Thankful Thursday on Friday

Chicago was amazing. This is my favorite picture! Hammer laying on top of a dino bone that they leave out for everyone to touch and feel!

On to my thankfuls...

1. Chicago Trip. Just seeing Hammer's face when he finally saw Sue the T-rex after wanting to see her for so very long, was something I will never forget. Hammer said it was his best birthday so far! 17... wow. Where did the time go?

(you can see the pics by clicking the link in the entry prior to this one!)

2. My Dad. He was a great sport thru the entire trip. We pushed and pushed our way thru 2 museums and one Aquarium since the trip was short and we had a lot to cover!

3. My body. It behaved. By Sunday, I had to finally admit to Dad and Hammer they needed to go slower, but it could have been much, much worse. Each night I went to bed early and slept great at the hotel! I was sore and tired since I got home, but this could even be worse too.

4. Hubby. He held down the fort here at home.

5. My Mom. She helped Hubby hold down the fort and treated the kids and Hubby to dinner several times.

6. Uncle K. Even he did his part, by coming to the house early when his work allowed him to and kept the kids company!

7. Facebook. Even Hubby admitted for the first time ever that it was pretty cool and awesome to be able to see the pics uploaded and my comments that were put up on the fly in Chicago. You can do it faster than email which nice. ;-)

It is good to be home. Now, we begin preparations for back to school. The kids don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day here, but Fuzzy has his high school orientation day next week.

This weekend is supposed to be nasty and rainy, so the plan is to shop for school supplies etc.

be well...

Chicago Trip 8/20 - 25, by Dawn

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Hey everyone, I am back! Check out the photo album... will post a real one soon!

be well...

Thankful Thursday - A Day Early!

So, a day early for my Thankful things... why?

Tomorrow myself, my dad and Hammer, my eldest, go on a special trip to Chicago! This is for Hammer's 17 birthday. You may remember that I homeschool him and he has Asperger's Syndrome, an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Hammer is not yet feel ready or interested in driving yet, and since he has been homeschooled he missed out on the special trips overnight with the school and the graduations, so my mom and dad helped to make this possible!

Hammer has always wanted to visit the Field Museum in Chicago, since he was 5 years old, to see Sue the largest and most complete T-rex dinosaur skeleton. Since then we have also read some great books featuring Chicago and its architecture and history. Some fiction, like Jim Butcher's 'Dead Beat' and some factual like Erik Larson's 'Devil in the White City'.

This is going to be quite a trip! We are going by train! Hammer (as most Aspie's do) loves trains, and so does my dad (hmmm, lol). Sleeper car and everything! We leave from NYC tomorrow afternoon and arrive Friday am in Chicago!

We are also staying at the very historic and newly renovated Blackstone Hotel! Visited by more than 20 US Presidents, and the sight of the coining of the political phrase 'smoke filled room' and where FDR received his third nomination etc.

We are also planning to go to the Shedd Aquarium (adjacent to the Field Museum) and to Navy Pier, which has many recreational activities. We are planning to do a water boat tour, either the historical or the architectural one.

No trip to Chicago would be complete without trying authentic Chicago deep dish pizza! The plan is to hit Lou Malnati's for that, maybe even Friday night!!! And, no Dan, it isn't 'real' pizza, just a different kind, 'deep dish'. 'Real' pizza is what you get in NY and NJ!!!! LOL

Saturday will be our Field Museum day and it is Hammer's birthday. I am not sure where we will go for dinner, but Hammer has already put in a vote for a good steak. ;-)

So, on to the Thankful's...

1. Chicago Trip. And, for my parents making this possible after our financing fell thru when Hubby's old yucky job cut his pay, etc. We are eternally grateful for the memories this will create, of Hammer's dream come true!

2. Coffee. The magical elixir helping me to get packed and ready for said trip!

3. Fuzzy and Pumpkin. For being wonderfully supportive siblings of this trip for their brother, and understanding that this will not be giving him 'more' but simply 'tipping the scales to even'. I am so proud to be your mom!

4. Hubby. For holding down the fort while I will be away. And, for the spectacular job you did Sunday on cleaning out the garage. It is heavenly now!

5. Friends. You are all wonderful... thank you. Those on bookface, those on my email loop, Kathy, Karol... all of you. Wind beneath my wings...

Off to packing and organizing for the trip!

be well...