Good morning!

We got back from our Lake Geneva trip early yesterday morning. Since Ankur didn’t have to start work ’til noon, we decided to do a Saturday to Monday trip.

We first checked into our cabin before heading out to eat somewhere.

Of course, there was a delay in leaving – once we put our stuff down – because Ishu was too excited to play with the coffee pods they leave out for the guests. Throwing them up on the bed and then throwing them down off the bed. Over and over and over again. It’s always the simple things with this kid.

Eventually, we made it out and we went to Sammy’s on the Square for breakfast/lunch.

Ankur was really feeling the vacation mode because he ordered a milkshake with his lunch (which Ishu happily ate all the whipped cream off of).

Aside from booking the cabin, we didn’t plan our weekend trip all that well. We thought we’d wing it once we got there. Only to find out that one of the main attractions – the ice castles – sells out weeks in advance. Whoops.

So, on our first night in the cabin, we snuggled up in bed and did exactly what we do in Chicago.

We watched Curious George.

Ha.

And fell asleep by 8pm?!

Early bedtimes are my jam. I woke up at 12:30am, again at 3am, and 4am, really confused why I was feeling so rested and still had so many hours of sleep to go.

It’s safe to say we all did a good amount of sleeping this trip. (Which is a win in my book).

The next morning, we woke up, got dressed, and drove the mile down the hill to a cute coffee shop called Coffee Mill. Everything is locally made – beans, pastries, milk – and Ankur read somewhere that the furthest something travels to get there is Milwaukee.

We picked up our coffees to go and then walked the small little walkway to see the Fontana Frog.

Ishu was less impressed with the 14-foot frog and more excited about the wooden reindeer to his side. Probably because Ankur sings him Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer every night before he goes to sleep. (That and Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman. I don’t know why, but I’m pretty pumped that my kid seems to love Christmas music as much as I do).

After playing in the snow for a bit, we drove over to Lake Geneva and had brunch at Simple Cafe. They have a bakery next door and, while we waited, we went and browsed their selection, walking out with a cake pop for Ishu.

After our delicious brunch, we hurried on back to the cabin to put Ishu down for a nap. While he slept, I finished up a report for work. I also took an amazing, BURNING, steaming, scalding hot shower. And managed to read a few chapters in this book.

After he slept for 2.5 hours (!!!), we bundled up and went back to Lake Geneva to explore the downtown.

We went to Dust Bunny Bookstore and bought Ishu his 4th Little Blue Truck book. He’s real obsessed with Little Blue Truck these days. And this one was REALLY exciting to him because it’s an interactive sound book. (When we got back to the cabin later that evening, he spent the entire time – until bedtime – pushing the cow button to hear the mooooooooo and then mimicking the sound. On repeat).

We also popped into a toy store. It has been AGES since I’ve gone to a real toy store (and the Target toy aisle doesn’t count!). I am pretty sure I was more excited about everything than Ishu. We walked out with a toy garbage truck, a toy fire truck, and a wooden train whistle). Almost paid 7 bucks for a Curious George bath toy, but I couldn’t get myself to do it. But it did feel nice to know we were supporting a small business and not, y’know, Target or Amazon.

We decided to have an early dinner at Oakfire. Which overlooked the lake. It was completely blowing my mind that part of the lake was water but the center of the lake was frozen. And people were just casually driving their cars onto the lake. AS IF THEY JUST TRUSTED IT WOULDN’T CRACK OPEN AND SUCK THEM IN.

I couldn’t do it.

I mean, these people probably know what they’re doing. But I couldn’t get myself to do it. Not even walk on it. I’m a wuss.

And now, we’re back to reality. Jumped right back into work when we got home yesterday and worked until the late evening.

Now I’m having slight vacation withdrawal – especially now that Ankur’s rotation changes on Wednesday. So no more noon starts for him. That being said, we’re going to take advantage of the morning (and temps in the 40s!) and go for a walk together.

We had such a great weekend and, every time something this nice comes to an end, I try to figure out how I can incorporate more of my vacation self into my everyday life. And I think it starts with a walk.

So, off we go.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Question of the Day:

What is a highlight from your weekend? What is one thing you’re looking forward to this week?