Spaghetti is on Staycation this week. He had too much vacation days saved up at work and the way it goes, is he will lose them, so wonderful boss let him have the whole week off, counting his days off this gave us this last Monday through this coming up Tuesday off! Wee!
So after days full of vet visits (Sophie has an eye ulcer. Boo) and our 6 month dental check ups (yee.ha fun) we thought a day in the city would be fun…
We took the kids on the metra train, from a city about 20 minutes north of us, to Chicago. It was fun, and they had a blast posing for the camera (Hey Aerial, I think Alex is stealing your camera face!)
We get up there and go on foot about 3 blocks to the ‘L’ (see this for more info on what the “L” is) I loved walking with the kids showing them the pigeons, a bird native to our busy city, not afraid of much. The kids got a big kick out of how close they could get to them.
Headed down to the Jackson Street “L” train. The kids were NOT amused at all. We had to wait about 10 minutes for the next train, and it was warm down there, not as hot as the 93 degrees above ground, but not exactly air conditioned. This is their ‘unhappy where is the beach’ look.
THEN we get on and they think differently of it. I told you it’d be fun-ner.
They LOVED that the ‘L’ went from underground to 2 stories above ground. Kinda crazy if you’ve never been on it. It sways, rocks, slams on brakes, speeds up, underground, above ground. Needless to say it’s an experience.
Took the “L” to Wrigleyville. An area Spaghetti and I both know well. I spend a day here each year, at the Pride Parade in June. Walking BLOCKS, with about half a million people.
And Spaghetti works here with his dad. Vending beer to Chicago Cubs fans on days when he can around his day job.
It was nice today, no game so it was quiet. Got a cute shot of the kids together in front of Wrigley Field, this is where their Grandpa Mc stand each game to sell programs.
We were hot and whiney already, so we headed over to my favorite place, Starbucks for a snack and some coffee.
After our break, we walked around to the side of Wrigley Field, they had 
That stand right there is where my Spaghetti stands, selling beer, pretzels, and peanuts. (tip your vendors!!)
We took the kids right across the street to the Wrigleyville #78 Fire Department so they could see the trucks and say hello to the guys.
We stopped over at the office, to pick up Spaghetti’s payroll check.
This must have exhausted the kids, because they ended up on our shoulders, yep nothing says fun like a tote bag full of food, 93 degrees in the shade, and a whiney 35 lb three year old on your shoulders!
We walked about 4 blocks to the bank. Weaky promptly took off his shoes, sunglasses and curled up under there. We enjoyed their comfy chairs, and full blast air conditioner for a few minutes.
BACK to the ‘L’ train. Now to Chicago Street…
Waited about 8 minutes for the #66 bus to take us to Navy Pier. Again whiney till they got on and saw how cool a BIG bus was.
Weird that the bus was so empty for a Friday afternoon… everyone at work?
The bus dropped us off RIGHT at Navy Pier (THE best place to go for fun if your visiting the Chi)
So we walked the park, very excited that the Ohio Street Beach was just a 1/2 block away.
Kids didn’t waste time jumping into the lake! Alex did this funny thing where he would lay on his tummy at the edge of the water, and push backwards into the surf. He LOVED Lake Michigan!
All those damn snacks and lunches I had been toting around with me for hours, paid off. We had sandwiches, brownies, granola bars, fruit twists, carrots with ranch dressing, and cheerio’s.
All under out beach tent. This thing was pretty easy to tote. With shoulder strap. It was so worth it though. Perfect shade and privacy for us.
I have to say the best part of the beach here is the mix of park and beach, RIGHT next to the skyline.
It’s just beautiful, enjoying the nature of Chicago with the BIG busy buildings and Lake Shore Drive.
Now I’m NOT a beach kinda person. I mean I love to go, but I SIT on the sand, I sweat my ass off, and enjoy people watching.
I did dip my feet in the water a bit. It was cool and wonderful!
Best part of the day? Watching Spaghetti enjoy some time with his Weaky and Bagel. Now Spaghetti is ‘Scuba Steve’ to me. He’s scuba certified, LOVES all kinds of water. So very happy that he is, so HE can take the kids out there. And I can Momarazzi from the beach.
After HOURS of play on the beach, and enjoying our lunch. We packed up and walked over to Navy Pier to enjoy some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. It was nummy, and we were EXHAUSTED!
We had talked about it, looked at the train schedule and decided that we could make the 5:15 pm train back home, BUT money wise and time wise we decided that taking a cab would be easier for all of us.
I do think we took about every means possible to travel in Chicago this day. This is the kids in the cab. They were super excited, I swear they were. Minus the deer in head lights shot I got here.
So after a WHOLE lot of the BIG city…
Even bigger buildings…
We made it back to the train, climbed up to the second level of the metra train. Assuming the kids would PASS. OUT.
Nope. Weaky was high strung, wiggly and just wanted to do anything but sit on a train?! OMG we were SO tired…
Bagel finally passed out on my lap and so I braided her hair to pass the time,
While Weaky continued to assault Spaghetti’s face. Let’s just say it was NOT fun
Finally I got Weaky to chill out in his own little space at the end of our row right next to me.
Started the day by leaving at 8:40 am, and home in the drive way at 6:23 pm. A VERY long day. LOTS and LOTS of adventures. TONS of pictures.
But after a crazy few weeks of fighting between Spaghetti and I, I have to say this really made us better.
It was a combo of having to work together, with the kids, and a big city. To really work at communicating, and realize that we were not in a hurry and to enjoy the day. Enjoy the staycation with the kids.
While posting this I texted him I was going through the pictures of this day, and I missed him. He’s at Wrigley right now, getting ready for Paul McCartney’s concert tonight. Best part, he sent me a text that said “I miss you”… we never text. And this may be the first love-ish one he’s ever sent me. I saved it.
Thanks for the memories Chicago. That’s why I love you so.
Feisty.
xo
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