Chicago- millennium park & Picasso

Today we took the bus to Daley Square to check out Picasso's dragon

And a special street

Then we headed to Millenium park. 

We played at Maggie Daley park. It was super fun. There were a lot of people and it was just me with the three kids. I wouldve stayed longer but i was worried about loaig the kids (and you know how casual i am about watching my children...

Then we walked along the riverwalk  we swam in the hotel pool. Then we... Idk... we havent done it yet! The night is young! 

Chicago- James and Shedd

IWe met up with Uncle James at the Shedd Aquarium. 

It was fun! 

Clark saw a piranah. He is learning about them in his reading group at school. 

Look. Its a clarks clownfish. Specifically, the black and white striped one on the far right. 

We found a Penguin playground and the kids even discovered costumes! 

And we fiund a submarine. Clark got to control a robotic arm. 

seahorses. 

And Gianna was enchanted with the fish. 

Chicago- Day 1

On our first day in Chicago, the kids and i set out to find food. We couldnt find a decent breakfast so we just had gluten-free cupcakes from Trader Joes. I have no regrets. Overall we walked 3-4 miles and they had the energy for it anddidn't  complain. These children are awesome! 

We walked the Magnificent Mile. We saw the John Hancock building up close. We also saw the old Watertower. Iris loves that it looked like a castle. Clark said he liked the Culture of Chicago. Weve been talking about the difference between old and new buildings. Old ones are fancy, and new ones boring and square. 

We checked out the retail at Water Tower Plaza mall. The Lego Store 

They had an American Girl with my look, designed by a "Veronica" 

Clark finally got to spend his commission. Each week, he earns $1 by doing work around the home. He saved up his money, and after tithing and saving 10% each, he had almost $10. He was very excited to pick out a special treat at Hershey's Chocolate World!  Im very proud of him for being so patient and deferring gratification for ao long! 

Both kids said "chocolate is my middle name" 

It's my kind of town, Chicago is!

In mid-October, Tom went to Chicago for the Neuroscience conference. I met him out there after a day and flew home a day before he did. Therefore, Tom got TWO NIGHTS of BABY FREE SLEEP! Good for him! We had a great time. This is the overview of what we did and who we saw!
The first night I was there, our family met up with Clark's Uncle James and Tom's Uncle Phil. We ate at a nice restaurant in the Hilton Hotel. Back in the hotel room we took a photo. Our legs were too big, and I don't really know how to photo-edit, so you get this framed photo of our hotel room and the attendees at dinner.




On Sunday, Tom joined us to go to the Shedd Aquarium. This is the view of the city from the aquarium.


I love aquariums, and am so happy that Clark loved it too! He couldn't keep his eyes off of the fish!






Readers who knew me from my San Diego days will know that I love sting rays. They had some really pretty ones there. Here's one!


On Monday, Clark and I went to the Chicago Historical Museum. It is definitely a good place to go if you like history and are looking for a good experience. It is a very fun and interesting museum.
Here Clark poses as a Chicago hot dog! Pickle, tomato, onions, relish, mustard and baby make a tasty treat!


Here Clark drools on one of the ancient, antique and original L trains built for the Columbia Exposition!


On Tuesday, Clark slept in the stroller and I walked a million miles over the city. On the magnificent mile, I encountered the Water tower.


The Hancock Building


After the mega morning walk, we went to the International Museum of Surgical Sciences. I took lots of pictures there, but none that I think you'll be interested in. I liked it though.

Later Tuesday afternoon, we went to the Adler Planetarium, because I just hadn't walked far enough that day! (All in all, I walked about 6 miles for each day I was in the city). Here is a picture of me. I got my hair cut on Sunday morning in Chicago and don't really like the result. But here is a photo of us in a chair.

The planetarium is interactive and would be fun when Clark cares about things. I don't. When I got there and realized it was all about planets and the Mars rover, I realized it was a mistake for me to go there thinking I would find something interesting to do. I was thinking we could watch a movie about how to find the stars. Unfortunately you have to pay extra for the movies, so instead we wandered about....
Clark in his sexy, planet model pose.


I guess the best part of going to the planetarium is the city view. So here it is for you to enjoy.



It wasn't all walking, touring, and museuming. We spent lots of time hanging out in the hotel room too. Clark kicked back and relaxed in his own baby way. Here he is looking naked, but definitely wearing a diaper!