Yesterday was a rough day around the George household...Ellery had so many meltdowns that by the time her abbreviated nap was over, I was ready to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. Then Jason got home! He had spent the day in Chicago on business, so he left early and got home late. He had eaten lunch at one of my favorite places, Maggiano's! He was sweet enough to bring home a tiny bag of heaven for his tired 'ol lady! When I got downstairs, this bag was sitting on my counter with a Maggiano's salad and an order of rigatoni D! It just about made me cry...I'll explain more on that later! Jason did this all on his own, I didn't even have to ask for him to bring me anything. I haven't decided if he went to Maggiano's with the intention of bringing me home my favorites, or if he wanted to eat there and knew that if he came home empty handed he would never hear the end of it from me. Regardless, my dinner was WONDERFUL! Thanks Jas! You're the best!
Now, back to why that almost made me cry. I spent last weekend in Chicago with my mom, sister and the kiddos. We had a girls weekend, plus Reagan, cause Jas and dad were fishing in a tournament at Lake Rathbun. I wanted to stay 2 nights, mom thought we should only stay 1. Thank goodness mom won that battle. The kids were HORRIBLE in the hotel room. But, that didn't ruin a great trip. On Friday we headed into the city and drove straight to Uncle Julio's, mom's favorite place for Mexican. It was so busy that we couldn't even pull into the parking lot. So I dropped off everyone else and I went in search of a parking place. Thirty minutes, two parking garages, 3 blocks and carrying two strollers later...I got to join everyone for lunch! Ellery insisted on sitting in my lap with her head buried into my chest, it was prime nap time and we were interrupting it! After lunch we did a bunch of shopping. All of us found some great stuff, and Elle got a new outfit after spilling tea all over her white shirt! We shopped so long that it was dinner time, so we ate at California Pizza Kitchen before heading to our hotel. I got a great deal at the Hilton Chicago. Our room was awesome...two bathrooms! They had just renovated the pool, it literally re-opened the day we arrived. Elle and I went swimming, it was a challenge even to get Reagan into the room with the pool!
Saturday morning it was cold and rainy...of course we planned on going to the zoo! So, quick change of plans, we headed to the Shedd Aquarium...we thought it would be a great day for the aquarium! About a million other people had the same idea! LOL Again, I was driving, so I dropped everyone off at the front door and went in search of a parking spot. I couldn't believe that the CLOSEST place to park was about 1/2 mile away. I had to park under Soldier Field. I was the only car in a dark parking garage when I parked...I thought I may never find our car again. It was crazy. I had to walk up a flight of stairs, then down to the other end of the parking garage, take a right, down a hall then I was finally outside....about a 1/2 mile from the aquarium. Keep in mind, it was raining...so I was trying to run, only I was wearing leather flip flops! Didn't work out so well! LOL By the time I got to the aquarium I was drenched.
We had fun in the aquarium, but we didn't stay long since it was so busy. We had Ellery and Reagan in the strollers, so they were having a hard time seeing all the fish. We ended up heading to Fox & Obel...my favorite grocery store. It's awesome. Every time Jas and I are in the city, we always go there. We get real candy from the candy counter, cheese, salami and prosciutto. Two bags, and about $120 later we decided to head out the the burbs for more shopping. We stopped at Oakbrook...the kids were sleeping so grandma stayed in the car with them so Em and I could go look at a few things. After that we headed IKEA. Of course we found several treasures there...by this time the car is getting pretty full! Finally, it was on to Naperville to eat at Magianno's! I could practically taste the food in my mouth the entire way there. I knew EXACTLY what I was going to eat! When we pulled into the parking lot it wasn't lookin good. Em ran it, it was 5:30 and the wait was already an hour! YIKES! We couldn't do that with 2 hungry, tired and cranky little kids. So, much to my disappointment, we left Maggiano's. We ended up stopping at the Premium Outlets and eating at a food court. I went from thinking I was getting Maggiano's to eating a hot dog in about 30 minutes! NOT FAIR!
Now, for those of you who still live in a city, this might sound a bit odd....or even pathetic. BUT, move to a small town in Iowa, where the "fancy" place to eat out is Applebee's, and you might understand my pain! Don't take dinning out for granted! I would love to eat at all my old favorites, but most days I'm left daydreaming about that stuff! LOL :) So, now you know why my bag of Maggiano's was a little piece of heaven!
Ok, so now that I've rambled on about that forever, now onto what else we've been up to. I'm almost embarrassed/afraid to say that everything is going great! I know so many people that things aren't great, so I feel very blessed. Things really couldn't be much better! Hopefully I won't jinx us by saying that!
Jason and my dad have been out to Lake Rathbun twice since the last time I posted. Once for pleasure and once to fish in a tournament. They ended up qualifying for the national tournament, so they'll be heading to Lake Granada Mississippi in September. This picture was taken during their first trip. I don't know much about crappie, but I think this is a big one.
Jason has been doing a lot of the reading duty at night. Ellery likes to read a lot. This is one of her current favorites, her bus book. She's obsessed with buses! She has them in her crocs, aka bus shoes, and she has several to play with. I was laying on her floor listening when I looked up and saw her little feet. It was so cute I decided to snap a picture.
Rain, that about sums up the last few weeks. But, Elle had a great time splashing around in the puddles. She wanted me to splash too...but I don't have pretty boots like her!
A few weeks ago we headed out to Preston for the evening to the Preston Days parade. It was actually a lot of fun, it's a great little parade. Given Ellery's recent obsession with trucks, trains, buses, and tractors we knew she'd love it! Not to mention that they throw a lot of candy! Here we are waiting for the parade to start. Check out the guy behind us! LOL It's funny...everyone, even the people in the parade, has a beer in their hand! Welcome to Jackson County Iowa!
Ellery wouldn't run out to get the candy by herself...so mommy had to help! Plus, she would only pick up 1 piece per trip! LOL
After the parade. Ellery didn't really know what to do or think...she just sat like this for a few minutes....notice the beer can over her right shoulder! :)
We have a new little "pet" since my last post. Jason has made friends with "mama squirrel". She lives in a neighbor's tree. She comes over every day and eats peanuts out of Jason's hand. She's very sweet....even letting Jason pet her. She kind freaks me out a little. She follows us around and almost jumped in my car the other day when Elle and I were leaving!
Warming up with mom in the hot tub.
Aquarium pics.
We also finally got a new bathroom put in downstairs, the joys of living in a house built in the 1920' s...no bathroom downstairs. We turned what was supposed to be a breakfast nook into a powder room. It turned out great, now if only Jas would get the wall/door up! LOL It's a bit odd having a sink and toilet essentially in our kitchen! LOL :)
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