Christmas in Chicago

We met up in Chicago with Chris's parents and brother this Saturday (it's only about 1.5 hrs from here). It was great to be with them, and I was able to pass off a box of wrapped presents instead of shipping them, but what a zoo!

The first stop was the Lego store on Michigan Ave.







The pictures don't show it, but it was pretty crowded. Not idea situation for two little boys who have been saving their chore money for months to spend on this day. Chris's brother Jon took Nate around and around the store, finally selecting 3 things (spending every dollar he had to spend). Andy picked out one thing, then just wanted to build with the Legos.

Next we grabbed some lunch. Did some coloring.


We were seated right by the window and a Santa bicycle gang rode by (probably a hundred? a bunch of people dressed up in Santa costumes, as well as a few dradles and a few elves). We would see them through out the rest of the day.





After lunch we walked over to Christkindl Market where the boys bought a nutcracker. On our way there, we stopped in Macy's to get hats for Trudy and Jon (it was cold! The boys had long underwear on under their pants). Christmas widow displays spotted. (I was more taken by my little boy observing them, than the displays themselves)




Andy tried on hats too, but decided his own was the best.




I felt like a paparazzi snapping photos as we walked, but I knew Chris would want to see it (he was at the office working). Nate laying his head on Jon's shoulder as Jon carried him because Nate was cold and just waned held. (Doesn't he look huge?) Andy holding on to Kapka's hand everywhere. I wasn't impressed by Chicago at Christmastime, but I was so glad we went for all of the tiny snippets of sweet memories we created that day. Such as, the bus was too crowded on the way back to the hotel for Chris's dad to sit with us, so he stood in the back and held on to the rail. The boys and Steve blew kisses back and forth and waved and such the whole ride back. It was adorable heart warming.

Uncle Jon's Visit

Chris's brother was in Iowa for a few days in August and drove up to Milwaukee to spend some of the time with us before returning to med school in California. His visit fell in the middle of the week, so Chris was not around for most of it. When I first realized this I panicked a little bit. Usually Chris's parents come visit when his brother does. This was the first time he was visiting alone, and with Chris at work, I was afraid it would be awkward. He, a MDPHD student. Me, a stay at home mom. How much could we really have to talk about? Then I realized that if this was one of my brothers, I wouldn't think about that at all. And just like that, I realized he is one of my brothers. And it doesn't matter if his interests and mine are completely different. We are family. Family should erase all of the boxes we put ourselves in, define ourselves by and lump us all together in the same box. The love you have for each other and for the other family members is the common ground you start with.

park-playing.

frisbee tossing on the beach.

ice cream eating.

Yeah, we had a good time. all by our selves.

Park Review:

We visited Possibilities Park in Port Washington (right on the lake, just north of downtown). It was a smaller version of the Imagination Station in Oconomowoc, so I was a little underwhelmed from previously visiting the Imagination Station. The great things about this park were: they had a water misting area to cool kids off, it was right by the lake with stairs down to the lake. The beach was very clean and the waves were big. I hadn't prepped for a beach day- no swim trunks or beach toys, but if we go back, I absolutely would. Bathrooms right next to the playground (Imagination Station had port-a-potties). Many picnic tables and grassy areas to run/play/picnic. Great place to spend an entire day: take beach stuff, picnic lunch, soccer ball, bubbles. Port Washington also has a historic light house to visit (but I think it's only open on weekends). Worth the visit. Oh, another fun tip. This park is not a traditional playground. It is geared more for imaginative play (and handicap accessible). I took a bag of dress-up clothes and Nate (and Uncle Jon) ran around like pirates (there was a pirate boat much like the one at Imagination Station) looking for sunken treasure. Nate shared his pirate hat with a handicap girl in a wheel chair. Her mom was so delighted, she called the grandparents over to take pictures. It was a great experience for Nate to play side by side with many handicapped children. So two thumbs up for that. And remember to take dress up clothes!