Hoffman's Hideaway: April 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The late Chicago Day 2 & 3

Just in case anyone was wondering, we did come back from Chicago. I have just been negligent in posting about it! I was going to skip day 2 and 3 all together, but I reminded myself that I am never going to be a regular scrapbook person, so this is going to serve as our online scrapbook.

Day 2: We went to the Science and Industry Museum, with the rest of Chicago, who were clearly on Spring Break. Troy dropped us on his way to work, and we stood in line for 40 mins to get tickets. Luckily the place is big enough that we were able to still see everything we wanted without too much of a wait. Dinner for Day 2 was McCormick and Schmick and we checked out of the Felix, one bed hotel room and into the Hyatt. AMEN for two beds. After two nights of our children sleeping with their feet in our ribs, it was nice to spread out a little! For those of you wondering, our children have become quite accustomed to eating in nice restaurants when we go out of town. So far, they have been exceedingly well mannered with only the slightest bit of threatening. Shelby is quiet anywhere she gets to eat really good food!

It was the closest they were going to get to a beach.

Day 3 - Navy Pier and Chinatown. The original plan was to take a water taxi from Navy Pier to Chinatown, however, we learned after walking several blocks in the cold that the water taxis didn't start until the NEXT day. So we took an exciting taxi ride back to our car and drove to Chinatown. Chinatown was wonderful and we wandered from bakery to bakery buying up all the sweet top buns we could find for my BFF Lora. This was my first time to experience these wonderful things, they are YUMMY! They are now on Troy's shopping list every time he goes back.

I didn't know what everything was, but I am guessin it's all YUMMY!

AWESOME Spring Break 2011.

A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.