Ben celebrated his spring break on this cold, rainy week in Chicago.

Still I tried my best to make each day fun and special for him.

Some of the activities included swimming (while the twins had a lesson).

A trip to the Morton Arboretum to look for trolls. 

While we were there we picnicked, enjoyed the playgrounds,

the maze, 

and this really big hill…

Ben also had TWO playdates with his buddy from school. First we hung out here for the day and went to pump it up in the afternoon.

Then, another day, we went to the Children’s Museum together. It was Ben’s first look at the new, “Once Upon a Castle” room. 

I really liked how all the boys just grab swords and form a motley crew. Something about the room really promotes group play.

We also went upstairs where Ben had a pick up game of chess. It was a proud moment for me to watch him find a friend to play with then find the grace to lose to him.

In the past anything could have happened. Ben refusing to play by the rules. Ben refusing to lose. Ben breaking down in a fit of rage and frustration.

Finally I took him horseback riding. It’s something he loves to do and now that he is 7 he can actually hit the trails.

Afterwards they gave us a tour of the barn and Ben boldly petted and fed the animals.

There were also other treats. Like going out to dinner, donuts for breakfast, or spending an evening eating ice cream from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream shop.

Overall I’d say we had a successful, fun filled week for him.

Now I get less than a week’s rest before it’s time to pull off the same performance for Jack!

Mother Nature decided to wait until a week before spring before dumping all this beautiful snow on us.

The kids couldn’t have been more excited!

We haven’t had a good snow day all winter!

We quickly finished our homework and as soon as Adam got home from work, we headed out to the nearby sledding hill.

Just walking over to the hill is fun for all!

Holding hands when crossing the street.

The kids managed to do every configuration of sledding you can think of with the various sleds we brought.

I loved to watch them roll around with reckless abandon, without any worry where the snow might touch them.

It was such a wonderful childhood moment to watch. Pure joy. And one I never experienced as a kid growing up in Florida.

Afterwards we had hot chocolate, ordered a pizza, went to bed late and slept well.

More snow fell today….

Last week Jack had a paper for school where he had to argue whether there should be zoos or not. 

Interestingly, he argued against zoos, siting some animals as dangerous predators, taking animals away from their families and housing them in the wrong climate.

I asked him why he argued against zoos, since we go and visit our local one quite often and he said it was easier to argue against, that there were more arguments against than for.

I love his practical nature!

Which means he wasn’t bothered to walk to the zoo with us this weekend.

I must admit, personally it makes me feel squeamish sometimes to eyeball a bunch of caged animals for fun.

Still, even after all the arguments against, there are still plenty for.

Like the fact that our kids get such great exposure to many different real live species.

Regenstein African Journey

Regenstein African Journey

Quite often it starts a talking point and a learning opportunity. Like whether polar bears and the black bear are the same thing.

New Polar Bear Exhibit

Pritzker Family Zoo Black Bear

Otters at the Pritzker Family Zoo

Pritzker Family Zoo

Pritzker Family Zoo

And our zoo provides all these interesting sights for free!

I also liked that we skipped snacks and had a ridiculously  early dinner at Eleven City Diner, where you can order breakfast ALL DAY long.

(It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.)

Early dinner means we have the run of the place and our wiggly kids don’t annoy other customers!

Afterwards we visited their candy counter for dessert. Loved all the old school treats!

It was a really nice day out, we have been so lucky to have another mild winter that makes it possible to wander around outside and it not be numbingly painful.