Friday, April 25, 2008

Bring Your Kids to Work Day

Hi. This is Greg. Husband of Suzy and guest-author for today's post.

Yesterday was Bring Your Kids to Work Day, so I took the two oldest Banshees into the city to see my office. (For those of you who don't know, I work in advertising, doing things like this.) Here are just some of the day's highlights:

The train ride into the city. Henry said this was his favorite part of the day. (It's all downhill from here.) When I asked him why he simply said, "No seat belts!"

Downtown near the Sears Building. (Obviously, the Windy City.)


Taking the water taxi up the Chicago River to the office.
(In the winter I have to walk through the Loop.)

Our Kind of Town. A short walk from the dock to the office.
(I've just noticed I've been using parentheses quite liberally.)

Henry tries his hand at copywriting.
(Note the two cans of grape juice. The free soda in the vending machine meant a morning of punching buttons and an afternoon of trips to the bathroom.)

Elsa drew a picture of Corey, my art director partner.
Apparently, Corey is part Charlie Brown, part piranha.

Foosball!

Elsa loved the view!

The train ride home.
(Do you know how hard it is to carry two kids off a train?)

Friday, April 18, 2008

Choo-Choo!

Last Saturday, we went to the Choo Choo, a diner in the northwest part of Chicago. There's an electric train that runs along the counter and back into the kitchen. When your order's ready, it comes out on the train. The place was packed. When we arrived the line was out the door. But the onion rings were worth it.

Ansel spies the train!

Waiting patiently. Trying to suppress the hungry grumpies.

The onion rings begin to take their toll on Elsa.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Ahh Spring.





Dare I say it has arrived? The crocus have bloomed and daffodils are poking up. I have even seen the first leaves of the hollyhocks. Birds are singing, and Ansel has been allowed to go outdoors! Heaven help us we can hardly open the door without him escaping or throwing a fit when he misses his chance to breathe some fresh air. This weekend we took a little time to visit Geneva. Geneva, Illinois that is. We found a great little park with some wicked fast slides. Ansel was in heaven. He dove head first down these slides. Mothers were gasping in fear. We couldn't get a picture because we had to catch him at the bottom. Elsa exposed her bare legs for the first time this year. She was worried about goose bumps and was pleased that they didn't manifest themselves. She really was scared about these goose bumps I had warned her about-she thought they would hurt. I really don't know what her imagination had drawn up in her one-of-a-kind mind. Henry was mesmerized by some young boys on their skateboards-actually he was green with envy. It felt good to be outside. Thank you spring.

Mueller Visit(s)!

We were so happy to have our cousins Calvin and Natalie (and of course their lovely parents-Travis and Audrey) come and visit. We had such a great time eating and playing. One highlight was gathering in the couch bed to watch a little show. How fun all cuddled up together. Thanks for coming guys. We hope it isn't years before we see you again. Please come visit us in Geneva!


The week after Grandma and Grandpa came! We had such a wonderful time eating and playing! (I have gained five pounds since their visits)! The children loved their visit. We are so grateful for our family. I don't know why I didn't take any pictures of my cute parents with their darling grandchildren. duh.

Easter Sunday!


This post is an afterthought. I didn't even know I took any pictures on Easter. It didn't seem worth going all out with new Easter outfits this year, it was just too cold. Elsa wore a new dress from Grandma and Grandpa and looked very pretty. Henry made do with what he already had, and Ansel looked quite dapper in some hand-me-down seersucker. I really felt great about my effort to minimize when the kids had nearly finished their candy by Monday. Easter was good.

New Perches!




I obviously enjoy chasing after "the Booch," because I keep taking these pictures of him climbing over and into everything. He is a joy.
This one on the counter makes me laugh. . . he's so comfortable up there.