Mile By Mile - A Different Lake Path

This morning we loaded the bikes and trailer into the car and headed to the Chicago lakefront path, at Foster Beach.  We rode south to Navy Pier.  It was about 10 miles round trip, which pretty much wore me out! The path is full of locals and tourists - running, biking, walking dogs, heading to the beach, just living.

Can you see the John Hancock Building, Trump Tower and the Sears Tower, I mean Willis Tower? (From right to left, the three tallest buildings!)

Belmont Harbor

The ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

 On the way back we stopped at a bird and butterfly sanctuary. It could easily be called a people sanctuary, too, it was so cool and quiet inside.  Adurey loved being "in the woods."

Montrose Harbor

We hardly ever head down to Chicago, but I love seeing the city this way.

Lake Fog

It felt like we were in Santa Cruz.

Where are you, Springtime?

Ok, Spring.  I surrender.  You win.  Just please, please.  Please arrive.

I can handle the cold winter, the ice and snow, the dark afternoons.  But once we move the clocks forward, and we eat corned beef and cabbage for St Patrick's day, and the first day of spring arrives, I do not handle 30 degree days very well.  Needless to say it's been a rough week.

I've allowed my house to match the dismal conditions outdoors.  I leave dishes piled in the sink, like  mountains of dirty unmelted snow.  Toys and clothes litter the floor, like the random winter hats and gloves found in the mud left by the mountains of snow that have melted.  At night I bury myself under many layers of blankets, as if I lived in a log cabin in Minnesota.  Do I sound like I'm complaining?  Because I am.  Just ask my husband.

Now that I've got that out of my system,

Today we went to the greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  It was kind of like a tropical vacation.  Ummm, kind of.

Did you notice?  We aren't wearing hats or gloves and Audrey doesn't even have her jacket on. Spring must be just around the corner.

The Field

Say hello to Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex!  We took a trip to the Field Museum last week.

I'm not sure what is more amazing about this photo:  the dinosaur or that the kids, for one moment, are not running in opposite directions.

Mile by Mile - Back On Two Wheels

Sorry for the random snow photos, it's just really hard to take pictures on a bike!

The kids and I took our first bike ride of the year on Friday.  It was very spontaneous  - we were downstairs putting on our shoes when I decided to take the bike instead of walk.  I was excited to give my bike a spin after a tune up from a neighborhood shop.  (The tune up was a great investment in our biking routine!)

Over all it was a good ride.  We rode straight down Church St to the library.  I had forgotten how hard somethings are, and how easy other things are, on the bike.  Colton had no trouble wearing his helmet, thank goodness!   The temperature was in the mid 30's and there was a pretty strong wind, but under the blanket the kids were toasty warm.   It's amazing how fast we travel on the bike, compared to walking, even if I'm pretty out of shape.  When we got to the library, I unhooked the trailer and brought it in with us, stroller style.  I couldn't remember how I locked the bike and trailer together to bike rack so unhooking just seemed faster than figuring it out again.    It was a good thing I did because I checked out a bunch of books and then remembered I had to get milk at Whole Foods across the street.  I just loaded up the "trunk" with all our items, and we were on our way.

After our two errands, I hooked the trailer back up and we were home in no time.  So begins our biking season.

PS. If you'd like to check out how we biked last summer, you can visit my old blog, Adventures with Audrey, and look under "Biking with Kids." Happy cycling!

Winter Break

We had a break from our normal routine last week, if not a break from the cold and snow.  My parents visited us and our days were filled with adventures and relaxation.  My mom and dad gave Craig and I some much appreciated time alone and together - for lighting projects and shopping and lunch with friends and TV in the middle of the day.  Simple things, you know.  Also, drinks at an over-21 establishment.  Adventures, as I said. 

Then we all went submarine spotting at Craig's favorite museum.  There was enough to interest everyone, all day.  The storm exhibit was fascinating.  

   

Finally, because no mid-west winter vacation would be complete with out it, we went to a water park.  It was awesome.  The outdoor hot tub in the snow was my favorite, but a close second was riding the 50 foot high water slide with Audrey.

Night Snow

One night last week, when Craig had finished work and fat, wet, sticky snowflakes were falling, we all bundled up and headed outside.  Craig pulled Audrey is the sled and I lugged Colton around after them.  Colton is perfectly happy to be in the snow as long as he's being held.  

I think we're getting this whole "out in the snow" thing.  I can now get everyone dresses - and dressed warmly enough - for the snow in a reasonable amount of time.  Then we traipse our boots across the driveway to the field or across the street to the park.  The sled has a long pull rope that I can loop around my shoulder, pulling Audrey in the sled, while carrying Colton.  It is a work out and a half, let me tell you.

Saturday afternoon was sunny and warm (mid 20's) so the kids and I went to the park.  The snow was icy,  each step gave a satisfying crunch and left a clean footprint behind.  Audrey sled down the small hill at the park for a while then we watched two dogs play in the snow for a long time.  We were just about the head in side when Colton discovered that he might actually like snow.  He can stand on the shoveled front walk and lean into the snow covered garden beds.   He and Audrey threw snowballs onto the driveway and watched them explode as they landed.  Audrey and Colton thought this was hysterical and, watching them, so did I.