Wisconsin Dells

We went to the Wisconsin Dells for a couple of days with two other law school couples: the Roberts and the Paynters. It was really fun! The Wisconsin Dells is home to the nation's largest indoor waterparks. We went to Chula Vista, one of the big waterparks, shopped at the outlets, and got to eat at Culver's. Maxwell went down some decent-sized waterslides by himself. He went down again and again until we told him it was time to go home. Jackson liked the kiddie pool somewhat, but he was pretty grumpy from getting to bed late the night before. This was our second trip to the Dells. I will be sad that we won't be able to go next year after we leave Chicago! Oh, and the last picture is of me in my swimsuit with 8 weeks to go. Now I have just 7 weeks left!!!!

St. Patrick's Day Parade

We went to the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade a couple of weeks ago, and it was fun. There were tons of people, and we were behind so many that I wasn't able to see anything. We had the kids on our shoulders though, so the kids were able to enjoy the parade. Maxwell's favorite float was the one with Ronald McDonald on it. We left after a bunch of drunk people started gathering behind us and causing a stir. One very drunk guy started dancing around in his boxers, and people started getting a little crazy, so we left to see the green Chicago river (they dye it green every year for St. Patrick's Day). Then we got to have lunch at Chipotle. Here are some pictures.

Children's Museum

The boys really enjoyed going to the Chicago Children's Museum a few weeks ago. They especially enjoyed dressing up as firemen. Here are some pics.

Family Pics

Here are a couple of family pics our friends took in the Fall.

Braniac Child Continued

I let Maxwell type more words on my computer this morning, and here are the words I told him to spell. Again, he spelled them all on his own without any help from me:

Dad

Sad

Bad

Had

Pad

Mad

Top

Pop

Mop

stop

mom

Brainiac Child

Today I wanted to see how well Maxwell can spell. He started reading simple words at 3 1/2 this last summer, but I haven't worked with him too much on it because I wanted him to stay excited about reading and not feel like I was pressuring him into it. Today I wanted to see how well he could spell, so I let him sit at my computer and told him to type the word "cat." He did so perfectly. Then I pushed enter and asked him to spell another word, then another. I didn't sound it out or anything or show him where the letters were on the keyboard. He did everything on his own, and then added words that rhyme without my asking him to spell them. Here is the list he typed. Naturally there are several repeat words, but at least he understands spelling and rhyming. Not too shabby for a kid who turned 4 just a week ago! (note that he didn't capitalize them on his own--that was automatic from pushing enter):

Cat

Hat

Bat

Sat

Hat

Bat

Sat

Mat

Cat

Hit

Sit

Mit

Fit

Bit

Cut

But

Hut