did it. I managed to get through 4 Disney parks in three days all the while having PMDD. It was hell. Long lines, small children on leashes, sticky stuff, sore feet and WAY too many adults in motorized scooters...but dammit I had fun!
The pictures do not do justice to how much fun the kids had. I am glad I had enough Midol during the day and enough wine at night to keep me smiling.





















Nine different modes of transportation in one week. Amazing.
Car, bus, plane, people mover, tram, golf cart, monorail, paddle boat, motor boat, minivan,...oh that is ten.
Remember we are having fun here...getting three boys to pay attention to doors closing and when to get on and off the different vehicles. Making sure everyone had their bags, cameras, cell phones, that they had sunscreen on and that all have been to the potty-you know what I mean. FUN FUN FUN...

Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for having the opportunity to even go on a vacation. And I was very impressed with how well Disney does hospitality. AMAZING. Did you know they employ 75,ooo people in just the parks?? And apparently they are having to lay off folks, too. The parks were crowded and most visitors were from other countries-taking advantage of the dollar right now. It was a great experience to meet so many different people and to see the artistry that is Disney.

HIGHLIGHTS?
I did spot this fella all dressed up (Epcot, day two)...so glad I was able to get a couple of pics. I had also had a couple of smoothies with "some" alcohol in them - made the day much better...for everyone!

This is a close up of the belt:











The cool gold painted shoes:










The hair:










THE TOTAL LOOK with FAMILY-notice shorter version of rockstar to the right!!

And to end this entry, I leave you with my favorite picture of the trip-Rex with Corndog.