Obama!

President Obama was in Milwaukee today.  We got tickets to go see him, but it was rainy today and kind of cold.  The gates opened at 2:30, but he wasn't even supposed to be there until 5:30ish.  So at 4, we got there, figuring we'd just hang out for awhile, eat some snacks, let the kids run around.  Uh, no.  We saw a line, went to get to the end of it, and kept walking.  And walking.  And walking.  It was insane!  The line curved around one museum, around another museum, and then along the lake.  It was never ending, we just kept seeing all these people, where was the end of the line??  By the time we got to the end, Ingrid was already complaining she wanted to go home.  *sigh*

But we made it happen.  We walked along the lake, around the art museum, watched people getting their wedding pictures taken, made it to Discovery World, saw another wedding party getting off their trolley, made it around Discovery World, thought we were getting closer to the gate, only to find out the line went around Summerfest grounds (where Obama was going to be) all the way to the back entrance.  It took forever.  By the time we got close to the gates we could hear people cheering and music playing.  As we were getting to the metal detectors they were saying "the President is on stage now!"  Well Jesus, we didn't stand in line for over an hour to miss it!! 

Of course it had started to rain.  We had to leave our stroller and hoist the sleepy, crabby, hungry children on our shoulders.  Otis wouldn't keep a hat on, Ingrid was whining about wanting to go home to her cozy house.  Brendan and I are like "This is exciting!  The President is HERE!  He's right there!"  I guess to a little kid, what the hell does that mean?  We couldn't actually see him, we could barely hear him, but it was exciting anyway.  To me and Brendan. 

I think it actually worked to our advantage that we got there just as he was going on stage.  If we'd had to wait I think the kids would've lost it for real.  Brendan got kind of mad that they were being wimps and said we need to toughen them up.  For real!  I never thought I'd have kids that whined that much about being cold or being tired.  What a bunch of babies.

The Zoo! Again!

I love having a membership to the zoo.  Actually, memberships to anything are awesome because any time we are bored or thinking of something to do that day, I always have a couple free options.  Or should I say "free."  I thought yesterday would be "free" but we forgot our packed lunches in the fridge and then we just had to have ice cream at the park...

Regardless, we had fun.  We met our friends Katie and Poppy there.  Look at this muffin, she's so stinkin' cute!

First thing Ingrid wanted to do was ride the carousel.  We get two free rides with our zoo pass, so again, this could have been a free day.  Ingrid LOVES the carousel.  I do not.  I will seriously throw up if I go on one, especially after eating a Chicago dog.  Luckily Katie is a good sport and went with her. 

Ingrid's favorite thing to see is the fish.  Of all the amazing things at the zoo, all she cares about is the fish and the goats.  Totally not wild animals at all.

Speaking of goats, we had an extra quarter to buy goat pellets, so Ingrid fed the goats.  I had Otis in one hand, along with the goat pellets, and the camera in the other hand.  I would give Ingrid a few pellets and as I was doing so, greedy little goats would come up and try to steal all the food from my hand!  Otis thought they were pretty neat, he kept trying to grab them when they came near.

Have I mentioned before how much I love goats?  Seriously, look at them!  They are so cute!

After goats it was ice cream, and then home.  Of course I was exhausted and wanting a nap but the kids had other ideas.  They had a quick snooze in the car and then were ready for more action when we got home.  Where do they get all this energy? 

Pool Time

Oh man, we had fun yesterday!  We put on our bathing suits, slathered on the sunscreen, and headed off to the new pool in town.  They just redid the whole thing and it's amazing!  And it's only a couple blocks away from my friend's parent's house, so we met for a picnic at their house first, and then walked over.

The pool is zero depth entry, there are fountains and sprayers, but the best thing is the play area.  It looks like a playground, only the slides are little kiddie water slides, and instead of, say, a steering wheel, there's a fire hose that squirts water on the poor moms trying to stay dry-ish.  Ha!

Ingrid ran right up the stairs to go down the water slides about a million times.  She was thoroughly enjoying herself!

Otis was also enjoying himself.  He just sat there and splashed a little when he wasn't chewing on his hand.  (When are those teeth going to make their appearance???)

It was really nice because our friend's mom came with us and watched Otis while I played with Ingrid, then took Ingrid to the sandbox while I fed Otis, then got Ingrid a huge ice cream cone!  Thanks, Mimi Carol!  Ingrid was in heaven.

On the short walk home, all the kids fell asleep, and honestly, I could've done the same.  It was so fun, and I'm sure we'll be back again sometime this summer. 

Gabba Live!!

Yesterday Ingrid and I drove to Detroit to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live.  It was insane.  I've never gone to a kid's show like that before, and frankly, I might not go again for a long time! 

We were lucky enough to get free tickets, and actually being in the way back had its privileges.  Ingrid could stand in her seat and dance without annoying anyone behind her, and we could make a quick getaway at the end.

It was at the Fox Theater right downtown Detroit, which is an amazing old theater with tons of cool lights and statues and velvet covered seats.  The seats we had actually weren't bad, there was a huge screen behind the characters so it was easy to see.  And if Ingrid could stand up in her seat she could see everything. 

They played all the old favorite songs and the characters danced.  Ingrid was so excited!!  She kept stuffing her fingers in her mouth and chewing on them she was so hyped!  She sang along and had a great time.  We went to the merch table but found most things were pretty expensive.  I am such a cheapskate...Luckily they had cute little tote bags.  She can't outgrow it and we will use it for our library trips every week, a perfect idea!

Summer In April

Yesterday was in the 80s!  It was full on summertime.  Ingrid and I met up with friends to go to the Detroit Zoo.  They have a memebership so we had a fun free day!  Since it was so hot out, most of the animals were lounging out of sight, so it wasn't that much fun for the girls.  We did get to see some zebras and giraffes, but all Ingrid really cared about was the playground.  Go figure!

After resting up we headed out again to go meet Brendan for dinner.  We sat outside, enjoyed the balmy weather, drank beer, and ate really great pizza.  It seriously felt so much like summer, it's hard to believe it's only just May!

Brendan just left to catch his bus to Chicago, which leaves Ingrid and I home alone to pack the rest of our belongings and clean the house.  Why is it that when we move I end up doing everything???