Riding the Rails

After a rainy forecast, we changed out Fourth of July plans from a drive down to Louisville to a train ride into Chicago.  We were disappointed not to camp, see the free Cool & the Gang concert and my friend Rob, but the girls were ecstatic to finally take their first ever train ride.

We hit the road first by car, parking for free at the East Chicago station along the South Shore Line.  Due to our extra early arrival, we got to know  the town a little.  We urged the girls to practice their Spanish a little while taking in lunch at Taqueria Los Comales, as well as with the guy pushing an ice cream cart around the park. 

Before long, we anxiously boarded the nearly full train headed to Millennium Station.  None of us could together, but that only aided the girls in charming their new friends.  Both struck up conversations with their seat-mates and smiles were spreading throughout the car as others overheard.  As we arrived, one man told Erin that Ava is sure to host her own talk show one day.

A short walk from the station was our final destination, the Renaissance Hotel on Wacker Drive, just off the State & Lake "L" stop.  From our window we could see the Chicago Theatre to our right and the Hancock Center & river to our left.  The location was perfect for our plans; short walks along the water and through the parks.  While eating a deep-dish pie, and waiting for the fireworks, we took in a free concert in Millennium Park.  Since Ava had to ask every dog walker if she could pet their dog, we spoke with half the city. 

The girls were wore out by the time we returned to the room, thus we had our most successful night in a hotel to date.  The next day started with use of the hotel's pool & workout center, then it was back to the parks for playing in the fountains and walking along the lakefront.  Sadly for her, Sophia slept through our stop at Ohio St. Beach.  There, Ava met a few more dog owners.

We extended our stay by deciding to take a later train back to the car.  It was a good thing because all outbound trains were delayed that afternoon.  A track worker for METRA was killed when he was struck by a train.  Our slight inconvenience meant nothing when we learned later that his name was Luis Mercado and he was 36 years old.

It was a fun excursion into the city that won't soon be forgotten.  We've been up there with the girls multiple times, but this should be the first that Ava is able to recall.  More visits to the Second City are sure to come. 

Sophia Turns Three!

I'm sure this echos what most parents say, but I can't believe my baby is now three years old!  Time certainly does fly.  It doesn't seem like that long ago that we watched Butler University fall one half-court shot shy of winning a national basketball championship.  The next day, Sophia was born. Tonight, Michigan & Louisville play for the title as I outline my little girls busy b-day.

We started the day by going to the movies.  Hotel Transylvania, an animated film with Adam Sandler, was a big hit with all of us.  We've taken them to the theatre a few times, but this is probably the first one Sophia really paid attention to the entire time. 

Next we visited the nearby fair grounds for the Bunny Show!  4H kids from around the area brought in hundreds of rabbits of all shapes and sizes to be judged and awarded prizes.  Sophia was a little hesitant, as she usually is around any non-human living thing, but she's didn't seem as threatened as she has been. 

 

After that, since it was practically the first nice day of spring, we hit Columbia Park.  Sophia reached another milestone by heading down the big tube slides without much hesitation. 

 

After a bite to eat at Arni's, we headed home for presents and Erin's annual animal cake. 

 

This time around, it was a caterpillar!  It made Erin's day when both Ava & Sophia correctly identified it. 

 

Ava had a hard time letting Sophia open her presents and get the most attention, but overall was a great big sister.  To be sure, it was a fun and memorable day.

Back in the (family blogging) Saddle

While at home with a sick little Ava (Strep), I thought I'd unearth our long-forgotten family blog.  "Bitts of Us" had been hardly that for quite a while, but now I hope to write more consistently about our family. 

We've been very lucky when it comes to the health of our girls.  Other than Ava being delivered through Cesarean, and Sophia's 104 temp at age two weeks, we've had very few issues.  This week, Ava made her first trip to the doctor's office since her last round of vaccinations.  Turns out she was supposed to have a physical when she turned 4.  Oh, well, she's been healthy.  The crazy thing is that she still only weighs 31lbs!


Demo is always the most fun!

Over the last few months, Erin & I have rekindled our interest in doing DIY jobs around the house. Thanks to Pinterest, there is never a shortage of inspiration.  We finally got our counter tops installed, and are currently creating (copying) a headboard project Erin pinned a while back.  



Self-portrait X-mas card shoot

After recently feeling like I'm letting opportunity slip through the cracks, the girls are finally beginning to learn Spanish.  Two things I wish I could do is to speak a second language and play an instrument.  I'll feel like I've let them down if I don't urge them to achieve at least one of these at an early age.  We've prodded their daycare to take up foreign language training as part of their curriculum, and they've finally made it happen (now that Ava only has a few months left).  On Fridays, they work with Miss Jessica, who is from Puerto Rica, on colors, animals, greetings, etc.  On top of that, I've arranged for two of my students to visit the center to read in Spanish.  Another comes once a week to read in Chinese, the native language of multiple students, as well as her own.  I'm very happy this is starting to happen, and a little proud I'm meeting one of my goals as a father.
Side Note:  Sophia likes to pretend she's riding in a car. When entering & exiting her car (usually within seconds of one another) she always imitates the putting on her seat belt by saying, "buckle-buckle, buckle-buckle."  I love it every time!