Living in America 2011

[MmeBucket]

We were a few messages away from being closed on the other one. Hope everyone finds me here.

[fridakahlo]

Why do my smileys no worky????

[PenguinArmy]

hello fridakahlo

you mis-spelt hmm (vs hmn), don't know if you tried to add any more.

no idea bout the Leprachaun Traps I'm afraid, but I am sure someone will explain.

[tadjennyp]

We're expecting another half to a foot of snow this weekend. I'll take the grey, thanks!

[Earlybird]

Jabberwocky - it had slipped my mind about your dh's work. I bet the cliff dwelling that was turned in by your family was stellar - and made all those other ultra competitive families feel inadequate (woohoo - I'm all for that!).

kickassangel - until you mentioned it, I hadn't realised how similar my house is to that of an Ancient Aztec (dirty dishes, dirty floor, etc). But, must confess to preferring a hand-held 'dustbuster' instead of a broom!

Fingers crossed that the 'weather gods' are kind to Southern California in the coming weeks. We've made the same spring break trip for several years now, and have always had sun (though some years were warmer than others).

Must say that I am NOT looking forward to driving on the LA freeways - it is terrifying, in fact. I always get a bigger rental car than we need because I want something more substantial (and with some real acceleration power) when we venture out.

Btw - has anyone been to the Aquarium in LA (Long Beach?), and if so, would you recommend it? Think we might go there.....

[Grockle]

Its bloody freezing here but no snow, of course. My garden is full of bulbs and its beginning to feel really springlike now.

WTF is a leprachaun trap? I hate St Patrick's Day in the US with a passion so am glad not to be there again. I don't know why it makes me so angry but it does.

[kickassangel]

dh is from n ireland & no-one there celebrates st. paddy's. i think it's just that american thing of having a 'theme' at least once a month.

about 6" of snow last night, after a prediction of 'light rain showers, possibly some snow'

so hoping tomorrow won't be a snow day - it's my first day at work!

[Earlybird]

kickassangel - good luck tomorrow with your first day at the new job.

The Aztec artifact project continues......thank goodness the weather has been cold/wet this weekend, as it has meant dd has been working steadily.

Spent hours yesterday reading up on Disneyland. It is unbelievable how fanatic, professional and detailed some of the bloggers are! I can now tell you which restaurants to avoid, which rides are closed, which rides to do first to avoid excessive waiting time, parade times/routes, etc.

[jabberwocky]

Oh, we so loooove St. Paddy's day here. John Corbett will be the Grand Marshal for our parade

[MrsDmamee]

Hello All..MrD here in New Mexico

Haven't popped in in a while.

The whole st pats day/month gets my eyes rolling alot!! But I do agree with you kissassangel every month needs a theme
DS2 is referred as the only FULL Irish in Pre-K!

We've been here 4 months now and its flown by.

Has anyone any spring break plans? We are braving a long-ish drive to Phoenix with 3 DC's

Making the trip to Disneyland in the summer (our 2nd visit in 5 years)..havent started reading up on whats changed or any new tips as yet.
I remember reading up the last time and felt like I was revising for a very important exam!! Serious case of imformation overload!

[jabberwocky]

We have the country's shortest parade (although it lasts a looong time!) with the Royal Order of Elvi and one year we had Mini Kiss. It's all very silly, a little tacky and loads of fun!

Last year, Bo Derek personally put beads on ds1. Dh was very impressed, ds1 not as much

[Earlybird]

MrD - hello. Glad you are adjusting to/liking NM. We are going to Disneyland in 10 days, so please feel free to 'pick my brain' in advance of your summer trip. I'm happy to share any information that might be useful.

(btw - in my own research, I have uncovered the disturbing fact that they have recently taken down the big C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters outside the California Adventure entrance. Boo!)

jabberwocky - your parade sounds fab and fun. Must admit I am completely unaware of any parade that happens here, but we probably wouldn't go anyway.

[tadjennyp]

Has anyone been down to Legoland in San Diego? I really want to do this around memorial day as have never been to Southern California. I thought it might be more age appropriate as dd is 5 and ds1 3. I don't suppose the baby will care either way! I'm not a fan of Disney Princesses so have not been swayed to go to Disneyland yet.

[Grockle]

No but I went to the Legoland in Chicago (completely different). DS (then aged 3) LOVED it. I am quite sure souther california one will be brilliant

[redflipflops]

tad - We didn't go to Legoland but there are lots of other family friendly places/museums in San Diego.

We're also going to Disneyland next week - can give an update after we've been! It's my DS's 5th Birthday and Disneyland seems an easier solution than a big party! (kids parties where we're living are completely OTT.... pony rides, bouncy castle house, entertainers, party bags etc... plus our regular size house can't compare to some of the gigantic ranches DS's friends live in!).

Grockle leprachaun trap = imagine mouse trap but for small green leprachauns! (made of cardboard with gold coins to temp them into 'trap').

[tadjennyp]

Thanks!

[berri]

Hi Grockle

Sorry for the massive delay, haven't been able to get online for a few days!

So yes, Chicago awaits us this Summer - where are you now?

We're going over for a 'look around' in about a month, do you have any recommendations of what to do while we're there? We're going to leave DS with his grandparents (please excuse me while I scream like a teenager at the prospect of 5 days away without a child) so we'll be footloose and fancy free :o

We've had a few recommendations of places to look to live, including Evanston - any experience of there?

I was hoping there would be a ready-made group of mnetters ready to welcome me into their arms in Chicago but it seems pretty quiet....

[MmeBucket]

Tad, we were there when the kids were 3 and 5 and then when they were 5 and 7. It was a great trip, and I think very age appropriate. Great trip. We went to the Zoo and to Sea World also. Both times we went right before Memorial Day, which was great, because it wasn't busy at all.

Berri, too bad Grockle still isn't in Chicago. She's awesome, and greets you with cupcakes and gogi berries.

[berri]

Sounds perfect, quick Grockle, move back! Please!

[jabberwocky]

I really want to take the boys to legoland. I hadn't realized there was one in Chicago! That might be easier and dh would enjoy Chicago more I think.

[tadjennyp]

For MmeBucket. www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/mar/08/portland-oregon-food-budget-restaurants

[MmeBucket]

Jabber, I don't think the one in Chicago is like the one in SD. I'm not sure if there's rides or anything.

Love the link, Tad. I (heart) Le Pigeon.

[Grockle]

I'd forgotten about that, MmeBucket

Where to live... Everyone lives the northside and there's lots to do up there but depends where work is and what you want. I lived in Hyde park (obama's neighborhood) on the Southside and was very happy there.

I'm on my phone so this will be a quick list of places to go and I cAnt

do links but everything is googleable..will pop back later and do it properly:

• Shopping on Michigan Ave & State street (that great street)
  
• Museum of science & industry (stop at the coffee place under the 57th street metro tracks for gelato)
  
• shedd aquarium
  
• Navy pier (touristy) -sea dog rude on the lake
  
• Hancock Tower- you can go to the bar at the top for cocktails rather than going to the viewing deck but both are good and better views than the Sears tower (or whatever they call it now). Sears tower has new glass floor which might be worth a look.
  
• Lincoln Park zoo is free and a nice walk
  
• beach (they're not the best in the world but fab for a city)
  
  Also, since you are childfree, have a look at broadway in Chicago for tickets to shows- long running things like Wicked, Lion King etc. And they preview shows there before they go to broadway so might have something new/ different.
  
  Brits like to eat at The Cheesecake Factory. Grand Lux is ok too. You are meant to eat ribs, Chicago style pizza & hot dogs in Chicago.

[Grockle]

Oh, that was quite long!

Legoland in chicAgo is about an hour out in the burbs and is indoor- expensive & not huge

[nicobean]

Hi all, it's the Brit again who is likely to be returning to Maryland (somewhat reluctantly).

I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on larger families in the US versus UK. I've always had the feeling it'd be easier in the US, what with bigger houses, cars, Costco etc. Is this right?

DH has hinted that if I do agree to return I can "have as many babies as I like" ... Getting to be a SAHM with a decent sized house for my 3 is the only reason I'm really considering the move, but would value some thoughts from you all.

[Earlybird]

Hi nicobean - regarding larger families in the UK vs USA: I think it depends on how you run your life. Yes, houses tend to be bigger/less expensive (especially if you are not talking London/NYC prices), and there is Costco, Target, etc.

But, my impression is that the Americans (especially suburban families) tend to have their dc in many more activities - so you can spend your life as taxi driver going from football/soccer to music lessons to dance class to swimming, etc. And that is before you've done a single birthday party or playdate. And since space is not at such a premium, the places you will be going are often not near by so alot of time in the car is likely.

I know these things happen in the UK also but somehow the Americans seem to take their extracurriculars very seriously so weekends especially can be quite hectic with endless swim meets, 'travel' soccer games, basketball, weekend music seminars/workshops, etc. All those extras would be logistically hard with a larger family - unless you rideshare with other families, rope in grandparents to assist (which you wouldn't have here?), divide responsibilities with dh, or hire someone to be an extra set of hands/extra transportation (which some families in dd's class with 4 dc have done).

Qualifying statement: my experience was all in London (so don't know about routines outside), and we moved to America when dd was 7 (so before she was old enough to be 'serious' about any extracurriculars).