Juli, Ken and then some: June 2009

We had a great time in the city for Daniel's birthday. I had no time to plan a party so we had a transportation "theme" and brought it to Chicago. We started by CAR to the train station, TRAIN to the city, TROLLEY to Navy Pier, and finally BOAT (water taxi) back to the train station. We were supposed to ride the Ferris Wheel as well, but it was shut down, which was fine with me because does that really count as transportation? We replaced it with a ride on Thomas the Train and saved $24--continuing to make Dad proud (on that note I opted for the water taxi, $2-3/person as opposed to a Navy Pier speed boat trip, $15-20/person).

On our walk to the trolley we checked out the Wrigley building and others in the area. They liked touching the artifacts built into the side of the Wrigley building too, but then we had to make a rule not to touch the other buildings. It was slowing us down as we walked along Michigan Avenue. We also played in the fountains. Although the Taste was going on, we only ran into a crowd on the trolley, having to forego the first one and only Daniel and Luci had seats on the one we rode. The kids really enjoyed the water fountain that "plays" with the kids by shooting water up out of the ground randomly. They had an ice cream cone in the shade and we stopped for Giordano's Pizza before heading back home. Yesterday, Daniel said his favorite part was the boat. Today it was Thomas the Train. When you ask him about what he did for his birthday he starts counting on his fingers, "We went on a train and a boat and a trolley..." We all had a great time celebrating the 3-year-old.
Riding the train to Chicago. Luci kept the others occupied with a song and hand motions.