I’ve been thinking about writing my Chicago post for days now. I long to remember and record the account of our lives, both for myself and for my children, but I want to do so carefully. I’m acutely aware this blog is not just read by me. If I were writing it for myself, I would probably think less of my word choices and just let it all flow from my mouth. But I feel I have a responsibility to be honest and share while not sugar-coating our lives. Anyway, I’ve been chewing on this one for days…
As for Chicago… I took all of your wonderful advice {thank you!} and packed each girl a little back pack full of fun things to do on the plane. The back packs were a gift from my aunt earlier this year— but I spied them at the Dollar Tree! Yes, $1. They are perfect “toddler” size.
Early the morning of our departure, we almost decided that Justin would stay home with John Martin. His little cold kept him up the better part of the night. We wavered back and forth and finally decided that we would brave it and we were all glad to be together as a family. Especially considering he didn’t seem to be bothered by the flight at all.
We considered the fact that our airplane was only filled to about 10% capacity to be a tremendous blessing.
This was our first time to fly together since our honeymoon {almost 8 years ago} and we decided that flying with 3 small children is a little different! 
Despite the added responsibility we were pleasantly surprised {as many of you said we would be} at how well behaved all the kids were. The fact that everything is new and exciting certainly helped. I think we would both agree that the hardest part of flying was the very short layover in Atlanta. Thankfully we did get to meet up with Justin’s sister in the Atlanta airport, she was flying out just a few gates down from us!
Seeing as how we aren’t frequent flyers, I was ignorant to the fact that a camera is considered a “portable electronic device”. When we were taking off from Atlanta I was snapping pictures of the kids when the flight attendant came over the “loud speaker” with this announcement, “Ladies and gentleman, the Captain has not yet approved the use of portable electronic devices and this includes CAMERAS. Cameras or anything with an on/off switch is considered an electronic device. Thank you for your cooperation.” I tucked my tail and wanted to crawl under my seat, it would have been less embarrassing if she had brought me a scarlet A and asked me to tape it to my forehead. I put my camera away and didn’t get it out again until we landed.
We were {purposefully} the last to deplane so the girls could peek into the cockpit. When we were boarding Morgan peeked in and the Captain let her come over the loud speaker to announce, “Welcome aboard!” I figured he would graciously allow another opportunity in the cockpit before we got off. The pilots were so kind and both said, “We’ll get out so they can get in!” The girls jumped at the opportunity. I made sure it was ok to get out my “portable electronic device” to snap a few pictures!
The next morning we headed into the city with the girls to hit the American Girl store. Justin graciously stayed back with John Martin while he napped. DaddyBoy made reservations months ago for the girls to have lunch.
My girls knew very little about the American Girls and prior to lunch didn’t have a doll. The restaurant thankfully has a wall of dolls and highchairs you can borrow for your meal! Each girl chose a doll and enjoyed sharing tea and dining with her!
Lunch was delicious and as long as you’re not 3, you will enjoy it.
This was what I condsidered a simple Mac ‘n Cheese mishap. Paige was under the impression that her sandwich would be served with Mac ‘n Cheese, like Morgan’s. Thankfully, with DaddyBoy to the rescue, a side of Mac ‘n Cheese was promptly delivered to the table and a smile resumed.
What a stinker!
DaddyBoy loves his little ladies, especially considering he may have been the only man in the entire room. I won’t say he necessarily will be back again anytime soon, but he enjoyed treating his girls!
After lunch we headed downstairs to check out the dolls. I’m not sure what planet I’ve been on or how they have eluded us, but somehow the American Girls haven’t made their way to our mailbox.
The entire store is like a shrine to the American Girls.
The girls loved it, Morgan more so than Paige.
But both girls left with a doll, thank you, Mom & DaddyBoy! Paige got a single twin toddler that she promptly wanted to name Carol. But seeing as how we have 10 dolls named Carol, we persuaded her to choose another and she chose Anna! Morgan came home with Kit Kitteridge, whom she very much resembles and adores!
The next day {Saturday} was beautiful and mild. We stayed in the suburbs and got a late start to our day. We met up with a precious friend, Anne for lunch at Portillo’s.
While we were there, Mom taught John Martin how to dip his french fries in ketchup.
Then we hit the local mall that has a double-decker carousel.
Anne and DaddyBoy both knew it would be a hit. We went round and round and round. The kids loved it, I thought I was going to throw up!
I loved watching Mom and DaddyBoy as we made our circles!
I don’t know why, but that picture absolutely cracks me up!
Next, at Annie’s suggestion, we hit the Mt. Saint Mary’s park on the Fox River in St. Charles. It was a hit. Even Jon Bon Martin had a great time.
The kids had such a great time that most of my pictures from our time there look more like this.
Mom and DaddyBoy watched for a while, then Mom got in on the action and took Paige down a slide with a 25 foot drop while DaddyBoy snuck away for a loaf of bread.
It was really nice to get a taste of fall while we were there!
The park sits right on the Fox River. When DaddyBoy returned with a loaf of bread, we promptly made our way to the little quackers.
They are restoring the river banks and I did everything within me to avoid the “orange mesh fencing” but it was inevitably going to show up.
My children had never fed ducks before. The Raiger ”weally” wanted a duck to eat the bread from her hand, she waited a long time and finally tossed it in.
When the loaf was gone we made our way back up to the park. Rover found a little rover and he absolutely loves a “woof woof“!
Once we confirmed that this rover had never eaten a Rover before we let him get a little closer.
Rover was in love with the little rover and I think the feelings were mutual… or maybe it was crusted, dried ketchup and hot dog remains.
Before we left we hit the swings.
We spent Saturday night with close friends, eating, talking, playing; it was really fun but I didn’t take any pictures!
Sunday Mom and DaddyBoy offered to keep JM so that we could take the girls into the city. We hit the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier.
They got to do a “real live” archaeological dig, just like their daddy does. Although, this was more paleontological in nature!
This is to prove I was on the trip.
The girls loved the museum. It is what it is, a Children’s Museum… so parents, if you ever go, don’t get your hopes too high for yourself– it’s geared towards little ones!
Monday was another slowly started day. We hit CPK for lunch.
Post lunch Justin and DaddyBoy took the girls with them, while Mom, Rover and myself hit a few shops at Geneva Commons. He was less than thrilled with his shopping adventures.
Monday night we spent again with wonderful old friends and Cousin made her way out from Naperville. It’s always fun to be in the company of people that you go way back with. I unfortunately have no pictures of this night either.
Tuesday morning came too quickly and we found ourselves back at the airport.
Rover loves his back pack carrier that I found on Craig’s List, it’s a crazy story. The short version: I got on Craig’s List {for the first time in my life– won’t be my last} the day before we left looking for a back pack carrier for the trip. I inquired about this one for $20. Ends up belonging to a “new friend” she replies and can’t believe it’s me inquiring, I had no idea it was hers. She used to read the blog when she was living in Budapest last year. She gave me the back pack. That’s a very abbreviated version. Anyway, the little back pack was certainly a blessing to our family and the Rover {as long as he was in it} was a little angel!
This post is taking forever… here are pictures from the airport.
And I braved humiliation again and used my portable electronic device to take a picture when we were departing.
Rover was really good on the way home too.
His ears seemed to bother him a little when we were descending into Atlanta so I offered him a gummy worm and told him, “This is for your ears!”
Being the very literal little guy that he is, he immediately put the worm in his ear!
Ok… I’m late for a Thanksgiving Feast!
Thanks, Mom and DaddyBoy for a wonderful little getaway! The girls favorite thing from the whole weekend was “the park”…. just goes to show how simple and relational children are!
I’m glad your girls did though! Samantha was my favorite.
