We took a family trip to Chicago a few weeks ago. Rick & I had Cubs tickets and we had a babysitter (my cousin) lined up to watch the kids for us at the hotel while we went to the game.
As we neared the city Friday afternoon, and could start to see the big buildings, we pointed out to the kids that it was Chicago. When we got into the city and were driving amongst the big buildings, Carson would point out his window at a building right next to us at a stoplight, and would yell “CAGO!!!”. It was hysterical.
We went to dinner Friday night with my cousins (as previously blogged) and on Saturday – after a quick hotel change (we only had enough points for one free night at the Omni) – we met my cousin at the Sheraton and said goodbye to the children. Rick & I took the (very packed) train up to Wrigley Field and beer and peanuts! Since Carson may or may not still be allergic, we don’t eat peanuts around him, so Rick & I didn’t waste any time eating an entire bag.
We had great seats behind home plate up under the overhang so we were out of the sun. We left the game in the 8th and had a beer at the Cubby Bear (seemed like it was something you had to do if you went to a Cubs game?) and then took the (less packed) train back to the hotel.
We said goodbye to Lindsay and walked down to Navy Pier. Mallory rode the merry go round while Carson napped in the stroller and then we headed to my favorite pizza place.
But I have to tell more about this part. I didn’t bring the double stroller because it was supposed to be rainy and yucky and I figured there wasn’t any place we’d go that we’d be walking enough to need a double stroller because Mallory is almost in kindergarten so she can handle walking a few blocks, right? Plus, the double stroller is HUGE and I didn’t want to deal with it at the hotel or the restaurants or whatever so we left it at home.
Um, yeah.
It didn’t really rain. It was HOT. Like really HOT.
And who cares that she’s about to go into kindergarten, Mallory didn’t want to walk very far.
So the entire 9 blocks or so to the restaurant for pizza, I had one kid or the other in my arms or on my back or on my shoulders.
I literally had sweat pouring down my face. I was a mess.
When we finally got to the restaurant, I ordered a margarita for myself and a beer for Rick while we waited for a table and I had my drink gone before Rick took his second sip. I was so hot. But the pizza was awesome and the dessert was even better.
Sunday morning Rick wanted to go check out the bean thing but it started to rain and I vetoed him. I know he runs marathons and triathlons and loves to workout but I am sort of a wuss. I’ll do a lot of things outside of my comfort zone (witness – the Warrior Dash race), but being miserable in crappy weather conditions with kids who will be miserable – I have to say no. :-)
I think next year we need to do try to get to the museums or something more cultural than just a Cubs game. And we missed the Tigers playing the White Sox by two days – Carson would have loved that – so we have to plan better next year.
