girl | boy weekends

Last weekend marked our 11th wedding anniversary and while Matt and I didn't exactly spend it together, the time was well spent.

The girls and I, along with my mom, sister-in-law, niece, and sister-in-law's mom have had a girls' weekend in Chicago on the calendar for years months.

The headlining event? A visit to the American Girl Place.

Also on the docket: all the girly fun we could find in the big city.

A picture perfect weekend.

Our view from the 22nd floor of the Westin on Michigan Ave.

A Vera store! And they gave us free water! And they took our picture! Score.

Raising girls is serious business. #standtall #trueself

Enjoying dinner in the American Girl Cafe - what a treat!

Mady *might* have enjoyed pet shopping more than actual doll shopping.

Cross it off the bucket list:

a carriage ride through the downtown streets and along the lake shore.

Love this picture. Love them.

Pampering ourselves with some mid-day pedicures. 

The seven of us completely overwhelmed a little Chinese nail salon. 

Hilarity ensued.

On top of the world with my favorite five-year-old girl.

Thank you, Instagram, for capturing these moments and more.

Thank you, Mom (& Dad), for treating us to a whole lot of girly fun.

Thank you, God, for blessing me with little girls!

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Matt and Dylan were enjoying a mini boy-themed stay-cation of their own.

Following Dylan's baseball game {complete with a pack of Big League Chew}, the boys packed up their bikes and hit the trails.

This boy sure loves to bike, just like his Daddy!

They followed up their ride at their favorite restaurant 

and re-hydrated with some ice cold rootbeers. 

On Sunday, they visited a local car museum.

Dylan was in heaven.

{Photo credit: hubby on the iPhone. Can't say enough about the camera quality in those things.}

Barn after barn, filled to the brim, with classic cars.

The highlight for D: lunch at an old time diner.

Part of Daddy's plan to see how long he could go without saying no.

Frozen custard? Sure! Another pop? Why not?

* * * * * * * * * *

The girls eventually returned home and the magic had to end. Regular eating habits resumed, Daddy remembered how to say "no", and the house was soon covered with tiny doll shoes and hair brushes.

Back to reality. Back to regular, family-of-five, boys-and-girls-mixed-together life.

Just the way we like it.