Special Effects

On the plane ride home, while unable to sleep, I got the opportunity to watch a couple of movies. First was so un-special that I couldn't remember it until I went onto the United site to look it up. Dumb chick flick.
The second movie choice was much better. I chose Star Trek. I am not really a trekkie. Not at all, but I remember weekend nights or maybe afternoons with my parents, while growing up, watching the original Star Trek. So, I thought I would give it a shot. I am glad I did. It was really good. It had the whole back story of how the crew of the Enterprise came together.
And the best part of it was thanks to the turbulence, it was like a full body experience. I was hurtling the space in an airplane and the turbulence fit right in with the movie. Kinda cool...

Mario "Andrew'tti

Stopped by the Young's house for a play and lunch today. While the sun was still shining, Kathy got out Ali's Razor Scooter (electric powered) and let Andrew have a 'go' at it. He took off like lightning. Never slowed down. Kathy said there sure is a difference between how boys ride and how girls ride it.

You should have seen him go. Kept riding circles thru the yard, doing figure eights and an 'obstacle course' around their trees. I have a feeling someone is going to want one when he moves back!

Geronimo

Swimming with the Dermody kids. Our kids think they are full blooded cousins, not in-law sort of cousins. And no reason to dispel that idea. Family is family...

More s’mores, please

Mom and Dad’s next door neighbor, Alex has his two grandkids visiting this week and they have been playing with Andrew and Emmalee. His grandson is 7, too so he is a perfect playmate for Andrew.

The other day Alex promised the kids a real old-fashioned campfire and s’mores. They could talk about nothing else. They even told the dentist they were having s’mores tonight.So, after dinner Alex fired up his brand new fire pit in the back yard and brought out the graham crackers, Hersheys bars and marshmallows. They had walked to the lake yesterday and found six perfect, green sticks – just right for roasting marshmallows.   

All the kids took turns loading the marshmallows on the sticks, then cooking them. They all had different techniques. Emmalee likes to CHAR hers. Watch it set on fire then blow it out and start cooking it again. Black and crispy on the outside, just like Gramma Millie. Andrew likes to cook his slowly until the outside starts to brown and bubble and the inside is gooey. Both made exceptional s’mores (if you like them, unlike me who thinks they are too sweet!).

After they each had a Hershey bar’s worth of s’mores (and then some) with extra marshmallows on the side, I called the sugar high quits and said no more. Mean mommy I am, but after 8.30 I have to draw the line somewhere.

They chased the dogs around Alex’s back yard until they got bored and then the boys went in the front to play catch (yes, Jim – baseball!!!) and the girls rode scooters thru grandpa’s running sprinkler.

Just as the lightning bugs came out, the fun ended and they were ushered off to showers to remove the layers of bug spray and campfire smoke.

I hope these are the summer nights that memories are made of. I know even though a campfire gives me a headache after a while, it sure brings back memories of the different ones I have been a part of, whether it was in South Dakota with family, northern Wisconsin with the Grades, back in Grayslake with neighbors or summer camp as a kid.

What is brunch?

According to Andrew, it's the meal BETWEEN breakfast and lunch.

Amazing what you learn when you take kids out for 'brunch' with Gramma and Grampa after church. All of us ordered breakfast food and Andrew ordered a cheeseburger and fries. You see, he had already had Lucky Charms for breakfast so he was going for the 'brunch' food!

Fourth of July

Today was a big day. Had to get up and have breakfast/brunch. Debbie requested biscuits and gravy. Definitely not a favorite of mine, but it was an ‘American Food’ she wanted to try. Mom was more than happy to oblige her. Think she liked it. Hard to tell – Debbie would try anything and like almost anything!

Then had to get going to drop her off at the Pleasant Prairie Outlet Mall while I drove to Beloit to get Jim and the kids. Then another 90 minutes back to the mall to pick her up. Only solo shopping I had made her do the entire trip.

Jim requested a quick stop into Timberland, where he found a version of the RM Williams boots for much less and walked away with boots and a shirt.

For Debbie’s 2nd meal of the day, she got fresh oven fried chicken (Oprah’s recipe), potato salad, baby carrots and some pineapple. Awfully American foods if you ask me.

We headed off to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station for the fireworks around 5.30. Picked up the Dermody’s and packed 8 people into the Expedition. This year it was smooth sailing to find parking and get a prime spot.

While we waited, Debbie bet Andrew he couldn’t lay still for five minutes. If he did, she would give him a dollar. You gotta believe he laid still – then asked to try again!

Deb got to see Eddie Money (he has past his prime, waaaaaaaaaay past), the Navy Band playing patriotic songs and then the fireworks at 9.30. We wandered the stalls to see what foods there were to have. Being the great sport she is, Deb got to try a funnel cake, curly potato chips (all from one potato) and the kids chowed down on hot dogs even after having dinner.

Made for a late night, but was a very patriotic and moving night. And fun to share it with a friend, especially one who shared Australia Day with us this past year.

Debbie’s Day Off aka Our Trip to Chicago

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Debbie and I planned a day in the big city. Not quite as jam packed as Ferris Bueller, but pretty busy nonetheless. Started by catching the train at 8.55 to the city. Deb got to see all the suburbs from here to there and get a better lay of the land. We rode up on the top level, just like tourists (or the regular sleepy business people).

Made it into Ogilve Station around 11, right on time. Stopped for a coffee and a bit of nourishment at the Corner Bakery.

Headed to the Sears Tower to get a bus pass for the day. Then off to Navy Pier for the architectural boat tour. On the way we snacked a bit at the farmers market at the base of the Sears Tower.

Found our boat ride and got edge seats, so the photos turned out nicely. The clouds broke and the sun came out for a bit. Was a pleasant, perfect feel to a summer day. Learned alot about the history of Chicago and its buildings. I really liked the tour and so did Deb.

After that we took the trolley to Michigan Avenue to start the sightseeing, shopping and eating. Made our way up to Water Tower Place. Stopped into American Girl store so Debbie could see what all the fuss was about. Holy crap – its even bigger in its new location.

Dragged her to the Cheesecake Factory for my Santa Fe Salad. Debbie tried the Chinese Chicken Salad. She was brave and didn’t let the sheer size of it deter her. In fact, she made a good dent in it, but definitely didn’t finish it!

Off to shopping – hit H&M, Vic Secret and Filene’s Basement. Found some pretty good bargains at Filene’s. Enough to make it worth carrying the bags around for a few hours.

Started to wander up towards the taste of Chicago, stopping for Fannie Mae chocolate on the way. Made it to Millennium Park and she got to watch the Crown Fountain thru one face change and water squirt. Missed the Bean because we were in a hurry to make it to the Taste of Chicago. Got to Grant Park at 8.20 and hopped in the ticket line. With 2 people in front of us, they shut the ticket booth at exactly 8.30. So we wandered and Deb marvelled at the size of the food (turkey legs). No food to be had, but we made it to Buckingham Fountain in time for the lighting.

Stayed for a few minutes and then hoofed it back to the train station to get home. Embarrassingly enough, we hailed a cab a few blocks away – a blister was my excuse and I think Debbie was getting tired of walking.

Grabbed gyros for the train and settled in for the long ride back. We were happily greeted by Mom and Dad who did the 11pm pick up from the station. And then off to bed for two tired little campers.