Spring Break Fun

Mehandis, my good friend Dara and I took a train trip to visit my parents in Chicago - to kick off my spring break. We had a weekend that was packed with activities and it was a blast.

Mehandis had the chance to go to his first park with us. He got a kick out of the slides. We then went to an authentic Mexican restaurant and all needed a siesta afterward. Grocery shopping was even fun when we were able to do it at Whole Foods (these are not found "up north"). The five of us walked to the Chicago History Museum, where we learned lots about this great city and worked up a great appetite once again. The pictures below show how Mehandis enjoyed his (and my) first experience with Thai noodles. I fared better getting more of the noodles in my mouth, versus hair and floor.
We also made a spectacular Ethiopian meal together. This consisted of injera, mashed vegetables and doro wat - with some of the spices I brought back from Addis Ababa. Once again I enjoyed the leftover injera for breakfast the next morning with some peanut butter spread on top... you have to try it! We also were able to do a Michigan Avenue shopping before we got the last seats left on the home bound train.

The next morning, on Easter Sunday, we rose before the sunrise and made it to the 7 AM Easter service. Michael's sister Erin joined us and then helped to throw together a tasty brunch. While Mehandis caught a nap, the 3 adults had an Easter Egg Hunt. Michael and I have done this for each other for the past 9 years. Then we headed to the lake to celebrate not only Easter but Michael's dad's birthday. Michael's sister Joanna is showing off the festive table below.

Everyone had a blast playing with Michael's dad's birtday gift - Rock Band! Mehandis even tried to drum along on the pots and pans. I got some play time with Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive".
One of the things on my spring break "to do" list was to start Mehandis's scrapbooks. This is a little overwhelming given all of the paperwork, not to mention pictures, we have accumulated over the past year and a half. I was successful in sorting out the mountain of "stuff" below. And I even have the first page ready to go. Starting is always the hardest for me!
Oh yeah, Michael took some time off on Wednesday so we could all take a trip to the zoo together. This was a first for us as a family. Mehandis made his piggy nose, when we talked about the pigs. And said "Ele, Ele" for the elephants.

I don't think he even saw the peacock.
I think he may have enjoyed pushing and steering his stroller around the Family Farm the best!
Here's to a great Spring Break!!! Thanks to all of the friends and family that added to the fun. And to add to the fun of March Madness - Go Louisville!