Spring has arrived in Chicago!!!!!

Of course, that means that we still have several inches of snow left before it ends for this half of the year. We've started the awakening process. Moms with kids in tow are coming out of their caves and heading to the neighborhood parks. My own MILF-age has started arranging for "happy hour" get togethers. These, of course, are excuses to drink a little whatever and let the wild ones run crazy.

Over the past month we've done some traveling. I won't bore you with the details. Here are some recommendations if you ever make it to the Tampa Bay area. Absolutely fly on Southwest Airlines. More on this to come. Same with the Tampa airport. Stay out of the Orlando airport if you can. Definitely visit Busch Gardens if you have a free day and $350 (cost for 4 adults and two children; one was free!). Their "Land of the Dragons" makes out Six Flags Great America look sad. And they have free beer samples. Nothing better. DO visit the beaches in Bradenton Beach. We stay close by and loved it. The sand is great for making castles. If you have the chance to go out without the kids make a trek to a local Spanish/Cuban restaurant named Columbia that makes the Mojitos. If you don't know what those are you need to Google it to find out. They are the best in the summer.

More to come on the trip and some other local attractions. We're back into the activity scene again. Yippee!

Chicago O'Hare Airport Children's Area

Ranking: Value - 5 out of 5; Dad Fun Factor - 1 out of 5; Kid Fun Factor - 4 out of 5

Here's the deal on this one. It's never fun to travel with little people (kids) but it's even worse when you get to the airport late and miss your flight. Guilty! Here's how you kill 5 hours of your life at the Chicago O'Hare Airport with your children. 1) Head to Terminal 2. It's not hard to get around the airport if you have feet and even easier if you don't. 2) Buy yourself some Quiznos (and for the kids) if you are hungry. 3) Walk the 10 feet from Quiznos to the O'Hare Children's Museum play area. It's actually sponsored by the Chicago Children's Museum and it's great. It's better than great. It is situated in a quite part of the terminal with two family restrooms in loud-talking distance. We lived through our delay with flying colors and the boys had a blast. They have large, interactive airplanes to pretend to fly, cargo areas you can toss luggage around (just like the real workers...kidding....mostly), and a control tower with radios and dials and stuff. For a toddler or preschooler it's awesome. I give it a Dad Fun Factor of 1 out of 5 because frankly, if you are there you are having a bad day anyway. But the kids enjoyed it and I'd do it again. If you are visiting Chicago and flying through O'Hare then you need to check it out. It's off the beaten path but there are a few signs. There is also a Starbuck's right there if you need some C.O.F.F.E.E. (sing the Ralph's World tune here).

I don't have any pics (except this stolen one) or links here so you'll have to imagine smiling faces and squeals of joy. Talk at you next time.