Cousin's bday party

Yesterday was my cousin's baby's 2nd birthday. Baby Rania sure knows how to throw a great party!

Me and Xander taking a selfie

Rania blowing out her candles

Kids playing with one of their party favors at home

Party games!

Rania with her Grandpa, her favorite:)

Afternoon downtown Chicago!

Yesterday we went down to the City and spent the entire time exploring the wonderful new Maggie Daley Park. It had high tech, new play areas and the kids were enthralled. Even Mom and Dad got to partake in the fun. We then had a bite to eat at the Art Museum, in the Cafe outdoors. We sat next to the fountain with a great sculpture of the Tritons, from Greek mythology. It was so pleasant and the food was really great and reasonable, that I remarked how we should eat at the museum more often! We even got to catch a quick outdoor orchestra performance by the Youth Orchestra. It was a very nice day

Alana posing with the Skyline

Great tire swing made for two

More of Maggie Daley Park. This place is amazing!

Alana Mommy selfie near some fragrant flowers

We stopped by to catch "The Sorcerers Apprentice" played by the Youth Orchestra in the outdoor Pavillion. They were very good!

Using the bathroom at the Palmer House Hilton!

First Day of School: We have a 3rd grade and a 1st grader this year!!

Mommy-Daughter day!

Alana and I had our own special mother-daughter day. We started out with breakfast at Egg Harbor Cafe, then went on to Blackberry Farm, then went to the Pottery Bayou where we painted some pottery, then the Spa where she got her first pedicure (she chose sparkly gold nail polish of course!) and finally went to Noodles and Company for dinner, which is her favorite restaurant.

                                        Seeing where kids went to school in the "Olden Days"

                                                   Post haircut and pedi photo!