Chicago 2013

I have been a mother for knocking on 11 years.....and Jeremy and I have not been away from the kids for the weekend...ever. We tried once but it just didn't work out....but now, here we were...headed to the big city! We were supposed to leave at noon....but pulled out about 6....but still we were happy to be Chicago bound!

Pulling into the city at night....it was beautiful!

But nothing could have been more beautiful to me than this.....

oh it called my name....in such a big way....

I'm exhausted....to the bone tired...and I was allowed to be for the night...no one needed me.

But the city.....awaited us.....right?

we decided it could wait for us one more night....I took a hot bath....and slept like a baby...and I didn't set a 5:00 alarm either....I just slept until my body woke up...

enjoying Chicago...in my own way....

 The next day....I looked beat....but I felt refreshed......

 We headed to West Egg for breakfast...I had amazing crepes...and they have the best coffee...ever.

 and a date...with this cute boy....

 Funny...even with the kids removed...they were still front and center...we went to Garrets to get them popcorn...the American girl store...and the Nike store...first thing....

We had lunch at Gino's!

 and shopped at Northface and lots of other stores.......

 We walked......

We talked.......

 We laughed......

 and that night we headed to the Pour House for supper.....and a few drinks....

and then we were off to Second City.....to laugh...laugh....laugh....

 We ended the night at Mandy's Hot Chocolate!

and I have to mention these doughnuts......

  They are SPECIAL......

 We could have lingered the next morning....for more time in the city....another calm, slow breakfast...but we suited up in our new, warm North Face jackets...and grabbing White Castle breakfast sandwiches on the way out of town.....we headed home to 2 basketball games....and four littles we missed so much.

It was two nights away....but it was enough....it was good....in so many ways.....
I hope we can do it again soon....and if I ever go missing.... check the local hotels....I am a new woman after a good nights sleep.....I may want another before 11 years go by again.....

Goodbye Chicago

It was time to leave Chicago and say goodbye to the city...but we had two more stops before we could leave. The first stop was Niketown..yes, for the third time this trip.  Riggs had wanted a yellow Live Strong bracelet and he found one at Niketown...but somehow between trip two and Friday morning it had disappeared. He looked for it...we looked for it...but we never found it.  I could tell it really made him sad...that he really wanted this wrist band so before check out we made the trek back down to Nike town for another one. I felt like the mom in The Divine Sisters of the YaYa sisterhood taking Sidda back to ride in the plane...it was that important to him. 

We walked into the store and once he got it in his hand...he smiled and relaxed as we waited in line to pay for it...and after we did pay for it and he opened it up and put it on his wrist he shot me that shy, sweet smile of his and buried his head in my stomach and said...I love you...thanks. It may have been the best $1.06 I ever spent.....just a little reminder that you have to pay attention to the little things...to what makes them light up inside....most often it's not the things you think it will be....

Last stop...Jamba Juice! The boys had really wanted to try this place and so we did...and then we packed it up and headed home!

The trip  home was a hard one...lots of traffic...and detours getting out of the city! I will admit that I was a stress ball in my big truck with my four kids and my mother driving around...not knowing where the hell I was going in downtown  Chicago...but I got through it...and every toll road brought me closer to I65 and familiar territory. The kids were tired and I thought... I can get through this..only 100 miles left...I can do this...and then....wait for it..... Riggs got car sick and threw up in his McDonald's cup...and then needed to throw up again. So I rolled down my window and threw an entire McDonald's sweet tea out the window...and half of it came back in on me. I passed back the empty cup for him to fill up with puke. In the meantime mom plopped the already full cup in the front cup holder...and it splashed all over my shirt and seat....just breathe....keep driving.....
So I pulled into Zermatt Court covered in sweet tea and puke...but with a wonderful spring break behind  us. As I carried Riggs to the garage to strip him of his clothes and get him in the bath, I saw his yellow arm band on his wrist...Live Strong.....I'm trying to, Lord...that's for sure......

American Girl Brunch

Our last day in Chicago began with Brunch at American Girl!

 They could not have been more cute in their Saylormade dresses...with their matching doll dresses! Thank you so much, Emily...the girls got compliment after compliment on their beautiful dresses!

 They were so excited!

 Sarah Kate and Julia Rose were again best friends forever walking into brunch and the fun that was in store for them!

I read the conversation questions at the table for the girls and they excitedly answered them!

When brunch arrived they were over the moon with delight..heart shaped pancakes with star butter!

Lila's doll, Julie...of course has a dog -dog...named Honey.....and even Honey loved the beautiful brunch at American Girl!

American Girl

With the girls all ready for their trip to American Girl we headed across the street! Lila insisted on taking her stroller for her bitty baby. She was fearless crossing the street to American Girl..her eye on the prize!

Sarah Kate was practically dragging Julia into the store!

Once inside...Lila's eyes were wide with excitement and the choosing of her very fist American Girl began...poor Bitty Baby would have to share her love from here on out....

In this same position Sarah Kate took her time and thoughtfully chose her Elizabeth...Lila went right up to Julie and said..that's my baby!

She could not wait to get her out of the box and into her arms!

She was excited to show Julie to Julia and Sarah Kate, but she just couldn't take her eyes off of her!

After a quick wardrobe change for Julie into her matching dress the girls were off to their photo session with their dolls! They were so cute in their matching dresses that matched their dolls...SK holding Lainey and her dress said I heart Sarah Kate....Julie's dress said I heart Lila...and Julia's doll's dress said I heart Julia!

We were then off to the doll hair salon for new dos for the dolls....Julia's doll even got her ears pierced! Lila absolutely loved this part...she sat and watch all three of the dolls get their hair done.

We tried to get a picture of Jenna and I with our girls...but as you can see Lila was still in a love trance with her doll....

I was so happy to have mom there...just to share this with her...the girls were so darling and so happy to be there...and I am so happy she got to see it for herself!

It was such a fun night at American Girl! We shopped till we dropped...and Lila  just couldn't take her eyes off of Julie...she just loved her...her first...as Lila says...."American Gull"

We met back up with the boys in the elevator at the hotel...they had a ball at the game!

They left in Celtics gear and returned in Bulls wear!

Lila Ray was so excited to see her brothers and introduce them to Julie...and they were so happy for her!

I'll never forget it.....this night with Lila and SK in American Girl Chicago..I'll Carry it with me in my heart forever.....it was pure bliss for this baby...pure bliss!

We ended the night with an American Girl Sundae from the Hotel...a tray of ice cream with all the toppings you could think of!

It was the perfect way to end such an amazing day!