Field Museum

In the biology class that Mike is taking, there is a lab that he has to do which involves going to the Field Museum. It is a nice idea to try to get people interested in history, science and such, but it is an expensive activity. I mean what isn't these days? I know they have their free days, but none on the weekends so it will be more expensive for Mike to take a day off from work to go in the free day. He was able to use his student ID for 3 dls off, our admission price was $41 dls (including the Aztec exhibition - which you have to pay extra to go see), our parking was $18 dls (for 5 hrs). If you stay up to 4 hrs is $15dls. We spent $15 dls for McDonalds (I found out later that you can take your lunch there). Six dollars, for a nice card and a maraca for Arianna. So, our visit was $80dls! I know I am missing something because before I came out with 90dls, anyway. How can a family of 4 or 5 or more do it? Yes, there is a family membership, but it does not include parking like the Museum of Science and Industry. So, it can get pricey just in parking. The museum is nice, but if we want families to go there and learn maybe it should be more affordable.
Anyway, the museum has beautiful exhibitions. Mike's favorites are in the evolving planet where they talked about primates and the dinosaurs. My favorites are the exhibition about the North American Birds and the beautiful gems!



Oh yeah, we also got into a small car accident to top our Saturday. It was very small and it is not noticeable, but we got a dent about the size of a small orange that needs to get fixed. It does not seem that affected the tire or the door, but we will have it check to make sure it was just the metal. It was not our fault, and we have the other person's info. At least, everyone is ok and the car is running ok as well.
Thanks to Ron and Dad Ron for fixing our garage door!

Arianna's news

Well, no luck taking the picture of her molar, but it is completely out in the right side. Now, she started teething and gnawing in the left side, so we are guessing the molar in this side is coming, but nothing is out yet. The gum is very puffy so it will be making an "entrance" soon.
Meanwhile, Arianna's cousin Santana came to visit last week. Here are some pictures (it is scary, just a 1-2 months ago, he came and both were crawling - now they both walk!)


Also, we can say that Arianna has said goodbye to bottles (for about 2-3 weeks) now. She is using sippy cups and drinks 100% cow's milk! Hooray for Arianna! [She also loves her monkey pajamas]

Last week, we needed more bird's food so we went to Menard's. They already had the Christmas stuff (like all the stores) and their display of Christmas trees were beautiful. Arianna loved it!

Alpha Chi Ceremony

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008 we went to the ceremony at NEIU where Mike became a member of Alpha Chi for outstanding work in school (top 10% of the junior and senior class are eligible). SO, here are a few pictures to remember this event.

Here we are waiting for the event to start. It actually started on time !

Mike waiting for his name to be called.

Mike after receiving his pin and certificate !


Here is the family that attended the event: Ron, Dad Ron, Mom Marie and me! We could not take Arianna since it was a late event so Aunt Ann and Barry babysat for us.

We were at the parking lot (about to go eat ) when we remembered we had not seen the certificate so Mike took it out and was reading it.

We are so proud of you!!!

German Pancake and nature

On Sunday, we decided to try our luck by baking a German Pancake. Our first try to make the mix, I messed up because I read cup instead of teaspoon. I don't know how I did that :( So, we had to throw it away, too much cinnamon and vanilla in there. Our second attempt, Mike kept an eye and we were able to get the right portions and after 25 minutes here is our result. This is not a dish you eat too often. Has lots of eggs and butter, but it was really good especially when we added the maple syrup. We did not have confectioner's sugar so we used sugar cane instead.


This little birdie came to drink! That is a bit of water that was on the chair. We are going to try to buy a small fountain that can keep water running (no freezing) during the winter. After her, there were more birds trying to drink as well.


I also went to an art fair that was raising funds for the Evergreen Pantry. It was an exhibition of drawings, paintings, photography, pottery, woodworking, and cake decorations. Some of the stuff was for sale, but the items left on Sunday where mostly for show (Not For Sale). The event was for 3 days and I went the last hour so I am guessing most of the things that you could buy were gone by then, but I still found really nice things to see. The entry fee was "a suggested 2 dollars" that was going to the pantry.
I wish the little toaster was for sale :( It was so cute and brought me memories of my brother when he was little. He loved that movie.

I did buy this picture. My picture can't tell you how nice it is, but you can see the photographer that took it. She is a mom of 2 that uses photography as her outlet and business. (There was a second photographer that took nature pictures, but I did not take pictures from his work. If you would like to see he has some posted on www.smugmug.com - then type his name -Adam Bykowski)


There was a lady that makes cakes (Caketopia the name of her business). They looked so good I wanted to eat it. The prices were not bad either. We might try her in the future.


I think this girl has a lot of talent (Hadley). She looks to be in first or second grade on College. I wish I could afford some of these things, maybe next time.