Jenny's News Stand

Ah, February fun! Like I said, Jacob's class does many fun activities. They went and visited the Post Office. I went too of course!

It was cold walking but the post office was only a few blocks away. Not too bad.

Each kid had a letter they wrote. We wrote valentine's to Grandma and Grandpa Harris. And Jacob mailed them.

Then we all went inside and saw how mail is sorted. They still sort by had a lot. They get the bins from the sorting machine located in another town, and then bring them in to be individually sorted into routes.

Each child also had the chance to scan a package using the hand scanner, and weigh a package for mailing. Pretty neat stuff.

Emma was in the Van Brunt Loves Talent Show.

Ashton watched and was bored to tears! Jacob played games on my phone.

Emma and her partner??? (fill in name later) played a duet on their guitars. Emma is noticably better than him but they did a good job. The show was actually really fun. They had a hoola-hoop twirling gal that was amazing! A piano player, funny jokes by Ashton's friend, lots of dance routines, and a few other instrumentals. A piano number was also very good. No karate this year though.

Emma's closeup.

And for Jed's birthday we went to Chicago for a few days. We stayed in a downtown hotel, with expensive parking (sheesh!) and tried to swim in their unheated pool. Gave up and let the kids hang out in the hot tub.

Our room was 8 floors up. Great view, but scared Ashton quite a bit. He has recently begun to be afraid of stairs and heights.

And we made the kids go walk around downtown. There was much moaning and groaning from the three little ones.

And wailing and gnashing of teeth. But aren't those buildings amazing?

Downtown is the Millennium Park and they have ice skating. Jed took Emma for her first time. She went very slowly but did better near the end.

Ash would not go, Jake was too little we thought. So the boys hung out with me and played games on Jed's iPhone. Here is Ash, that boy won't take a normal picture. He has to do a goofy grin. I bought a scarf first thing. In Chicago, you need a scarf!

Jed always pretended he was going to crash into us when he came around the bend.

And this photo is classic! One boy who actually smiles normally while his brother picks his nose.

Emma all bundled up.

They always have neat art displays in the park, and this giant head will be there till Dec. It celebrates the 10th anniversary of the fountain in the park. It and three other sculptures represent Chicago's people.

And goofing off by the big bean!

Visiting stores along the way - this was Duffy's candy shop. Pretty neat inside and tons of candy!