#TheKerrieShow Goes to Chicago Day Three: Shedd Aquarium!

I wrote this in my journal on June 18, 2016:

Joel wants to go to sealife downtown KC now that we saw the movie Dory. I want to take them to florida even worse. Chicago is where shedd aquarium is? THERE! Can you imagine a trip to Chicago with them? They would love it.

A few weeks ago I saw a picture of the Caribbean Reef in Shedd Aquarium on their website and I almost cried. I told myself that if I could just sit there on a bench in front of that, it would be the most amazing thing ever. I was so excited to go.

Then I stood in line in 25-degree weather with snow for AN HOUR with five annoyed kids before paying $212 for what turned out to be about 3 hours of Shedd Aquarium and I was a little ungrateful and disgruntled. By that time we were hungry and so there went another $80+ at the food court in Shedd and 30 minutes of fun time gone. Should have packed PB&Js; note to self for next time! Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it and then it might not live up to what you had in mind but at least you got to experience it!

I could have spent two full days wandering that place, with or without kids. The older my kids get, I start thinking things like, "Hey, in the not-so-distant future I might find myself in Chicago another time with my husband but the kids will be grown and I will be here alone. I will have to learn to deal with not being a mom of little kids anymore and I will have to enjoy the silence in my mind as I check out places like this ... but I will also be able to go to places like Frank Lloyd Wright's house and Ernest Hemingway's birthplace without worrying about anyone getting stolen or bored."

But I digress, like always. Here are the pics.

MORE SNOW OVERNIGHT

The kids were thrilled with the snow but we didn't have a ton of time to play in it plus the younger two were the only ones with boots :-( Praying for a huge Kansas City snow next year!

Heading to the red line from the blue line in the cool tunnel

Waiting for the bus to Shedd. It wasn't too far but it was COLD so we just waited.

The kids loved taking pictures of these birds.

The bus to Shedd in Chicago. I can't tell you how great my kids were on this trip. True travel champs for real. So proud of them.

Here we go. A long tent up the steps of Shedd and it was COLD and took forever to even get into the lobby then MORE waiting but were at least warmer. I was so impatient because I knew it would cost a fortune and that they closed at 5 so we didn't have a ton of time.

Cold Sammy

Cold but happy Eva

WE MADE IT TO THE CARIBBEAN REEF!!! I can hardly believe it! The room is kinda dark, though, and not perfect for pics, but whatever.

A dream come true!

At some point we broke way from the reef and went to a section of lake and river fun.

Then we went to a 4D Spongebob show and then it was time for lunch. Our view for lunch.

Touch pool

Seriously, we could sit here all day. I hated the feeling of being rushed around the place (self-inflicted because we wanted to see as much as we could). We are the kind of people who like to take our time and enjoy things and mess around, so this was tough for us to rush through an aquarium of this caliber. It was amazing. WE HAVE TO COME BACK SOON.

I can't tell you how moving this was. Incredible to see these gorgeous creatures ... so peaceful.

We call these ponguins.

Time to head downstairs to the Wild Reef, included in our ticket price. I hate that crap, and it's confusing as heck ... just pay one fee and see the entire dang place, seriously. Stop asking me what I want to add on for extra money and confusing me about what's included because then you get kids standing around wanting to do something that's not included in their ticket price and how annoying is that for a parent? Somehow we got everything included in ours, but remember we spent $212 for 6 people. And we could have done without the 4D experience.

Time for the indoor show

Then the littles and I were beat so we sent the big boys off down an alley off the Reef to check some things out and take pictures.

This was my chilling-out view. I was happy resting here.

Joel went to town taking pictures. What the heck are these suckers?

Yes. This is the picture I went for. This, with the Reef behind my precious children. Yes, this is why I do what I do and dragged them on a train to get downtown and pay a fortune and wait in line in the cold. To see them tired and happy at the end of a good day with their brains full of new visions of sea life.

You should have heard them griping at me about this ONE MORE PICTURE with sun in their eyes. I'm such a mean mom. Then we hopped our bus and off we went.

They liked to use their own Ventra cards at the train stations.

Such cool tunnels.

Dunkin' Donuts almost every day. They were at most of the train stations. Brilliant.

Joel took this with his phone and it uploaded to mine ... they went to the workout room together at the hotel that night.

I had to go to Target Tuesday night for a stand-alone phone charger (highly recommended if you're traveling and out all day) and groceries. And saw the next Nerf gun I want. The Lawbringer.

Check out Day Two (Monday), when we went to Adler Planetarium! Day Four was Museum of Science and Industry and Dylan's Candy Bar, so check it out!

The Definitive Guide To Cutting Back On Alcohol

Some people use alcohol as a way to wind down and relax after a long day. Some people use it because they’re bored. Some people use it to socialize. There are so many different ways that alcohol is used in this day and age. So much so, that some people don’t realize that they are over indulging. Drinking a little alcohol, such as a glass of red wine a few times a week can have health benefits. However, drinking too much of the stuff will leave you more susceptible to developing diseases and encountering other problems. Not to mention you can start to rely on it. In other words; it’s addictive. This definitive guide to cutting back on alcohol should help you:

Figure Out What It Is That Makes You Overindulge

There are a number of ‘triggers’ that can make people overindulge. Perhaps you’re just bored. Maybe you’ve had a really stressful day at work and alcohol is your only release. By taking a closer look at yourself and your habits, you should be able to figure out what makes you overindulge. When you know what it is, you can become more aware of when the situations arise and come up with ways to combat them.

Think Of All The Ways Alcohol Holds You Back

Take a moment to think of all of the ways that alcohol holds you back. This may not be enough to make you stop alone, but it can definitely encourage you to try harder. Perhaps it’s stopping you from advancing your career. Maybe it’s stopping you from spending time with your family. Make a list of all of the ways that alcohol is stopping you from living your life right and then keep that list in mind when you feel like overindulging.

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Clue Yourself Up On The Health Side Of Things

It could be a good idea to read up on the health side of things. Knowing what alcohol is doing to your health should be a huge motivator to quit. It can damage your liver, make you put on excess weight, give you cancer, and do so much more damage. The more you drink, the more susceptible you make yourself to these problems.

Don’t Keep Alcohol In The House

Buying alcohol and keeping it in the house could be a huge trigger. If something stresses you out at home, then you’re more than likely going to want to reach for a drink to help you calm down. Avoid buying alcohol in large quantities and keeping it for no reason.

Designate A Friend To Cut Back With You

Perhaps a friend is having the same problems as you. Designate them to cut back with you. You can both discuss your problems, come up with a plan, and keep one another accountable. Make sure this person is serious about cutting back, or they might actually encourage you to ‘fall off the wagon.’ If you feel like having a drink, then you can call them and they can help you to calm down, and vice versa.

Alternate Drinks With Soda Or Water When You Go Out

If your problem is drinking too much when you go out with your partner or friends, remember to alternate your drinks with soda or water. By doing this, you’ll save money, and feel so much better the next day. Not just that, you probably won’t black out or do anything stupid that you tend to do when you’re really drunk. Most people buy another drink before the previous drink has even kicked in. This is how people end up so drunk! By giving your body time to process the drink you’ve just had, you’ll also be able to monitor just how drunk you are and stop or completely slow down when you’ve had enough.

Speak To A Professional If You Need Help

Perhaps it isn’t as simple as cutting back for you. You’re not alone. Don’t delay; speak to a professional. You may be able to visit a centre like www.beachway.com to help you deal with your problems and get clean. It might sound like a lot to take in, but sometimes this is the only way to get your problem under control. If you like, you could speak to a friend or loved one first, and they can help you to get the help you need. Admitting it and getting it off your chest can be one of the best things to do in situations like this.

Find Other Ways Of Dealing With Your Problems

There are many other ways of dealing with your perceived problems. If you’re stressed at work, try speaking to your boss, reducing your workload, or even finding a new job. Your sanity is the most important thing. Find a hobby, so that when you get home you’re not tempted to drink. Exercise will make you feel great, but you could also start a creative hobby. Maybe knitting, or trying something else that you’re interested in will do you the world of good. Also, don’t underestimate the power of meditating. This can help you to distress and improve other areas of your life in a big way!

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Don’t Be Hard On Yourself

When you’re hard on yourself, you get into a negative self talk spiral which can lead you to drinking even more. This doesn’t mean you should relax and not worry too much about cutting back. It just means that you should realize you are human, and that’s OK.

Keep The Person You Want To Be In Mind

Who do you want to be? What do they do each day? What do they look like? Who do they spend time with? Keep this version of yourself in mind and do what you can to become them each day. Take small steps towards your goals, and never let go of that vision.

If you have children or even grandchildren, it’s important you set a good example for them. Watching them grow up should be a big motivator in quitting. However, above all else, you need to do this for you. You are worth it and deserve health and happiness!

The First Trial of Marriage Starts Before Your Wedding Day

When you finally meet ‘the one,' life takes on a whole new meaning. Even the gray days become colorful, and you can’t imagine anything could be better. Then, as though to prove you wrong, he gets down on one knee and confirms that he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. You spend a day or two on cloud nine, wrapped in his arms and dreaming about the life you’ll share. Then, reality hits. You have a wedding to plan. A WEDDING! Let’s be honest; it’s no easy task. Before you know it, your bubble of romance is gone. You and your man start spending less time together while you scrabble around and make arrangements. When you do get to see each other, you speak about weddings the whole time.

If the above sounds familiar, know that you aren’t alone. The stress of planning a wedding is extreme, and the lead up isn’t romantic at all. It may well be the happiest day ever, but it feels far from it when things are going wrong. The risk, during those planning stages, is that you and your man drift apart. It makes no sense. You’re planning a day to cement your lovel. But, when you’ve both got your heads somewhere else, it’s easy to neglect what matters most. And, make no qualms about it, your love should be the priority. After all, there won’t be a wedding if that love doesn’t survive.

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So, how can you make sure you keep your love alive through the mayhem? As with anything, it’s important to do things together. There’s an age-old belief that the woman should be the primary wedding planner. We are, by nature, the planners. Of course, that’s not true for every relationship. Your man may be the one with a plan. But, the outcome is the same. One of you does all the work, and the other is left out of the loop. Sharing responsibility could be what you both need. It’s a day for both of you, and working on plans together will keep your connection strong. Plus, it will ease the burden. No one person should have to take on that much work. If you’re worried about letting go of the reins, turn to something like these free wedding invitation templates to show your man what to do. But, make sure not to boss him. You’re in this together. What he wants is as important as what you want. Let him have his say, too.

It’s also important to spend time together away from the wedding prep. Chances are, weddings are all you’ve spoken about for too long. Remember that you fell in love with each other when a wedding wasn’t on the cards. There’s more to your relationship than that. Conversation about other things will help you through. Set aside one night a month or so where you ban all talk of weddings. Go out for a meal and enjoy each other’s company the way you used to.

How to Make Underwhelming Gifts A Thing Of The Past!

Do you ever buy gifts and get the feeling that the receiver was a little underwhelmed? Maybe the receiver was super nice about the gift, but you felt underwhelmed giving it to them because you just couldn’t think of the ‘perfect’ gift. Now you can make underwhelming gifts a thing of the past. Use these tips to buy an amazing gift next time you have a special occasion coming up!

Be Really Thoughtful

Ok, this probably goes without saying, but you should be really thoughtful if you want to make underwhelming gifts a thing of the past. Make a list and brainstorm. Make a list of the receivers hobbies and loves, and then branch out from them with gift ideas that they might like. Use the internet to help you. You could find great gift ideas for men and even awesome gift ideas for fitness fanatics. Then of course you’ll need to take your budget into account, and your relationship to the person. That should help you to find a suitable gift that you feel incredible giving!

Give the Gift of Time

The gift of time is hugely underrated, and should be given more! Why not give your time to the person, rather than a physical gift? You could take them out for the day. Maybe you could have lunch and explore some free museums if money is tight. Maybe you could treat them to a day at the spa. There are so many things that you can do that will allow you to give this person your undivided attention. It’ll feel great to the person that they are so important to you.

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Make the Present More of an Event

If you want to make sure the present gets the attention that it deserves, then you should make it more of an event. Let’s say you plan on taking this person somewhere. Instead of just handing them the tickets and yelling ‘surprise!’, you could spell out what you are going to do with different sized letters, cut them out, and then make them put them back together. This can make the event really fun, but remember not to make it too hard. It’s supposed to be a gift, not brain training.

Do a Little Stalking

When it comes to gifts, there’s no harm doing a little stalking. Most people have a wishlist and favorites on different websites, so if you can manage to find them you’ll have a ready made list of what this person wants! You could also look for clues around their home, look at their social media, or if you really need help, ask a close friend or family member.

Do Something Funny

Why not make giving the gift a humorous event? You could hide the real gift inside of an underwhelming gift. For instance, you could hide a kindle inside of a book that you know the receiver would never read in a million years! You could do the same with a gift card to a book shop. This will make the gift more exciting and surprising, and a simple gift will automatically become more magical. You could place a tiny gift inside of a huge box. Use your imagination to think of something funny you could do with this person’s gift.

Make Something Yourself

How about making something yourself? Taking the time to make things yourself is really thoughtful and meaningful. If this person is sentimental, they’ll likely love a handmade gift from you more than any store bought gift! You could make some jewelry, a key ring, a plaque, a piece of art…the list goes on. There’s a tutorial for absolutely everything online. You can make sure that the gift is perfect for them, and personalize it. Don’t forget to put a little mark on it somewhere, like your initials, so that they know you made it!

Give to a Cause That Matters for Them

If you can’t think of anything because this person really does have everything, then why not give to a cause that matters in their name? You can then present them with the information inside of a card. They should be really happy that their special occasion, whether it be a birthday or a retirement, has helped others.

By putting a little extra thought into gifts, you can make them much more exciting. You don’t even necessarily have to buy different gifts; you can just make opening them more exciting. Do you have any tips of your own that you’d like to share? Leave your comments below!