BOY, WERE WE BUSY!!!!!!!!!!
We started off our Easter vacation with a bang....traveling to Chicago was to be no short feat for our little guy. Jason and I decided to break it up a bit (seven hours is a long time for even me in a car!) We stayed in Madison Thursday night, only to have confused Cale a bit as he thought we were already in "Cago" and couldn't figure out why Grandma and Grandpa "T" were nowhere to be found! So, we got to spend some nice quality family time and actually found quite a bit to do to pass our time---After dinner, we decided to take Cale to the mall to run off some steam, seeing as he really couldn't get through dinner without running back and forth across the booth. Of course the Easter Bunny was there, but unfortunately, Cale is still not a fan of the "big bunny." Looking in from afar was good enough for now.....
This was as far as he was getting to that wierd lookin bunny.....
We found out real quick that Cale loved hotel living....running up and down the halls, riding up and down elevators, pushing the button on the ice machine to watch the ice just pile up on the floor (oops!), talking on the telephone, and looking for food in his own pint sized fridge (sadly, there was "no food mom"). But the biggest kicker for Cale was the pool---He loved swimming and we soon found out that he didn't think he needed the help of mommy or daddy. Even after the few mouths full of water and choking episodes, it was right back at 'em! Kicking, jumping, throwing the ball! Sounds like swimming lessons will be right around the corner for us!
Here, Cale is trying to push away from Jason, thinking this is now old news and "who needs daddy" anymore, "I got this one figured out!" Little does he know!
"Cheese Mommy!"
Cale had to pose by the big "shark-fish" to show off his physique! Although he didn't want the night of swimming to ever be done, he eventually conceded and said "the end".....
LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITIES AWAITED US IN "CAGO"
"Deb and Mista" aka Auntie Debbie and Uncle Garry, (for whatever reason, Cale only called Garry, "Mista" (Mister) ) had dug out the old wagon for Cale. Altough it was freezing most days in Chicago while we were there, we still managed to get outside a bit. Grandma T took Cale for a wagon ride to go see bunnies down the block. I tell you, some of those Chicago folk really go all out when decorating their yards for Easter! Cale loved it!
Saturday morning, we headed over to Jason's cousin's home for a get together of all the cousins and their little ones....a few of which had all just celebrated birthdays---so there was presents and cake a plenty! Cale did well mingling with all the new people, but still wasn't all that pleased to have to sit for a picture...Let's see if I can remember all the kiddos....
Well, of course, Cale...then, Ethan, Anna-Lise, Declan, and the twins Aidan and Gavin (I think!) I apologize if I got any wrong!
Jason and I got to spend some time away from our little guy for the afternoon on Saturday. We went to the Sox/Twins game! It was a fun time, but I have to admit, from the 6th inning on, all I could concentrate on was the ever-dropping temperature on the wall---34, 33, 32,---my feet were numb and I was really hoping they'd wrap it up quickly!! Thank god they at least won!
EASTER MORNING!!!
Cale woke up bright and early and started looking for his Easter basket...didn't take him too long to find it....He really enjoyed all the fun surprised in his basket and, of course, the little eggs...
Auntie Deb and Grandma "T" were very clever in putting together a little easter egg hunt for Cale....It took him awhile to understand the concept of finding all the eggs....mostly needed quite a bit of prodding to show him EXACTLY where to find an egg, but he loved it all the same!
Lightning Fast!!! Although that didn't really matter, no one else was looking for those eggs!
Once we got inside after the egg hunt, it was time to open up all the little surprises again....jelly beans were the biggest hit! Didn't see that one coming! Figured for sure it would be the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!
Thanks to Aunt Deb, Uncle Garry, Jess and Chris for the fun birthday gift for Cale...his very own airplane!!! And now that we found out how much Cale enjoys swimming this will come in very handy! The fact that we weren't around water didn't stop Daddy from trying it out......Cale had a blast! Thank god we didn't puncture a hole in the bottom....
Look mom! One hand!!!
Mommy and Cale out for and Easter stroll. Yes, I had to bribe him to take this picture with me...told him "no more candy" unless he took a picture. So then, it was all "CHEESE!!!" Like I said, he loved those jelly beans!
CALE'S BIRTHDAY (X2)
Cale got to celebrate his birthday all over again Sunday night with all our friends and family in Chicago. I tell you...it was unreal....between Easter and his birthday, it seemed like every 2 hours someone would come by with another gift for him! Everyone was so generous with their gifts...he's so lucky to have somany people that love him so much! Our friends Marcy, Marlee, and Andy stopped by just to see Cale and give him a little gift! He's alreay worn the Star Wars shirt and just loved it! Thank you guys! It was so fun to see you!
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Cale!!!
Close up of cake #2. Cale's first words when the cake was put in front of him...."fork"
Cale and Grandma T waiting for Daddy to cut the cake!
Thank you Chief for all the fun presents! We hope to see you soon! We love you!
