Tourists In Our Own Town

 We love showing off Chicago to out-of town visitors. 

We almost always stick around the neighborhoods, 

but this time when Mommy's best friend Lindsay 

and her sweet 6 year old daughter Ava came to visit, 

we spent our time hitting up all the toursity places little girls adore...

When it comes to restaurants, most downtown spots are not our first choice...

but friends, we can let you in on a little secret: Bar Toma.

We all enjoyed our meal, complete with what Mila and Mommy

think is the best chocolate gelato in the city, before 

heading to the American Girl Store.

The next morning we spent a few hours at 

Lincoln Park Zoo. 

The weather was perfect and many of the animals were out.

The carousel is always Mila's favorite part. 

 Next, we shot down Lake Shore Drive to Navy Pier

where we had lunch at Riva's. 

When faced with all the junk food, chain restaurants, 

and overpriced options at Navy Pier, Riva's is one of the better bets. 

The girls enjoyed checking out Build-A-Bear and the candy store,

but for a special treat, we rode the famous ferris wheel. 

The girls were not the least bit afraid.

Tickets were $6 each,

but the line went very quick and the view from 

the top was spectacular.

Visit us again soon, Lindsay and Ava!

Sidewalk Painter

For some quick and easy fun for the kids, 

try mixing equal parts cornstarch and water.

Divide into cups or a muffin tin and add food coloring. 

Grab some brushes and let 'em paint the concrete.

Mila loved this project because she could help from start to finish. 

She's always asking what two colors will turn into when 

mixed together, this was a fun way to experiment with that.

Pirates' Cove

Mila's Daddy recently took a work trip to London.  

He was gone for over a week, making long days for Mila & Mommy.

One day we decided to have a little adventure of our own and 

checked out Pirate's Cove in Elk Grove, Il.

Pirates' Cove is a small amusement park for young children.

 The attractions were perfect for kids ages 2 to 6 or 7.

There were two different train rides!

 One you rode in (adults could join),

 and one the children cranked themselves.

All the children seemed to love the 

easy to use bumper boats.

 Next time I will pack a lunch as there are

nice picnic areas in the park, 

but they also have a pretty basic concession stand. 

 Mila made a skull & crossbones flag in the craft area,

perfect for our pirate girl.

Her favorite ride was definitely this long blue slide.

The kids climb the steps themselves holding their burlap sacks.

Mommy wasn't sure MQ would do it when she got to the top,

but she went for it and immediately wanted to do it again...

..and again.

Admission is only $11 per child, adults are free.

We spent about 4 hours there.

The lines were never long

 and Mila rode each ride several times.

It's about a 45 minute drive back to the city, 

but we thought it was well worth it...

and Mila was asleep about 45 seconds down the road.

Homemade Ladybug Piñata

Upon hearing there would be a group of girls Mila's age 

at a Memorial Day BBQ we'd been invited to, 

Mila and Mommy decided to make a homemade piñata. 

 We kept it simple by using a regular balloon for shape. 

Using a paper mache mixture of 1 part flour to 2 parts water,

Mommy covered the balloon with 3 layers of newsprint strips

(letting the layers fully dry in-between).

 Mila liked gluing on the tissue paper and lady bug spots 

much more than doing the paper mache,

which she "helped" with for about 5 minutes.  

As she said, "that's for Mommy's to do, not little kids."

 We popped the ballon and left the top open in order to fill it 

with goodies. Mommy secured the sides with duct tape 

before poking holes for the string.

Then we used tissue paper/construction paper to cover the hole. 

 "Are we ever gonna smack this thing open?"

 It was pretty durable, but after a good beating by all the girls

 and a few parents, the ladybug split open.

 The mad scramble.

 Mila made sure there was nothing left :)

 Our hosts set up their awesome bouncy house 

for the girls after the piñata.

Mila had a really great time and so did we.

At night we asked her what her favorite part of the day was 

and she answered, "All of it!"

Ice Cold "Wemonade"!

Our building had a yard sale last weekend.  

It was a beautiful day and we had all the ingredients 

to make lemonade, so Mila set up her first lemonade stand. 

 Getting ready.

 Waiting (impatiently) for customers.

 "Anybody want some lemonade? Only 25 cents!"

We sold out our two large jugs in about an hour and a half.

Several nice neighbors gave her more than 

the asking price, so she made quite a bit for her 

first business venture! 

She says she's saving it for the candy store. 

Mila, Mommy and the Morton Arboretum

Recently, Mila and Mommy took a drive

 out to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL.

We packed a picnic and checked out the beautiful scenery.

It felt nice to be among the trees, creeks, flowers

 and the fresh air of the 1,700 acre grounds.

 Mommy was a little nervous when buying tickets for 

the tram...an hour long ride with no place to hop off, 

but Mila loved it!

 We went at a great time, all the flowering trees

 were in bloom and daffodils popped up everywhere.

 The Arboretum has lots to offer little kiddos--

playgrounds, a children's garden, fountains, a cafe, space to run...

...they even had a free craft where kids could 

make art out of recycled materials.

Mila said the hedge maze was her favorite part.  

She would run and giggle at every turn.

 Mommy and MQ in a little play house. 

Taking your tykes to the Morton Arboretum 

is a fun and educational way to tire them out! 

We definitely recommend it. 

Hooray for Free Comic Book Day!

Daddy had long looked forward to taking his girl 

to our local comic book shop for Free Comic Book Day,

which occurs on the first Saturday in May at

 participating comic book shops across the country. 

 They stood in line a few minutes before the store opened.

 Once inside they got to choose three free books each.

 They were pretty happy with their selections!

Mila couldn't wait to "read" hers, 

she started before we got home!