Fun in Chicago, Times 2!

The boys and I took two trips into Chicago this week, and both adventures couldn't have been more fun. 

On Tuesday the boys and I headed over to Navy Pier for Winter Wonderfest.  We went the last 2 years, but both other times were on Saturdays which made for completely different experiences.  Apparently going on a Tuesday is the same as going on a weekend, without a crowd!  We went on lots of carnival rides, climbed too many bounce slides/ obstacle courses, made a mess decorating Christmas cookies and watched a great magician.  During the magic show, Aidan was selected to be his assistant, which he did a great job doing and was quite hysterical as well (the entire 6 minutes Aidan was on stage, he didn't stop trying to separate the magician's magic rings, even once!).  Needless to say, Aidan kept the crowd entertained :-). 

While at Winter Wonderfest, the highlight for all the boys was going ice skating for the first time.  I wish I took videos of them attempting to skate, especially since each has his own very distinct style, but I was too busy trying to keep myself and all three boys vertical.  Memorable, to say the least!

 

A few pictures from Winter Wonderfest... 

Even this clown was surprised by how long he was able to keep the boys entertained :-).

What do you think Grandpa Mike?  A future for Liam?!?

Aidan was paid some big bucks for doing such a great job as the magician's assistant.

Liam was pretty solid on the skates, considering it was his first time.  Unfortunately, he also learned exactly how hard and cold ice really is, as he was the only one who fell.

Aidan 'ran' on the ice, never falling, but never gliding either.

This is the only time Connor was not holding onto me or the wall :-).

It's harder than it looks!

An hour ordeal, ONE time around the rink, literally!!!

And since we went on to Navy Pier on a Tuesday, we took advantage of their 2012 Tuesday Ferris Wheel promotion... $1.00 rides!  Actually, since it was such a good deal we went twice, once before the fest and once after.

10:00 AM
Excited and ready for the fun day ahead...

7:00 PM
Still going strong...

One full and very fun day!

 

Then on Saturday Craig had to work in the city, so the boys and I decided to take the train there and do our own thing until he was ready to join us.  Our original plan was to hang out at the Kris Kringle fest, but since it was so cold and drizzling, and because we were at the right place at the right time, we got tickets to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Cadillac Palace.  What an experience!  The boys loved every second of the musical, and I don't know if I enjoyed watching them more, or the actual play.   

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures inside the beautiful theatre, so this will have to do.

 

And a few random pictures from walking through the city...

Connor with the "Monument With Standing Beast"

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

These pictures do not the zoo lights (or Aidan :-)) justice.  Absolutely beautiful!!!

 

Another nonstop great day in the city.

Chicago get 2 A+s from me this week.  Thanks for such fun experiences!!!

Boys, Boys, Boys

 

and more boys, boys, boys, boys!

 

Back in November Kelly and Spencer went to Orlando to participate in the run and wine event at Disney World.  And while they were out of town, their boys stayed with us.  We picked them up from school on Friday and dropped them back off at school on Monday morning.  Thank goodness none of them had any homework that weekend, since we were non-stop busy the entire weekend. 

On Friday we went to Color Me Mine for a little art project.  I'll post a picture of the final result soon :-).

 

Then we came back to the house for Mexican night, followed by dessert crafts and some loud cousin fun. 

On Saturday we played a little football...

checked out the hail,

went bowling (Ben scored his first TWO strikes WITHOUT bumpers!),

and made another craft to get ready for "Grandpa Mike's Turkey Bowl".

 On Sunday after church we played a little more football, and then headed to the circus. 

 

 

 

Fun was had by all, especially me!!!

"The Real Superheroes"

I had an interesting conversation with Connor the other night before bed. It went like this...
 

"Hey Mom, did you know that God blesses all the people in my prayers, like (he then goes on to say every person he has ever come in contact with) AND all the superheroes?". Worried that Halloween got the best of him (the boys were Captain America, Iron Man and the Hulk), I responded with "Connor, you know superheroes aren't real, right?" Connor then tells me in his matter-of-fact voice, "I was talking about the real superheroes, like all the people in the military and the policemen and the firemen." Right on Connor!!!

We are truly grateful to all the real superheroes in America.

THANK YOU to all the servicemen in all the branches of the military!

THANK YOU to all the policemen!

THANK YOU to all the firemen!

Bonus Pictures... Halloween 2012

 

Celebrating Halloween at school with their teachers...

Then off to Auntie Kate's house for some movie sized treats! 

And the grand finale...trick-or-treating!

 

 

May we always remember that we are safe and free because of the real heroes in America!  God bless them always!!!

 

 

I LOVE Tuesdays!!!

I know this is going to sound bad, but it's true so I'm gonna say it.  Tuesday is my favorite day of the week, and has been since Liam, Aidan & Connor were newborns.  On day one my parents told me that they would come over every Tuesday to watch the boys so I can do some errands w/o babies.  Oh my goodness, to get out of the house and have "me time" was literally priceless.  Some times I took complete advantage of getting things done, running from store to store, stocking up on diapers and formula.  Other times I just sat at a park or in a movie theater and did nothing.  I remember one time going to the dentist but feeling like I was at a spa.  It was wonderful! 

My "errand days" ended when the boys started preschool, since I had time to take care of my business when they were at school.  At first I really missed my afternoons off, that is until I had a conversation with my sister-in-law, which whom I respect a great deal.  She has a little girl the same age as my boys and told me that she really cherished the time she had with Sarah, before she goes off to kindergarten.  This conversation really shifted my way of thinking, since spending all day with my boys is limited.  Before I would not turn down a babysitting opportunity, ever!  And now, if someone offered to watch my boys every Tuesday so I could have my errand day back, I would politely decline. 

Tuesdays are the only day of the week that we have NOTHING going on; no school, no gym class, no swim lessons, no library classes... Nothing!  This means Tuesdays are now MY days...  Just me and my boys, and I LOVE every minute of them! 

Just about every Tuesday in our house we are off on an adventure, and oh do we have fun.  We try to go to new and exciting places, all while learning a ton and having a blast.  Since this school year started we have been to Navy Pier a couple times, Brookfield Zoo, a couple Children's museums, a couple pumpkin patches, a play, the movies, and countless parks.  Here are a few pictures from our recent adventures...

 

 

As this post probably shows, I really enjoy giving my boys new experiences, and I know they benefit from them.  I honestly don't care if they remember the cool things we do or places we go.  I know I'll always remember them and cherish the time I have with my sweet and very fun little boys. 

I had to include this picture, to show that our life is not all fun and games.  Here they are working at the kitchen table, practicing their letter formations, ugh! 

I am so incredibly blessed to have the best job on the planet, and am very thankful to my hubby for giving me the opportunity!!! 

Our First Trifecta!

 

Our boys just finished their second soccer season.  We had a very young team this fall, with their whole team being only 4.  Despite this challenge, they had a blast and won about as many games as they lost.  They also learned more about the sport and what it means to be a team player.  

 

Every Saturday during the season the boys had a different audience.  Rick and Elaine came up for their first game (when Craig and I were in Boston :-)), both sets of grandparents made it to least one game, but the luckiest audience by far the C family, who witnessed our first "TRIFECTA".  All three boys scored at least one goal during the same game, which was Connor's first goal ever!  Very exciting last game of the season!!!

 

As if the C family isn't busy enough with their own games, they came out for the boys last game of the season.  And they definitely brought Liam, Aidan & Connor good luck, with all three scoring in the same game!

Way to go Aidan!!!

Towards the end of the game our team was winning by so much Coach Craig benched Liam for not passing the ball and the only team member who was on offence was Aidan.  Worth mentioning, their poor opponents had their 4 previous practices cancelled due to the weather, which makes a big difference when the kids are so new to the game.

 

Awards assembly!

Liam was the top scorer on his team, and most aggressive as well!

Aidan definitely improved the most from the first game of the first season to the last game of this season.  When he remembered to go after the ball he had the skills to get it and do something with it! 

Connor was the number one team motivator, both on and off the field.  He always had a high five to give when a teammate scored a goal and also felt comfortable telling the other team to not go after the ball when he wanted to kick it, which is adorable for a preschool league (but something we will have to eliminate in the very near future :-)).  



Very proud Coach Daddy with his THREE goal scoring boys!