Free Ice Cream and other fun stuff

Tuesday Ben & Jerry's(Tom & Jerry's to Alex) had their day of free ice cream so we headed to Wayzata to wait in line. Mostly High School kids were in line and thought it was ok to get in line again. We had to eat in the car because it was cold and windy by the still icy lake. Thursday I got to read a book to Evan's class, because he was Star of the Week. I read Duck & Goose which is a cute story about a duck and goose who find an "egg" which is really a ball and they become friends while waiting for it to hatch. Evan and his class are piloting a program called Vinci which is a tablet they use to build math skills. After the story they spent 20 minutes working on them. It was interesting to watch them ask questions when they got stuck and see how some sit at tables and some on the floor. The garage floor was really dirty and dusty from this long winter so we mopped it. Saturday night we grilled out and ate on the deck! Sunday was not so nice. Alex used some birthday money to buy this new Lego set. He did these two pieces with a little help mostly on his own reading the instructions. Saturday the Lionel catalogs came in the mail and Alex was dreaming about all the trains he wants to buy!

Check this out!

I can't stop laughing!

Evan's First Time Riding Without Training Wheels!

We were hoping to get Evan to be able to ride his bike without training wheels last year.  Somehow, that didn't happen.  So, we made it our mission this year to make it happen before summer.  Last week, Sophie was riding her bike with only one training wheel.  So, when we got home, we tried that and it must have really helped Evan.  Today, with some help from mom, dad, and Sabrina (Evan and Alex's friend next door), Evan was able to ride his bike without training wheels.  We're very proud of him!

Alex goes to Chicago

About 18 months ago, Evan asked me to take him on an airplane ride.  So, I took him to Chicago for a couple days.  You can see those pictures at: http://ericdenise.blogspot.com/2012/10/evan-goes-to-chicago.html.  As soon as Alex turned five, he asked if I would take him to Chicago. So, Alex and I took off and went to Chicago for a couple days.  Here's some great memories of our trip.

 

We parked at Terminal 2 at MSP and took the light rail to Terminal 1.  I knew Alex would want to ride as many trains as possible.

Dad!  Let's follow this pilot.  He looks like he knows where he's going!

It's like an escalator but flat!

Can't wait to get on the plane!



iPad, check.  Headphones, check.  Looks like I'm ready to go!

We flew into Midway Airport in Chicago and Alex liked this plane hanging from the ceiling.

More trains!  We took the Orange Line into "The Loop".

Great sights from the "el".

Marina Towers on the Chicago River.

Stayed at the Spring Hill Suites just north of the River.  They have a pool on the 27th floor!

Hard Rock Cafe

Nothing exciting, but Alex wanted me to take a picture of this bird.

Had lunch at Portillo's.

Alex.  How's that hot dog?

Buckingham Fountain.  Unfortunately, it wasn't running yet.

It was fun this trip to learn more about how different Alex and Evan could be.  Alex could care less about the sights.  If we saw a dump truck or a street sweeper, he was all over that.  When Evan and I went to Chicago, he wouldn't let go of my hand and was so afraid of getting lost.  Alex on the other hand had no problem walking independently.

Lion at the Art Institute

Dad, can we go for a bike ride?  Do they have a smaller bike?

Cloud Gate.  Also known as "The bean".

We're still the masters at self portraits!

Taking in the view along the Chicago River.

A billboard with a monkey on it.  Unfortunately, the monkey on his shirt didn't make the photo.

After going back to the hotel to warm up a little bit, we went to Lou Malnati's for some authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.

Wow.  That's a lot of sausage on this pizza.  It's an entire patty covering the pizza.

Alex passes out after a little swimming.

The next day, Steph and Scott picked us up and took us to Navy Pier.  We are so thankful they could spend the day with Alex and I just like they did when Evan and I were there. 

The Chicago Children's Museum is at Navy Pier.  So, Alex got to do all kinds of cool stuff while Scott, Steph, and I watched him play.

Dad!  I'm building a house.

Safety First!

I think Alex spent over an hour just playing in their fireman's exhibit.

This Ferris Wheel is missing something.  They must be fixing the cars during the construction going on at the pier.

Dad.  Can we have a boat big enough to need an anchor this big?

Beer Garden....open seasonally....and apparently it's not beer season quite yet.

Having fun with the crane in the water lab at the museum.

A little licorice at O'Hare Airport while we wait for our flight.

They have a cool play area at O'Hare for kids.  Alex played for over an hour with several other kids.  He's so social. 

Cool sunset at 15,000 feet.



More iPad and headphones for the flight home. 

Our flight landed around 8:30 PM (which is after Alex's typical bedtime).  He stayed awake as long as he could.  About 4 miles from home, his speech was slurred and becoming incoherent.  This is what he looked like when we got home at 9:40 PM.

Alex,

I hope you enjoyed your trip to Chicago.  We'll all be back in a couple months for Megan's graduation.  Then, all of us will be going to Orlando again this winter to ride some rides.  Perhaps, you, Evan, and I can go somewhere fun next (perhaps I'll take mommy somewhere fun too)!