Mickey Mouse Parade of Lights

We took Alex downtown last weekend to see Mickey "light up downtown Chicago." We went down earlier in the day and walked around a lot. We went to the Disney store, the Lego store, Navy Pier, the Beach, Millenium Park, Grant Park, The Bean, and of course the Parade. Alex had a blast walking around. We actually let him walk quite a bit to wear him out. He went on the big ferris wheel at Navy Pier. He was very interested in the parade. He loved seeing Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy, Minnie, and many more characters. He still talks about "Mickey lighting up the trees." When we drive past houses or buildings with lights on it, he says, "Maybe Mickey light those." Here are just a few pictures from the day.

The Lego Man


The Lego Lady :)


Alex at The Bean


At the Beach



Navy Pier Ferris Wheel


Watching for Mickey to start the Parade


Frosty the Snowman


Santa at the end of the Parade

Trimming the tree

We put up our Christmas tree a few weeks ago actually. We had a good time with it and only "lost" 2 ornaments. I guess that happens when a 2 1/2 year old is excited about decorating the tree.

In the tree box

Time Away in San Diego

Kent and I were able to spend 4 days away in San Diego in the middle of November. My parents kept Alex for us. He had a blast while he was there. He rode the combine, played with Claire and Eli, and ran around outside on the farm. I actually had a music therapy training, which is why we were in San Diego. It was beautiful! We will definitely go back some time for another vacation. We took a trolley tour around San Diego and were able to see a lot! It stopped at most of the "tourist places" to see and you could get off of the trolley and walk around for a half hour or more and catch another trolley. We went to Hotel Coronado, Gas Lamp District, Old Town, and were also able to take a Seal tour. The Seal tour was both a land and water tour. We loved it! We of course ate plenty of Mexican food while we were there. :)

The Trolley that took us around


Hotel Coronado


Me in front of the ship used in filming of "Master and Commander of the Sea"


Kent in front of the Mission


A Navy Ship out on the water


The Seal Bus that went on land and water


The Sea Lions


Out on the Water


Our Seal Guide

Trick-Or-Not.....

About a week ago, we were planning on just using my niece's costume from last year and having Alex dress up as a monkey for Halloween. Well, I was asking him about it and said, "aren't you excited to be a monkey?" He laughed and said, "No, I be a noo-noo and cheese box." I laughed at first and then looked at Kent and said, "I could do that! That would be hilarious!" So, I spent Sunday evening, and Monday painting his macaroni and cheese box. :) He was so excited to wear it and would just laugh whenever he saw himself in it.

Fast forward to Saturday.

We were at my parents to go trick-or-treating with my niece and nephew. Alex didn't take a great nap, which may be where our problems started. We first went to my grandma's house. Alex got out of the car and said, "I'm so excited!" That being said as he was jumping up and down. Well, I go to put his costume on him and he DID not want to wear it! He put it on long enough to walk in the house, but that was it. :(

We left there and he put it on to walk next door (we were just going to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood). Well, I think it scared him to death that we were going to someone else's house. I think he thought we were going to go inside. He kept saying, "Other people houses no fun!" Needless to say, we only went to one other house, then headed back to my parent's house.

He put his costume on for them, and then proceeded to sit on the floor and look at all of his candy. At least he enjoyed that part.

Sunday morning (at home) he sees his costume sitting by the table and wants to put it on. I put it on him and he just starts laughing and says, "I love my noo-noo and cheese box!" Silly boy!!!

I did get some good pictures of him goofing around in his costume tonight. So, the first pictures are from Halloween and the good ones are from tonight at home. :)

Let's just say next year, I probably WON'T be making a homemade costume!