Jason was away this week, visiting family in Iowa and then on to Chicago for the National Sports Card Collectors show. It made for some busy mornings for me but I had 3 great helpers.

On Monday morning Steven wanted my help with his orthotics but I was busy putting on Sammy’s sunscreen so Amaya offered to help. My goodness, it was sweet to watch.

Waiting for the camp bus. The kids like to peek out of my sunroof.

Monday afternoon I headed off on yet another work trip and Grandma Sunshine came to the rescue to spend the night and get the kids to camp on Tuesday morning.

All smiles for Grandma!

Wednesday morning and I back! (For now.) Some “waiting for the bus” selfies.

Here, on Thursday morning, Sammy was telling Amaya that he thinks her braid is beautiful.

Thursday was a late day at camp and these kids were ready for twelve hours of fun.

(Sorry, Sammy, I never got around to deleting your song from this video.)

On Friday night, the kids and I set off on a road trip to meet Jason in Chicago. We’re master fliers but this was our longest drive. The kids did great thanks to tablets and happy meals. Unlike our drive to Cleveland, this time I thought to download content ahead of time so I didn’t have to try to stream via my hotspot.

We got to Chicago at 9:15pm CT and Sammy slept for the last hour of the drive. Steven fell asleep within 5 minutes of the hotel. He may have conked out earlier but he loved the trains that run through the middle of the highway in Chicago.

A hearty hotel breakfast before heading to the aquarium. Steven was deep in conversation. As per usual.

<3

It was a beautiful day. While Jason headed to the last day at the ball card show, the kids and I headed to the Shedd Aquarium. We had this beautiful view of Lake Michigan and Chicago. SSA couldn’t believe how massive the lake is.

The aquarium really is incredible. So much to see and do.

Penguins!

Playing like Penguins in the Penguin habitat play area. If Ashley hadn’t shown up, I’m not sure I would have been able to tear the kids away.

Ashley, our afternoon sitter from Summer 2017, is interning at the Shedd and she graciously comped our tickets. On top of that, she arranged for Steven, Sammy and Amaya to have a behind-the-scenes look at some animals. We met and pet a turtle, a skink and a snake. Such a cool addition to our visit.

The kids and Ashley. It’s so nice that we’re still in touch two year later.

I took a series of about 15 pictures of Amaya posting on these rocks. “Take another picture of me.”

Front row seats for the dolphin show. WOW. (Amaya was not thrilled about this particular picture.)

Our lunchtime view. We braved the heat for the chance to eat outside and watch the boats and airplanes.

When you’re solo and someone just can NOT wait to go to the bathroom, you pack up your lunch and sit outside a single person family bathroom while said person takes forever.

Finally… my personal favorite was this incredible turtle.

After the aquarium we met up with Jason and checked out the ball card show. Ahead of time he scoped out some activities that could be fun for the kids including personalizing some bags from eBay, spinning a prize wheel and getting our own Honus Wagner style ball cards made.

The kids used stencils to make their bags. True to their style, Sammy just completed the outline and was done while Steven meticulously colored his in. Amaya frustrated that these stencil letters don’t look right (they had spaces) and attempted to reconnected them.

Originally we contemplated driving home on Saturday night but, after a late dinner, we made the call to spend one more night. The kids were thrilled to get another night in a hotel room (and in beds with Mommy and Daddy). 🙂

Time to go!

A quiet car. For a while, at least.

Amaya complained that it hurt her neck to look down at her table ton her lap so she came up with a creative solution.

Back home!

Earlier in the week it occurred to me that JCC Day Camp might have a Facebook page and they do! I was able to find all of these (and more) photos of Steven, Sammy and Amaya having fun at camp. It was so cool to get a glimpse into their days.

Tree Runner course!

A view of the fields and the camp pool. (Until recently I didn’t even realize they have a separate pool for the camp. I thought they used the main campus outdoor pool.)

I’ll leave you with this morning exchange from our ride to the bus, earlier in the week. Keep in mind that Amaya has long said that she never wants to give birth to a baby.

Amaya: I’m never getting married

Sammy: If Amaya gets married to a lady, the lady she marries can carry the baby

Amaya: I don’t want to get married because I can’t decide between Elsa and Captain Marvel

Steven: I’m going to marry Captain America

Sammy: How will they have a baby if they they want one?

Me: Could a lady carry a baby for them?

Amaya: That’s not “carrying” it’s called “donating.”

Amaya again: Wait. If I have a baby with a lady, where will we get the sperm?

I love that they understand that relationships come in all different forms, (including with fictional superheroes and princesses lol) and that our biology lessons are taking hold. They don’t quite know the mechanics of reproduction but eggs and sperm and the various ways families are made are sinking in.

Have a great week!