a little updating part 3

Charlie

So your Papa and Grammie got you a trip to Chicago for Christmas. (They asked what you needed and your parents said you didn't need stuff. So they went with the gift of events.)

We left on Good Friday and took the train up north. You love the train. Here you are pretty excited about the trip. (Or. . . You might just be excited about the cookies and iPad. I think it is 50/50.)

On Friday we walked to Northbridge Mall for lunch and then onto the hotel. Once we made a stop by the room, we headed out to Navy Pier and the Children's Museum.

As always, you enjoyed some time at the water table. You and Grammie are discussing the merits of playing with the boats or just splashing. They also had a room with stuff you could climb or jump on. You highly enjoyed the jumping. You also drove a car and rode on a bus while at the museum. Following the museum we did a juice break (it was an emergency) and took a little ride on the Ferris Wheel.

You and Papa did great on the Ferris Wheel, Mommy not so much. (Grammie stayed down below.) You really enjoyed looking out on the lake.

On Saturday, we headed to the Shedd. The line was super long, so Papa and Grammie might have become members. . . (We did that last summer, so saves time.)

 You really enjoyed watching all of the fish. You really liked pointing out different fish on this trip or having them pointed out to you. While sitting watching the fish in the big central tank, a shark swam up against the glass. You are not a fan of sharks. We also learned you do not like penguins. Again, while we were right next to the glass, a penguin swam by. You might have panicked. . . (Ok, you did panic.)

While waiting in line for the bathroom, we got separated from Grammie and Papa. So this is us waiting for them. (We agreed to meet up at the gift shop, we just didn't say which one.)

We saw the Bean.

We went to the Blackhawks Store. You look as excited here as the first time you went to the store (in the old location back in 2013).

The train ride home was long (delayed almost 2 hours). You introduced yourself to many people and shared to the train car how you needed to go to the bathroom.

Easter Sunday at Grammie and Papa's house.

More Charlie comments:

While in Chicago, you told Grammie and Papa all about Perry the Platypus. After telling them about his awesomeness for about 10 minutes. . .

Grammie: Your parents should have named you Perry.
Charlie: No Grammie. He is a platupus, I am a boy.

In the car on the way home from Easter

Daddy: Are you sleepy?
Charlie: No. I'm tired.

a bit later. . .

Charlie: I'm in charge. Relax Daddy, we aren't in danger.

So toilet training is slowly coming. We have been working on this for what seems like forever. We try for a bit and then take a break and do a different method. So are the taking away your pull-ups has been working. We just got to get you to tell us you need to go consistently (or for you just to take yourself)

The second morning of no pull-ups, Daddy was getting you ready to go to Jana's. You were in the bathroom:

Charlie: I need pull-ups.
Daddy: No. You are going to wear big boy underwear. (or something along those lines)
Charlie: You are ruining my life!

One day, that same week, after getting home.

Me: Okay, we are going to use the bathroom (again something along those lines)
Charlie: No thank you.
Me: Yes.
Charlie: Fine! Forces of evil are making me do this.

Yep, forces of evil aka your mom. This quote might come up later in life. . .