Trains, Boats and Dim Sum....

 

When it comes right down to it, I am a hypocrite... 

In my dreams, as a stay at home mom, 

I have all sorts of lovely, educational and highly creative projects, 

field trips and activities planned for my kids' summer vacation... 

In reality, as an exhausted, harried working mom, 

I leave it to the last minute 

and then thrash around the internet for ideas 

of how to entertain my kids for the day... 

It's disappointing, really....  

I want to be that fun mom, 

chock full of potato print making projects,

outings to the Blommer chocolate factory 

and impromptu home made soap making afternoons.  

So far it hasn't happened... 

On this gap week between school ending 

and the camp beginning, I have winged it to the third degree.....  

Yesterday I bribed the kids with promises of store purchases 

and even fresh peaches (it actually worked) 

to get the kids to tag along to Kohls, Walgreens, 

Costco,  Aldi and Trader Joe's...  

They walked away with peaches 

and remote control racers 

and I got my errands completed... 

Even Steven, in my book...  

But today was wide open...  

The possibilities were endless, 

not counting the fact that it was cool and cloudy 

and we had no money to blow....

Those two elements cut out the beach, pool, 

waterparks, most parks, LegoLand, 

Great America and movies....  

The kids needed to leave the house 

or else they might set fire to each other...  

They needed a diversion 

and somehow I came up with a multi-transportational 

journey to keep them busy...  

The plan was to take the Brown Line El to the city, 

and then board a water taxi... 

We would then traverse the Chicago River 

to Chinatown where we would sample 

this unique section of town 

and taste dim sum for the first time....   

This is a long day for the average grown up

who has some semblance of decorum and direction...  

It's a REALLY long day for a mom 

with two nutty kids who want to climb, touch,

pull, kick everything of interest along the way, 

as well as torment each other at every opportunity... 

Honestly, the kids were pretty good...  

Bringing snacks always tames the beasts, too... 

The boat trip was such a great way to see the city, 

the tall buildings, like the twin buildings used 

for the Bob Newhart Show..  

We sailed past my old workplace, 

General Growth Properties 

and I was a little wistful...  

Back in the day when I worked a corporate job, 

made good money 

and could spend some of it on State Street 

during lunch break...  

Back when I could have a conversation 

for five minutes straight 

without being interrupted or poked...

Arriving to Chinatown there was a beautiful pagoda 

and a playground.  

The kids had to make their mark on the monkey bars 

before setting off for lunch.  

Chinatown is pretty small and mingled with a tough part of the city, 

so I was a bit wary...

 

We were searching for "Three Happiness" restaurant 

as it was well liked on Yelp 

and dubbed "family friendly"  

This tiny restaurant is no frills 

and the old Chinese ladies working there 

did not have a good command of English...

 

They were very sweet, however 

and even tried to teach Kate how to use chopsticks...  

Jack and I loved the dumplings, 

shrimp toast and won tons.  

Kate preferred white rice...  

So much for an adventurous palate....  

The tea was floating with tea leaves, 

which spooked the kids, but Jack enjoyed it anyway...  

Dessert was cool blocks of coconut gelatin, 

which the kids devoured...  

After lunch we stopped in a souvenir shop...  

They played with the dragon puppets, 

mini Buddhas, folding fans and Japanese erasers. 

I brought home a tiny 

Buddha to grace our home.... 

 

Back on the boat, then train 

and walk home, I think I sufficiently filled the day 

and tired their little kiesters out...  

Tom brought home a client tonight from the U.K. for dinner....

I busted out a steak dinner with all the trimmings...

Dessert was so tasty...  It is from the July issue of Country Living....

Mixed Berry Crumble Ala Mode

Ingredients:

1 pint blueberries

1/2 pint raspberries

1/2 pint diced strawberries

1/4 C honey

3/4 C flour

1/2 C rolled oats

1/2 C brown sugar

1 stick butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix berries. Drizzle with honey.  Sprinkle with 4 tablespoons flour and toss.  Transfer fruit to an 8x8 baking dish.  In a large bowl, mix remaining fliur, oats, brown sugar and butter with a pastry blender until mixture forms large crumbly lumps.  Sprinkle over berries.  Bake until golden brown, 45-50 minutes.  Serve with vanilla ice cream....

Camp is Monday, thank God.    

Maybe next year I'll be that organized mom from the Kraft commercials.....

Nah....