A Big Day for a Little Sis

This past weekend was a momentous occasion in the life of this little sis. I may be 30, but part of me will always be the kid sister clamoring for her big brother's attention and approval.... and after almost eight years as a Chicagoan, my brother Ben FINALLY came to visit me in the Windy City. With just a few hours on the interstates of Indiana and a few wrong turns on Chicagoland tollways, my brother gave me a precious gift - he allowed me to show him and his whole family what my life is like - the home I own, how I get to work, the crazies on the CTA, all the good and the bad of my little life in the big city. It was a short trip, but a BIG deal.

It was an awesome weekend. The kids had a few meltdowns, there were tears, there was some whining, there were two emergency trips to KMart, but, there was also....

Animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Aunt Emmy's Favorite Pizza at Pizano's

The Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier (Ben, your secret's safe with me)

Dippin' Dots and Family Fun at Navy Pier

American Girl

The LEGOS store

And... the CTA bus!

P.S. A few great quotes from the kids:

• Zoe (while walking into my place): "Aunt Emmy, is this a hotel?"
• AJ (while on the bus): "Aun Em-eh, you are so pretty. I love you."
• Zoe (as we're leaving my place): "Aunt Emmy, that's your pink pepper spray. You spray the bad guys with that.... in the FACE!!!"
• Zoe (after being told she can't eat in my bed): "Aunt Emmy, why are there so many special rules at your house?"

THANK YOU Big Brother!!!  I love you!