Christmastime

Christmas 2010 was the first time I really understood what the holiday is all about. Gifts. Oh and apparently food and family, but mainly many wrapped boxes filled with fun stuff. And boy did I enjoy ripping into those boxes, whether they were mine or not.

My First Recital

Piano class at the Old Town School of Folk Music was fun. My teachers, Mr. Nathan and Miss Amy taught me all the basics of music theory and how the piano works. At the end of the 16 week class we had a "piano party" where I played 2 songs for a packed room. People loved the pirate cape.

Santa! (Again)

How 'bout this guy here? Huh? He's alright.

O Tannenbaum

I'm really starting to get into this whole Christmas thing and Dad decided to stoke my spirit a bit more with a trip to Sprout Home to get our first Christmas tree. On the day we went, it happened to be the first good snow of the season, so I got to play in the snow a bit on the walk to the store and we also saw some of our neighbor's snow creations. Luckily, Sprout was close enough for Dad to carry our tree home to decorate it by the first fire in our new house. I made sure to tell Dad to make sure the fire was out before Santa comes down the chimney on Christmas. He promised it would be.

The Crazy Mazzei's

Here are my Mom's brothers and sisters; Uncle Vino, Aunt Megan and Uncle Matt. We stopped for an impromptu photoshoot after brunch at Tweet. This camera filter makes us look like we're in a band.

I'm thankful for lots of things.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, my Mom got to spend a couple hours with me at Montessori Academy on Wednesday. She was impressed at all the things I've learned and especially the Thanksgiving song. She was so gung ho about it that she made me sing it in front of 14 friends and family members at Thanksgiving dinner. Here I am giving another performance. This time at the modern wing of the Art Institute. I know you're proud Mom, but I'm going to need some bribe candy the next time you ask me to sing this.

Daddy, How Many More Days Till Halloween? None?!

It's was finally here. Halloween. After what must have been a month of asking how long till Halloween, I awoke on Sunday, October 31 and was reminded that it was Halloween. However, before I could don my Darth Vader costume and hit the streets, I had to head to the Lakeview YMCA for my first Pike (re: no Dad) swim lesson. Once that was out of the way we headed to Gigi & Papa's for some trick-or-treating. I threw on my Vader costume, Daddy became Luke Skywalker with Yoda in tow, Casey was Princess Leia and, by default, Boga was an Ewok. No costume necessary there.

It was a beautiful Fall afternoon in La Grange and the sidewalks were packed with a bunch of kids and their families. People loved our trio of costumes and I got a bunch of candy. Dad was surprised when I wanted to pack it in so quickly, but I had my sights set on helping Papa pass out candy, so I could take in all the costumes. How long till next Halloween, Dad?

It's Alive!!!

We thought the Lego Kids Fest would be a great way to kickoff Halloween Weekend. So Mom, John and I resurrected a Hollywood Horror movie classic by going as Dr. Frankenstein, The Monster and The Bride of Frankenstein. Lego Fest was excited to have us, especially since we were the only ones in costume. A few fest goers even asked to have their pictures taken with us as we enjoyed the out-of-this-world Lego creations. I even got to pose with a couple of my favorite characters.

Chicago Botanic Gardens

On a recent Sunday afternoon, after swimming and a great burger at Edzo's, Dad and I made a trek north to The Chicago Botanic Gardens. It was a stunningly-beautiful almost Fall afternoon and while neither one of us had ever visited, we met Dad's Godparents, Sylvija and John there and they are veterans.

Sylvija initially recommended we visit to see a cool garden built around train sets. The trains ran through models of famous American cityscapes or iconic architectural and natural locations. All the models were made from trees, shrubs, stones etc... Very cool.

We casually walked around the amazing grounds for the remainder of our visit, then headed home exhausted from our Sunday fun.

Pumpkin And Money Farm

Occasionally, Dad and his friend Michael make plans for me and Michael's son Alister to get together. Last month we went to Haunted Trails for some go-karting and mini-golf and- in anticipation of Halloween- this month we went to Bengstons Pumpkin Farm.

Bengstons is kind of a hike from Chicago and there's not a whole lot around it, so Dad thought we might be one of the few there. That was until we reached the top of a small hill and saw a sea of automobiles. Casey, Dad and I were one of thousands, who all paid a healthy admission fee, plus the cost of whatever pumpkins you carried out.

Once inside, we eventually met up with Michael, Alister and his sister Audrey and then all explored the well organized and clean "farm." I loved the Haunted Barn, and the rides with Ali and Audrey were fun too. Dad enjoyed some kettle corn and loved the people watching, when he wasn't keeping an eye on me.

I said I wanted to come back as soon as we left and, little did I know at the time, I would be returning a couple weeks later on a field trip.

Minneapolis Fantabulous

Corn mazes the size of 7 football fields, Malls of America and Shakopee Art Shows, that's Minneapolis to me. We decided to make a quick Fall weekend trip to Minneapolis to see my Uncle Matt and meet some of John's friends from the North. First stop, Sever's corn maze. This place is a dream come true, complete with kangaroos, giant slides, corn pools, miniature reindeer, kettle corn, hayrides and more. After Sever's we headed to Mt. Holly in Shakopee to see their art show. It was amazing and I had a lovely day playing in Autumn's yard. See you guys in the Spring! We couldn't leave town without visiting Mall Of America and it's indoor amusement park. It was like Great America with perfect temperature, short lines and a creepy awesome log ride. Autumn is definitely coming with me next time.

Cool New Park Alert

The Montessori Academy of Chicago (MAC) had a family picnic at the new Adams & Sangamon Park in Chicago's West Loop and the park is easily one of the most interesting I have ever been in, especially the playground, which actually has little hills and crazy structures to climb on. There's also a misting sculture marking the main entrance. The location is also cool. It's exciting to play with friends, surrounded by loft buildings and the Sears Tower (ne' Willis Tower) looming close by.

The Chicago Tribune's architecture reporter, Blair Kamin, offers a critique right here: http://tinyurl.com/2vw97xx

Redmoon Does It Again

If I am ever in need of a quick dose of the spectacular I know the one place that will not fail, Redmoon Theater. From their annual Winter Pageant and last summer's lakefront play Last Of My Species, to this year's Festival J.O.E. (Joyous Outdoor Event); their incredible contraptions and humorous presentation blow me away. J.O.E. featured a wide variety of musical performances, face painting, and a giant inflatable maze awash in colors and sound.

My Third First Day Of School

The unassuming entrances- notice the little door- pictured above are actually for my latest new school, The Montessori Academy of Chicago (MAC), where Dad and Mom took me and my plant for my first day of school on Wednesday, September 1.
MAC is my third school in about three years, which just goes to show how difficult it is to conquer the horrible education system our country offers. Located in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, MAC is true urban school, housed in a three story loft building, with the Chicago skyline looming behind it. MAC provides me with an energetic, yet balanced and safe atmosphere, which is most ideal at this point in my life. I hope to remain here for a while and look forward to my continued adventures with Miss Joy (my teacher), my classmates and our hermit crab friends.

Play Well

I loves me some Legos and so does Dad, who took me to The Museum Of Science & Industry once mainly to see what ended up being a rather small Lego exhibit. Not one to quit, Dad stumbled upon The LegoLand Discovery Center all the way out in Schaumburg. Despite his many misadventures to the suburb a mall built, we ventured there one Summer Saturday afternoon and ended up having a great time, which also included a nice lunch at Meatheads. Once inside, I was in Lego heaven. Miniature cities, Lego jungle, a dragon ride, mini-factory tour, 4-D movies, Harry Potter ride, STAR WARS and more. Not surprisingly, Dad and I returned during my recent Summer limbo (post-summer camp/pre-school) and decided to get a year membership, which the ticket guy gave to us for about $18 each. Awesome deal.

GREAT America

Oh man. my already fun summer ended on a high note- lierally and figuratively- with a trip to Great America. On a beautiful Sunday, Dad and Casey took me and my cousins; Alexa, Madison and Quinn and later I met my friend Alister. When we got there, we headed straight for Whizzer, which will forever be my first "real" roller coaster experience, just like Dad almost THIRTY years ago. I did get a bit tired of Dad's constant remember-whening, but I could stomach it considering all the fun we had on water rides, carnival rides, bumper cars- and twice near day's end- The Dark Night. Dad called me fearless on the way home and we both can't wait to return next summer, when we hope I'll be over 48" tall, so I can ride most everything.

I Said Yes To Michigan!

Because I had to, but if Dad wants to continue to take me to Lake Michigan's eastern shore- South Haven to be exact- I'd be just fine with it. How can you go wrong with beaches, ice cream, family, friends, BBQs- and this year- a giant pool? I strapped on a life vest and literally jumped right into the swimming thing. I am now able to hold my breath under water and do a dog paddle. Dad and I start swimming lessons at The Y in a couple weeks, so I should be good to go, when I am asked to say yes to Michigan again next year.

Grinderbash 2010

Dad, Casey and I were invited the White Sox Grinderbash 2010 this year, which Dad tells me was an awesome opportunity and that one day I would realize it a bit more. I did enjoy walking around the field on the warning track and playing catch in the White Sox and visitors bullpens. I also got to sit in the dugout, visit the visitor's clubhouse (re: locker room), and see the 2005 World Series Trophy. All-in-all a fun experience, and a beautiful day I may not remember, but Dad will certainly remind me of.
Special thanks to Lindsey in the White Sox office for the tickets.

Toronto V

You have heard it before- and I am sure you are sick of my saying it- but I love Toronto and so does Dad, who I am pretty sure would move there if it weren't so difficult to pull off.
Had another great trip, my fifth. You know I visited Centreville again (see the video below), but I got a taste of another Toronto amusement park when Casey and Dad took me to Ontario Place, where I rode the flume ride five times! Also, since I am a little older now, Dad took me on one of his long walks around the city. Luckily I had my stroller.
Can't wait to go back. Again.

Riding The Toronto Island Monster

More from my FIFTH trip to Toronto coming soon, but in the meantime please enjoy this video.