There's no place like home

This week we traveled  to San Diego for a vacation, leaving our baby with Grandma and Grandpa. For her she was so excited. New toys to play with, the fun of hanging out with the grandparents, and having a whirlwind of activities that were planned. 

For us parents all we can think of is how much fun this would be with Harper, she would love all the animals, and look at the kids games for when she is with us next time. We were happy not to have her with us during the 2 1/2 hour delay out of O'Hare airport and the late nights of dinners, comedy and outings. But we miss our nugget. She is so entwined in our lives that even when we are frustrated with her antics, we miss her when she isn't with us. 

I am looking forward to bringing her to the Safari Park. It was neat to see animals wondering the open fields including rhinos and giraffes which are are her favorite. We bought her a beautiful safari outfit complete with sunglasses and a stuffed giraffe. 

  

I know she will love exploring the Midway Carrier in the bay just like we did. I am excited to go on the hunt for things thought the ship and when she finds them all she will earn her Junior Pilot Wings. 

I hope she appreciates the vacations and trips more than I did as a kid. There are so many interesting and exciting places to see and things to do. I want her to experience all of them. Those adventures shape our experiences and I love to see that twinkle in her eye as she stumbles onto something new.

Keep exploring......

The Museum

On Tuesday, Feb 18, 2014 we piled into the car and headed toward the city. A big day. It would be Harper's first trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. We met Uncle Tim, Aunt Jess, and cousins Jonathan and Andrew for a day of adventure. First up, the trains and farm exhibits. By then we stopped for lunch. Our favorite new exhibit is the weather exhibit. Harper loved the simulation wave and tornado machines, Jonathan used solar power to make a car go and stop, and Andrew slept. We visited the U-boat exhibit but Harper crashed by this point in the day. So the others went on the tour while I visited the kiosks.

After the museum fun, we went downtown for a surprise dinner at the Rainforest Cafe and dessert at the two story McDonalds. It was a very long day but the kids had a great time.

Peaceful Mornings

I always feel peaceful mornings are the calm before the storm. And before you know it.....their over. 

Milk dumped out on the I Pad, pillows and blankets spilled over the floor, the Disney channel rambling, and the phone ringing. But it's ok cause I'm a mom. Or am I? While I wouldn't give this up, there are days I wish I could run to the store without carrying in a toddler, diaper bag and purse. Then having to say an endless barrage of "no's" as things come off the shelves and racks. There are days I just want to go to the movies, or watch something other than a cartoon, or get some work done without interruption, or cook dinner without a child wrapped around my leg.

Then back to a peaceful morning. She sat on my bedroom floor presented the remote and said "TV". Then asked daddy to sit with her. Cuddles and love all around. Her smiles and endless kisses remind me she is the best baby. And she is all mine.