Roadtrip

Where does time gone? I returned to South Carolina almost 2 weeks ago and I am just finding (or making the time) to do this post. Oh well, that's what happens when you getting married and decide to have kids. They tend to occupy your time.

I went to Chicago Valentines weekend and had an incredible trip. But before I begin I have thank my Aunt Renate for letting me use one of her buddy passes because otherwise, there would have be NO ROADTRIP. Secondly, I have to tell those who might read this some facts and several photos have intentionally been left out for the protection of me and my friends - enough said.

So onto my trip .... my friends Jen and Tom, let me shack up on their couch for 4 nights. Really, Tom probably didn't have much of a choice but he certainly was a good sport about me being there and he was great about taking their kids when we were "hanging out & catching up". I spent a lot of time pretending to be Jen on Facebook. Although, I am not on Facebook, I will admit it was fun to catch up with so many people I haven't talked to in too many years. It was a little addicting and I have to wonder what Jen's profile says today. I was updating it (much to her chagrin daily). Anyways, in addition to "catching up" with Jen, I celebrated my friend,Grace's 40th birthday. Jen and my other friend, Kimmi, were burdened with all of the planning for the evening and of course, it all worked out great. Another friend Janice met up with us and I can't tell you how long it had been since we'd seen one another.

Grace had no clue I was in town and was quite surprised when Jen introduced me, and two random chics (we met at the bar) as friends of hers from work. It was priceless. We had a great time enjoying each other's company and revisiting the days of "yester year" when we could dance all night and close the bars down. Too bad we all had to wake up to kids later that morning. (For those of you who don't know, Jen has 2.5 year old twins - who religiously awoke at about 6:30 every morning).

(Pictured: me, Grace, Kimmi and Jen)


(Yes, that is Grace, the birthday girl, whose hair may have caught fire - but it was her big day!!)

Had to include some pictures of Alessandra and Frankie - my daily alarm clocks:)


In addition to hanging out with all my old friends, I was treated to the best pizza in the entire world by Jen's parents. What a lucky girl I am to have the friends and "family" in Chicago, who always welcome me home.

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth of course, is the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus. It came back to Greenville and in keeping with tradition, we went with my friend Beth, from work, and her family. Everyone had a great time and I am proud to say we escaped without one souvenir. (It was a close call but Scott held strong and the kids only got a pop and a $12 bag of cotton candy).

We went early to check out the pre-show and had lots of fun. We watched the elephant paint one of her master pieces and then rushed up to our seats to get our cotton candy. The cotton candy came with a wizard's hat which Lexi quickly placed on head and to my surprise kept on her head the majority of the show. Sorry to say, I don't have any pictures of her and her hat.

The circus was more magical than I have ever seen in the past. The ring master, with the help of the audience made an elephant disappear and later made a clown, turn into a tiger. There were many "tricks" that left me asking Beth, "How did they do that?" and her quickly telling me she had no idea.

In addition to the magic, there were the expected acts but most of them had a twist. The acrobats did all their tricks on moving gigantic swings, there were human cannon balls being shot across the length of the floor, and the double wheel of steel we saw at Cirque de Soleil. The animals were the kids favorites and they really were amazing. I don't have pictures but there were also some cute dogs, horses (two of which had manes that looked like a skunk - white on the outside and a strip of black in the middle) and zebras.





The magic of the circus is amazing and the wonder, excitement and thrill on Brayden and Lexi's face is priceless. I can't wait for the circus to come back to town next year and experience the magic again.