Cubs in Cincy...

 The Cubs were in town this weekend, so we drove down to Cincinnati to see them tonight for Maren's birthday.  We love our Cubbies, win or lose.  Tonight it was lose, but we still had a great time.  It was also awesome to see the girls' music teacher on the jumbo-tron...a fellow die-hard Cubs fan!

The girls at Great American Ballpark...

Birthday girl...

 

Go Cubs Go...

 

The Reds hit another home run, Logan and I are NOT impressed...

 

Next Year is Here...

We're so excited for the Cubs home opener later today on WGN. Maren and Carsyn were supporting the Cubbies with their red and blue (you can't tell from the picture, but Carsyn is wearing a Cubs headband), but Logan insisted on wearing black and yellow for VCU (her class' team for the tournament). Daddy was a little mad because Logan told him that they were going to "Ram the Bulldogs!" But, who can blame her--Shaka Smart is extremely good-looking!

Go Cubs Go...

Cubs @ Cincy (again)...

After school today I walked Logan and Carsyn home for the first time this school year. They regularly ride the bus home so they can get an early start on homework before we have to rush off to cheer practice. But, there typically isn't any homework on Fridays.

They're really starting not to like dressing alike

(hello?! you guys wear a uniform!)...

Once we arrived home after school we all got changed and ready to see the Cubs in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, we must not have been totally prepared because we were nearly halfway there when daddy informed us that he forgot his wallet. So we had to go all the way back home and start the drive all over again. Needless to say, mommy was not a happy camper. We got to Great American Ballpark in the second inning...oh well. The score wasn't that bad when we got there either, and we were just in time to see the Cubs only run ; (. I don't know if we're bad luck or what, but this was the third time we've seen the Cubs play the Reds this season, and the third time we've seen them get beaten--BADLY! Definitely NOT Reds fans--yuck! What a crappy season! There's always NEXT YEAR right? We had fun anyway.

Go Cubs...

I think they were trying to get on the "Kiss Cam"...

One of our faves, Marlon Byrd...

Trying to get him to throw us a ball...

The Windy City...

After the girls' last swimming class on Thursday morning, we packed up the car and drove up to Chicago. The drive was fine until we hit major traffic on 65N north of Lafayette. There must have been an accident because we were completely stopped for 15 minutes before daddy decided to get off the highway. Yuck. Anyway, after arriving at our hotel just off the "Magnificent Mile" we got ready for a night on the town. We walked over to Navy Pier, where the girls enjoyed playing at the Children's Museum (and mommy and daddy enjoyed the free admission.) Then we ate dinner at Harry Caray's. How fun!

Checking out the view from our hotel

(the John Hancock building is on the right)...

Navy Pier...

Fun times at the Children's Museum...

Carsyn...

Holy Cow!

After dinner...

Navy Pier at night...

On Friday we all went down to the lobby for a leisurely breakfast before going up to Wrigleyville. The "L" was packed with (mostly) Cubs fans headed to the North side. We wanted to get to the park early so the girls could get their promotional American Girls Cubs outfit that they were giving away at the game. It was a beautiful day at Wrigley, weather wise. But, unfortunately the Cubs did not play that way. We were really hoping to get to hear "Go Cubs Go", but they lost again...to the Reds...again. That's our second time this season having to watch the Reds beat us! Oh well. We still had fun. On the way back to our hotel we delighted in some delicious Jamba Juice!

The Friendly Confines...

Carsyn...

Yes, this was Maren's first Cubs game (at Wrigley)--poor girl

had to wait 'til she was nearly four years old...

Enjoying the game with dad...

We are diehard fans, but we just couldn't stay any longer...

Yummm...

Back in our suite the girls couldn't wait to dress their dolls up in their new clothes. They even gave them their ice cream dishes to wear as batting helmets! You'll notice, though, that Carsyn's doll is only wearing her jersey...that's because her doll doesn't play baseball, she's just a fan ; )!

Go Cubbies...

Now that their dolls had new clothes, they needed a new hairdo's. So, we (reluctantly) took the girls to the American Girl Place for a style for Carsyn's doll and ear piercing for Logan's doll. Maren's doll has no hair, so she enjoyed a cupcake with daddy at the cafe. Afterward, we went out for some delicious Chicago-style pizza!

The girls at AGP...

Logan and Felicity's new earrings...

Carsyn and Elizabeth's new 'do...

Sunday morning after breakfast we headed across Lake Shore to the beach. The girls were so impressed with Lake Michigan and the fact that it was so close to downtown. They had so much fun playing. Next time we'll have to plan better and pack swim suits.

Beach girls...

Maren...

Carsyn...

Logan...

After the beach, we checked out the hotel with the idea of hitting Shedd Aquarium on our way home. However, we were very unpleasantly surprised to find a two-hour long line, outside--in the hot sun--just to purchase tickets. So, the girls settled for the Field Museum. Definitely not as fun as the aquarium, but a good time nonetheless.

Logan, bitterly walking up the stairs to the Field Museum...

Maren with Solider Field behind her...

Sue...

Camporee and the Cubs...

Logan, Carsyn, and I had to be at school at seven o'clock this morning to caravan down to "Camporee". It was extremely difficult to get two girls (plus myself) up, fed, dressed, and packed for a full day outdoors, with questionable weather. Because Logan's troop is older, they were able to do more adventurous activities, like "creeking" and climbing the rock wall. So, their troops were not together for most of the day. And while I had a great time with Carsyn and her troop, I wasn't able to spend much time with Logan. But, the girls had a blast, even though it was rather chilly for a day in May--54 degrees and windy. (Being from Speedway, I guess we should have expected weird weather...May is always such an unpredictable month.)

Megan, Lakyn, Logan, and Meghan all ready to go...

Carsyn's Daisy troop, leaders, and moms...

Carsyn and Lakyn, Cubbies fans...

Logan, Meghan, and Ame'lie doing a craft...

Carsyn crossing the "swinging" bridge...

She was a little nervous...

Josie, Hannah, Lucey, and Carsyn getting tired after a long day...

After Camporee was over, Daddy, Nana, and Maren picked us up and drove down to Cincinnati to see the Cubs battle the Reds. It was pretty cold, but we had great time. The girls' favorite part was eating all the ballpark food: nachos, hot dogs, cotton candy. Of course it would have been a lot more fun had the Cubs actually won, but we're loyal fans--and we're used to it. Go Cubs Go!

Daddy and Maren...

Carsyn looking for Carlos...

Ready for the first pitch...

Trying to keep warm...

Logan...