Chicago When It Sizzles!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Fourth of July in Carver

We spent the Fourth of July in Carver, MN.

The morning was spent at a Ward Breakfast in the park.

Afterwards, we went out to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It was really nice. The kids loved the Maze Garden.

Sparklers with the Cousins

Max got a spark on his foot, so he wasn't too happy with the sparkler.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Madeline lost her first tooth today! She was so excited. She came running to me, "I lost my tooth! I lost my tooth! I've been hoping for it to come out!" She has been waiting all year for this moment. She was really envious of all her friends who had lost teeth before her.

We arrived in Minnesota today to visit Brent, Rebecca, Ethan and Ellen for the Fourth of July holiday. She was hanging out with cousin Ellen watching a movie. She said she just wiggled it and it came right out. Ellen was really sweet and made sure that Maddie wrote the tooth fairy a letter to put under her pillow.

The Tooth Fairy did come, and she left Maddie some coins, a poem, a coloring page and some glittery markers.

Dear Madeline,

When I heard you lost a tooth
do you know what I did?
I made a map to visit you
'cause you're a special kid!

First I found out where you were
and I checked my fairy map.
Then I flew to your bedside
where I saw you brand new "gap."

Of course, I took your worn-out tooth
just like I've always done.
But I've left you something nice instead
to help you have some fun!

Love,

The Tooth Fairy

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

7/2/08

I know, not a great picture. It was the best I could do though. We had a lot of fun at the Tom Petty concert with our friends Rob and Marty. Steve Winwood opened the night.

It was really nice to get out without the kids for once!

Taste of Chicago, Ella Jenkins and the American Girl Theatre

7/1/08

After just moving out to our Naperville vacation home the night before, I drove the kids back into the city for the Taste of Chicago. We go every year, and this day was packed full of children's activities. There was a great craft tent set up. Max got his face painting straight away. (Maddie is not a fan of that, so she declined.) Maddie decorated a bag and Max decorated a hat. Then we sat down to enjoy the Ella Jenkins concert. Ella is a Chicago legend. She has been making folk and sing-along music since the 50's. She has a great spirit of kindness about her. Max and Maddie both got asked to come up on stage and help her play some music. It was a great experience.

The kids begged to go on the Carousel and into the Bounce Around. They loved it. Max was very happy that Todd met us there. He always says, "Dad, You're my bestest buddy!"

Maddie loved dressing up like her Bitty Baby to see the Bitty Baby Matinee and the American Girl Ambassadors. American Girl Place is actually shutting down their theatre in September, so this was a great opportunity to see them perform.

Zoo Chat at Brookfield

6/29/08

Hamill Family Play Zoo always has cute critters out for the kids to get a closer look at.

Maddie was asked to swallow that watermelon whole, just like a snake would.

For some reason, she couldn't do it.

Building a shelter outside. The kids had fun driving in the stakes.

Pump It Up

6/25/08

What do you do on a rainy summer day?

Jump in puddles and Pump It Up!

What fun!

Museum of Science and Industry and Maddie's Glass Show

6/20/08

Today we went out to the

The museum had mobile experiment stations throughout the day. This guy helped the kids make slime! It was pretty fun.

In the Crown Space Center the kids were able to drive a Mars Rover.

Because it was a free day, I decided to splurge and get tickets for two special exhibits. Max had been wanting to take U-505 German Submarine tour, so we did that first.

The Glass Experience started out with some beautiful lamps hanging over the exhibits, leading into (my favorite part) Dale Chihuly's Macchia Forest. Max found his favorite piece and asked me to take a picture of him with it. When I looked at the description, it was called Dinosaur. No wonder Max loved it! I think the artist would be pleased to know that his concept definitely shines through! The coolest part of the exhibit was the viewing area for live glass blowing presentations. It was really interesting to see the whole process of heating, pigmenting and blowing glass into a vase. After the show, Maddie asked one of the artists about a spaceship she saw in the display. He told her that a kid designed it and they made it for him. He then told her that she could try to design something too. There was a "You Design It We Build It" show coming up in just 20 minutes. The kids ran over to the design tent and started drawing up a storm. Maddie drew a fabulous and colorful picture of Saturn. Max drew a yellow pineapple planet. We dropped the pictures into a big bin, and then went to sit down for show.

When they started the show, I thought there was no way they had picked Maddie's drawing. We never saw them go to the back to get the drawings and assumed they had already picked one from a previous pile. But then they announced they were making Saturn that Madeline designed! Maddie was so excited, but shy at the same time. She drew her knees up to her chin, almost hiding her big smile! Throughout the whole show, they asked Maddie for her opinions on how she wanted the piece to turn out. She was able to pick the colors and size and what type of bowl it would be. To think out of the thousands of peole at the museum that day, Maddie's drawing was picked. It was a great experience. When she found out that she was going to be able to take her Saturn home to keep, she immediately started thinking of the perfect place for it! Max didn't pay attention to the show at all. When he realized they had made Maddie's drawing he said, "Really? They did? When are they going to make mine?" He was quite grumbly when I told him they only pick one.

Maddie's Glass Experience