A Glimpse into the Freihaut World: SPRING FEVER!

It's been a while since I last posted. These past few weeks have been very hectic. I have been preparing for several big presentations for my Masters class. Last Saturday I had my first of 2 presentations. I was nervous about it and preparing and cramming for it all week. I think that the presentation actually went pretty well. My research partner and I have one more presentation at the Illinois Reading Council Conference this Friday. I'm not too nervous yet, but I'm sure that I will be soon. Speaking in front of people isn't exactly my comfort zone. Okay..now on to more interesting things....

On the Adalyn forefront, she is as independent ever. They always say that once they turn one, they realize they have a mind of their own--boy do they EVER! Adalyn is pretty independent these days. She knows what she wants and when she wants and isn't real good at taking no for an answer when things can't be her way. She has really taken an interest in ALL food and wants to try whatever it is that you're eating. We haven't found a whole lot of things that she doesn't like. I did give her a taste of salsa the other night and that really didn't go so well. She actually got pretty angry at me and made a face of disgust. Maybe mexican cuisine won't be her thing.

This weekend we took a short trip to Chicago. It was the beginning of my spring break and we wanted to take a short trip before I had to start cramming for my presentation on Friday. We headed up Friday after school and stayed until Sunday. On Saturday morning we headed to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. It was a neat place for Adalyn to explore. She got to paint at an easel that was her height. I was surprised at how well she did holding the brush and actually painting strokes on the easel. Addy's favorite part of the museum was definitely the water area. There was a giant water table area that she absolutely loved. Unfortunately we spent a long time under the hand dryer afterward because not even a full length rain jacket could keep Addy (or her mommy) dry. On Saturday we also got to see the river dyed green for the St. Patty's day celebration that was going on. It really is bright green! During nap time, Derek and Adalyn went back to the room while I shopped for a while on Michigan Avenue. Later that night we ate at the Rainforest Cafe, walked around a bit downtown, and then headed to the Melting Pot for dessert.

On Sunday we headed out of town and stopped at an outlet mall on the way. It was a great weekend and I wished we had been able to stay a few more days. Adalyn did great on the whole trip. On Friday night she was a bit hesitant to go down to sleep because there were so many new things to check out. I was afraid we were going to have a repeat of our last trip to Chicago, but she eventually fell asleep!

Today was the first official day of spring break. Adalyn and I enjoyed the beautiful weather by going for a walk with her brand new wagon that she got from Grandma and Grandpa Schum. She loved the ride. Hopefully the weather will stay warm and we can spend more days outside and make the most of spring break!