This past month we spent five days in Chicago visiting our sisters and their families. I had really been dreading the flight since E is a total octopus but it went far better than I ever imagined. On the way out Gray sat between us and was thoroughly entertained by the in-flight TV and Phil's iPad, and Eli slept a good chunk of the time. On the way back Gray was "fishing" with the earphones- he would "cast" the wire towards the floor and then pull it back up saying "turn, turn, turn!" It was pretty cute.
Here is a synopsis of our trip:
Day 1- Flight was delayed, so I discovered the best place in the airport to take kids. Nope, it's not the play area. It was... the mezzanine of Terminal A! There were two moving walkways, a couple of bridges, tons of space to run and no people. Ideal! Gray had a blast on the moving walkway and we killed a ton of time while trying to wear them out before getting on the plane. We arrived at Midway and had a bit of a struggle with the rental car- we brought our double BOB which is awkward at best and doesn't fit easily into many cars. After an unsuccessful attempt at putting the carseats in a Suburban we ended up in a Loser Cruiser (ugh). We headed to Phil's sister's house where we put the kids down for a nap and then I made dinner for the whole crew. Gray slept in E's room and E told him that "Maybe you could get a goldfish but it could live here in my room." Gray thought that was a great idea.
Day 2- Brookfield Zoo! Also known as "Mama's Zoo." We met my sister, her friend and kids there. The little girl that we went with was called "Caterina" and Gray kept calling her "Ballerina." He was pretty smitten with her and kept trying to put the moves on her. We saw an amazing bear exhibit where the bear was swimming and catching fish in the water- it was easily the coolest thing I've ever seen in a zoo. It was so fun for me to be at that zoo, since I love it so much. Then we took the kids home for a nap. I took my niece to Trader Joe's and we did some very random shopping. Took Gray to downtown LaGrange to see his aunt get off of the train, which he thought was awesome.
Day 3- Chicago! We drove downtown and parked at Grant Park. Saw the Crown Fountain and the Bean, then walked to Navy Pier. Just to show us that you can never predict what a two-year-old will do, Gray agreed to go on the Ferris Wheel. Then we went to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier, which was really a fun place. That evening we went to my sister's house for dinner. She has a camper and Gray spent his entire time trying to lure people into the garage so he could sit in it. He LOVED it.
Day 4- Gray went to French class with his cousin. Apparently he didn't say a word while he was in the class but as they drove away he said "Oui, merci!" Then for lunch we went to Two Toots Cafe in Downers Grove. Gray thought he died and went to heaven- this place sells dino chicken nuggets, has Thomas videos playing on TV and a choo-choo delivers your food. He seriously almost had a heart attack. After lunch we went to a toy store in DG, where he found the same $100 garbage truck that he has asked for at other toy stores. (Aside: Gray had this huge garbage fetish the whole time- he'd see a garbage truck and get super excited, he kept talking about being a garbage man and he would stand on the side of the stroller and say "Look Mama, I'm a garbage man!") On our way back to the car a freight train rolled through downtown and Gray waved to the driver, who waved back at him and honked the horn. In the afternoon, we took pictures with all of the cousins and then headed to Indiana to my brother-in-law's family farm. Again, Gray was just blown away by the tractor, chickens and all of the toys. He could not believe his luck. That night we celebrated M's 3rd birthday with a Thomas birthday cake.
Day 5- It was pretty chilly but that didn't stop Gray and his cousins from playing in the motorized jeeps, going on a hayride and playing with the chickens. We visited the llamas, sheep, goats and pony. We headed to the airport right after naptime. Returning the rental car and getting through the airport was pretty uneventful. I felt like Superwoman when I was able to get both kids changed and in/out of a public bathroom without them really touching anything. I think I've discovered the secret of a successful family vacation- arrive home on Saturday so you have Sunday to recuperate.
Although it wasn't my idea of a dream vacation in Chicago (which would more be along the lines of staying downtown, eating at nice restaurants and leisurely walks by the lakefront) it was really a great family vacation. It certainly was packed with fabulous treats for Grayson. He came home saying "Maggie is my favorite." It was fun to see him with his cousins amidst all of the mayhem that is so foreign to him. We miss them all already and can't wait to see them again!
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