Jellystone Park–Wisconsin
By The Cook | July 27, 2008
This is where we are going for our little summer vacation this year. We go every year, and stay 4 days. I have to say–my favorite part is the indoor water park. It isn’t as hot as the outdoor one - yet has even more slides, and my kids didn’t have to be drowned in sunscreen. I love roasting marshmallows by the campfire, and tooling around the HUGE park in a golf cart.
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Mickey Mouse
By The Cook | July 23, 2008
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The Chocolate Factory
By The Cook | July 20, 2008
There is a chocolate factory near here–and they offer free tours and samples. It’s in Long Grove, Illinois–and it sounds like something my kids would really enjoy. Ok, so I’m pawning it off on my kids–but really–we drove all the way to Wisconsin to see the Jelly Belly Factory–and this is an hour closer! If any of you in the Chicago area are interested, it’s Long Grove Confectionary Company and tours are available Monday through Thursday from 9 am until 1 pm.
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I Was A Good Mom, Before I Had Kids
By The Cook | July 20, 2008
I read this online today, and it really made me laugh. I was such a better mom before I had kids. You know, I had lofty goals and ideas on just how life would go. I think it went something like me having fresh baked muffins every morning before the kids headed to school. Or me being the “cool” mom in the neighborhood, out playing football with my boys and their friends. I’m not even sure they think I’m cool enough to invite to play, and I’m certain my ’skillz’ are outta date as well!
Not much of my original blueprint is in tact. Rarely do they get anything I thought would be so fun. In fact, most of the time, I’m just happy their actually fed before their heads hit the pillow at night!
I gotta get better!
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Wisconsin Dells!!
By The Cook | July 13, 2008
Apparently, Wisconsin Dells is THE place to go. There are a lot of really fun things to do–I’m mostly looking forward to the indoor water park. I do not enjoy being out in the sun–my eyes just really don’t enjoy the squint–and the wrinkles around my eyes are already far too progressed for someone my age! Plus, with the indoor water park–there is no need for sunscreen! I can’t think of anything better! Well, except maybe room service’s breakfast in bed!!
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Hey, I’ve Said That…
By The Cook | July 13, 2008
I found this video and it was definitely blog worthy! The woman got a standing ovation when she was finished, and I tell you–she deserved it. I would love to have the words to this thing–I say every one of the lines several times a day! Great job!
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Ratatouille
By The Cook | July 6, 2008
We purchased this movie when it came out–and I have yet to watch it. My kids and my husband watched it last night–and they all thought it was a wonderful movie. One of the best animated ones yet. My sister’s family loved it as well-possibly because her husband is a Chef-so this is right up his alley!
I guess it is up to me to join the fun, and watch it this weekend!
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Sears Tower–Chicago
By The Cook | July 6, 2008
Have you had a chance to visit the Sears Tower? It’s a great summer activity when it’s sunny and clear and you can literally see for miles. If you wait until later in the evening, you’ll be able to see the city during the day–as well as all of the lights the come on at night. It costs $13 per person to go onto the Skydeck–but it’s amazing.
Here are some fun facts about the building:
* The Sears Tower is 1,450 feet (443 meters) high - 1,730 feet (520 meters) including twin antenna towers.
* The Skydeck is 1,353 feet (412 meters) above the ground.
* The lowest level of Sears Tower is 43 feet (13 meters) below the Franklin St. elevation.
* The combined weight of the building is 222,500 tons - that’s 445,000,000 lbs. or 201,849,000 kg.
* The cost of building the Sears Tower was in excess of $150 million.
* The Sears Tower, opened in 1973, took 3 years to build.
* The building has 4.5 million gross square feet (418,064 gross square meters) of floor space.
* On a clear day, you can see four states - Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. Visibility from the Skydeck is approximately 40-50 miles (65 - 80 kilometers).
* The average sway of the building is approximately 6 inches (152 millimeters) from true center.
* The Sears Tower has approximately 16,100 bronze-tinted windows.
* 6 roof-mounted robotic window washing machines clean all 16,100 windows.
* Sears Tower elevators operate as fast as 1,600 feet (488 meters) per minute - among the fastest in the world.
* The Sears Tower contains 25,000 miles (40,223 kilometers) of electrical cable.
* Approximately 43,000 miles (69,200 kilometers) of telephone cable runs through the building.
* The Sears Tower was designed for more than 12,000 occupants.
* Approximately 25,000 people enter the building each day.
* Approximately 1.3 million tourists visit the Skydeck each year.
At the cost of $13 per head–1.3 million tourists per year equalls $16.9 million in revenue just from the skydeck! hmmmmm, now I just have to figure out how to build a skyscraper with a Skydeck—I could rake it in!!
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Yo Gabba Gabba
By The Cook | July 1, 2008
There is one thing to be said about spending your days in bed. You get to catch up on ALL of the good, the bad and the ugly on TV. Have you heard of this horrible new kids show called Yo Gabba Gabba? It’s HORRID! My two little ones hung out on my bed with me because I couldn’t chase them around the house and we watched this:
I’m sorry, but this is just terrible! People mocked Barney and the Teletubbies–I know, I was one of them. But this one takes the cake. I can’t imagine anyone acting in this, making it or paying for it to be on the air. It’s just unfathomnable!
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The Elk–Elk Grove Village
By The Cook | June 29, 2008
If you are looking for something your kids will love–that is free–then the Elk are for you. You can only get into the parking lot heading south on Arlington Heights Road and into the Busse Woods Forrest Preserve parking lot.
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