Supermarket Sweep

This weather has necessitated I get my creative gears turning so I can keep these kiddos busy whilst it RAINS and generally looks BLAH outside. On this particular morning I was given a genius idea by a friend of mine to gather up old boxes and create a grocery store for the kids to play with.

So I perused the pantry and recycling bin and came up with some fun things to wrap in tape and set up in a mock grocery store!

I stocked the “shelves” well with the essentials like Vitamin D gummies, jumbo raisins, peanuts and milk and eggs.

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I had a copious amount of extremely expired spices and herbs. Let’s just say, some of those spices were older than Ty, eek.

Ty was so ready to hit the “store” so he drove his cart right over…

Marlo, who is still in fact a GIRL-despite the boyish attire, also had her own “cart”.

“Here Ty, you need some coffee!”

Next, Ty hit the self-checkout lane, complete with computers and bags just like Kroger!

Happy with his loot!

Hey, the next time you’re at the checkout counter and you hear the beep beep.

Think of all the fun YOU can have on SUPERMARKET SWEEP!

A moment…

So today, a Kroger trip was necessary.  Let me first say, I LOVE MY KIDS.  However, I LOATHE taking the kids to Kroger.  Let me count the reasons why:

1. Marlo refuses to get in a cart, even the spiffy “racecar” ones.

2. Keeping both of them happy would involve giving each of them one of those mini carts, and usually there is only one left in the corral.

3. There’s not enough persuasion power within me to keep them from the toy/book aisle, and also to keep them from wrecking into things.

4. A list of 6 things literally takes one hour to complete.  (And yes, I realize this probably has as much to do with the craziness of my kids as it does the ENORMITY of Forest Hills Kroger!).

Okay, enough complaining.  Let’s get to the real story here…

So, I had to endure a shopping trip that involved all of the above points and as we were walking out of Kroger-with Marlo on my hip and Ty crashing the mini cart into my ankles for the 4 billionth time, in the 90 degree heat mind you.  I was about to go 10 kinds of crazy.  As we were getting in the car and the kids were fighting over the ONE free balloon we had snagged, I felt myself boiling.  Then out of nowhere, Ty so innocently suggests:

“Mommy, I know!  When we get home we can both let the balloon go up in the sky for Banksy.”

I took a deep breath, and said, “Yes, Ty, that is the best idea.”

Wow.  Children are the best.

Chicago and Summer begins

What a great way to kick-off summer, by traveling to Chicago for some family fun!

We drove to Schaumburg, IL (a Chicago suburb) on a Wednesday, following GG and Grandpa.  After a few potty stops, a Cracker Barrel lunch, and 75 viewings of Scooby Doo & Batman we reached our destination.

After checking in at our hotel-Homewood Suites (and it may or may not have acquired some other names, right Tommy???), we had our first dinner at The Weber Grill.  Thankfully we were able to sit outside, not only because of the beautiful weather but because the kids were SLIGHTLY tired from the drive and it was evidenced by their lovely tantrums.

Ty getting up close and personal with Mr. Weber and the grill :)

We had to go on a quick trip to Target Thursday morning to shop for jackets because apparently there was one last blast of cold weather that had to blow through (the high for the day was 60, and we were headed Lakeside that day!)

And then the choruses sang out and the lights shone because a miraculous event occurred…Grandpa was able to sit Marlo in a shopping cart!!!!!

After we bundled up a bit we headed to Navy Pier (after enduring some slight traffic, which is still mind boggling to me!)

Are you loving my figure?

 

Checking out the sights and sounds of the Pier…

Then on the horizon we spotted a Pirate Ship!  Ty couldn’t contain himself!

 

Shortly after, he was able to meet one of the pirates.  And he gave him a little gift, a mini HOOK!  Ty was so excited!

 

I love the way Ty is peering at the pirate!

What a picture this is…

On December 26, 2003 we got engaged at this VERY spot (actually the bench right behind the anchor)…and NOW look where we are!  Life is GOOD! :) <3

As we were leaving the end of the pier, of course they had to play some “Batman” chase game.

A carousel ride :)

After a so-so dinner at Harry Carey’s (which also may or may not have included a tantrum or two or seven or eight and also the purchase of some signature glasses!) we found the Children’s Museum at the Pier tucked away.  We lucked out because Thursdays it’s free in the evenings.  It was quite crowded, but wow what a great museum.

Ty contemplating going down the fire pole…

“Hmm…I don’t think so…”

 

Then we stumbled upon this lovely climbing adventure…Ty loved it.  He did the whole thing by himself…

Up he goes (“Hi Daddy and Marlo!”)

Still climing (“Hi Grandpa!”)

Almost to the top (“Hi GG!”)

Stopping for some dinosaur bone discovery

 

…and chasing some (computerized) butterflies!

Just swinging by a park (in Schaumburg) for some fun!

 

Saturday we took a short drive to a park for the Regan Family Reunion…

Marlo starting out the fun with some puddle play!

 

Grandpa talking to his mom, Great Grandma Regan

 

Mike and Elizabeth & Dan and Vicky playing with the kids (in the mud and water, thanks guys!)

It’s pretty impossible to keep Ty from climbing anything and everything these days…

On our last night we went to the huge mall near us and *attempted* to eat at The Rainforest Cafe…

Here is the one picture we took there.  The service was so bad that we literally got up from our table and left, such a bummer :(

Much fun was had after we got home though, we were able to let the kids hit the pool before bed.  Thanks to Uncle D for taking the kids in :)

   

Last night sleeping in the room.  We capped off the experience in the hotel with a family movie night, The Lion King (thanks for the computer GG and Grandpa!)  Complete with blankies, snacks and milk :)

On Sunday we drove through Tinley Park to visit Uncle Bill and Aunt Debbie, also Pops and Jean.  Literally as we drove through the last part of Tinley Park before the highway back home…we glanced out the window and spotted this gem.  We had to make one last stop for a photo op!  How perfectly timed, since the kids had become OBSESSED with Scooby Doo & Batman movie (much to my dismay)!

After a lovely night of sleep in our own beds we woke up Monday to take the kids to Coney Island for the first time this summer…

Bring on Summer!!!!