Batman

It has been a LONG winter.  The boys are ready for the outdoors again.  This should be a great summer.

Chicago Day

I turned a short Chicago work trip into an overnight family vacation.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites (highly recommended) in downtown and had an exhausting but excellent 30 hours in Chicago.  Our activities in order:

1. McDonalds for lunch
2. Swimming in the hotel
3. Rain Forest Cafe for Dinner
4. Cocktails at the hotel (free)
5. More swimming
6. Bed
7. Big continental breakfast
8. Subway
9. American Girl Store and Lego Store
10. Cheesecake Factory for Lunch
11. Chicago Zoo (free)

The kids loved the view from our 11th floor room.  

Evie, William, and Jack shared a double bed.  As expected there were some problems.  Will was moved to our bed to fall asleep because someone kept pulling covers away from him (he was doing it to himself), Jack & Evie needed several reprimands, and Jack was upside down by the time we went to bed.  

The Zoo was far better than I expected. The lions, tiger, gorillas, polar bear, and hippo were active and very interactive.   

 

 The kids were impressed by the size of the McDonalds.  It was 2 stories with service on both levels.

The subway was a highlight. For boys that love trains it was awesome to ride one.  

 Evie renewed her interest in American Girl Dolls after seeing all of them in one place.