Africa WOW!

As members of the Glen Oak Zoo we were able to preview the new Africa! wing of the zoo. The animals aren't there yet so we got to go into places that you aren't normally allowed. I've been seeing the dust stirring behind the gates and all the tractors moving around but I had no idea it was going to be this awesome. It tripled the size of the zoo. I can't wait till spring to see it all come together. The best part is the hidden trenches. You think the animals are all together but they can't get to one another.

Mia, Josh, my Mom and I all went. Mia has figured out echoing rooms. So she screamed every time she knew it would echo. That was fun. I'm glad my membership money has been put to good use.

Go Cubs Go!

Well it has been awhile since I've blogged. I've been busy. September is a busy month. Josh and I joined his family at Wrigley Field. It didn't go well. The Cubs lost big time. It was still nice to be a Wrigley for the first time. We took the train in and that went well. Much easier than driving and paying to park.

Mia has been enjoying herself. We've played outside and taken advantage of the last bit of warm weather. Josh and I planted pole beans this year. I'd say we picked at least 20 batches of beans. It has been great having fresh veggies. Everything is looking pretty poor. Its about time to rip it up.

Josh lost his Grandma today. Wilma lived for 91 long years. She will be missed. Mia loved going to her house and playing with her noisy stuffed animals.

Botanical Gardens

Josh and I took Mia to the Botanical Gardens last weekend. We spent 30 minutes trying to take pictures of a 18 month old. Not easy. Out of about 40, 4 turned out pretty good. By next year she'll do better.

Mia at the Fair

We spent last weekend in Southern Illinois with Josh's family. Mia got to drive Pa Pa Dale's boat. Which she did very well. She also swam in Lake of Egypt. She is so good on the boat. She loves it.

We also went to the Duquoin State Fair. I'd never been before. Mia had a great time. I have to say, you really don't know what hot is till you spend time in Southern Illinois. Wow. We were hot, but had a great time anyways. Mia rode some rides and played a game. She also went to the petting zoo. I was happy....I got my 17th Street BBQ.

Mia loves it down there. She's enjoyed the 3 trips we took down there this summer.

A Day at the Zoo

My Mom, Mason, Mia and I all went to the Miller Park Zoo today. What a wonderful place. I had not been there since I was a kid. It is a very nice zoo. The weather was cool. Mia loved being with Mason. She got to ride her very first ride. I had been wanting to take her on a Merry Go Round but at the carnival its $6 a ride and I think I'd have to pay to go on with her. $12 is a bit much. They had one here today and we both rode for $1.25. She enjoyed it.

Then we went to the playground right outside of the zoo. They have a water area and a very big playground. We played but its never long enough for Mia. After that we ate at Steak and Shake and went to Toys R Us. We are getting ideas for holidays and birthdays. They are right around the corner.

Southern Illinois

The three of us took our annual Rachel's Birthday weekend trip to Southern Illinois. It was quite a surprise that the weather was so nice. It is usually miserable down there this time of year. It was in the low to middle 80's the entire trip. Very nice. Josh and I took a small trip down to Metropolis. Its the home of Super Man. We went to the square and took our pictures then headed to Fort Massac. I took the tripod so I could actually be in those pictures. It was so nice we picked up lunch and ate it at Fort Massac. On the way home we got an invite to join Josh's friends at Blue Sky vineyards. So beautiful! It is in the middle of no where but such a great place to go. It has 2 beautiful buildings, a lake and huge umbrella's to sit under on the lawn. I'm not doing it justice. Everyone should really go see for themselves. They are also part of the Shawnee wine trail. http://www.blueskyvineyard.com/ and http://www.shawneewinetrail.com/

We also went out to eat for Rachel's birthday at a Japanese restaurant. It was delicious. Saturday we went out on the boat. Mia loved it. She sat on the seat and acted like a big girl. She had a great time. Sunday we visited and headed home.

MIC-KEY M-O-U-S-E

Mia has been introduced to the Wonder World of Disney. I'm thrilled. I've loved Disney my entire life. I was so upset when our Disney store closed. Now my daughter loves Mickey. She watches the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Toon Disney. Well we came across a Mickey at Walmart. I let her hold it. That was it. It had to be hers. I could have tore it out of her hands and had one of those episodes we've all watched happen with the kids screaming as the Mom runs out of the store. But we let her have it. She loves it. I can't wait to take her to Florida to Disney World.

Over the weekend Mia got a blow up ball pit. She really enjoys that. It was really hot so we didn't do too much outside. Sunday we did go to the park for the band concert. Josh worked. It was his first weekend for Moonlighting. We'll be happy to see that.