Easter Egg Hunt

Ah the brave souls... Well we tried to be.  Last Saturday Amy, Tommy, Jack, Dillan, and I bundled up and headed down to Soldier Field for the 10th Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza.  We knew it was going to crazy busy and probably slightly chaotic but we went any way.  It wasn't too cold.  Ended up being mostly sunny despite the forecast.  

We got down there very early, which we found out not to be necessary.  Inside we found so many wide open spaces to run around.  Jack and Dillan had a blast.  They ran in circles.  They chased each other.  They chased Tommy, or Amy, or me.  So much fun.  Great exercise and lots of fresh air.  We mostly skipped the other activities to do - face painting, dancing, spin-the-wheel, giant slide, giant train, etc.  there was quite a bit, if you didn't mind waiting in long lines.  





 
When the time came, we headed to the stands.  Unfortunately we followed directions and sat in some seats.  After a welcome and a few announcements, everyone went to line up.  There were supposed to be age groups but judging from the kids running around on the field, that didn't happen.  Sadly the section we were directed to was the furthest from any stairs down to the field.  
 
 

 
We waited, and waited, and waited... hardly moved after 40 minutes.  40 minutes of carrying a baby, wiggling, fussing, getting hungry (and trying to feed) with the crowd all around.  Not fun.  We decided that it was time to go.  As we tried to turn around poor little Dillan spit up all over me and him.  That sealed the deal, get out of here any way possible.  We climbed over seats, said a lot of excuse me's and finally reached the top.  We raced for the exit, I stopped to grab a couple eggs for the kids.  A token that we were actually there since our Easter baskets went home empty.  On our way back to the car, poor Jack lost it.  A kind lady asked if he was ok.  Amy replied yes but we didn't make it on to the field.  She reached into her kid's basket and tossed a handful of things into Jack's basket.  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.  what a nice person!  Jack perked up in the car as he sorted through his treasures.  Dillan immediately crashed in his car seat.  It was a quick exit but a mostly fun time.  

Next year, if we go.  We'll know what to do.... not follow directions.    

   

goofy

Some times it's fun to be goofy.

Shortly after Dillan was born a "ex" relative made him a hat, sweater, and blanket set.  it was really cute but quite big at the time.  a year later it fits... so we had some fun trying them on.

cooking

I love to cook and bake.  I wish I had more time and more room in my kitchen to do this.  Hopefully once we move out of our current apartment, I'll have the space.  Also my son will be older and able to entertain himself better... hopefully.  :)

A couple years ago I was introduced to "The Pioneer Woman" by a friend of a friend.  She had made a several of her recipes and told me about them.  I made a few of them and really enjoyed them.  I had never explored her blog or even watched her TV show, until recently.  I have to admit I struggled to see the "pioneer" in her pioneer woman.  Yes, she lives in the middle of nowhere on a farm but she has the most fabulous kitchen.  A dream kitchen of mine.  When I think of pioneer, I think cooking and baking with everything you grow or hand-make, also probably using a wood-fire stove.  I decided that even though she's not the pioneer I picture, I will still enjoy her recipes and watching her show... maybe do a bit of dreaming about her kitchen too. 

I think I'll pass on this pioneer kitchen...

Apartment - baby's room

It wasn't hard to pick the room for our soon-to-be-born baby when we moved in...

Not only was the room smaller, it had a nice border in the room perfect for a new baby.  It also had two closets. Which was nice for storage but when the baby was sleeping, it made it hard to access what was in the closets... like toilet paper.  :)

We have made it work, lots of planning ahead.

 We did add a few of our own touches with the existing nails.  After trying to nail one nail in, shortly after moving in, and hearing the amount of dry wall crumbing, we decided it best to not try to nail any more.  We used existing nails and holes in the walls to hang anything we wanted.  The only bad thing about the baby's room is the fact that it opens directly into the kitchen.  As Dillan becomes a better sleeper, I am becoming more comfortable about doing things in the kitchen.  However I try to stay away from doing dishes... one crash and I'm sure he'll wake up. 

snow day

It's a little late in the season for snow but when we've gotten almost nothing to date, it's good to have several inches over the last few weeks.  Better late than never... but as I always say, "I'd rather have snow in February and March than May and June."  

Dillan enjoys the snow.  Now that his snowsuit fits better, he can move around more and have more fun.  I built the snowman and Dillan attacked it.

40

yup, made it... the summit.   

Summit

You always hear phrases like "over the hill" and "it's all down hill from here".  From everything I've heard over the years it sounds like tomorrow I reach the summit and then... I'll be over the hill.

Apartment - Bathroom

Probably the most unique place in our apartment is the bathroom. Words can hardly explain it.  It was probably the height of fashion in the 1950's... maybe.  It's a lovely shade of lavender and pale green.  Including colored tiles on the wall and floor, which have been cleaned so many times the color is starting to fade.  The inside of the bowl of the sink has been repainted at least twice that we can tell by the chipping that has occurred.  There is only one towel rack... in the shower.  There is a heater, which makes a nice towel warmer in the winter, and a window to let in some nice breeze when the weather is warm and keeps the shower cold in the winter.   Our sage and clay colored towels really add to the warmth of the bathroom. 

I could hardly get a picture that would capture the real essence of the color of the bathroom.  The worst part of the bathroom is you can spend 45 minutes cleaning and scrubbing it but it never looks clean.  It's a bit depressing but you keep at it every week cause you know it's clean even if it doesn't look it.