Moving on to Mother's Day

Hey, I'm into May now .... getting caught up a bit. Imagine I may actually get to June sometime in the near future. (smile)

Mother's Day was a beatiful day .... not warm exactly but not cold either. We were able to head to the lakefront and walk 7 bridges in Grant Park. It was a relaxing and enjoyable day ... please join us:

The girls are all smiles here but neither were what I would call excited to go. Hailee was more into shooting hoops because the weather was finally nice and Gabi had no idea what we were talking about. She wasn't thrilled about walking on bridges and was sceptical that this was going to be fun!

We started off the walk going the wrong way and found that the path we took was a dead end since they were working on the bridge. Would have been nice if they had put up a sign at the beginning telling us to go the other way .... although along the way we had a few kodak moments.

Hailee was all for getting on top of the tree -- Gabi needed to be convinced. I thought she handled it well when I saw the smile on her face -- but that was only until I really looked at this photo, she looks scared to death with a death grip on the front. She's too funny!

Along the way we saw something in the hollow of a tree. At the time we couldn't tell exactly what it was. Jack thougth a chipmunk but Hailee guessed an owl -- she was right. How beautiful is that??? Another kodak moment ..... no fear from Gabi this time, her feet were firmly planted on the ground. I love that along the pathways you find these benches ... perfect spots for a break and some pictures. It really was a nice walk - - if you've never been, you definitely need to check it out.Several times the girls "needed" to check something out along the way. As Gabi got more comfortable she had fun running down the inclines back to the path.Once we reached the beach the girls were excited and so was I. I love the lakefront!!! It was a long hike but so worth it. A bit chilly but we had a great time.

What's one of the most important things to watch for when you're walking on the beach. Washed glass, of course. Once Gabi understood what to look for she was on a mission to find it. Even Hailee searched for the best pieces.

Of course you have to find some rocks for skipping when you're at the lake. Gabi had a few lessons from Hailee & Dad .......

But try, try and try again she couldn't get one to skip across the lake. To her credit she didn't give up ..... and always had that smile on her face when she tried.

Eventually she did give up -- she was a little discouraged that she couldn't get the rocks to do anything but hit the water and sink.

The frustration didn't last long, she found that finding pretty rocks was easier. And you didn't have to look very far or for very long before you found one prettier than the next.

Proudly displaying one of the 50 or so that she found. Each one went into her pockets until they were stuffed. She finally decided that she couldn't bring them all home because her pockets were too heavy. She couldn't convince Hailee to put any in her pockets -- Hailee's pockets were filled with washed glass, so she settled on a few to bring home.

Another kodak moment; Hailee said there was nothing better listening to music while walking along the beach --lately she doesn't go anywhere without her ipod ...... see the cord leading to her ear. Only one earpiece in so she could hear the waves with the other .... guess if you're a teenager it makes sense!! :-)


Looking up the bluffs from the beach -- imagine by now they are lush and green. Maybe we'll have to go back and check it out.

The view up the bluffs may be pretty but there was a much prettier view right on the beach. Well, at least this mom thinks so ....

Eventually we had to make the walk back through the bridges to the car. The girls were more relaxed and not moving as quick on the way back so we were able to stop along the way and enjoy the views.

It really was a nice Mother's Day. The only way the day would have been better would have been to have all my children with me .... but a mom can't be selfish, I guess.

Just a little update on Miss Gabi. She has been bugging both Jack and I about getting a haircut. It was hard to know if she was really serious because all she had talked about for months was growing her hair long .... suddenly all she's talking about is getting it cut.

It took a long time to convince us but she kept at it so we took her in. The hairdresser said her hair was unbelievably thick and heavy .... Gabi decided on layers and is really happy with her decision. She looks pretty cute; no surprise though, she's already talking about growing it out. (smile)