Cousin time

The boys had a great time playing with their cousins and all the new toys at the Bates' house.  It was a great visit for everyone.

Putting the kids to work

The kid loves corn

And they are traped

This is where we found Gabe often

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July in Highland Park, IL.  We started by watching the parade.  Gabriel finally gets the excitement of parades, thanks to the school picnic last month.  We arrived a little late and missed seeing Riley with her circus camp. 

Waiting for candy

Fire Truck is coming

Hiding from the water guns

After the parade we headed over to the mall to check out the Lego exhibit of National Monuments.  It was pretty amazing to see how many Legos were used and how long it took to build each one. There was even an area for the boys to play with Legos.

Since Gabriel and Bennett were good at the restaurant for lunch we promised them ice cream before heading back to Aunt Jeni's house.  Gabe ended up eating all of mine and none of his rainbow sherbet - it was a little tangy for me.  Bennett wanted nothing to do with the ice cream of afternoon nap. 

Later there was a big party at Aunt Jeni's house for family and friends.  It was a lot of fun to watch Gabriel play in his first water gun fight.  Thankfully, his cousins told the big kids to go easy on him.  That lasted for just a little while. The boys didn't make it for fireworks this year.  It was ok - next year I'm sure Gabe will be ready.





Kidnectivity Fun

My sister-in-law started a new therapy place, Kidnectivity, for children to receive therapy and have fun while doing it.  Scott and I wanted a chance to check it out and let the boys have some fun. 

Climb

Ball pit

Jump!

Gabe really loved the ball pit.  He probably jumped over a 100 times in there.  Bennett tried the ball pit a few times, it wasn't for him.  He loved the toy car.  He played with that for the longest time.  Gabriel wanted to me to picture after picture of him jumping, finally I went to slow mo video.  He loved seeing that.

 

We love what Aunt Jeni is doing at Kidnectivity and we can't wait to visit again!

Lake Michigan

We were lucky enough to get a little beach time while we were visiting the Bates'.  On Sunday afternoon, as so-so naps from the boys we loaded up the car and head to the Highland Park private beach.  It was the perfect, low key place for the boys to test the frigid waters. 

Bennett couldn't contain his excitement.  This was Bennett's first trip to a beach and Gabriel's second.  B loves the water and it really showed.  He tried so hard to walk right in, but the waves kept pushing him back.  Eventually, Scott took Bennett out to waist deep waters and B floated a bit. 



 

The water was too cold for Gabe and I.  We enjoyed the sun and sand.  Gabe did get some sunscreen and sand in his eyes and that sidelined him for a while.  But like a champ, he was back in action playing in the sand. 

Overall the boys loved the beach!

Shedd Aquarium

We took a mini vacation up to Chicago for the 4th of July weekend.  We had fun playing with cousins, being tourists and beaching.  The main place I wanted to take the boys this trip was Shedd Aquarium.  It did not disappoint.  The boys really didn't know what to expect. 

We tried to talk it up to Gabriel and say what we were going to find and watch.  But since late mornings can be a little rough with a 3 and 1 year old, we decided to get the General Admission pass.

We found a side entrance with a much shorter line and then it was up the huge elevator to the main aquarium.  The last time I really remember being in there, I was 13 and we had to check out the shark, my brother's current obsession.  It was the same aquarium but looked much smaller.  There was a diver in the tank feeding some of the fish when we arrived.  A huge turtle and sting rays seem to be the big hits for the boys this time.  We spent a long time there until we ventured over to the Amazon fish, Lake Michigan and river fish. 

SHARK!

Sting Ray

We ate a little lunch while the dolphin and whale show was going on.  Then we were able to have a front row seat to watch the Bulga whales and dolphins swim around under water.  Gabe loved "speaking whale" to the them (see Finding Nemo). 

Hey Big Fella

Could sit here all day

Dolphins

The dolphins put on a great show playing with a basketball.  It was a great day for the boys to see new fish and us to watch them exploring it all.