Joel's 4th Birthday: Part 1 (of 3) celebrations

My computer is out of commission, but we're working on getting it fixed.  So, I apologize for the lack of blog updates.  I've also been busy with repairing our dryer, which is all fixed! :-)

On to more important things... Joel turned 4 at the end of July.  We had tons of fun celebrating his birthday for a couple of weeks.  He is old enough that he fully understands that birthdays mean lots of celebrations and fun.  This includes special treats, dinners, presents, a party, and cake.  Joel often has a specific plan in mind for the details of all of these celebrations.

The week before his birthday, we tried out a new to us train themed restaurant.  This one is a little further away from our house than the one we have been to so many times they recognize us.  So, we went to ChooChoo Johnny's (we had a LivingSocial certificate)!

Jim is holding Kirstin on top of the train, even though that lovely white piece of paper on the wall next to the train says only one child at a time.

Kirstin and Jim checking out the model train display (sorry for the bad reflection from the window).

Kirstin drinking MY milkshake!

Watching the train the delivered his Superman Ice cream with a candle in it.  

Choo Choo Johnny's is more spacious, quieter, and less overstimulating than All Aboard Diner.  The food is better at AAD, not that you really go for the food.

Grandma Kris came down to celebrate with Joel the weekend before his birthday, too.  We spent Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Park Zoo.  It's a free zoo in downtown Chicago.  (Parking was NOT free)!  Joel and I have been wanting to check out this zoo, so this was a great time.  

I think Flamingos are cool creatures.

Lincoln Park Zoo has a Farm in the Zoo.  This was particular interesting to Joel because it is featured in one of his "John Deere for Kids" videos that he has checked out from the library.

We watched a cow milking demonstration.  As a breastfeeding mom, I felt like I could relate to those cows and am grateful that my baby is always with me rather than a big machine. 

Joel and Jim on the big John Deere tractor!

Our family! Thanks, Grandma Kris for taking the picture.

A one horned gazelle (he lost it in an incident at a previous institution) and a giraffe.

Hello, Giraffe!  We see your black tongue.  One of Joel's books has a giraffe with a red tongue and I tried to tell Joel that they really have black tongues.  So, we waited to observe (and get a picture) of the a real giraffe's black tongue.  Every moment is a teaching moment around here. :-)

Hello Polar Bear.  Thank you for diving into the water and swimming right up to us.  We enjoyed getting to observe you during your afternoon swim.

Up close with the Polar Bear.  

On Joel's actual birthday we went to dinner at his favorite restaurant, All Aboard Diner, where we have gone  to celebrate his 2nd, 3rd, and now 4th birthdays... as well as the birth of his baby sister and many other random things that needed to be celebrated.

This time Kirstin was allowed to ride the train with Joel.  They both loved it!

Joel was thrilled to enjoy his birthday ice cream!  What an adorable four-year-old!

Stay tuned for the week of all the preparations for Joel's party and the party.

Free Fun in the Big City (Part 2)

A few Saturdays ago was a pretty big deal.  It was National Train Day!  Trains are a BIG deal in our family.  Joel LOVES all things trains.  My grandpa and great grandfather both worked for the railroad, so trains are special to me too.  We made big plans for National Train Day this year.  Unfortunately, Jim had to play a wedding and couldn't join us for the fun.  So I decided to venture out with the 2 kids in tow independently.  We drove to our local train station just a few miles from our house.  Then attempted to buy a weekend pass train ticket for me ($7 on and off all weekend) with both kids being free, however, I didn't realize that the stations don't have attendants on the weekend.  I've only taken the train one other time and it was with 4 adults and only 1 kid almost 3 years ago.  So, Joel, Kirstin, and I skeptically waited around until the designated time for the train.  

He was so precious as he was sitting at the station.

 We were pleasantly surprised when the train showed up and stopped.  We anxiously and excitedly climbed aboard.  Fortunately, you can buy the ticket from the conductor.  Joel, who is well read about trains, was very intrigued by the conductor coming to take (sell us) our ticket.

I love this picture of Joel and Scheppy watching the suburbs go past as we take the train downtown.

Kirstin was trying to steal Joel's conductor's hat.

So where were we taking the train?  We went to Union Station!  They had several FREE exhibits to celebrate National Train Day.  There was a section for kids where they each received a paper conductor's hat, a paper Amtrak engine, and a Junior Conductor's coloring book.  The main hall also had some performances, demonstrations, model trains, and various train exhibitors where we were able to pick up some more freebies, including wooden train whistles.

We were also able to tour a Amtrak train.  Joel was thrilled with being able to "explore a passenger train".  Again, he is well read when it comes to trains, but hasn't had very much experience on them.

Joel need to push every button, turn every lever, sit in every type of chair.  He loved this hands (and feet) on experience.  It was so exciting to him that he didn't mind that this portion was so similar to the airplane seats with which he is very familiar.

Joel climbed the ladder to the top bed in the family bedroom of one of the sleeper cars.  I told him to look like he was sleeping. :-)

We also enjoyed some quiet time in one of the 2 person sleeping areas, but I was busy feeding Kirstin so didn't take a picture.

After just about 2 hours at Union Station, it was time for us to go find our track to go back home.  The train was there and open for us to get on board.  Both kids (and their mom) were a bit tired and hungry at this point.  We all shared a snack while we waited for the train to leave the station.  Once we were back out into the daylight, Joel again enjoyed watching all the towns go past.  He even enjoyed asking as EVERY station approach was announced if it was "Belmont Station".  

Joel loved both of the one hour train rides, as well as the exploring and exhibits in Union Station.  Kirstin was happy that I wore her in the Ergo baby carrier all day.  I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride that we had a fun day during a totally new adventure for all of us with me as the solo adult with both kids!  We were all excited to share the experience with Jim when we arrived at home church (he was so sad to miss out on this adventure).  We are looking forward to vacation this summer when we get to do even more fun adventures that will include daddy!