The Museum of Science and Industry

Yesterday was a whopper! First we went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. 

This was my favorite part. We took the tour of the U505 captured German sub.

Wilderness Falls

Last night we took the kids to Salerno's for dinner. After all, what's a trip to the Chicago area without some Chicago pizza?! After that we went mini-golfing. It was their first time. :)

We finished the night off with Andy's Frozen Custard. YUM! :) Today is going to be my personal favorite. We're going to the Museum of Science and Industry, and then Medieval Times tonight!

Mom & Dad

Happy 21st Anniversary to my unbelievably beautiful, exemplary parents! I love you both more than I can say. Thank you for making our family strong. Thank you for having your priorities in the right order. Thank you for teaching us to avoid evil and love good. Thank you for always steering us to truth, even when it's not what made sense at the moment. Thank you for buying me books, music, books, more music, more books.... Thank you for being silly, and laughing until there are no laughs left. Thank you for making it obvious that you love each other. Thank you for communicating. Thank you for showing us every. single. day. what it is to work hard and persevere and stay diligent till the day is done, and then get up and do it all again. Thank you for homeschooling us. Thank you for always wanting to be with us instead of having "alone time." Thank you for spending time with each one of us individually. Thank you for preparing us for the future. Thank you for instilling in us the desire to be generous whenever God has blessed. Thank you, truly, for being the best parents in the world. I love you.

Fishing

Yesterday was mainly a bummy, hang-around-the-family's house day because, company or no, laundry must go on. :P The kids did get a chance to go fishing in the neighborhood pond with Mr. Donelson. :)

recently read

Just before the wedding and embarking on this two-week adventure with the kids, I got some major reading done. Many thanks to all of you who suggested some of your favorites! I'm still working on the list, and will post about those after I've finished them. :) For now, here are the ones I read, and my interpretation and rating.

1. Ellanor's Exchange by Linda Hayner. Basically, a girl goes to live with the queen's lady-in-waiting in hopes of landing a rich husband with a title, and ends up getting caught in a confusing political scheme that threatens treason. The main character came across as very underdeveloped, I got lost in the political strategy, and it lacked in romance. Totally. Like, even at the end, she's like, "Oh, I dunno" to the ONLY possible guy option. My rating: 2 stars out of 5. 
2. Lord of the Flies by William Golding. This was of interest to me because anything sort of allegorical and symbolic of the present-day corruption and progressive decay of society perks my curiosity. What's that quote about those that forget history are doomed to repeat it? Anyway, this definitely fit the bill. Very symbolic, sometimes confusingly so, but the author did a fantastic job portraying very deep, dark stuff in such a basic, almost childlike way. That being said, this was, I'm afraid, the second most disturbing book I've ever read in my life. (The first being A Light in the Forest.) Do not read it if blood makes you throw up. Anyway, 3 stars out of 5.
3. The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson. This was recommended by my sister-in-law, Amanda. This was a fun, difficult read. A Robin Hood type story. VERY slow reading, due to the heavy use of majorly old-fashioned English and vocabulary. Loved it, though. Action-filled and sweetly romantic. 4 stars out of 5. 

Like I said, I'm still working on the list I was given by various people, but seriously, if you have a fiction fave, send it along! :)

Cantigny

Today we went with Charlotte and Aimee to Cantigny. Will was bummed he didn't get to go when Chris and I got our bridal party pics taken here almost a year ago, so he was thrilled to finally get to see the tanks PLUS the museum. :) We were very goofy today. Oh well. What can I say? :D