Chicago

We spent 3 days in Chicago (without Chad). I drove out with the 4 kids on Monday, and drove back Friday. Chicago is wonderful, and I loved it. Krista lives in a great and convenient location. It's a short walk to the train station. She showed us some of downtown, we went to the American Girl doll store, Navy pier, a Cub's game, and Lincoln Park Zoo. I went for a great run with her double jog stroller along the lake shore. They have the greatest paths and scenery right there in the downtown. I'm told (by Chad's Aunt Grace a couple years back) that when Chicago burnt down (Chicago fires), they rebuilt it with space along the lake for parks and trails. And the roads are VERY wide with lots of lanes. So the downtown area is really very pleasing and nice. I enjoyed it. They told me Chicago is the third largest city in the US behind New York and LA.

The drive was fine. The kids did great. Going out, we stopped twice. Only once on the way back. I learned quick that once we stop, it's much harder to get started again since it's me with 4 kids. And they love to be out moving. So we listened to some books on tape and watched movies on the laptop. The kids got to where they could change movies and start the next movie with only a little help from me while I drove. And if I got sleepy, which I do very often when driving, I could call someone on the cell phone. I talked to Chad several times, including once when I missed a turn. I looked up my position and got me back going the right way. That way I didn't have to stop and look through maps. Which I could've done, but Chad's a much better GPS system. I caught a cold in Chicago. By the time I got back here to Virginia, my head was nearly exploding (elevation changes and my ears wouldn't pop). I didn't notice it so much while driving, but once in the house, I was in some misery. Think I took some medicine and just fell on the bed asleep.

Easter

Easter was fun. And candy-filled. The kids put Easter buckets at the foot of the beds with grass and a carrot in them. And the Easter bunny left goodies. Plus some stuff from the doll store from us. He also left eggs outside for an egg hunt, including the eggs the kids had decorated. We discovered one that a squirrel had gotten into. He'd bitten a hole getting it open, then chewed open the piece of chocolate and ate it. He left the jelly beans. Pretty funny, really. Kayleigh still fits her last year's Easter dress. She's a short, skinny thing. Thomas got new clothes. And EV got a dress and matching dress for her doll. The outfits came with matching wings and are just adorable. She was crazy about the wings. Melanie also had a cute new dress.

After church, we had an amazing dinner at Aunt Lynne's new house. She's just moved in - it's a new house built right next to her old house and on a little smaller lot. The house is beautiful and very convenient. Huge garage, main bedroom and kitchen (living space) all on the main level, dog bath area. And the dinner was amazing. Kristin had croqueted cute bunnies for the kids and had an egg hunt - this one included lots of cute extras like silly puddy, or "silly pilly" as EV says. Which EV did a fine job of getting in her hair on the car ride home.

Spring Break Is Over

School started up again today. Back to our regularly scheduled chaos. But it's a fun chaos. Signed 3 kids up for swim team today (EV for mini-developmental). Had a 3 hour HOA meeting.