My Road Trip
Starting July 8, my papa and I were on a road trip to Chicago! This is a (super long) article Burrito it!
Wednesday, July 8, Day 1: We rented a car from the Marriott and drove to Pennsylvania for lunch. Then I went to Ohio and slept over at my Great-Aunt Alice’s house. We went to an Italian restaurant for dinner. The car was a ginormous red Hyundai. The photo below shows Papa (left) Me (middle bottom) My Papa cousin Lynne (middle) and my great-aunt Alice (right)
Hours of driving: 7
Thursday, July 9, Day 2:
We drove from Ohio to Detroit. We had lunch at a café in Detroit, and then we drove to the Ford world headquarters. They have a Ford museum, so we spent about 2 hours there. It was really cool. I got to go in the real Rosa Parks Bus! There were also some cars, but not just any cars! The cars that the president of the US used to drive in! We saw Ronald Reagan’s, Teddy Roosevelt’s, and even the car where JFK was assassinated! Then we went to Ann Arbor and visited Papa’s friend who he hadn’t seen for 10 years!! We had a really good dinner. (you’re welcome, Jaime!)
Hours of driving: 4
Friday, July 10, Day 3:
We left from Papa’s friend Jaime’s house and went to another friend of Papa’s also in Ann Arbor. We met them at a diner (Papa thought they weren’t there, so he spent a few minutes in the parking lot calling Ozzy who was literally 20 feet away from him!) Long story short: we found them. We went to Ozzy’s house (oh, and at the diner where we met them, another one of papa’s friends from college was there who… actually came from California! We were at Ozzy’s house for half an hour and drove into downtown Ann Arbor (which was pretty fun except that I
had a bloody nose). We even got sushi and ice cream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! About 10 minutes after we came back all 8 of us (Ozzy has a wife and 2 children named Felicity and Alice, and Matt has a child named Wiley, plus Papa and I, so that’s 8) drove up to the thumb of Michigan and stayed in a place called postcard cabins. We had Hot Dogs for dinner and of course Smore’s!
Hours of driving : 2
Saturday, July 11, Day 4:
On Saturday, everyone went on a hike around the camping site (still in the postcard cabins' property, but they have a ginormous property!!) Then we had Pushy Pies (cooked sandwiches over a fire, with your choice of jam, Nutella, and peanut butter. The only combination no one picked was PB & J!) After a couple hours of relaxing, we went to a brewery’s grand opening! That was really fun. There were 2 bouncy houses, a big lawn where I played frisbee with Wiley, and really yummy pizza! Also, we played a game called Skyjo. If you want to play, you can press this link! https://skymo.online/ Plus, for the real game you can buy it from here: https://www.amazon.com/magilano-SKYJO/dp/B06XZ9K244/
Hours of driving : 1
Sunday, July 12, Day 5
At about 10:00, We left for Chicago, but we had stops on the way! After about 45 minutes, we get to Bronner’s Christmas Land: The largest one on Earth! We went shopping (I bought a fancy red Disco Ball for $4). That was where we said goodbye to Ozzy’s Family. After that, we drove to the Warren Dunes State Park, and spent about an hour and a half there. We climbed a giant dune! Then, we were on our way to Chicago! When we finally got to Chicago, we met my dad, Emma, and my grandma! Dad had to carry me out of the car because I was barefoot, and that is because my socks had sand in them or something. We had a family reunion! (Kind of)
Hours of driving : 7
Monday, July 13, Day 6
On Monday, Dad, Papa, Emma, and I went to visit my dad’s old nanny Lucille. We had some really good food, and for a treat after lunch we had Mochinuts! From Lucille’s we drove to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, which was so fun! Wiley and I went on a mega-slide 2 times! (Emma couldn’t go on it: she had to be a few inches taller.) We did lots of other cool stuff there, like watching a ball travel through a mini Switzerland (JollyBall) and we also saw a really cool train. We also went through ‘The Maze of Mirrors’! Then we drove to my grandparents’ house and had a really yummy sushi dinner.
Hours of driving : 1 and change
Tuesday, July 14, Day 7
On Tuesday, Dad and Emma left on a plane for NYC, while Papa, Wiley, Matt, and I stayed in Chicago. Maybe about 2 hours after they left, we went to the zoo with my grandpa! We saw Zebras, Giraffes, and more! It was really fun. Then, Wiley, Papa, Matt, and I went to a lunch place a few blocks away. (Grandpa went back home.) For my lunch I had a sandwich (basically, it was a sandwich shop, so I guess everyone got a sandwich). Then we went back home and laid around for 4 hours. After those 4 hours, we went out to a Thai restaurant and had some very good noodles.
Hours of driving: 0
Wednesday, July 15, Day 8
Wednesday was the last day of my road trip!
First, we dropped the car off. Then we took the air train (Matt + Wiley got off at the second-to-last stop, and Papa and I got off at the last stop). Matt and Wiley’s flight left at 11:05 and ours left at exactly 11:00.
Hours of driving: 1
Hours of flying: 2
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how Papa, our friends, and I drove one-way from NY to Chicago. If you want to know how many miles it was, make sure to look at the answers page!
Great Burrito
This article is all about… Quesadillas, Burritos, Tacos, and Empanadas!!
In Manhattan, there is an amazing place called Great Burrito. It is only a few blocks away from where my grandma lives, so sometimes when I’m there with my dad I go to Great Burrito for lunch. It sells Tacos, Burritos, Empanadas, and, well, Burritos! This is one of my favorite places to eat in Manhattan. (Don’t worry, Tick Tock Diner. You’re still #1.) My personal favorite is a cheese quesadilla with chicken and avocado. Mmmmm! Also, the apple juice is good, but don’t tell me I didn’t warn you… IT IS ALSO VERY SUGARY!! Also, if you like music performances, there is also a TV that has Spanish music performances! The address is 100 west 23d street. Hope you enjoy your burrito!
Fabric
This is an article about Fabic that my grandma used to sew dresses.
Grandma’s Fabric
My grandma used to sew dresses with fabrics, and now we have a ton of it. Would you like any of my grandma’s wonderful fabrics for a project? We have closets of fabrics for you to choose from. If you are interested in any fabric please use the contact us form! Or send me, my Dad or my Papa an email.
Birthdays 🎉🎈🎂
Emma had a birthday in Fort Green Park
I feel like everyone has birthdays in April! Well, Emma and Eric do, at least. My grandma came for Emma’s birthday. We had a nice birthday party in Fort Greene Park. Happy Birthday Emma and Papa!
Puppet Parade
Every year, Saint Ann’s (my school), has a puppet parade. Every class makes puppets. Then, they march in the puppet parade. It takes up the whole Cadman Plaza!
The Puppet Parade 2026 - photo by Papa
The Emma News!
Everybody! I am introducing a new thing (drumroll, please🥁) The Emma News! (Dictated by Emma)
Pink and Purple bunny (Emma wanted this on here)
News is in: I love you. I like bunnies. 🩷💜I love sushi. I like colors and rainbows. I also like my teacher Ms. Eliyah. Today we will go to the supermarket and flush Jake in the toilet and have some orange juice and hot dogs. Big Bear 🐻. Big feet. Yesterday we went to the museum and the zoo. (Editors note: this is all true. Except Jake down toilet.) I love my pet donkey. My feet went under the table and on the table and I had Jello. My baby. I love my baby.
Jakey’s Jokes of the Week
That’s What It would Be Like!
Who’s there?
Toucan who?
Knock Knock
Toucan
….
Toucan Play Checkers, But only One can win
Who’s There?
Cows go who?
Knock Knock
Cows
No - Cows go Moo!
Help Wanted!
Hello! As some of you know, I am making a movie! But it seems we don’t have enough actors! (We only have 4: Me, my friends Olympia and Yaëlle, and Olympia’s Dad, Brendon.) We need someone to play a dog, and someone to play John Lennon! In 2027we also might need guests for a birthday party!
(The John Lennon will have to know a few of the words from about 8 Beatles Songs.)
Oh! And best thing… NO SCRIPT MEMORIZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Age Limit: 10. Goofiness Ability: 6 out of 9
Jakey’s Riddles of the week
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The horse was named Friday!
-
The river was frozen!
(Click the plus sign to see the answers)
Book Recommendations
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: PARTY POOPER
Greg Heffley is having his birthday in a few weeks, but the day of his birthday, both of his parents forgot!! How will Greg have a happy birthday! And most importantly: Will it work??!!!!
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
The Inventions of Hugo Cabret
Young Hugo is an orphan who lives in a subway station in Paris. He is the one who fixes the clocks, but his dream is to fix the automaton that his father gave him before he died. His notebook is the only thing that helps him, but the old man snatches it when he catches Hugo pickpocketing the man. How can Hugo get his notebook back before the old man burns it?!?!?!
The Vanderbeekers on 141st
Oh no! Their mysterious landlord, Mr. Biederman, is making them move out of their apartment. He has not been out of his apartment since 6 years ago! Why has he not been out of his apartment for 6 years? And why is he making them move?
Max Meow
Max the cat is a regular cat in Kittyopolis. Considering he has a YouTube channel called Cat On The Street. Then his science friend Mindy finds a huge magical meatball… and when Max takes a bite out of it… he suddenly has: Super Strength, the Ability to Fly, An electric tail, and a constant appetite! (Superheroes get hungry, ya know!
Wayside School
Meet 27 children that all have different stories: Maurecia likes ice cream, D.J. is always happy, Kathy is the class’s bully (not exactly though), and Louis, the yard teacher, to name a few.
The Secret Seven
7 children: George, Pam, Janet, Peter, Colin, Barbara, and Jack make the Secret 7. (It’s really 8 if the dog counts) They solve mysteries that mostly involve the police! Their very first mystery was about a lost horse. You’ll have to read the book to find out how they do it , though!
Best for Ages 7 - 12
If you have any books you would like me to review or recommend for me to read please send me a message via my contact form.
Quiz: Animals
Quiz: Animals
Click an answer to see if you got it right!
1. What is a group of lions called?
2. How many legs do insects usually have?
3. Which of these animals is an amphibian?
4. Which bird is famous for its colorful beak?
Spring Break in Atlanta
Schools had spring break the past 1-2-3 weeks. What did you do? I went to Mexico to visit my egg donor’s family. I had a connection flight from LGA to ATL then finally to BJX (Mexico). I have some pictures from the airport in Atlanta.
Tick Tock Diner NY
The Tick Tock diner in Manhattan is very good. I mean, I love it! The address is 481 8th Avenue. Great place for a brunch, and it has a lot of idioms related to time on the walls, like these.
The menu has pancakes, waffles, beverages, French toast, bacon, bacon egg and cheese, bagels, and the waiters and waitresses are very nice. When I was there with my sister Emma and a few other people, Emma did not want to go so the waiter was very kind and helped us instead of doing something else.
The moral of the article is… Eat at Tick Tock!
Book Recommendations
Ben Franklin's in my bathroom!
by Candace Fleming
Very funny! One of the best books I have ever read.
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
Mindy Kim and the big pizza challenge
by Lyla Lee
(Also the whole series: the first book is Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business). Great read!
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split
By Anica Mrose Rissi
Very good! There is a series of 8 books.
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
A kid like me
by Norman Feuti
Great! Ethan is having a hard time fitting in at school. He loves the game Bio Battle. His best friend Ricky is making a club with other people but Ethan kind of feels left out. 262 pages and a graphic novel.
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E L Konigsburg
Claudia and her little brother run away, but they end up living in the Natural History Museum in NY!
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
The witches
by Roald Dahl
On a scale of 1 to 20, 1 is not scary at all and 20 is super scary, I would give this book a 5 and a half. Super fun(ny)!
Check it out from the Brooklyn Public Library
Art in Brooklyn
The past 3-4 weeks there has been some art in Brooklyn near Brooklyn Heights. Basically people living in shelters write their diaries. I took 2 pictures:
App of the Week
Mad Libs app: If you know the mad libs books, you know the app. Basically they are the same thing. If Mr. Phil N The Blanks tells you to do a noun, you write a noun in the blank.
Download the app for iPhone or Andriod here: https://madlibs.com/apps/
My friend John also used Claude Code to create my very own mad lib app. Give it a try below!
Travel
I went to Florida on the weekend of March 7-8 and the airplane ride was very boring. Here are a few things you can do to make your trip entertaining
Download books on your phone or iPad on either Libby or Kindle
If you are on Delta, there is a WiFi that you can use
Take a nap
Watch a movie (Aladdin, Cinderella might be good for kids and you can also do Girls Will Be Girls and Slow Horses for grownups)
Look at a map
I’m in Florida because my grandma lives there. When you go places, do you go there to visit friends and family, or just because it maybe has nice weather and there is a famous building there, like Mt. Rushmore or The Eiffel Tower?
The Big Debate!
Death Valley in California or Dome Fuji Ridge in Antarctica?
(Basically warm or cold but I wanted to make it more interesting, you know?)
Dance Party Songs! 🪩
Dance The Night by Dua Lipa
Hot To Go by Chappell Roan
Golden by K-Pop Demon Hunters
Abracadabra by Lady Gaga
Cold Heart by Elton John and Dua Lipa
Rocket Man by Elton John
Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
Me! by Taylor Swift
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Umbrella by Rihanna
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
Gone Gone Gone by David Guetta, Tones And I, and Teddy Swims
Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Flat Stanley’s Adventures in classroom #2E:
The 100th Day
