Day Three Chicago. The Tantrums of All Time.

As soon as we woke up, I knew today was going to be a better day. Why? Because we slept better. All of us. The baby included. She may have started in our bed... but she was quickly transported to the pack n play and was out within seconds. Next, we needed to figure out today's plan.

We were uncertain about the weather, as the sky was grey and the forecast was predicting showers, so our plans to take the kids to the zoo was up in the air.

A few minutes after waking up though, I received a text from Jody to see if we wanted to go grab some starbucks.

Starbucks? Sure! Why not.

So. Bummin' it and all, we got the baby girl dressed, got ourselves a little bit presentable, grabbed Elliana's breakfast {banana and cereal with milk} and headed out the door. Starbucks was literally right across the street {what isn't in Chicago?}.

After placing our orders, we took our food and drinks and headed down to a litle sit-in-area a couple blocks down the street. And after scarfing it down like animals, we sat on the benches and let the girls roam around.

Okay, who am I kidding here. There was no sitting around on benches. Those girls are fast and wild.

So a lot of running around. A lot of picture taking, and a lot of laughter was heard. And "Elliana NO. Don't go there."

And then, instead of going back to our rooms, my husband decided that it would be a great idea to roam around downtown Chicago. So a-roaming we went. And then he saw the John Hancock building, and he decided that we shall go there too. So there we went. And then we paid money for it. People actually pay money to go on top of a building? I guess they do. Which meant, we did too. So we paid, and we went, and we saw how beautiful Chicago truly was. And beautiful it is.

And then it was time to go. And the tantrum came on. Oh mother of all tantrums here we go again. Apparantely Elliana wanted to camp out on the top of John Hancock and call it a day. Seriously.

The unfortunate part of this tantrum is that we were stuck. Physically stuck. We had to wait in a line. A line for the elevators to take us downstairs. And we were at the end of the line with a toddler in hand doing sumersaults in my arms all while screaming bloody murder.

Oh joy. Lucky me.

Here's the catch though. The one time it benefits you to have a child throwing a fit. Because those little old ladies moved us right up the line and said our elevator was waiting for us. Of course it was.  In other words the ladies wanted my child OUT of there. 

So after enduring what I thought might have been one of the worst traumatic experiences to date, we were all okay. We survived. In fact, we were ready to go home, take a nice little nap, wake up and do it all over again.

And we did just that.


After our nap we went on a little shopping spree and then called it a day.

The Grundstrom's had plans with their family to go out to dinner, and we had plans with Andrew's sister and her husband to go out to dinner. We said our goodbyes to our friends not knowing that this would be the last time we would see them on this trip.

Dinner was fun. It's always fun when we get together with these two. Elliana loves her auntie and Uncle B. LOVES them. And we ate some mighty good food and we finished it off with one delicious scrumptious plate of dessert. We had a variety, of course. And we munched like it was 1999 {whatever that means}.

By 9pm my eyes were drifting, my body was exhausted, and I was ready to call it a night. It's amazing how days like this can really wear you down physically. And in the past, I would have laughed at myself. Now?

Sleep is a glorious event to me.

When we woke up Sunday morning, we found that our friends had left a couple hours prior as they had a much longer drive than us. Sad faced, but understanding, we realized that it was time for us to hit the road too.

So throwing everything in the million bags we did, and we were out of there in record time.

Can I just add in here... it was 45 dollars for parking PER NIGHT. Yes. $135 dollars to park my car in a spot... hello... can I get a massage with that por favor? The least they could do for robbing me. Amazing what Chicago can get away with... bastards.

But in the end, this trip was everything we had anticpated plus more.

I made a mommy friend.
Andrew made a daddy friend.
Elli made a girlfriend.
We had a nice relaxing little family mini-vacation.
Took lots of wonderful pictures.
Ate great food.
Laughed a lot.

me and my flippin thumbs up. way to ruin a good picture :_

And we made a friendship that I believe will last a lifetime.

All I have to say....

I can't wait to do this again.  That and....

don't mind my stupid ridiculous shirt riding up to my boob. just about.

"Honey.. was I right, or was I right?"