Chicago -- Part One

***We interrupt this regularly scheduled lack of blogging to bring the the previously promised picture of our vacation to Chicago. Between wedding plans, family reunions and a long series of unexpected medical tests for Cabana Boy, consistent blogging has reached a new low!***
Goodbye, Happy Valley. We'll be back soon!!!
The Ballerina and Blondie get set for the plane ride. Blondie has a real talent for taking pictures of herself. :-) Remember...I left my camera at home, so I'm at the mercy of my girls.
Here's our humble abode that Cabana Boy found on Craig's List. Although it may look like a prison from the outside, the place was pretty nice inside. Just don't ask about the rats in the alley!!! We really enjoyed the neighborhood and all of the shops withing walking distance.
After we got settled into our condo we made a quick trip into the city. Of course, the first stop was the American Girl Place. The Ballerina emptied her piggy bank before we left in preparation for an AG shopping spree!
This place is little girl heaven. Big girls enjoy it, too! I think we were there for at least two hours and completely missed the downpour outside.

Mission complete!
Blondie must have taken this shot of the Ballerina and me as we walked across the square toward the water tower. Not my best side...oh, well.
Dream Girl and Blondie flashing gang signs (and pulling funny faces) in the Hershey's store.
Blondie loved the candy and the stuffed animals.
Me? I loved the cupcakes!

Oh, my goodness! The gal in the shop gave me and the Ballerina instructions on how to decorate cupcakes to look like theirs. We haven't yet had a chance to give it a try, but I'll be sure to post pictures when we do.
After an evening of shopping we made a stop at Giordano's for their famous stuffed pizza.We weren't three steps outside the restaurant door when Soccer Guy gets taken for an $8 shoe shine. You know, everyone needs their sports shoes shined. A sucker is born every minute!!! I'm pretty certain that this guy's magic polish was nothing more than Mop n' Glo in a water bottle. Welcome to the big city, son.
On Thursday we went to Navy Pier...
...and the girls headed straight to the stretched mirrors.

The kids enjoyed our spin on the swings...it just made me feel sick.
Later, we sat back and enjoyed an architectural cruise up the river. I posted one of the pictures from the boat ride on my last post, but decided not to bore you with more pictures of buildings. Instead you get to see a picture that Blondie took of herself on the boat. See, I told you she has talent.
Cabana Boy, Blondie, the Ballerina and Dream Girl playing in the fountain near Navy Pier.
That night we went to a ball game at historic Wrigley Field.
The Cubs took on the Atlanta Braves and won. It was a perfect evening for baseball.
Soccer Guy and Dream Girl are huge baseball fans. I'm sure Soccer Guy feels lucky to have found someone who enjoys and understands the game.
On Wednesday we spent a few hours at the Field Museum. That wasn't nearly enough time for College Girl, who went back for more later in the week.
That evening we went and saw Wicked, the musical, at the Oriental Theater. Our family saw Wicked in Los Angeles last year, but this was Dream Girl's first time.
The performance was fabulous and we all had a great time!

Thanks for stopping by. Just think...this post was nothing more than watching your neighbor's vacation slide show and you didn't even get up and leave. I feel flattered!!!

I'm going to have a special give away later this week, so be sure to stop back and get your name in the drawing!