windy city day trip

Max got a special treat on Sunday when we set out on a little adventure. We had planned a trip to Chicago to take Klaudia to the Ugg store and the kids to Millennium Park, but it worked out that Max was the only boy who was able to go. So early in the afternoon we set off: me, Max, Bethany, Loni, Klaudia, and Klaudia's friend. We hit the Ugg store first, and boots were purchased. Klaudia will have a very Ugg-ly Christmas, indeed! Then we walked around the Magnificent Mile for a little bit. The Borders where I used to work is now a Topshop and looks very strange to me. We walked to Water Tower Place and shopped at Macy's, then we went over to the Hancock building and checked out the holiday train display in the basement, which I had forgotten all about. It was like a little walk down memory lane with me telling Bethany all about the places I used to go to all the time when I worked down there. 

After we were done shopping, we headed down to Millennium Park and checked out the Bean and the skating rink. Our original plan was to go ice skating, but we badly underestimated the line for the skate rental place. People were waiting in line for hours just to rent skates! So we ditched that plan and went across the street to get some dinner. By the time we finished eating, it was getting dark, which was just what I wanted. We headed back into the park and over to the Crown Fountain (which was dry but all lit up) and over the bridge to the Art Institute. Along the way, we checked out all kinds of public art.

I was kind of sad that Liam and Henry couldn't join us, but at the same time, it was really great to get to spend so much one-on-one time with Max. He rarely gets to be the center of attention, and he got a whole day of it and just soaked it in. He was funny and sweet so well behaved. The trip didn't start out that way, but I really think it ended up being a wonderful holiday gift for the two of us!