Chicago and Chelsey

Two weeks ago, Loran happened to have a meeting in Chicago. It just so happens that my sister, the beloved Aunt Chelsey had just moved to Chicago to begin grad school. While Loran could have jet-setted his way to Chicago via MSP, probably been bumped up to first class with his status and enjoyed all of the perks that affords for the 45 minute flight, he instead suggested we take a family road trip!

We rented a car, borrowed a DVD player, packed the car and set off for the windy city. Despite various map programs saying it would take us 6.5 hours to get there, it did not take us 6.5 hours. It was, however, the first road trip we’ve taken with Ella in underwear, so there were extra stops – and no troubles. And only as we approached our dinner destination where we’d agreed to meet Chelsey did our tire pressure light come on. Despite the long drive, the girls did great with their movies, snacks and potty breaks.

We had dinner with Chelsey at Red Robin, while being known for their child-friendly atmosphere, didn’t have changing tables in the restroom. Fail. Did have good food and a television inlaid in the floor which Lillian had to do somersaults on. The tire needed a few stops for air and we were running short on toll money. We had a God moment when approaching an unmanned toll booth and we didn’t have 50c when I felt I needed to move some brochures around under the coin tray where we’d put all of our allotted toll money. Lo and behold, in the dark, with the tire light on and two sleepy children, there were two shiny quarters. We were able to get to our hotel and get everyone settled quite easily. Bedtime was a breeze and a good night was had by all.

Loran refilled the tire and was off to his meetings. Once he returned, we packed up and headed toward O’Hare to fix our car situation. Turns out, there was a big old nail in the tire. Thankfully, the tire didn’t blow out while we were on the freeway in the middle of Wisconsin, surrounded by big trucks. Once the new car was secured, we were on our way to our new hotel and to see Chelsey’s new digs. The girls loved her apartment. Upon entering, Ella stood on the landing and exclaimed, “Wow, it’s beautiful!” Awhile later, after the girls had rearranged her decor, we were on our way into Chicago proper for dinner with some old friends.

Dinner was fun, low key and a great time to catch up with friends we’d met during our time in Connecticut. The girls were slightly/very afraid of their adorable small dogs. But eventually, everyone warmed up to one another. We did have to end the night when bedtimes became increasingly evident in the behavior of our little ones.

The next morning, we took Chelsey out for breakfast. The girls had M&M pancakes, which seems like a brilliant idea for little people who need extra calories. Only then you realize that while M&Ms don’t melt in your hand, but DO melt on hot pancakes – and your children are now covered in techno-colored, chocolaty goodness and trying to paw you -  perhaps it wasn’t the best choice. After breakfast, we toured Chelsey’s new campus, which was gorgeous and had her back in time for delivery of her new couch. By in time, I mean we had her back in time for the annoying delivery window, which usually means your delivery will come at the end if not after the delivery window. Chelsey and I waited for the couch and chatted while Loran brought the girls to the nearby children’s museum.

 

Chelsey at Midwestern

 

 

I might need a giant life-size light bright!

Loran and the girls explore the Children’s Museum, meanwhile, back at the ranch, Chelsey starts decorating after her couch arrives!

 

The couch came, we decorated. Loran and the girls came back with lunch fixin’s, we feasted. The girls wrestled and got crazy and once the energy was expelled, we got ready to set out on our journey back home. I caught Ella crouched in Chelsey’s room, talking to two decorative animals that Chelsey has saying, “Bye guys! I will see you later, I have to go home now.” It was stinking adorable.

We made a stop in Muskego, WI outside of Milwaukee to visit Loran’s boyhood home. It was so fun to see and see what I can only assume was a lot of change given the new construction all over. We stopped at his old neighbor’s house and walked with them past Loran’s old house. It was fun to see the girls playing in the cul-de-sac where he once played with his brother and buddies. The visit didn’t last too long, we had progress to make towards home and the setting sun. A brief Arby’s/pajama stop and we powered through, arriving home right around midnight. All tires intact. It was a short, whirlwind visit, but fun nonetheless!