Science and Industry

 The next day, Calvin, Grandma Sarah, and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry. 

There was a Christmas trees from around the world exhibit, which Calvin loved. 

 And lots of train stuff, which is always a big hit. 

 Really big trains and really small trains. 

 The fairy castle (which as my favorite spot as a child) was still there and as magical as ever. 

 Calvin also got to drive a combine.

 We had to get some ice cream to get enough energy

 to go through this CRAZY mirror maze. 

 There were sooo many Calvins.

 He tried to do the climbing wall

 and keep up with the big kids

 Opps!

 He did not want to give up though. 

 After a little murderball practice

 and meeting Paul Bunyon,

 we had one last train to check out. 

 That was Calvin trying to take the baseball from the statue. 

We, of course, had to get a penny souvenir to remember a fun day. 

Chicago Trip

Going to try to play catch-up on some posts from forever ago. This holiday season was crazy. Going to try to get fancy and date these closer to the correct dates because I just figured out how. 

November 14th, Calvin and I took a trip to Chicago because Daddy was going to be down there for work. 

We decided to take a public transportation adventure to Navy Pier to check out the children's museum there. 

 Calvin loved the "L" train. 

 And we got to see some the famous Christmas window displays. 

 First we had to get lunch, which involved some goofing around, of course. 

 Then we went to the museum and got to see all the great stuff they had there. 

 Calvin LOVES to climb so we ignored the 5 year-old recommendation on this exhibit and let him try it. 

 It was reeeeeally high but he did great. 

 He got to help build some structures. 

 Do a little more climbing. 

 Do a little more building. 

 Here he got to climb and build a snowman. 

 And do some sock ice skating. 

 Then it was back on the bus to catch the "L".  

It was about 5 minutes before he was fast asleep. 

Train Festival

We took a family trip to the Train Fest in Milwaukee. 

 Like last year, Calvin loved the bounce house. 

 Hard to get a clear picture of such a fast moving target. 

 In addition to the Thomas tables, 

 there were crafts for the kids. 

 Calvin loved assembling this Christmas train magnet. 

 There was train story time, again.

 This guy is so good at keeping the kids' attention. 

 This year we were smart and brought a stool so we didn't have to keep picking Calvin up. 

Calvin loved all the different trains. 

 And then he found this little girl in the purple shirt. 

 And loved following her around. 

 After finally separating him from her, there were still more trains to see

 and trains to race. 

 Calvin is still a BIG fan of trains!

Train Party

A few weekends ago, Calvin went to a birthday party for his friend Julian. 

 It was at a train park and the kids could go on unlimited train rides. 

 It was rather chilly but that didn't stop them. 

 The parents were definitely not as excited about the rides as the kids given the chilly air but we tried to be good sports about it. 

It was a fun little party!