Our last night in Chicago, after a full day under the warm sun at Wrigley, we took our chances and kept the kids up far past their bedtime to see the first big fireworks show of the summer over Navy Pier. We got to the Pier early, stood in line for ice cream, then found a plot of grass between the pier and Lake Shore Drive. We were sandwiched between a moonlit Lake Michigan and a lit-up city skyline. And as our family does lately to kill any bout of time, we played our favorite either-or game. Chocolate or vanilla? Anna or Elsa? Tacos or pizza? We take turns thinking of questions and all answers must come with a solid argument and reasons why. We laid on the green grass with leftover chocolate chip cookie dough on fingers and chins, still full from deep dish pizza prior, and I asked, "big city vacation or nature vacation?" Beau's answer was expected and without a doubt he said "nature." But after a full two days of introducing our kids to the energy and possibility of a big bustling city, I was split right down the middle. There's just something about the energy of a great big city that lights a spark in me. I guess that just means we'll have to see it all.
We hadn't taken the kids to Chicago since Cruz was just a wee babe, not even a year old. We've been back a few times since just the two of us, but it's hard getting away without the kids these days. Last summer, the four of us had a big map out and spent some time making a wish list of all the places we might like to see before the kids are out of the house. And first on Cruz's list? Chicago to see the big city lights and the home of the Chicago Cubs. Done and done, buddy. So the morning after a big week of school activities and Mila's preschool graduation, we pulled Cruz from school and headed east for a long Memorial Day weekend in one of our favorite big cities.
And what never fails to make me smile is no matter how nice of a hotel we stay in, or how much money we spend on good seats at Wrigley, or how much research goes into finding the perfect donut shop, city playground, or tourist attraction, give these kids a suitcase to pack, a cozy blanket and a bag of snacks in the car, and a pool in a hotel and you have met their hearts' desire. They were SO excited the morning we left, throwing ridiculously odd trinkets in suitcases they would surely never need, running laps around the house, and making their seats in the car cozy with blankets, stuffies, and snacks. And we made it all of about twenty minutes before Mila started the infamous question...
"Mom, are we THERE YET???"
We made it to our hotel in the middle of the afternoon on Friday, and lured the kids out of our room with promises to swim later if they were good. The weather looked incredibly iffy for the entirety of our weekend, so we decided to get outside when it wasn't raining in case we were in for a washout the other days. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on Michigan Ave., in my favorite area by the Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park. The weather was cool but not raining, so we ducked into Stan's Donuts for an afternoon treat before hitting up all the goodness of Millennium Park.
I think one of my favorite parts of Chicago is the contrast between the beautiful architecture of the city and all the big spaces for families to gather to enjoy it. I could spend an entire day strolling around Millennium Park. The kids were fascinated with "the Bean", begged to swim in Buckingham Fountain, chased each other through the grass in front of the big stage, and quickly stopped in their tracks upon arrival at the big drawstring bridge of Maggie Daly Park. I had a feeling we'd be here for awhile. :)
I think the cooler temps kept people away from the park and we didn't have to compete for slide time or bench seats the entire time we were there. This place would be a madhouse in the summer months and would present some challenges attempting to keep track of them, but this particular afternoon they could run from one area to the next without a care in the world while Beau and I chased them or stopped to talk and admire the skyline in front of us.
Our last stop in the big park was at Crown Fountain. It was too cold to get too crazy, although I looked away for two seconds and Cruz was already pretty well soaked. The kid is like a magnet to any form of water and we had a good time watching him creep closer and closer to the fountain, then patiently wait for the mouths to change and water to spit from their lips. It's such a fun display and people could sit and watch for hours. I'm sure thankful for raising our kids in smaller, quieter surroundings, but packing easy picnics and taking advantage of all these big city spaces wouldn't be a bad way to spend our summer days either!
I told Cruz we had to recreate a few pictures from his first time in Chicago. He was just as mesmerized today as he was back then!
August 2011, Cruz was ten months old!
Eight years later. :)
We ended our night with an Uber to Lincoln Park and a wonderful dinner at The Warbler. Settling on where to eat in this foodie city is always a battle for us, but I was drawn to this place for its chef-inspired comfort food, modern farmhouse detail and design, and it's $25 family-style (kids eat free!) options for early bird eaters. The food was delicious, they did a wonderful job catering to foodie parents and their not-so-foodie kids, and I decided if I owned a restaurant, it would look and feel like this one.
And how did we end our first night in the city? Finally giving in to the kids' constant desire to SWIM! It was pretty fun to climb the nine floors up to our room just as the sun was going down, change into our suits, and head back down to the pool for a swim before bed. Beau and I ordered drinks at the bar, Cruz loved the sauna most of all, and Mila proved to be a fish once again swimming back and forth, over and over again, in the tiny little area of the pool she could actually touch in. The pool was small and pretty underwhelming if you ask me, but our kids were over the moon. And it was pretty fun to sit back and watch them making the kind of vacation memories I, too most remember about mine. No matter where we were, having my people close with nowhere to be but close to each other was always my favorite part of getting away. Then, now, and always.
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