The girls and I got to have a super fun weekend in Chicago with my parents. They had some business on Friday morning and they invited us to come hang out the rest of the weekend. (and funded our trip!) I was so excited because I love to travel and I haven't in a long time (except to go back to visit family in AR). I guess the last trip was to San Francisco with Travis when I was prego with Annika, so about 3 years ago. I LOVE Chicago. It is absolutely my favorite big city- with San Diego close behind. I also LOVE shopping. I wish I didn't. I really have to exercise much restraint. Kids are actually pretty helpful because it is hard to go into stores that I really love. And it is fun to watch them enjoy themselves.OK, so back to our trip. Annika was so cute on the plane. Even though she has flown several times, this was the first time she really realized what was going on. As we took off, she looked out the window and in the sweetest little toddler voice, she loudly said, "We're flying!" It was so cute! Everyone around us said, ahhh. The girls did great on the plane and we made it with two girls, a stroller, a bag, two car seats, dora backpack, DVD player, purse, and really crammed backpack holding two Bitty Babies. We got picked up at the airport in a HUGE explorer type limo. The girls LOVED it! 
Limos are everywhere in Chicago, so it is pretty normal to see. We also had him drive us around down by Lake Michigan. He even stopped and we got some good pics of us by the lake. 
It was freezing, but beautiful! He then dropped us all off at the Rainforest Cafe. Their food is not good, but the atmosphere was so fun. The girls had a great time! Then we got a cab to the American Girl store. My step-dad was such a trooper! He even suggested going to the store on Fri and Sat. (which was the original day we were going.) The girls were so excited. And they should have been. It was amazing! They know what they are doing. About a month ago they moved into the Water Tower and it takes up two floors and the space of at least 6 stores. They really love Bitty Baby, so we looked around and 
played. Then we looked around upstairs. They wanted everything, but we had talked about how much they could spend, so they had good attitudes. We also got the best cookies ever (for $3.50 a piece! It is really a good thing they cost so much b/c I would have bought a hundred and eaten them all right there!) 
I am so glad we went both days b/c Sat. was so packed you could hardly move. After that we headed back to the room and we were all so tired. The girls went to bed and mom and I headed to Crate and Barrel. 
Oh, I love that store. And it is 4 stories there. My step-dad stayed with the girls and he later told me they got up like 5 times. Annika would hear a siren, get up and look out the window (we were right on Michigan Ave- you could see Amer. girl and the lake from our room!) and Olivia would go tell Poppy that Annika was up. He would then tell A to get back in bed and it would happen all over again. 
They were sleeping peacefully after that. Mom and I were hungry so we got some food at the hotel and took it up and sat in the bathroom to eat! :) Both parts of our room were occupied by sleeping people. My poor mom had no voice b/c she had a cold last week.
Limos are everywhere in Chicago, so it is pretty normal to see. We also had him drive us around down by Lake Michigan. He even stopped and we got some good pics of us by the lake. It was freezing, but beautiful! He then dropped us all off at the Rainforest Cafe. Their food is not good, but the atmosphere was so fun. The girls had a great time! Then we got a cab to the American Girl store. My step-dad was such a trooper! He even suggested going to the store on Fri and Sat. (which was the original day we were going.) The girls were so excited. And they should have been. It was amazing! They know what they are doing. About a month ago they moved into the Water Tower and it takes up two floors and the space of at least 6 stores. They really love Bitty Baby, so we looked around and played. Then we looked around upstairs. They wanted everything, but we had talked about how much they could spend, so they had good attitudes. We also got the best cookies ever (for $3.50 a piece! It is really a good thing they cost so much b/c I would have bought a hundred and eaten them all right there!) I am so glad we went both days b/c Sat. was so packed you could hardly move. After that we headed back to the room and we were all so tired. The girls went to bed and mom and I headed to Crate and Barrel. Oh, I love that store. And it is 4 stories there. My step-dad stayed with the girls and he later told me they got up like 5 times. Annika would hear a siren, get up and look out the window (we were right on Michigan Ave- you could see Amer. girl and the lake from our room!) and Olivia would go tell Poppy that Annika was up. He would then tell A to get back in bed and it would happen all over again. They were sleeping peacefully after that. Mom and I were hungry so we got some food at the hotel and took it up and sat in the bathroom to eat! :) Both parts of our room were occupied by sleeping people. My poor mom had no voice b/c she had a cold last week. Sat. morning the girls woke up early (6ish) and so we went to the pool. It was heated and really fun. They had so much fun swimming. Then we went to the Corner Bakery for brunch.
It was so good! After that we went to the 4 story Gap. 
They even had toys. After that we headed back to the room to rest and then to lunch at the American Girl Cafe. It was so good. I want to post all of the pics, but they are on our picasa site. It was a several course meal with a really fun dessert. Olivia was really tired, but Annika had the BEST time. So in case you are wondering, 2 1/2 is a great age to go. It isn't too young.
After that we headed back to the room to get the girls ready for bed. They were so tired and begging for bed. They NEVER do that. My parents went to Le Lan's for dinner and we went to bed. We got up at 6 for more swimming and then ate the Corner Bakery in our room and then headed to the airport. It was so fun.
I love toddlers. Especially this one. She loves just being in panties and got these new house shoes this weekend.
It was so good! After that we went to the 4 story Gap. They even had toys. After that we headed back to the room to rest and then to lunch at the American Girl Cafe. It was so good. I want to post all of the pics, but they are on our picasa site. It was a several course meal with a really fun dessert. Olivia was really tired, but Annika had the BEST time. So in case you are wondering, 2 1/2 is a great age to go. It isn't too young. After that we headed back to the room to get the girls ready for bed. They were so tired and begging for bed. They NEVER do that. My parents went to Le Lan's for dinner and we went to bed. We got up at 6 for more swimming and then ate the Corner Bakery in our room and then headed to the airport. It was so fun.I love toddlers. Especially this one. She loves just being in panties and got these new house shoes this weekend.
Travis interviewed at TCU this weekend. More about that another post. Better get to putting some stuff away.
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3 comments:
What an amazing trip!! I think I love Chicago too- and I've never been! That Crate and Barrel store looked amazing. I love the girls at the table with their baby's in high chairs that connect to the table. Where did you find that?
Annika looks so happy, well all of you, at the American Girl Cafe. Glad you guys had such a good time. We're closing on Wed...so we'll have to have you guys over (or stay with us) when you come to visit. Looking forward to it! want to hear more about TCU too.
Chicago is so gorgeous - looks like you girls took the town!!! TCU??? Can't wait for an update!
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