spring break in mis-wok-ee

It wasn't until about two weeks before spring break that I realized Leah had a neurology appointment in Chicago smack in the middle of our free time during the break. With me getting home from Salt Lake on Tuesday, we only had the end of the week to play...and her appointment was on Friday afternoon. These aren't just appointments you can reschedule - unless you're okay waiting six months. And we're not. I was a little bummed seeing as we wanted to go somewhere new (Chicago is lots of fun, but we've done it a few times and wanted to explore!). Ryan suggested Milwaukee and I wasn't over the moon about it, but figured it was better than nothing. Just a short drive north of Chicago, it was the best option for the amount of time we had given her appointment. 

We arrived a little later than we would have liked, but still took some time to explore the area near our hotel. We ran into the Fonz and Leah loved the elevators they had for her stroller on the river walk. Kate apparently had a rough day and relaxed by drinking a late night glass of water from a wine glass. 

The next day we explored Discovery World - an innovation, science and technology museum with hands-on exhibits. It had a music factory, an aquarium, an enormous exhibit of the Great Lakes and surrounding regions, a Les Paul exhibit and so much more. We spent hours exploring inside and out with a great, windy view of Lake Michigan...where we got a perfect family photo. (And, thanks to the reciprocal pass from our local museum, it was FREE!) 

That night, we walked over to the Milwaukee Public Market to eat. It was a hoppin' (read: crowded, notably so with a large special needs stroller) place to be on a Saturday night, but lots of fun. We ate some great food and bought some local popcorn to take home. We spent the night in watching a movie as a family. 

The next morning, we decided to hit up the Harley Davidson Museum on the way out of town. It was incredible! SO many Harleys from the first one produced in 1903 to current day. I loved the Harleys through history - especially the wartime effort, the wall of engine covers and, of course, all of the posters and ads. i can only dream of designing that well. We learned all about engines and tires and so much more. And we learned Kate was born to be wild. 

What a fun, quick weekend getaway with our girls to (ask Kate calls it) Miswaukee. It's fun to explore new places and learn new things!

lambs and lions and such

March came in like a lion and out like a lamb, that much is true (thank goodness for that lamb part). But it was a really, really big lion and an unusually small lamb. And it was also pretty confused in between. We wore our snow boots, rain boots, regular boots and then some shoes. We donned our winter coats, rain coats, light jackets and once just t-shirts. We had warm days then frigid days. Sunshine then rain. And then more snow. 

Always more snow. 

There were a few afternoons I walked out into the warming Iowa air and thought, "Okay. I can do this. The sun might actually exist." And then the next morning, I did my best to hide my tears as I felt the bitter wind and more freezing temps. 

Always more freezing temps. Painfully freezing temps.

This March, more than ever before, I despised the lion days. Mostly because it wasn't just snow. It was bitter cold winds not meant for human life. And it had just gone on for too long. But this March, more than ever before, I also relished the lamb days. I lived for them. I soaked in every second and sunbeam they had to offer.

So here's to leaving a confused, muddy, mucky, cold and snowy March behind, or I just might make good on my threat to divorce Iowa. Bring on spring!