The Shedd

Tuesday's stop was the Shedd Aquamarine. We had HIGH expectations for this place and the variety of life that was contained in such a small place was neat. Spencer and Madi really enjoyed the aquatic show which was beluga whales and pacific coast dolphins. Spencer giggled the whole time. Most of the other items were hard for Spencer to grasp, but he did well and was happy to finally see Nemo and Dora.

 Spencer enjoyed "The Rivers" in which a play camp site was set up. He loved the canoe.

Most of the museums have had 3D or 4D movies, which were also pretty neat. We have all done well manouvering through Chicago's mass transit system. We have experienced some hiccups due to a down subway and thousands of commuters not having a way except for the bus (the one we happen to be on).
So far we have traveled by car, plane, taxi, subway, the L, bus and Metra (high speed trains).

MIS

The Museum of Science and Industry was our stop for Monday. This place was sooo amazing. Everyone had an absolute blast and there was plenty of hands on things for Spencer to touch and do. One of the most amazing things was the viewing of the first U-505 German submarine that was captured during WWII. The history behind the U boats and the untold stories were simply amazing. Unfortunately, the pictures I did take don't do it justice, so I didn't post them here.

 Madi and Justin went into the 80 mph wind machine. This picture just cracks me up.

 We avoided the Agriculture area until the very end because of the two very large John Deere tractors that were there. Spencer thought they were there just for him. He was sooo excited to crawl up and drive. Every button was pushed, every wheel was turned and he grinned the entire time.

We decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Madison was in heaven the entire time.

The Day at the Museum

We started our day at the Field Museum where I was excited to Sue, the largest and most complete T-rex ever found. Sue was found in 1990 in the Badlands of South Dakota. Justin and I moved to South Dakota in 1994 and it was during this time when the fight for Sue began. The people of South Dakota really wanted to keep her in South Dakota and a large number of businessmen grouped together to try and keep (buy) her. Unfortunately all of the businessmen  (including the one I worked for at the time) in South Dakota couldn't compete with the big money of Chicago.
Sue was every bit of amazing and so was the museum. If you have ever seen "Night at the Museum" you would swear you were on the movie set.

It was 96 degrees in Chicago and we were all hot, tired and hungry and thank goodness for the McDonald's at the Field Museum. We grabbed lunch and 6 hours later took a break at the hotel. I asked Spencer was his favorite thing was,
"my toy from McDonalds."
I'm so glad we went to the museum for the McDonald's toy.

We finished the day at Willis Tower (Sears Tower) and the Sky Deck. Let's just say that the family had a blast. A blast of watching me freak out.

• 4 elevator rides to the top that were hot and stuffy and JAMMED pack full of people speaking four different languages.
• The elevators swaying and the feeling on the 99th floor of movement.
• Looking out the window and watching a helicopter go by BELOW us.

We finally got to the top floor (103 or 104), I really don't know because I stopped looking.
It was really hot and packed full of people, but we managed to get to see some great views. I waited with the stroller why the other three ventured out onto the glass floor.

 We finished the evening with pizza pie. An old pizzeria that is famous for their pizza pies. Needless to say, we came away STUFFED.

After all of that, we came back to the hotel and crashed!!

Vacation Antics

We hadn't even started our vacation yet and Spencer's antics were in high gear. We got the suitcases down on Thursday and he couldn't contain the urge to put stuff inside. It was a great motivator to get him to go to sleep that night with the thought of us being able to pack on Friday.
He helped everyone pack on Friday night and Saturday morning came E-A-R-L-Y. Not because our flight left early, but because Spencer came in at 6:30am, two inches from my face and whispered,
"mama, get up, it is time to get on the airplane!"
He was so excited to go. This was going to be the first time he remembers being on the plane.

Our friend Becky drove us to the airport and when she asked Spencer where we were going, he replied,
"on cation to Cago."

We made it to Kansas City with grins, wanting to fly the plane, giggles and watching out the window. He LOVED the plane. We headed to Chicago and the flight was much quieter.

The taxi ride to the hotel was like a roller coaster; hanging on for dear life! Spencer was back seat driving and kept asking the cabbie, "Why you driving so fast?"
Ahh, the honest of a 3 year old.

Prove It

Today was an awful day. Someone stole my wallet. Yes, this probably happens all over the world to hundreds or thousands of people each day. Today it happened to me and it is awful.

I have no driver's license or photo ID of any kind.
I have no Social Security card.
I have no debit or ATM cards.
I have no credit cards.
I have no insurance cards.
Someone has all of our (my entire family) social security numbers.

It probably took someone less than a minute to steal my wallet and I have so far spent about 3 hours trying to get it fixed. Tomorrow I will probably spend at least another 4-5 hours trying to prove who I am.

Thank goodness for the lady at work who stayed past 5 o'clock in order to get me a new work ID (with a picture on it). I will go to get a new driver's license tomorrow armed with my birth certificate and work ID to prove who I am. These are the only two things I have to prove my identity.

Next is on to the Social Security office. I will have to show them my newly acquired driver's license in order to apply for a new card.  Then to the bank to get new debit cards also with my new driver's license.
The list goes on and on.

When this first happened, I was in shock. Freaked out, what do I do, kinda at a standstill.
Now I am mad, ANGRY to be exact.

I ate lunch in the cafeteria of OU Children's Hospital, right next door to my building. My entire day is spent running tests on children and adults from OU Medical Center.  The only reason you come to OU Children's Hospital is because you have a child there or you are visiting a child there. So what disturbs me beyond words is that someone would steal from someone who is helping the children in the hospital.
I have a pit in my stomach because of this.

I learned so many lessons from this today.

EEEEKKKK

I came home last Friday evening and pulled into the garage like normal. I had some trash in my van (like I always do), so I went to throw it in the trash bin. I was about two steps away when a black head and slithering tongue came up out of the grass.
B-A-C-K
A-W-A-Y
SLOOOOOWWWWLLYYY

Holy, cow! Run to the front door and poke my head in and ask Justin if he can come kill a snake for me. He nonchalantly says yes and says he will be out in a minute.
A minute, the ginormous slithering thing could go into the garage, no I need you now!
Justin was TOTALLY thinking that this was a garter snake.
Nope,
not even close.
It took MULTIPLE stabs with the garden hoe to stop it from moving.  It kept twitching, eeeewwww.
Yes, I scream like a girl and I am pretty sure they heard me in Indiana.

She's Growing Up

The dance studio had picture day at the beginning of April. Unfortunately, Madison had a horrible reaction to getting her eyebrows waxed (which she had done many times before). This time was WAAAAYY different. The poor girl lost some serious skin and it was so swollen and red. She posed for the studio pictures, but we did not purchase them. I didn't want to buy them just for the sake of buying them and also, I can do them myself. So, here is my gorgeous girl, who is growing up so fast. SIGH

Solo Hip Hop

Group Hip Hop

Group Lyrical

Mama's favorite

Jazz Band

Every Thursday since the end of January, Madison has been going to the high school for 8th grade jazz band. The high school band director began teaching them four songs. They worked hard and their concert was scheduled for April 13th. Due to a tornado, the show was postponed. At the end of April the Spring band concert was held. It included performances by:

• 8th grade jazz band consisting of kids from two different Jr. Highs
• 8th grade symphonic bands (each Jr. High played)
• High school jazz band
• High school competitive jazz band
• High school marching band

Needless to say, it was booming in the gymnasium! The 8th grade jazz band rocked it out. It was sooooooo cool to see Madi playing her bass. She got a lot of looks being a girl playing that guitar! She rocked it!
Actually all of the bands were awesome. The 8th graders will begin practicing on May 7th as part of the High School Marching Band. Practices will take place all summer long. These kids were great to watch, can't wait until football season to see them in action!

Hair Cut

Spencer does NOT like having anything in his hair. It must be brushed down flat and don't ever try to put gel in it, unless you are Gina.
Gina is our hairdresser and he is obbessed with her.
Gina is the ONLY one allowed to put gel in his hair.

He looks like he is five years old.
At least is only lasts one day.

Easter Pictures

 

Nothing too interesting to report here, except some family photos. Spencer is almost impossible to get to sit still for a picture. He cracks me up.

 CHEESE!

 Madison is definitely growing up. SIGH

Dance

Madison's dance competition schedule began the second week in March. We have had a total of three in about 6 weeks time. 

Competitions are long and exhausting. She has a hip hop solo, which I LOVE to watch. She also dances in two group dances, lyrical and hip hop.

 

Talent on Parade was her first competition. She received a Gold award for her solo and 6th overall in her age category.

 

Dance Masters of America she received a High Silver.

Showstoppers she received a Gold and her lyrical group received a Gold and 1st overall.

Her last performance was outstanding. She did a wonderful job and she put in a lot of work.

For now she is still practicing three days a week, until the recital in mid-June. After that she will be done.

Let me 'splain....

So, it has been a month and a half since I was last able to blog. A LOT has happened and there is no way to fill you in on everything. I will begin with some summaries and go from there. From my favorite movie, The Princess Bride:
"Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up."