Diego Live!

On February 22nd, we went to see Go Diego Go Live!  The Great Jaguar Rescue        at the Sears Center Arena.

The kids were given Baby Jaguar masks so they could help save the day during the play.

Diego and Alysia.

The Rescue Pack was their favorite character.

Max would not let the popcorn out of his grip.

                                                          Heading home.

Class Trip to the Field Museum

On February 19th Max had a class trip to the Field Museum. He was so cute with all his classmates, acting like T-Rex's. They learned about dinosaurs. 

To answer a question, 

the kids were asked to raise a claw. Max's claw was always in the air. He loves to contribute!

Max got a Plasto-Mold Dinosaur before we left.  He was dino-roaring all the way home.

DuPage Children's Museum

On President's Day, February 18th, we decided to drive out to the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville.  

The kids had fun posing in the shadow room.

Maddie was very involved in

making gigantic bubbles.

What I enjoyed most about this museum was that it was overflowing with mini experiences and then also had a huge large construction area.

Max's favorite part of the place was the air zone.  You put goggles on and play around in this chamber that blows air and spins your pinwheels and blows your hair and cheeks all around.  

More of Max's Birthday

Maddie and Max are anxiously awaiting the arrival of friends for Max's birthday party on February 16th.
Max is unaware that Samantha's Amazing Animals is bringing 10 different live animals to the house to surprise him!


All the kids were so excited and curious when the cages were brought in.



The handler gave Max a safari hat and told him he would be the helper at the party. Here she is showing him the cute little Hedgehog.




One of our favorite animals, the Fennec Fox.






Here is the 8-Banded Armadillo.

The (sort of) skateboarding Ferret.

.........................King of the Wild Things!.........................




Cute little Chinchilla.

I can't remember what kind of bird this was, but the kids got to hypnotize it.

This chocolate colored Raccoon was cute. Max was excited to feed it some Fruit Loops.

Yes, I hired a celebrity for the party. This Coatamundi is famous. He has been on Pet Stars.

Max's favorite, Kiki the Kinkajou, also known as a Honey Bear. He got to feed it and he was very proud of himself. Until it licked him. Then it was all over!

Max's party was a success. His friends stayed to play a little and eat lunch after the show.






Making a wish on the lion cupcakes!

..........................Portrait of a Grateful Boy...............................

Max decided that because he was able to celebrate his birthday on Saturday too, that it must mean that he is another year older. He now thinks he is 5. He tells everyone, and says he can go to Kindergarten next year now. Hmmm....

Max's 4th Birthday!!!!

Max woke up a 4 year old today, February 13th. He got to open his presents before he left for preschool.




He is so excited to be 4!









Donald Duck movie from Grandma.











Playing with his new safari set after school.



Max chose The Rainforest Cafe for his birthday dinner. I knew he would appreciate the decor there.









A crazy balloon animal guy made Max a giraffe and Maddie a monkey.



















The volcano lava cake was exciting for Max when it was delivered to the table, but he still didn't eat any of it!

Oak Lawn Children's Museum

On February 2nd, Todd talked us into driving around Oak Lawn to see if we would like to buy a house there. We stopped off at the teeniest tiniest Children's Museum after driving through the neighborhood. While it may be small, the kids had a lot of fun.




They made paper kites, and then the volunteers hung up the kites on this contraption that then flies the kite around the room. The lights were shaped like clouds, which we thought was really cute.
















Max loved the water table. Here he is gathering up all the sharks.





The giant Legos and Lincoln Logs were a huge hit also.














Todd has always considered himself a very involved dad.










We loved the little bridge that overlooks the semi-frozen river with ducks swimming around in it. If you look closely, you'll see Max giving me a wink.

Rocket Day!

Madeline had been dreaming of and planning a Rocket Day for weeks. On February 1st, she finally had her Rocket Playdate with her friends Emma and Brendan. Max was included of course. This picture shows the kids with the space shuttle cake they made. If you look closely you can see that there are astronauts inside. Our other activities included: Balloon rockets, Touch-a-bubbles, making a Rocket Fort out of blankets and chairs, Bionic Eye microscope, etc. They had a lot of fun!