We took B&K to Chicago for Labor Day weekend. After 4+ years of telling our friends in Chicago about B&K, we figured it was finally time to take them there and prove that we really did have children (as many of our pre-kid friends can attest, the look of shock & awe when we announced we were expecting the BK Special was quite priceless).
We made the 6 hour drive over on Friday. The ride was actually quite pain-free (aside from the fact that the DVD player on the driver side wasn’t working properly. But I had downloaded a new game onto B&K’s “iPads” – their Leapfrogs – that seemed to suffice as a pacifier). We stayed in the suburbs Friday night so we could visit our old ‘hood and hang out with some dear friends. The first stop was Quigley’s – one of my most favorite bars of all (and no worries – we sat out on the patio, there were other kids there and B&K drank “Shirley Temples”. Even though they called them something else). We then headed out to our friend’s house and spent the rest of the evening there sharing drinks, eating pizza, watching movies and catching up. I have to say, B&K were total troopers. They basically skipped nap and were up past 10pm (central time!!) and overall there were no meltdowns to be had.
The next morning we were up & out early to head to another suburb to watch the ND/Navy game (from Dublin Ireland!) with friends that Tim went to ND with and their family. Once again, a super fun time had by all. B&K are STILL talking about their friends (who they had previously played with when we went to the Spring Game) and we hope to get together with them again soon. From there we headed into the “Big City” where we would stay for the next 3 nights.
Once again, though, they skipped nap and by the evening everyone was starting to get a bit grumpy. The first night we stayed in a big hotel room all together (we tried to get B&K to sleep in their tents, but ultimately Tim and Bennett slept in a double bed and I had the pleasure of being kicked in the face by sleeping with Kendyll in the other double bed). When we checked into the hotel in the city we had a suite – so there was a pull out couch in the main room and a king sized bed in the bedroom. For WEEKS B&K had been asking to sleep together / sleep in the same room and we kept telling them they would in Chicago, so we were curious to see how it would actually work out. As expected, it took a while for the novelty of being in the same room (and bed) to wear off. Think lots of not so quiet whispers of “SHHHHH!! MAMA SAID BE QUIET AND GO TO SLEEP” followed by major giggles.
On Sunday we had big plans. First up was a L-O-N-G walk from our hotel to Shedd Aquarium. Now, for me & Tim the walk wasn’t that bad (maybe 2 miles), but I’m pretty sure B&K thought we were walking back home. Plus it was starting to get hot. And we didn’t really sleep that well the night before. But despite all of the possibilities for drama, overall it wasn’t that bad. We took in some sights along the way – like the Bean at Millennium Park.
And Buckingham Fountain.
And on the way back to hotel (for naps – yay!!) they got to experience their first cab ride. Which was actually somewhat embarrassing because the cab driver was speaking to someone on his phone in another language, but Kendyll insisted it was Spanish and was trying to “talk” back to him. Thanks Dora.
After a little (much needed) nap, we headed out to a fancy pants dinner at one of my all-time favorite steakhouses. And it did not disappoint. Tim & I shared a bottle of wine (to which, Bennett has since requested that going forward we give him a sip of OJ to taste before pouring his full glass of juice each morning – just like we tasted wine before pouring a glass. Priceless!). Tim ate a 3 lb lobster and Kendyll ate most of my filet. It.was.yummy!
The next morning we headed out for some more sights. We took a ride to the top floor of the Hancock building and saw the whole city. We then did a little shopping at Water Tower Place, where Kendyll was introduced to the craziness that is American Girl dolls (we got there right as it was opening & had “pre-shopped” online, so Kendyll knew exactly what she wanted. We were in & out of there in less than 20 minutes). Kendyll adopted twins, of course, and has named them Ava & Brian.
While we were doll shopping, Tim took Bennett to the Lego store, where he scored a couple of new sets. Fun!
After naps (again- yay!!) we headed out to Navy Pier for one last night of fun. We rode the big Ferris Wheel and the kids rode on another fun ride.
And we had to get popcorn, of course (which, amazingly made it home with us, but I don’t think it lasted more than one day once we arrived home).
Overall the trip was a blast. We were able to catch up with some dear friends we hadn’t seen in 2 years and B&K made new little friends they haven’t stopped talking about. It was so fun to go to some of the places that Tim & I frequented long before B&K and have them experience it with us now. Plus we did some of the “tourist” type things that we never really had a chance to do when we lived there before. The ride back home was a bit painful, but we made it. And Bennett & Kendyll are still talking about what a fun trip it was . . . and much they love it there and want to move there! Ha!
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