Millenium Park-Snow Ball Fight and Ice Skating

On 10:59 PM 1 comments



We went to Millennium Park to ice skate, but there was about a 2 hour wait to get on the ice. Needless to say, we didn't wait. We walked around Millenium Park, saw the sight and the kids (and Buffy and Ryan) had a snowball fight.

 
I love this one. You can hear Caroline's giggles through the picture!


 
 
Ryan arming Caroline with snow balls.

The kids looking into "The Bean".

 
 

We went back the next morning to skate, when there was no line! It was such fun. The kids did really well skating. Tommy, of course, just took off on the ice like he had always done it. Caroline got the hang of it pretty quickly (with many giggling falls, as only Caroline can do!) Elise had a little more difficult time, but she had her own personal "skaters" that held on to her and took her for a ride.





Ryan was so good to the kids. He gave lots of pointers on what they needed to do...and lots of "rides" around the rink. Once the girls learned that was an option, they didn't want to skate alone!

 
 

 


 
Even "Honey" (Brenda) skated with us!

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They watched the Zamboni like it was a huge toy. Every time it passed, Tommy pointed out another part of it and told us what we thought its purpose was. 



 
 
Can you tell what she thought of it? I think we were all in agreement!
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American Girl Place

On 9:12 PM 1 comments


 In the first 12 hours we were in Chicago, we visited American Girl Place four times. Does that let you know how much my girls enjoy it? And yes, we went back the next day also, and again Monday. Truly, to walk through there with the girls is just about like taking them to Disneyland. They are in awe and happy to look, and look, and look.
I had made a deal with Caroline that she could get a "Just Like Me" doll. Yes, I realize how close to Christmas it is. Yes, I am a push over. I would rather buy a doll than deal with a war between the girls. And believe me, it would be a war. It's a long story...but here it is in short. The Bitty Baby that we have was originally Caroline's. She got it for her second birthday, the last time we were in Chicago. Once she outgrew it, Elise was old enough to enjoy it, so she took possession of it. When Caroline realized we were going to Chicago, home of American Girl, as she puts it, she was wanting to reclaim Bitty. To save the war from beginning, I made a deal for an early Christmas present and several weeks of her allowance (that I still owed to her...I can never seem to stay caught up with their allowance!)So, the first thing we did once we got to the city, was go to American Girl Place. That was the first of many trips over our 4 day stay.

 Caroline in awe looking at all of the outfits. She couldn't stop smiling. She saw me get the camera out, so she sucked in her cheeks to keep from smiling.

She loved "Julie" and all of her accessories, especially her bed. That's what she asked Santa for. She loved it in the catalog, but once she saw it in the store, she had to pass by and stare every time we went in (which was MANY times.)
Caroline showing off her new doll, appropriately named "Elizabeth".  

 Caroline and Buffy. I am not sure which of these two enjoyed American Girl Place more!

Elise looking into the window, in awe.

Elise choosing which Bitty Twins she wants Santa to bring. She knew from the first look which ones she wanted. She stuck to the same ones every time we went in! (Thank Goodness!!!)



Elise picked out "Heely" shoes for her Bitty Baby. She was so proud!
And then as you can see, the girls carried their dolls EVERYWHERE we went. They ate with us, walked Michigan Avenue with us and slept when we slept.

Pizza at Gino's East









 
 Now that our trip is over, Christmas lists have been finalized. My girls are hoping Santa shops at American Girl Place. Santa is really glad American Girl ships items home, tax free! Looks like it will be a Merry American Girl Christmas!!
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Toffee

On 5:11 PM 0 comments


Of all the Christmas candy I make, this is absolutely my favorite! There is something about toffee that I just love! With that said, this is the most time consuming to make. It takes constant attention, because you have to stir...and stir...and stir...and stir...get my point? There is no walking away for a second. So, pull a bar stool up to the stove and be ready to sit for a while. The end result is well worth it, though!

 Before you begin, grease 2 cookie sheets (again, I use a marble slab). This is where you will pour out the toffee once it has cooked.
1 lb butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup water
2 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup chopped almonds or pecans (I use almonds)
1 cup finely chopped almonds or pecans (I use almonds)
3 giant Hershey bars (melted in the microwave)




Melt butter, corn syrup and water over medium heat. Cook, stirring CONSTANTLY, until it reaches 280 degrees. **Note, I know all stoves are different. If it is boiling really hard, turn the heat down. It needs to boil, but not too hard. It is very easy to burn the toffee...again, that is experience talking!**
Keep stirring, stirring, stirring, stirring, stirring, stirring. Yes, you will think your arm is going to fall off. Switch arms and keep stirring!
When temperature is 280 degrees, add chopped almonds. Keep stirring, stirring, stirring, stirring...believe me, this takes a while. Cook until it is just a tad bit over 300 degrees.
Toffee at 280 degrees, ready for almonds to be added.







Toffee at 300 degrees, ready to be poured out.

Toffee poured out, ready for melted Hershey's bars to be added.

Hershey's bar spread on top, waiting on ground almonds to be sprinkled over chocolate.



Almonds added, now it needs to be flipped over. Slip a table knife under the toffee, around all edges. Carefully lift up. Sometimes I can do it in one piece, and sometimes I can't.

I didn't get it flipped in one piece, but it will taste just fine. Not too pretty to look at. I don't know about you, but I made it to eat, not ogle over!

Wait for the chocolate to set, break into small pieces and store in air tight container (if it lasts that long!)
Most of all, ENJOY!

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