spring break

I'm not sure who came up with the term "spring break" because inevitable there isn't much break to be had when the kids are out of school, and we are either doing a project around the house or traveling. This past week was spring break for all of our children and so we chose the traveling route.  We flew out to IL for the better part of the week and were able to both visit Chicago and Paul's family in southern IL for several days.  This was our first family trip to Chicago, and while we didn't have much time, we tried to hit some of the highlights. Willis Tower, Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago were the highlights.  There is so much more to see that we'll have to hit Chicago again sometime!

Upon leaving Chicago, the kids rode on an Amtrak train for the first time.  I really think this is such a family friendly way to travel.  Much more roomy and comfortable than plane travel, with the ability to stretch your legs more often than a car.  Win-win!

While in southern IL visiting Paul's family, they introduced us to the Lincoln Log Cabin area. Lincoln Log Cabin is a preserved 1840s site of Abraham Lincoln's parents' homestead with an adjoining homestead belonging to the Sargents set up so that you could see the difference in style from the same period. It's a working historical farm which means that the farming is done with the same processes and equipment as would have been used in the 1840s. What a fun excursion to see this nugget of history intact!

Alas, we are now returned and settled back into our school routine. Well, the morning was a bit rough as we are still feeling like it should be Central time. I'm sure they'll readjust in no time.