The Windy City!

We headed to Chicago Friday morning for an end of summer family getaway. We got a good deal on a hotel package and the drive is a quick 3 hours from Noblesville. The Red Sox were in town playing the White Sox so we had to go! Caleb did so well in the car. He watched Happy Feet most of the way, but he was a trooper! We got into Chicago around 130 and checked into our hotel so we could put Caleb down for a nap.....which he did not take. Kerry picked us up some huge, delicious slices of sausage pizza at a nearby spot and we enjoyed a bite before catching the hotel shuttle down to Navy Pier for the evening. Caleb kept talking about the huge ferris wheel at Navy Pier so we got some tickets to ride it. However, once inside he was not so thrilled. He didn't want to sit for the 7 minute ride! We also rode the carousel a few times before grabbing some dinner and Garrett's cheese and carmel popcorn for dessert which was recommended, so I had to get it! Cheese and caramel together does not sound appetizing, but it was delicious! Thank you Cheri and Lori for the yummy treat! We took our first city bus back to the hotel, cruising down the Magnificent Mile with a very sleepy kid who was getting the sillies! Caleb loved to run to the "alligator" (a.k.a elevator) in the hotel and push the buttons. I think that was the highlight of the trip for him!

Saturday morning we enjoyed our free breakfast quickly before catching the morning shuttle to the Field Museum. I say quickly because our morning was a little chaotic as the hotel's water went out while I was showering! I resorted to rinsing the shampoo out with some bottled water, but luckily it was restored a few minutes later so I could hop back in! Caleb wanted to see the BIG DINOSAURS and he of course talked about them the entire way there. We also walked around Soldier Field before grabbing another bus back to the hotel and putting Caleb down for a quick nap before the Red Sox game! This time, he took one thankfully, but we had to wake him up an hour into it and he was so tired still! I hate doing that! Caleb did great at the baseball game and we had some extra seating near us which was nice. The Red Sox got spanked by the White Sox in a very quick game, 5-1. They were already in the 5th inning an hour into it. We left before the 9th inning to beat some traffic and headed back to the hotel for some relaxing pool time before dinner. Rather than walk back into the city, we had dinner at the same spot Kerry found the yummy pizza. Caleb and I shared some pasta which was fantastic, but way too big for one person! I wish I could have saved it as a leftover! Watching him eat "noodles" is so cute. I am glad I found something else this boy likes to eat! He can still be picky with food and loves to close his eyes and pretend he is invisible if we offer him a food he doesn't want.

Sunday morning we enjoyed another free breakfast before heading to the Shedd Aquarium. This place is pretty remarkable. We got there just when it opened and it was packed! We were able to navigate through the entire place in a few hours, but quickly. Plus when you have a little guy running around, it makes you look faster! We saw the Dolphin show which was actually a letdown for such a well known place! The Dolphin Show at the Indy Zoo is much better! We learned how the Beluga Whales were transferred via Fedex during a remodel to Connecticut. I did not know you could Fedex Beluga Whales, but I saw the whole process on video! Amazing and quite risky I imagine.

By early Sunday afternoon our trip to Chicago had come to an end. Soon after hopping on the freeway, Caleb actually fell asleep in his carseat. This is unusual....and unfortunately only lasted about 20 minutes because he couldn't get comfortable. The poor guy kept moving his head around, it finally woke him up. He requested some Charlie & Lola for the ride home and before I knew it, we were back in Noblesville!

Chicago was a great place to getaway for the weekend. It actually wasn't too windy! We had a fun time together as a family and that is most important! I am sure we will visit again sometime soon!