Chicago Family Fun

We took the kids on a quick roadtrip to Chicago this weekend.  Excited doesn't begin to describe how pumped they get about going.  It doesn't matter how many times we go...they love it.

This trip we did something we have never done before...a whole day without a stroller in Chicago.  Thank you CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) for making this possible.  Subway trips, bus rides, a little walking, and we made it a whole day without a wheeled vehicle. (At least one that you push...since a bus does have wheels.)  Astounding.  Here are some pics of the fun.

This picture commemorates one of my finer motherly moments (please note the sarcasm here).  Despite my mom instincts reminding me not to take children into a bar (like any mom should need a reminder of this?!?), we did.  At least it was during lunch.  I peeked my head into our very favorite pub from back in the days when we lived in Chicago.  I asked the bartender if I could bring kids in during lunch.  She paused...and replied, "Sure."  I'm sure she was thinking, "What the heck kind of Mom wants to bring her kids into a pub?!?"  Well, this one I guess.  It was great.  AND - they loved it.

We went to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for the first time ever this weekend.  It is walking distance from where we used to live and we never even knew it was there...weird.  Anyway, the kids liked it.  Notice the snake in the tank?  Sick.

I love to see awe in their eyes.

Jillian in the butterfly garden.

She always has a pose for me.

Myles loved this skeleton.  He kept telling us, "It is actually real!!"  

Myles actually asked to have his picture taken in front of this artwork.  That never happens.

For dinner, Myles ordered a "make your own pizza".  They brought out the ingredients and let him assemble the whole thing for them to put into the oven.  Brilliant idea!

Today, we went to the Chicago Children's Museum.  They always enjoy a few hours discovering new things at this museum.  Do you see what Jillian is doing in this picture?  Rather than driving the firetruck, climbing the ladder, pretend spraying the hose, or anything else to do with a firetruck...she chose to clean it.

Waterworks exhibit.  Here, I had an awkward conversation with a man who wanted to purchase the necklace locket watch that Ben gave me for our anniversary.  I declined.

Digging for dinosaur bones.  Please excuse the lighting.  It is a cave you know.

Jillian posing.  Where do little girl learn this?  Seriously.

Hope you had a great weekend.  We sure did.  I had so many favorite parts, I'm sure a few will probably make my Tuesday's Love List this week.  You know what I am so thankful for?  Myles was excited to come home for school tomorrow.  Happy Mom, for sure.