Chicago Trip: Day One (We May Have Overdone It)

 Jeff and I managed to arrange for all four kids to be either at camp or visiting family all at the same time for close to a week!  What would we do with all this free time?  Go to Chicago, of course!  About a year ago I made a small bucket list of places in the states that I want to visit.  Some places on my list are only a few hours away and some are a plane ride.  We are going to try to make it to one or two a year.  Since we went to Colorado last year we decided to do a smaller trip this year.  I haven't been to Chicago since I was a kid and Jeff had never been, other than driving through, so we decided this would be the perfect trip for our week off from being parents.

We drove to Joliet, Illinois to Harrah's after dropping Jeff's boys off at basketball camp.  We decided to stay at the casino for a night.  We would be within an hour of Chicago and Jeff has had the casino bug lately so it seemed like a good idea.  We gambled a bit then got some sleep before heading into the city first thing in the morning.

We stayed at the Chicago Hilton which was a good choice given it's location to everything we wanted to do.  The hotel is a mix of both old and new with it's recently remodeled lounges, bar, and restaurant.  We had a view of the lake and the fountain in Grant Park.  

We parked in the garage at the hotel and took off for stop number 1, Skydeck, formerly Sears Tower.  

After Sky deck we ran headed back to the hotel to check in stopping at Garrett's Popcorn on the way for some Chicago Style popcorn...one of my favorites!  After checking in and getting situated in our room we headed out for Shedd Aquarium.  One thing I didn't plan for when meticulously laying out our trip was how far we would have to walk to everything.  When you look at a map it looks so close...once you start walking in 90 degree heat, it is a lot farther.  Add to that the fact that I am completely out of shape and the farthest I walk on a daily basis is from my living room to the car in the garage, I decided I maybe needed to "train" for this trip.  By the time we got ready to head to the aquarium my legs were already SCREAMING at me!  I pushed on though, I only had 3 days to see EVERYTHING a tourist could possibly see.

The aquarium was somewhat of a disappointment for me after visiting the likes of the Atlanta aquarium and also the aquarium in Gatlinburg.  Both of those are great aquariums.  This one was less than impressive.  First off, you couldn't see everything without paying extra for each special attraction in the exhibit...such as the dolphin show and a couple of other attractions.  That didn't leave a whole lot to see. I wouldn't recommend this aquarium to anyone...spend your time in one of the museums which have more than enough to offer.

Another thing I wanted to do while in Chicago is try the "Chicago Style" dishes such as the pizza and hotdogs and I already mentioned the popcorn.  After coming out of the disappointing aquarium I was not thrilled about walking any where so I bought us tickets on the water taxi to Navy Pier where we found Giordano's and it did NOT disappoint!  We both loved this pizza!  (Not as much as Pizza King but who would??)  I don't know if the pizza was so good because it was just good or because we finally were off our feet or because we were finally in a nice air conditioned building, or because I finally got a perfectly chilled Diet Coke...but it was GOOD!!  I really did not want that meal to end ever...only because that meant I was going to have to walk another mile to where we would get on the boat for our tour we booked.  

On our endlessly long walk we passed this tiki bar....nestled under the streets of the city along the river.  The River Walk was really very nice and I'm sure if the excruciating pain in my legs would have let me, I would have really enjoyed it.  We finally hobbled up to where our boat was docked and had a little time to wait.  Of course I had to go to the bathroom and there was none to be found.  We were told we would have to go up about 4 flights of stairs to get to the street level and cross to the Corner Bakery where there was a public restroom.  I almost opted to make my own restroom behind a tree on the lovely little River Walk.  Jeff convinced me I could make it up...and back down.  

We FINALLY got to board our boat which was nice until I discovered this guy, who had been wondering around the dock in what I can only assume was a drunkin state, got on too.  I made Jeff move to the back of the boat to get as far away from him as I could.  He settled down and all was fine as we made our way up (or down...it flows backwards) the river.  The tour was really very interesting and gave a lot of information on the history of Chicago, the mob, and the architecture.

Marine City

The Merchandise Mart

Trump Tower...much of it is still not occupied.

The ferris wheel on Navy Pier

After our tour up and down the river we went through the locks and out into the lake for a bit.  It started to rain but that was okay...we were able to go into the cabin and the cool rain felt pretty good after walking in the heat all day. (For a minute then I was freezing)

When we finished the boat tour and were let off at the dock it was pouring.  We had no umbrella or even a jacket so we left the boat and went under the street to try to find a way up to street level where we were going to grab a cab.  As we were walking along in this very creepy place...all alone with the exception of the crack head who had been on the boat, I snapped this pic of Jeff to show what a questionable choice this felt like we had made and to leave proof of where we were should we disappear and the only trace left of us was my phone.

Needless to say, we made it back to the corner with the bakery bathroom and I took over.  Jeff was all about using Uber to call a cab but I was done. I was not going to wait on that. I stepped out to the curb and flagged one down just like I've seen done in the movies.  I know he was impressed.  Our not-so-friendly cab driver delivered us safely back to our hotel where we made deals, and possibly cash was exchanged as to who would get the shower first.  I had an overwhelming desire to wash every part of me that touched anything in that cab but let him go first since he promised he would go get me a Diet Coke while I showered. We both hit the bed in pain and exhausted and fell asleep watching Shark Week.  So far...having a great time in Chicago!!  (....we really did enjoy it through the sweat and pain.)

Dog Shaming

She looks darn happy about it too!  

Glasses Be Gone!

This boy got contacts today and LOVES them!!  I love that his cute face is no longer hidden behind those glasses!

It's Dad's Day!!

For Father's Day I went digging in some old photo albums and found the following gems....

Look!  We all three, Drue, Dad, and I, have the same haircut!  Drue says mom still has that bowl.  She swears she didn't cut our hair...looks suspicious to me.

We stopped in to see P'Pa for Father's Day and bring him some donuts.  We took Opa a pie earlier in the day.

Here we have my other dad teaching me stuff.

Pretty sure that someone was shooting at us with a bb gun in this pic...

One happy family right here.  Look at those smiles!

And I'd also like to wish myself Happy Father's Day since I pull double duty!

Gulf Shores Trip

Oma took Jayke and Zach to Gulf Shores Alabama for a few days.  Here a few pics that they sent home.  They went to the beach, toured a battle ship, went to a movie, and the water park.  Mom said they thoroughly enjoyed hotel living.  

Hangin Tough!

Doc says she is doing really good for 17!!  In for a bladder infection today.  She has a heart murmur but that shouldn't be any big deal.  Especially not at this point.  I shut him down really quickly on anything he wanted to point out to me.  I told him we are not doing anything to prolong her life that would cause her any kind of recovery, or pain.  Treat the bladder infection and we will be on our way!  He agreed and did as he was told.  Laynie was a very cooperative patient, even leaving the sample on the floor for them without being asked!  She got a little nervous when they took her temp, but who wouldn't?  After that she just lay on the floor, as you can see, and waited to go back to the car.

Miss Priss

She always holds that paw up when she sits.  Make sure you check out Nemo chilling in the background.

New Level of Ridiculousness!

The Boy conned my mom into buying him this foot spa today.  He has been thinking about this for a while.  He has pointed them out to me in the store in the past.  I guess today was the day he made his move.  Told Oma he needed it for his sore feet.  I didn't even know you could get sore feet from playing xbox all day!!!

The "B" Team, Huh???

Final tournament of the season this weekend.   This one was going to be a tough one.  The first team that we were scheduled to play was the other U11 team from our own club.  Half of which we were on a team with last season.  All season long the kids on the other team called us the "B" team, even though we had half of the players from the "A" team they put together last season on our team.  From the very beginning on paper I thought that that is what they had done too...set up two teams, trying to make it look like there wasn't an "A" and "B" but really the other team had a slight edge....just from looking at the list before the season started.  After seeing them play though, I felt that our team was actually better. I told Jayke from the first weekend we played that his team was better.  I told him all season long that his team was better.  They pulled players from our team all season to play on the other team but didn't send us any help until the very end once we really couldn't win our division.  One game they allowed us to go play without a full team!

All of this is what made it so sweet this weekend when we not only beat them, but beat them pretty handily AND with their full team there!  

It was a weird thing to sit and watch.  Our kids playing against their friends and teammates.  The parents were all pretty quiet on the sideline, not wanting to cheer against the other kids we normally cheer FOR.  We were up a couple of goals on them when they scored their first and then it started to get a little bit louder but for the most part it was eerily quiet for a tournament game.  We pulled ahead another goal and then another.  I think the score ended up being 5-1 and gave our kids a huge confidence boost going into the rest of the weekend!  There were a lot of silent sighs of relief from our parents on the side line because we REALLY wanted this after being designate the "B" team all season.  

Below is an intense game of Uno in between games.  Trying to kill some time and stay cool and relaxed in the shade.  I think they may have been placing bets!  I heard someone say, "I've got Jayke to win!"

Waiting for the final game to start.

Lunch in between games on day one with a few teammates.

They had these huge gigaballs for the kids to play in.  Jayke had to try it out.  It was too hot in there though and he didn't like it much...which I tried to tell him before he did it.

We went on to play for the championship but came up short after a long weekend in the grueling heat.  Our final game was played in almost 90 degrees.  The kids were exhausted after waiting 5 hours after their previous game finished.  Just not enough in the tanks.  We took home another second place trophy which isn't bad for the team who was expected to have a chance after their first game! Second place is better than nothing! So much for being the B team!  

Goodbye Elementary School!

Today was Jayke's Awards Day at school.  We thought that he would be getting an award for straight As since he got them this quarter but didn't realize that you had to have them for the entire year...he missed that by a B+.  He was looking at me from his seat looking some what bummed when he realized he wouldn't get any awards today...only a certificate for completing fifth grade when his name was called for the Presidential Award, the principal calling it the "top award"!

He told me afterwards he had no idea he would get that!  I was proud of him for working really hard for the straight As.  He isn't always very motivated and just settles for all As and Bs...much like I did in school.  I told him if he got straight As this year he would beat me by two years, as I didn't get them until 7th grade.  That was all the motivation he needed...to beat his mother at something.  This was by far his best school year yet and we are already talking about him working towards honors classes and scholarships.  I just have to figure out how to keep him motivated!  

 

Below is a first day/last day shot...I think it is slightly exaggerated due to the angle but look at the distance between his shoes and shorts for an example of how he has grown this year.  He is to my shoulder now.  He also looks older in the face to me.  He better stop that!

Positive Behavior...Probably Didn't Get it From Me

I was reading through the school newsletter today and came across this picture.  Every month each teacher chooses one child from their class for this award.  Jayke has never gotten it...which surprises me because he is always so good in school.  I just happened to notice that kid in the back who is almost hiding his face with his certificate and realized it's Jayke!  He didn't even bother to tell me he got this.  When I asked him he said he forgot.  Glad I read the newsletter!

Test Driving

Went to shop for a new recliner today.  When we got in the store The Boy's eyes lit up and he was overjoyed by all the features the chairs come with now.  USB ports, cup holders, LED lights in the cup holders and under the foot rest, and a button that raises the foot rest electronically.  He had his heart set on this one...in chocolate, not red, though.  After I finally agreed and we got it paid for he was off to the sectionals to pick out one of those as well!  He better go get a job so we can afford all this new furniture he is picking out!

After getting the chair home I discovered that, although a great idea, the motorized foot rest is not ideal for when you need to get up in a hurry.  It is quite slow and Jayke and Jeff get a good laugh out of watching me impatiently waiting to be able to stand up.  I will get used to it but probably won't be buying any motorized furniture in the future!

We had several arguments who was going to sit in the chair.  I got it so that I would have someplace comfortable to sit in the living room again and could join him in the evenings.  He was all for this until I was actually in the room with him watching the game.  Apparently I'm too enthusiastic about basketball and by half time he was asking me if I was ready to go to bed.  By the fourth quarter he was TELLING me to go to bed, that it was "sleepy time!"  I finally gave up the chair and moved to the bed so he could take over.

Rain Delay

Jayke, Mason, and Mathew waiting out a rain delay.  Unfortunately it ended up being delayed for a week and we wasted an entire evening driving to Indy, waiting in the car, then driving straight back.  

A week later we went back and lost the game.  One more game to go and the regular season is over.  Tournament coming up this weekend though...hoping for better results!

Progress... Cheap Labor...

I really wish I had a before picture.  This area was a huge mess with dead bushes and over grown in weeds.  Not a shred of mulch since I moved in years ago.  Seems like the front of the house always gets priority over the back.  With the front in pretty good shape this year we were finally able to start working on the back a little bit.  Keep in mind it was Larry, Curly, and Mo (Mom, Me, and Jeff) working on this project so although it doesn't look like a professional did it, it does look 1 million times better!  Jayke is my lawn boy in training.  He was really into mulching.  

Laynie approves of the new walk.  With her failing eyesight she tends to fall off the pavers a lot though.  It will take her a little time to get used to them.  I think she likes being able to walk to the fence without touching the grass.  I'm also happy my bird sculpture from Mexico finally has a home and prominent location for display.  He has been tucked in the corner of the hedge where you couldn't even see him.  I got the electrical outlet replaced so now I can do some lighting on the Pergola too!

My helpers will all be happy to learn that painting the deck and working in a water feature are up next!!  Rest up crew!

Next year we will bring this flower bed around and run it down the front of the deck to join the flower bed on the other side...baby steps...

Movie Date

Took The Boy to see Tomorrowland for helping in the yard today.

Red Nose Day

We all wore our red noses in support of Red Nose Day to raise money for children in poverty.

Bunch of clowns...any excuse for a group picture!