Sunday morning we had a fun filled day planned at Shedd Aquarium – the only problem…those pesky Bears were playing across the street. Those pesky Bears fans had jacked up parking at the Aquarium to $48. Not a problem, we parked in the lush suburb of Oak Brook and took the train in. That was thrilling for the small people in our party. Ella was giddy!
Near the aquarium, we met our good friends Andrew and Lillian (from our Connecticut days!) nearby for brunch. We had a great meal, that may or may not have persuaded them to have children based on which child they were focused on. The one who sat nicely, and tore into her pancakes like a wild (mannered) dog – Ella… or… Lillian who wouldn’t eat her food and only maintained civility by watching Sesame Street clips on Loran’s Blackberry while mowing down some generic goldfish crackers.
The girls loved the aquarium. So much to see, so many fun displays. Lillian was a little overly tired and we’d forgotten her carrier and didn’t have a stroller. She really focused in on pushing the buttons that made frog sounds. We made our way to the dolphin show and Lillian was passed out in my lap before the show started. Thankfully. We were all able to enjoy the show, which included previews of their holiday show so the animals would be able to adjust to the lights, music and effects. We saw the dolphins, a sea lion and beluga whales – it was great! Lily slept through most of it and more and awoke a new child. Ella decided the beluga whales were frightening above water where she could hear them but once we went where we could see them underwater, both girls found them amazing.
This place is exhausting Mom!
A touch pond! Take two small children, just add water – instant bliss!
Wow! This place even has elevator rides!
What’s funny is that there were at least four toddlers laying face down on this area of floor, amongst the crowds. It must have been an understood place of toddler submission to tiredness.
As we wrapped up our excursion, the Bears game had just started and the bus we had planned on taking to the train wasn’t running its usual route so we amped up the mass transit fun and all piled into a taxi. You’d think we’d taken a limo by the girls’ reaction. Big eyes, bigger smiles – a thrilling five blocks – life through the eyes of a child is always more fun! The train ride was pretty mellow and both girls plus Chelsey were asleep on the way back to Chelsey’s.
Another family dinner around Chelsey’s table, more fun, more goofiness and then Chelsey got the girls settled on the couch to watch a little Peter Pan. Once back to our hotel room, night three of getting the girls to bed was a lot easier.
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