Well if you couldn't tell, we were on our three night spring break trip/Shawn's birthday trip in Chicago last week. Lisa, Shawn, Katie, Bev, Ted and I ended up arriving at our condo on Tuesday close to noon and were able to get into it early since Monday was the one day for the entire month of March that the condo wasn't booked. I enjoy visiting larger cities like Chicago but I'm not sure I could every live the downtown big city life. Maybe I could have about 20 years ago but as I get older I think I really like the idea of having a yard and being able to move at my own pace. Big city living with children seems like a difficult undertaking too.
The condo was right in the heart of all the touristy things to do in Chicago and was located on the 52nd floor of an older condo building but the condo itself was nicely updated. The views were pretty amazing, especially at night. The condo was just the right size for six people and we even had Brad come for a one night stay.
Since it was Shawn's birthday, the trip couldn't be complete without a couple of trips to the Lego store to spend all the money he had been saving and received for his birthday. I've never need a 10 year old who's been more obsessed with all things Lego. Not to leave Katie out, we also made 3 trips (2 resulted in major tantrums) to the American Girl Store. Yes, Katie had some birthday money to spend as well and bought a bitty baby. American Girl is the biggest gold mine of a fad store I've ever seen. As soon as you get within about 500 feet of the place all you see is little girls holding their dolls making a bee-line to the store. I don't think you can get out of the store without spending at least $50.
Other point of interest we visited were Shedd's Aquarium, Chinatown and the every popular Billy Goat Tavern. We did a lot of walking up and down Michigan avenue and also ate at Chicago institutions such as Portillos, McDonald's and Gino's East as well as a pretty nice beer and BBQ bar called Jake Melnick's corner tap. We would have had lunch in Chinatown but Shawn will not even think about eating Chinese food for some reason. I guess now that he's seen hanging ducks and live eels in Chinese grocery stores, who could blame him.
All in all a nice trip except for the 40 pound 4 year old that seemed to be on my shoulders all the time.
We returned home on Friday and pretty much took it easy the rest of the weekend. This weekend seems to be shaping up as a pretty quiet one as well. Katie has a birthday party to attend on Thursday and I have a local business expo to attend for four hours on Saturday but other than than, nothing is on the agenda that I know of.
The next big trip will be opening day for me. Yes, it is that time of year for the, what I think is the 15 annual, trip to The Tribe's opening day. This year, we have several additions attending due to a couple of 2nd weddings happening this summer and fall. I'm looking forward to hanging out with some long lost friends and celebrating the unofficial beginning of summer. Not to mention we have pretty good seats this year...first row in the upper deck along the first base line. Hopefully the weather cooperates. This year's festivities we originally slated to last two days, one for opening day and one for my friend Jeff's second time around bachelor party but we cut the bachelor party idea and we're back to one day of debauchery.
Well, that's enough of an update for now. Have a great week.
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