Chicago

What a beautiful day!!!

We hit the Chicago lake front museums with the kids yesterday. We were determined to broaden our children's minds and get them out of the house. We'd flown to the great Midwest; there were sites to be seen. We ran into a small snag.


Da' BEARS!!!


Apparently they had their last home, preseason game yesterday. It's such a big deal that all the parking lots anywhere near the stadium are reserved only for Bears ticket holders. What's a couple of moms with a car full of kids on their way to the museum to do?

You chuck out $40 for a parking spot on the side of the road past a yacht club is what you do.

We didn't shove the kids in the car and drive downtown for nothing.

As Lynne and I looked at it, it was a deal. We had a beautiful walk to the museum. We checked out every one's sense of humor for naming their boats or yachts as the case may be. And we answered questions about how men can throw a football and drink a beer at the same time. Or, can you get a ticket for drinking and walking? Are you really allowed to drink a beer as you walk to the game? How will these people drive themselves home later?

It was a cultural experience for all I tell you.

The Chicago Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium are much as I remember them from my teenage years. There have been quite a few updates at the aquarium. I loved all the windows looking out at Lake Michigan. Yesterday was the prettiest day I've ever spent in Chicago. Lynne and I could have spent many more hours at the aquarium. We lucked into Jazz night at there just as it was starting. We did wonder how attendance would fare with the parking situation, but we were glad for the lack of crowds. We even had a "sweet" half hour of sitting in front of the Coral Tank pointing out the fish to each other. That is until the kids informed us that we could see the fish just as well by actually walking around the aquarium.

I wish I could say the kids were mesmerized by the exhibits and begged to stay. But as the kids dragged Lynne and me away from the otters, the dolphins, the Caribbean reef, the Egyptian tomb, and even the film on 17 year cicadas, we finally decided that at least they will remember how much their mothers enjoyed museums when they drag their own children one day. And I am sure they too will try to inspire their children with educational field trips. Looking at our family tree it's evident there's no way they can escape the "going to every museum within a 50 mile radius of any destination gene."

What they will treasure is time spent with their oldest friend and making fun of their goofy moms who are just such - well, moms.

What I treasure is this friendship that, as Lynne and I agreed this morning, has become more than friends and easier than family. No expectations - just joy to share precious time together.