CHICAGO!

We had a great time with Daddy at his conferences. While Daddy was in meetings all day Mama and I swam in the hotel pool, played in the pretty park behind the hotel, walked the streets and explored the city on foot. One day we went for a big tour of town - Navy Pier was first on my walking tour (guided by Mama)

The beach was next...I really liked to play in the sand at the beach, crawl and make sand fly everywhere and eat the sand! Mama let me jump in the water and I liked to feel the water of Lake Michigan on my toes. I cried when Mama said we should go. I was so tired after playing I took a nap in the stroller on the way to the next park (I've never done that before)

Next on our tour was Millineium Park in Grant Park. We heard the symphony play while they practiced for their evening performance (they are behind us in that metal structure) and I crawled in the grass while mama sat on our blanket.

Buckingham fountain was our last stop of the day. I was more impressed with the pink gravel at the fountain than the fountain itself but the water flying everywhere was interesting.

Finally at the end of a long day we headed back to the room where I played some more and then Mama got me ready for bed. One of Mama's friend's watched me while I slept so that Mama and Daddy could go out and have dinner together. This was the first time Mama and Daddy have left me with anyone but Grandma! I like Chicago and can't wait to go back.

Olivet University Conference and fun outside

After Chicago, we went to Bourbannais, IL (where the Chicago Bears practice) for Daddy to go to another conference. Mama and I played outside on the lawn under the beautiful trees on campus all day long. We had so much fun! One morning Mama walked around and we found a farm with ponies and donkeys. We are home now and I'm glad to be in my own bed.

Ps - looks like the chicago trip will make it up on the blog tommorrow - enjoy these pictures from the conference after the conference.

Picnic at the Park

We went to campus and had a picnic lunch with Daddy yesterday. I enjoyed chewing on the plastic containers while mama and daddy ate their sandwiches. I also got to play in the nice green grass.

Safari Sam on the prowl...

One man pan band

Look what I found in the kitchen - my very own pot and pan band. My new job while mama fixes dinner is to play some upbeat music.

Weekends are fun!

I went for a walk with daddy in our neighborhood...
I helped mama with the laundry...(usually she puts the basket under the dryer so that I actually get the clothes out of the dryer all by myself)
and today it's raining and in the 60's today so our trip to the park was rescheduled for a sunny day so we went indoors to Menard's (a regional Home Depot) and played on their display toys and the little kiddy area. I had lots of fun with mama and daddy - here I am on the roller coaster....

And on the fire truck...

Funny Faces

OOOOOO - that cheerio had some prunes on it!
OOPS - I'm caught. Minutes after mama finished cleaning my room and putting my books back on the shelf, she returned to an empty shelf and my cute smile! The books are on the floor behind and the floor is covered.

Shoes

Shoes ... who needs them? They only get in the way of sucking on my toes and they are a burden to crawl with. I just don't like them but today I humored my mama by actually letting her put some sandles on me for our trip to the grocery store. Did I tell you I don't like shoes? I prefer to be barefooted and unless they can serve some other purpose- such as entertainment and distraction at my toe tips - I would rather leave them elsewhere.

And while on the subject of things I have opinions about - why should I only use one hand to eat Cheerios when I can use both hands ... at the same time?

Wee, Wee, Wee all the way home

Well at least I didn't go Wah! Wah! Wah! all the way home. I like flying on airplanes - they put me right to sleep. I did great and mama was so glad that the pressure didn't seem to hurt my ears. As you can see fromt eh picture above - I had a great time smiling and making friends at the airport. We enjoyed our trip to Raleigh and will put more pictures up when we get them.
I got to see my Great Granny and Grandpa Kinsey this weekend. My Great Granny read several books to me. I really like books!

AND I got to play with Camden Harvey while mama visited with his Mommy and Daddy - Kevin and Amy. We played with his toys and I really wanted to taste the cat food but mama wouldn't let me. We had a great visit and I'm glad we got to spend some time with them even though they are moving this week.

More later about my time with Grandma and Grandpa Kinsey and our adventures to the children's museum without mama...