Holiday Weekend

This year Caroline's birthday fell on Good Friday, just as she was born on Good Friday, which made for a very eventful birthday. Her preschool class had an Easter egg hunt, an Easter party and birthday cupcakes all on her birthday. The kids all screamed, "Happy birthday Caroline!" as soon as we walked in the door which was very sweet. Caroline was thrilled. Can you believe she's five? She's registered and all set for kindergarten this fall.

Dave's in charge of coloring eggs now.

CHICAGO!

The big event that occurs at Jonah's middle school that all the kids anxiously anticipate is the seventh grade field trip to Chicago. Jessie Clark Middle School seventh graders have been making this trip for something like over twenty years, maybe even thirty. The teachers have the trip down to an exact science. The kids spend 3 nights and 3 activity packed days in the Windy City, and without parents. Parents are not allowed to chaperone, only current teachers and even retired teachers. I can't even believe how much they do while they're there.

Wednesday evening: Arrive and check into hotel. Can you imagine checking in with almost 200 kids?
Thursday: Walking tour of city, lunch at Tommy Gun's Garage, Navy Pier with 3-D movie, dinner at Hard Rock, and Hancock Observatory.
Friday: Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, Art Institute, Woodfield Mall, and dinner at Medieval Times
Saturday: Sears Tower, Museum of Science and Industry, depart home to Lexington with driving tour of Windmill Farms in IN.

Wow! I was pretty jealous myself. The teachers said this year they had the best weather they can remember. Plus the trip fell during St. Patrick's Day this year as an added bonus. The teachers made a blog if you're interested... http://jcmschicago.wordpress.com/

Some of Jonah's photos. Chicago skyline.

St. Patty's green fountain.

That is one big mall!

Millennium Park

A cool car! Still some boy in him.

I'm guessing the Field Museum of Natural History.

Medieval Times

Jonah likes Van Gogh.

Machine gun on a submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry.
That's my boy! Loves cars and guns.

I think this the Hancock Observatory. That's Jonah's foot.
This picture makes me nauseous!

The Chicago 2012 field trip class photo. I can't find Jonah in it.
But I know he had an amazing time that I'm sure he'll remember forever.

Take Two!

A little over a week ago Kate asked to get her ears pierced. So I replied, "Of course!" And off we went to the mall to the same place Caroline's were pierced. They do both ears at the same time which I like.

"I want these!" she said.

Little gold and blue butterflies. She didn't cry. She didn't even flinch.
Her future flashed before my eyes and involved many piercings and tattoos.

Time for the traditional post piercing icee. Yum!

The New Schanding Theme Song!

Caroline learned this song at school recently. As you may notice I had to offer make up as a trade for allowing me to video her. This song cracks me up!

Really?!

I don't care how old he is. This is how I'll always see my little boy.
I love you Jonah. Happy 13th birthday!

Happy Presidents' Day!

Put Your Feet Up

When David and I moved into this house, I had my stuff and he had his. And I made him get rid of a lot of his. Except his beloved recliner. "But it's like thirty years old!" he'd say. Sounds like it's time to go to me. But we kept it. It was upstairs for a long time. And then I talked him into finally getting rid of it (like 5+ years later). We had it out on the front lawn. Then once again, he went into his spiel about what a great chair it was and how much he loved it. "Okay let's put it on the back porch for now," I sighed.

My mom came to visit not much later and I started to complain about D's icky chair. Mom just looked at me and said, "Let the man have his chair." Sometimes it just takes a different point of view to see things differently and to change your mind. And I decided yes, if it means that much to him, let him have it. He works very hard, picking up over time, for us that if he wants to relax at the end of the day in his beloved recliner then so be it. But he had to get a cover for it.

Now someone else loves it too and takes her naps in it.
(In fact she's taking a nap in it as I type this!)

Why Not?

At the top of Caroline's Christmas list this year was an American Girl doll. Even though Caroline seems mature for her age, I don't think any four year old is ready for a $100 doll. Luckily some friends had told me about Target's look alike doll for much less, so that's what Caroline received and she was very happy. Surprisingly Caroline received the exact same doll in the Schanding cousin Christmas gift exchange. Caroline however was ecstatic shouting, "Twins!" She named her girls Kara and Karabelle in honor of the cousin who gave her the twin. Interestingly Caroline decided that her twins' birthday would be in January. She made me mark it on the calendar. And she insisted on a birthday party. Which just happened to all fall on MLK day.

Kara and Karabelle with their party dresses on.

Caroline and her girls.

David thought of decorating our own individual pizzas for the birthday meal.
Mmm-mmmm good!

Caroline and I baked a birthday cake. David and Caroline wrapped presents for the twins. Kate decided that it was her piggy bank's birthday too.

Band-aids! Perfect gift for a doll!

I never thought of having a birthday party for dolls, but we had a pretty good time.

Note

Naturally, all parents are excited to hear their child's first words. Something I didn't anticipate was the joy I would feel seeing my children's first written words. I remember bursting into tears the first time Jonah wrote, "I love you mommy." Caroline loves to color, draw, and spell (something she must get from David), and leaves little notes for us to find. I found this one on the front door coming home from work. One of the best birthday presents I ever got.

Me & D QT

Instead of material gifts for Christmas, D and I decided to treat ourselves to a get away trip. Sans children. We looked at flights and such, but decided to pick a city large enough that would be interesting to visit and close enough to drive to. We chose Indianapolis. Large, close, and neither of us had visited. So we dropped off the kiddies with Grandma and Grandpa (Thanks Don & Paula!) and off we went.

The first day we spent downtown. It was snowing pretty heavily and was pretty darn cold. That's what we get for planning a getaway in January. However I thought the snow just made it all the more pretty.

Both of us in Monument Circle, the center of downtown Indianapolis. Very cold and snowy!


D outside of the Colts Grill. We didn't eat there though. Interestingly there were news crews everywhere. We thought they were there because of the snow but found out later some Colts manager was fired. There are tons of shops and restaurants downtown. We had plenty of good food and drink and fun.

The second day we went to the world famous Indianapolis Museum of Art (according to Indianapolis everything there is world famous). It was huge and wonderful. Admission was free (but parking $5). Located there also was a wonderful restaurant (with full bar) where we had lunch. We spent the whole day there.
It was beautiful! I don't know if David just tries to appease me or what, but he always seems very interested in our art museum trips.

They had lots of old, famous art. Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, Degas, Matisse, etc.

...and lots of lesser known, very interesting art. There is an entire floor dedicated to modern art, which inspired lots of debates between D and myself.

Also the museum is located on one hundred acres of grounds with outdoor art at different places. It was cold but sunny, so D and I braved a walk around and didn't regret it.

Later we had some fun with a night on the town of which I didn't get any pictures. Indianapolis also has lots for kids such as a very famous children's museum, zoo, parks, and more. I'd love to go back with the kids. In the summer next time though.