Spring...err...I mean SNOW BREAK...

SO what's a girl to do if the weather refuses to cooperate? Find something indoors, of course! My third grade comadres and I headed downtown to the Field Museum, all offspring in tow, to stake out an upcoming field trip for our classrooms. I "bribed" Brandan and Aly to miss a day of their school (Yes, bad Mom, I know!) to tag along and gage the activities that the museum had to offer.They were more than happy to oblige!

Upon arrival, the gang had to reaquaint themselves and dote on baby Zoe, who not only walks, but runs off in most any direction to see what she can see...

It's been some time since these girlfriends have had the chance to truly hangout and enjoy one another's pure craziness. Gaby and Aly were glad to get some fun time together!

We were able to pull of a few pictures with all the kids, err...wait...Where's Zoe? In hindsight, I would have loved to have gotten them in height order, but like that was going to happen with eight kids and each their own agenda...
(Yesenia, Oscar, Brandan, Laura, Aly, Gaby, and Max)

We, "teachers" finally got smart and assigned every little kid to a bigger kid to form partners. Brandan and Max stuck to each other for the better part of the day. When Brandan would turn around, he would shout for Max. And when Max would look the other way, he would scream out for Brandan. It was so cute the couple of times I heard it!

I caught Max giving Brandan a lesson on bears here:

The kids took in as many exhibits as they could. We struggled to keep them from running too far ahead of us. They enjoyed the hands on stuff, of course, but I was impressed with some of the newer additions that the museum has added with a touch of technology here and there.

Zoe, right away, took a liking to Brandan's bright red Coca-Cola baseball cap. She loved to take it off his head, and then realized she would look all the better wearing it herself!! Isn't she adorable!!

In between trying to keep up with the masses, we would find the kids kicked back in some seats waiting for the old folks to keep up...

..And then there were those who wanted to be picked up. Who could deny that little face?

Success finally struck when we rounded all eight buddies up for a group picture by the great Mastadons in the center foyer.

(From left to right: Gaby, Aly, Laura, Max, Brandan, Yesenia, Oscar, and (dead center) Zoe!!!)

Our favorite exhibit, by far, was the Ancient Americas. I am looking forward to taking my third graders into this one (come the end of the month) where we can time travel and live life BEFORE the existance of Wii and PSP!

We were glad to have plenty of extra hands around to snap adult pictures, too.
I really am fortunate to have such great coworkers/friends to be with!
Linda, Nichole, (me) and Sandra

Laura, after my own heart, loves to SNAP pictures, too.

So, in the end, a cold and snowy Chicago day was filled with warm smiles and good friendship.

When's our next side trip, girls?