Goodbye April, Hello May

It is crazy that tomorrow is May 1st.  April has been incredibly busy for us with work-related functions, Makenna's soccer practice and games, Justin's soccer games, church activities, and just life in general and unfortunately May isn't going to slow down.  I will be wrapping up another school year, writing new curriculum and assessments, and preparing to teach summer school in June.   Makenna and Justin will continue playing soccer through the month of May and Beckham will just continue to "go with the flow" with all of our hectic schedules.  And of course, May also brings celebrating moms and graduates and we will definitely be celebrating both, especially our favorite graduate...

 

Isn't that just too cute for words.  This is Mak's professional pre-school graduation photo.  Her ceremony will be on May 16th and we are excited to celebrate this milestone of hers.  It is hard for us to believe she will be going to kindergarten in August, but she is more than ready and we are very proud of how well she did at her kindergarten screening.  But for now we are going to cherish this last month of her preschool career and we will be sure to post pictures of all of our May happenings. (Plus I need to finish editing other pictures to share.)

Spring Break--Chicago Day 2 through Pictures

On Thursday we decided to let Makenna sleep in a little since we had a long day with a lot of walking ahead of us.  Although we did take utilize the public transit system when we could we still did a TON of walking, but Makenna was a real trooper the entire trip.

 Day 2 at the American Girl store.

 

 The Hancock Observatory.  Makenna was amazed at how tall it was.

 

 Makenna on the Magnificant Mile.

 Posing once again outside the American Girl store.

 In front of Saige's display--the 2013 Girl of the Year

 

 You can't read what this says, but it was cute and Makenna wanted a picture in front of it.

 

 Makenna and Kit in front of one of Kit's display.

 

 The Kit and Ruthie display.  Makenna thinks that Santa will bring her Ruthie for Christmas.  Or she has the idea that the tooth fairy should leave her $100 so she can buy her herself.  The first one might happen.  The second idea not so much.

 

 Makenna with McKenna--the 2012 Girl of the Year

 

 Makenna with all the previous girls of the year

 

 Makenna and Saige in her hot air balloon.

 

She loved the sporty outfits--especially the soccer and volleyball players.

 

 Getting ready for our lunch reservations.  I have never seen so much pink in one place.

 

 Makenna and Kit at our table.

 

 Makenna, Kit, and Mom

 

 We were really impressed with the American Girl restaurant.  They even had conversation starters for us to discuss.

 

 And Kit even got her own cup and saucer.

Makena loved the fruit kabobs the most.

 

 After our time at American Girl, we headed to Shedd Aquarium.

 

 

 One of the few pictures Makenna would let me take of her at Shedd.

 

 Jellyfish.

 

 Makenna and Justin looking at a display.

 

 More jellyfish.

 Makenna with the Chicago skyline behind her.

 

 And a silly picture.

 

 Celebrating Pi Day (yes I'm a math nerd) eat the best pizza at Giordano's.

 

 Makenna said it was the best pizza ever.

 

 View of Navy Pier from our hotel.

 

Justin and Makenna ended Day 2 with a little swimming.



Spring Break--Chicago Day 1 through Pictures

 Watching our plane land at the Branson airport.  Makenna was excited to fly for the first time.

 Playing in our hotel room at the W Lakeshore.  Great hotel and great location.



 Justin and Makenna on our way to American Girl.

 

 Love this picture because of Makenna's expression.  She had just spotted Kit and was pretty sure she was the doll she wanted.

 

 Exploring all the Kit books.

 

 Makenna and her new friend, Kit.  We were waiting to get her ears pierced.

 

 Justin and Woody--make out of Legos.  We took this for Beckham who is currently obsessed with Toy Story.

 

 

The Chicago Cityscape at the Lego store.  Very cool.

 

We spent our first night at Navy Pier, which was right across from our hotel.  We ate at Bubba Gump's Seafood House and just explored the area.  After that, we headed back to the hotel to relax and get ready for the big day ahead of us.