Labor day weekend- and little labor and a little play

We kicked things off early this Labor Day weekend, because, as previously determined, we like to party. Nothing says party like long weekend.

Thursday afternoon was Erica's birthday so we met she and Kai and our friends Laura and Ron for lunch to celebrate. Bonus, it was also Laura's birthday. Double the celebration, call in the cupcakes.


Thursday night my mom and dad babysat Marin while Jason and I had dinner together alone. Ahhh.... it had been too long. We walked to a quiet spot around the corner from our house, and for ice cream afterwards, and ran all the way home in the pouring rain. We were soaked, but the ice cream went down just as nicely. We picked a happy Marin up from Grandma and Grandpa's- one of her favorite places on earth.

Since Jason's work also gives them Friday off, we were happy as clams to have Daddy around all day. We puttered around a little in the morning and then Jason stained and sealed the deck floor for (sigh) winter. That afternoon we headed into Uncle Jake and Aunt Katy's. Marin was excited from the second we got there. She loved chasing around their kitties, although I'm not convinced that the kitties shared the love. We had a delicious dinner from a favorite spot literally next door to Jake and Katy's apartment and then walked to the very best ice cream spot I've ever been too. I Cream is a unique ice cream shop where you can customize your ice cream flavors, colors, toppings, and then they actually make it into ice cream right in front of you using liquid nitrogen. Color me hooked. Marin got her white chocolate ice cream with bananas and graham crackers colored pink, Jason's key lime pie was colored orange (of course) and since my base was chocolate it was brown, but I added jelly bellies, because why wouldn't you?! I love this place.

The next morning Katy and Jake made us chocolate chip pancakes and sausage while Jake entertained us with his made up songs. Marin danced along to the new addition to his repertoire- her very own song. The first verse if child friendly, the second verse is more for the adult crowd. Shortly after we finished our ab workout from laughing, we headed downtown to the Shedd Aquarium. Marin is obsessed with fish, so she was in heaven. She just walked around in awe saying "ish! ish! ish!" She loved the sea lions, the dolphins, the sea horses, the beluga whales, and all of the colorful fish. She did NOT like the iguanas. Jason put her right up to the glass to get a good look and she came eye to eye with the iguana, and burst into tears. We went to the "Fantasea" show, which Marin especially enjoyed. The combination of the music and the dolphins jumping high in the air, and the added bonus of the penguins and the hawk flying and the huge belugas doing tricks- Marin was totally mesmerized. Truth be told, so was I. At one point, I cried a little bit. Jake pretended he didn't know me.


We headed home from the museum and just a few hours later we headed to dinner at Craig and Erica's. Marin had a little trouble going to sleep after such a fun full day, but she did eventually conk out in the pack n play in Erica and Craig's room. They made a delicious dinner and we had a great time catching up with friends. We took a tired Marin home that night, and she slept like a dream.

Sunday and Monday Jason spent staining the deck railings while Marin and Norah and I took walks and played in the yard. We did take a break from labor on Labor Day on Sunday night when our friend Adam and Jen came in from the city for dinner. And you know we ended this great long weekend together at our favorite spot for, you guessed it, ice cream.


Tuesday, Jason headed back to work, and Marin and I headed to Glen Ellyn to see Auntie Mika and Tess for Mika's birthday. Mika and Tom just moved to their new house less than a week ago, and we are thrilled to have them just 25 minutes away!


We're loving this gorgeous weather, and are soaking up as much outdoor time as we can! Hope you are too!