Family on the road.
[ Chris + Simon on the swings at Navy Pier ]
We've been in Chicago for just about a week now.
We combined a couple of work things (me teaching a class at Windy City last Thursday + Chris attending the Democratic Leadership Council annual meeting this past weekend) with some sightseeing and family fun/adventure.
We embarked on lots of tourist stuff: an architectural boat ride up the river, checked out the Lincoln Park Zoo, Millenium Park, Navy Pier, the Lego Store, the Shedd Aquarium, etc. I think Simon liked the Lego Store the best.
Chicago is a very cool city - I have been here many times but always ended up out near the convention center for CHA (will be back here for that next month) and just not enough time/energy to be able to come downtown and see all the tall buildings and hustle + bustle.
My travel reality: I am wiped out. I think I am much more of a beach vacation person...where there is very little to do except relax by the pool. I think Simon does better with that too - all the coming and going and walking of an active vacation takes its toll fairly quickly (even when focusing on the kid-friendly activities).
We heard a lot of "will you pick me up?" and "are we getting a cab?"
Chris mastered the public transportation system by the second day (the first day included way, way too much walking and whining while looking for the right bus). We spent lots of time on buses and on the train (Simon loved both of those).
Random silly memory: Simon and I ordered room service the last two nights while Chris was in meetings and we had a lady that brought up our dinner and each time she would say, "beautiful order, beautiful order." Made me giggle both nights.
Here's a look at some of my favorite photos from the week:
Simon in the hotel room at Hotel Allegro (got a deal through Priceline - another one of those things that Chris loves to experiment with). Cool, modern hotel with very small rooms.
On one of those great double-decker buses. We stayed on here until we were all melting in the heat.
On the small train at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Checking out the view from the Sears Tower.
Lots and lots of looking up. The buildings here are really amazing. I especially am a fan of the combination of old and new mixed in together.
Playing with goodies from the Lego Store.
I definitely have enough photos and memories for some creative documenting. Looking forward to time to play with the photos + words soon and looking forward to getting back to "regular life." I also have some plans for a couple upcoming series I hope to get underway in the next couple of weeks.
Happy Monday!
I like your room service story. Once when I was traveling for business my sis came with my then four year old son. Sam thought it was so great to have a phone by the pool, he could pick it up and ask for fries and a drink and they would bring it to him. He was the only child by the pool and with his little voice they of course knew who it was for. He just thought it was so great.
Lego stores, FAO, Toys R Us and out of the way toy stores were always mu guys favorite part too.
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Hi, Ali. I've been a fan of your blog and ideas (your scraproom and storage ideas are so lovely) for some time. Just popped in to say how much I appreciate all your posts and thoughts. These pictures from Chicago are great -- it's such a fantastic city, and it sounds like you did just about everything! p.s. Simon is darling, darling, darling!!
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Loved all the pictures and it's great that you and Chris could combine trips into a mini-vacation. I esp. loved the picture of Simon looking out the window. He is so cute in all his pictures though.
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I had forgotten how gorgeous the view is from the Sears Tower! I wish I could find my pictures from my trip to Chicago many, many years ago!
Luv your blog :)
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Looks like fun! I visited Chicago a lot growing up in the midwest. Looks like you hit all the fun stops!
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Looks like a great trip and I heard FABulous things about your class...love how you've documented the trip. It's like we're right there!
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Sounds like a full vacation - you did SO many things. I can see how a beach vacation would be more relaxing - hopefully that will happen soon for you all.
My favourite photo is the one of Simon in the hotel - I wonder what he was thinking? Looks like a nice quiet moment.
Peace,
A.
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Those are great vacation photos! It always seems the more fun the vacation, the more you need a vacation from your vacation :)
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I loved meeting you at Windy City Scrapbooking. Thanks so much for coming to our store!!! I think the best part was seeing your actual work (rather than the photos online). I didn't think it could get any better!
Thanks for sharing your art with us!!!
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Welcome to Sunny Chicago! It's so nice to see you and your family enjoying the city. A nice, gentle reminder to myself that I need to take my son downtown and just be a tourist for a while ... just change our perspective a little on where we live and what is on our doorstep.
Namaste!
Diane
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Hi Ali! Isn't Chicago just a blast?!! I love it there! I'll be there for CHA next month too! (my first CHA) Hope I get to meet you!!
Have a great day!
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Ali,
WOW - I LOVE the photos.
It's such a great experience for Simon to be in the big city.
See you soon!
love you,
Jessica
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I am glad to hear that you love Chicago! It is one of my favorite places in the world:) Loved the photos!!
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Chicago IS a great city! If you have a chance, find out when Navy Pier is shooting off fireworks and then watch them from the top of the Hancock building! Totally amazing experience!
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Don't forget da taste of chicago.. you can't leave without EATING everything...
Happy you are enjoying my kinda town..
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How fun to get out and see so many things!! I can picture my 6 year old daughter asking to be picked up to....she still insists on sitting in shopping carts and she dosen't really fit anymore. Oh mercy on the back!! Thanks for sharing Ali!
P.S. I hope you don't mind, but I put a link to your blog on mine under inspiration!!!
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Glad you are back to blogging. Missed you last week!! Sounds like a fun trip. My son loves the Lego store too!
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great shots - i especially love the swings. welcome home and get some r&r....looking forward to a new series... :)
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Hi Ali,
It is so great to have you back! But, I understand your need for a break. A little birdie named Tricia told me that she thought you might be teaching in the Toronto area? Is it true?
Kelly
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Sounds like a fun trip! And now I think I know where the cover to Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was shot :)
http://www.amazon.com/yankee-hotel-foxtrot-Wilco/dp/B00005YXZH
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The shot of Simon on the bed at the hotel captures so well the feel of the city, of staying in a downtown room, of this type of travel in general {including the need for some "down time"}. Really liked the room service story as well.
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The corn cob buildings are my absolute favorite buildings I've encountered in my life. I just adore them. Chicago is my favorite city after San Francisco. Not that you needed to know all that, but I told you anyway, lol. I'm jealous you get to go twice in such a short time!
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hey ali!
so glad you enjoyed my wonderful city! you have seen more of it than i have ha ha!! i REALLY need to get my girls down there (we are about 35 miles from there) this summer! i am more of a beach kind of person too! LOL!!!!!! can't wait to see how you scrap this vacatiON! mini books are mY FAVE thing to do~
tara
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Hi Ali,
I just wanted to say we thought your class at Windy City Totally Rocked, we LOVED it!I have a special request I was hoping you would post the book you had forgotten. I would love to see it.
P.S. Once I let go of the "instructions" and made the album my own it went together very quickly.
Thanks again Donelle Macey
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how fun!
so glad you got to get away as a family (even if it wasn't at the beach).
have a great week, ali.
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