Spring Weekend: Same Song Different Verse

Once we find something we like or a restaurant we enjoy, we tend to go back over and over again. Call us traditionalists. Knowing that P's parents enjoy Mexican food and claim that you can't get any good Tex Mex in Chicagoland, we knew we'd have to take them to our new "fav" cantina!

The fact that the weather was fabulous and we had a few hours to kill before the big fundraiser at C's school, we decided we should go to the Art Museum Saturday morning and then go out for lunch on the patio again.  It was perfect.

While the art museum was crowded, we took in the outdoor exhibits and open space. Miss A played a game of chase with her father, Miss M strolled among the art taking in the beauty, and Mr C tried out his new cell phone ( his mother might have washed his previous one!) and we all couldn't believe it was still only March.

It was a perfect Saturday afternoon.  We had a fabulous lunch, enjoyed the conversation and just soaked up the rays on the patio.  I think that Mr C is trying to figure out how he could get a condo at the complex and see not only the sights of downtown from his bedroom, but order Catina takeout every night for dinner.  Maybe this will be our trump card to get our son to stay in our hometown after college.

Checking Items off the List

The girls' list for Spring Break was 10 items long and I'm happy to say that we completed 8 of the ideas listed. By Thursday night, it appeared that we would do all but one of the items on the list; the Flower Garden This was primarily because it's still too early to really look at any live flowers.  However, we decided to postpone Friday's trip to the Zoo and take a trip to Charming Charlies instead.

The mother needed some jewels to wear for the fancy fundraiser on Saturday night and that need trumped the trip to the Zoo. I don't think the girls minded the delay too much, as they both walked out of the store with new "bling" too.  Come to think of it their items cost more than mine did.  I'm not doing this right!

Of course, you can't really decide on the perfect piece of jewelry or fancy flip flops without first making a trip to Krispy Kreme for "Hot and Now" Donuts.  I know that the list only asked for donuts for breakfast and not a trip to the donut store, but we figured "go big or go home."  Miss A claims she's never been to a Krispy Kreme store before.  She might be right, we do deprive our children of these rites of "donut" passage.  Now, she can say she's not only been there, she's worn an awesome hat to celebrate all things donuts.

The rest of Friday was spent waiting for the arrival of the grands from Chicago. We called this week our grandparent bonus week.  First my parents returned from two months in the sunshine, and now P's parents were coming in to celebrate the boys birthdays!  Yeah.  The girls have really missed having these special people around to share secrets, give hugs, and enjoy the spoiling they give out freely.

Spring Break Take Two: I'm Gonna Need a Vacation Afterwards

It's spring break for the girls this week and let me tell you they were convinced that we needed to plan some "fun."  Miss M and Miss A put together a "Spring Break To Do List" of all the activities they hoped to accomplish in five short days.  I have no idea where they get this list making gene! Wink Wink.

On the list were plans for shopping trips, movie dates, pottery making, donut buying, zoo walking, and a few at home activities with crafts, AG dolls and the like. The consistent theme was that the mother would act as Cruise Director and take them to and from events and of course buy said tickets, items, and admissions.

I might need a part time job this summer if this week's escapade are any indication of the summer of fun they have planned.  I'm thinking we might move out to the lake for the summer.  It is further away from "distractions" like Hobby Lobby and the Mall/Movie Theater.

We've been having a great time and I'm pleased to say with two weekdays left, we have accomplished about half of the list.  My laundry and 40 Bags however have suffered. I'll be back on the chore wagon next week.  At least that's what I keep telling myself. These days of wanting to hang with mom and take in the sights as a crew of three are short while the laundry will always be there. 

A very successful week started with new hair do's for spring.  This was quickly followed by a trip to the Mall where we picked up flip flops and spring tops.  We've also gone to see the Lorax Movie and pretended to be "girls in the hood" cause we sported hoodies to protect our hair from whatever lurks in the movie theater seats.  Yesterday, we went to the Pottery Place to create works of art to display in our home and Nana even got to come along.  I opted to knit while they painted because paint and I are not friends.  The girls, however, got the artist gene and I love to watch them create! 

Today, it's cookie baking with Nana, visit to the Park, and then maybe a trip to Walmart (OK, that is for me, but I really need a few things).  We call this the low key day! Tomorrow, it is the Zoo!  Who says you have to leave town to have fun.  Spring Break "staycation" rocks.

Granparents Visit and Fun is Had By All

Spring Break was capped off by a visit from the Grandparents. After a very long winter...very long and cold and snowy winter...it was nice to see their friendly faces again.

We had our traditional Norwegian Meatballs the first night for dinner, but we "spiced" things up a bit with lunch the next day at a family owned Mexican Restaurant followed by shopping for Mexican Pottery. Lets just say Miss A and I will be going back to the Hispanic Neighborhood soon with an empty trunk so we can bring some some great new outdoor pots for our **flourishing gardens**. (Remember I'm still taking suggestions on what to plant-feel free to jump in)

There was also plenty of time for knitting lessons with Bestemor, playing Guess Who with Bestefar, and swimming at the hotel pool. Mr C. got to celebrate his birthday one more time because once or twice is never enough when you are 13. We had time for afternoon coffee/hot chocolate and loved giving Bestemor her new Garden Scooter. We expect her to become very hip around her neighborhood. (while resting her hips)

Miss M working on her Knitting while Bestemor looks on; Miss A wearing Bestemor's Scarf-amazingly it made it back in the suitcase for her trip home; Mr C. with his new Crank Flashlight from LL Bean-no batteries needed. He thinks it will be perfect as a nightlight this summer at Boy Scout Camp- it will stay on until it runs out of juice.

Miss A finally gets to be in the water for real, no fear of water in the ear anymore. Swimming lessons aren't far behind us now!!

Bestemor even helped Mom with some curtain ideas for the "new" family room and kitchen. Now we just need to pick out the paint! Hint Hint Honey. Love to have a fresh set of eyes to look at our project in process.

Mr. C then had a weekend trip planned to Church Camp. He loved it. It was hilarious to hear him comment on the difference between Church Camp and camping with the Boy Scouts. I think he believes that Christians are use to amenities and, as he said, "luxury accommodations." He had a great time and, while he was sad to miss out on the grands visit, it was a great weekend for him and his faith journey.

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I think Christians are a alot like Girl Scout Leaders!! At least this GS leader. Bring on the inside toilets and cabins with bunk beds and AC.

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It was a great final weekend of March and a perfect end to Spring Break Round #1.