Two things this month will go into the (family) history books. We got a new (to us) car! And we went to Chicago!
First, the car. Since we got it at the very beginning of the month, I felt a little weird leaving it out of last month's blog. We already had it when I posted . It's a 2011 Honda CRV, Opal Sage. I'll spare you a picture since there are a MILLION of these cars driving around Atascadero alone. I exaggerate. It's not a unique car, but we like it.
She's such a funny girl. In last month's blog I mentioned her putting on glasses. This was at our credit union, getting financing for our car.
She's so adventurous. She tries to emulate everything Brother does, including driving the swing car and running all over gymnastics. Her proudest moment this month was learning to climb up into her booster chair (it's high!) and a day or so later, learning to climb down too.
On April 15th (Brian's birthday), we woke up around 4:00 am to get to the airport around 5:00 am, to go to Chicago!!
It was so exciting to get to the SLO airport, check in, go through security, board a little airplane, and fly! The Seven Sister mountains in SLO were just peeking above the fog. Beautiful!
It was easier to take pictures with the nice camera in the big jet to Chicago! Can you believe I almost didn't bring the nice camera?!? Man, I would have regretted that decision. Gion gave Everett a new Dusty plane when we started our adventure, and he was a near constant companion. Mickey came too.
Lydia did really well on the way out. She moved from lap to lap, played with seat belts, and slept a little.
An awkward picture from the trip to Chicago. Hey! I'm not in that many pictures! I need to include myself a few times.
We landed at O'Hare Tuesday afternoon and took the blue line of the "L" downtown. It was pretty chilly, but we made it to our hotel.
I added in some out-of-order pictures to show off the Silversmith Hotel a bit. Beautiful and very hip. Apparently they just reopened after a big renovation. Fancy. And right in "the loop." So cool.
Tuesday evening we had dinner at The Gauge with Katie and her friends Zippy and Jason. Yummy food. Brian got a candle in his gourmet sundae. Happy 31st birthday to my favorite person!
After Lydia's nap, and a little R&R for the rest of us, we went out (just a couple blocks from our hotel!) to check out Millennium Park and "the bean." Of course, our little narcissist loved it.
Then we went over to the faces fountain. While in Millennium Park, I got a text from my Cousin Bill. His new job is really close to where we were, so he popped by and we made plans to meet later for dinner. We ate at Blackfish.
Thursday was Shed Aquarium day!
Katie's birthday present to Everett (or was it to Brian?) was a "penguin experience." Brian, Everett, and I got to go behind the scenes (first meeting in a very fancy formal office, then going through the damp, cement corridors) to meet (and touch!) a Magellanic penguin! What did Everett like most? The penguin (Iris) sneezing on me! She was expelling salt.
While we were in our experience, Lydia stayed with Phil and Gion. Apparently she spent most of the time climbing in and out of her stroller.
The collage below shows a poster for Sea Monster 4D. That show was amazing! 3D movie, moving seats, squirting water, lights, bubbles! It was pretty cool.
Thursday Evening, Katie met the group (sans me and Lydia--who was napping upstairs) for drinks in the hotel bar. We then rode in taxis to get tapas (taxis to get tapas--ha!) at Cafe Baba Reeba. Cousin Bill was able to join us again and we got to meet Katie's friend Steven. Lydia likes dipping. Bravo to a restaurant that brings carrots and humus to the kids first thing!
Friday started at The Field Museum! I think I was the most excited. Fossils!!
Everett could have spent the entire visit at this touch screen computer puzzle of a T-Rex skeleton. Waaaaaay cooler than the ACTUAL T-Rex skull right behind him *eye roll*. Kid loves technology and puzzles.
The collage has a picture of Everett with a taxidermied flamingo. He was way more interested in the historical taxidermy than I would have expected. Funny.
After The Field Museum, I left the group and spent a lovely afternoon at The Chicago Art Institute with some new friends like the John Singer Sargent above. What a wonderful museum! I'm so happy I got to spend some time there, and I can't wait to go back!
The rest of the group spent their afternoon at The Museum of Science and Industry. Happily, Katie was able to meet them there. Bill joined us for The Field AND the Museum of Science and Industry! So great to have family in the big city.
Friday Evening, we enjoyed Indian food at Cumin in Wicker Park, Katie's neighborhood. Everett likes Mango Lasses--not surprised, sad he'd never had one before.
Saturday morning we packed up and went back to Wicker Park. We got to see Katie's place and left our luggage there while we went to brunch at The Smoke Daddy. Bloody Marys, monkey bread, and BBQ. Mmmm.
Then we called a cab and headed back to O'Hare!
Did you know O'Hare has a full size dinosaur?!? Ok. It's a replica of one that's at The Field, but it's pretty cool, and it has more room to stretch UP at the airport! But I don't think they stretched up, right? Hmm. I watch too many dinosaur shows.
The flight back was good. Lydia was a bit more cranky, but Everett slept almost the whole way from Chicago to LA.
Brian found this. The um center.
We had such an amazing trip that we will remember forever. We can't thank Phil and Gion enough. Traveling with grandparents--I highly recommend it!
From Facebook: "Even before seeing his modest Easter basket, Everett was dubious about a magical bunny bringing him treats. Raising a skeptic is both thrilling and a little bit of a buzzkill."
Ok. They were modest Easter baskets, Lydia's eggs were filled with snacks from the trip, but they had Easter baskets! The morning after a HUGE trip that we got home from after 10 pm the night before. Proud mama moment.
Our Easter was made even more special because the Hunters hosted their annual Easter party. And happily, my parents were able to join us once again.
The day after Easter we had a play date with Juliette and Adrian. The boys decided they wanted to hunt for eggs. So Juliette and I hid empty eggs for them to find. Then each family took a section to hide and we switched to hunt. Fun. So sad these friends are leaving us for Portland. We will miss them. But I'm sure they will thrive there.
I never put them in overalls, but Brian did, and it's oh so cute.
Farmer baby.
Brian was home and Everett was with Phil and Gion, so we took Lydia shopping for pirate party stuff and ate at Taco Temple. It was our first time ever! Pretty amazing for locals. Again. She loves to dip.
Brian made a hairpin leg bench. Lydia did not want to pose on top of it.
Brian's building a pirate ship for Everett's party. He's helping, a bit.
Last weekend we decided to pop over to Morro Bay to check out the Kite festival. We ran into Gion there!! Well, we knew she was there. But we didn't know she'd still be there when we finally arrived.
Everett's been doing great at his full day of school once a week. He's actually started to ask why he doesn't get to stay the full time both days. And he especially loves being picked up by his grandparents who bring him special treats. Lydia's been doing well at Phil and Gion's all day too. I had to take this picture because the kids look so coordinated, but they were dressed separately. E by me, L by Gion.
As you can see by the outfits, it's been getting warm around here. The leaves have come in and all the flowers are blooming. Beautiful!
It's been an amazing month. Truly one to remember. I actually wish May would calm down a bit in comparison, bit it's sure to be exciting with Everett's birthday party and beyond.
