FRIENDS, PHOTOGRAPHS, and Birthday FUN! 3/3 30 Day Photo Challenge Day 21

[-Hope-]

I had intended to update about our Chicago trip but I keep getting sidetracked. My niece got married over the weekend and I was her photographer. I've been diligently sorting and editing photos ever since so I just haven't had time for much else. I'm not sure how they'd feel about me plastering them all over the place (though I've already plastered them on FB and my blog, lol) so here's a fave of mine that doesn't show their faces.

 

[-Hope-]

Whew, we have been crazy busy lately and I just haven't had time to update. I honestly don't really have time right now as I should be setting up my home office but I'm tired and would rather dis... so, on to day 2!

We had checked online the night before and the website stated that the American Girl store opened at 10 AM. This gave us time to sleep in a bit and still have time to stroll down Michigan Ave. on our way to the store. We left the hotel at about 8:45 (the concierge told us it would take about 20 minutes to walk without stopping so an hour with window shopping seemed reasonable) but we had not factored in the heat! It was already HOT and most of the stores weren't open. The kids kept begging to catch a bus or get a cab but my mom was insistent that she wanted to do some shopping.

I was really irritated because this wasn't just a matter of the kids being bored- they were horribly uncomfortable and none of the stores were even open! It seemed almost everything opened at 10 so we couldn't even pop into stores along the way to cool off! At one point Jace was being really insistent that we get a cab and I had to pull him aside and calmly explain that this was Grandma's vacation too and he didn't have to like it but he had to be more courteous. But on the inside I was seething. I try to strike a real balance in vacation planning so that everyone has a good time but I don't think it's EVER okay for one person's good time to cause someone else's outright misery. Being a good sport and doing something that isn't necessarily your thing is one thing- being pushed to the point of physical exhaustion is quite another. And most infuriating, this would not be the only time this was an issue... but I'll get to that in another post.

Eventually we wandered into a purse/luggage store that was well air conditioned AND my mom was able to find something she wanted to buy. With her purchase from the Magnificent Mile secured she was finally willing to get a cab and we proceeded to American Girl Place.

All the drama was soon forgotten as we stepped into this FANTASTIC store. I really don't have a lot of pictures from the beginning because I was trying to enjoy the moment with Kya and the camera sometimes interferes with that. So, I'll just have to use my words to try to describe it.

When you walk in the door you are greeted with an amazing display of dolls in a variety of outfits. All around the center display the girls each have their own designated area where they are displayed in each of their outfits and with all of their accessories. There's also a life size display of what their room might look like. Here is Kya with Kit in front of Kit's room. I had my lens that handles indoor light on though and it doesn't have a wide angle so you can't see much of the actual room, lol.

It had a desk, with Kit's sweater hanging on the back and her typewriter set up. There were tons of little extras from both the time period and the American Girl collection. It was really cool! We walked around for a while looking at all of the girls displays.

Toward the back of the store was the escalator to take us up to the second floor. The first floor was full of the historical dolls but the second floor was the Just Like Me customizable girls and the Girl of the Year. The Just Like Me girls were awesome- you could choose eye color, hair color and length, skin tone, freckles and an assortment of accessories including glasses, wheelchairs, sports equipment and so much more! But the real reason we were here was the Girl of the Year, Kanani.

Kya had been saving her money for a long time and had decided she was going to buy Kanani and a matching outfit for the two of them. She quickly found her and the outfits and was ready to check out!

When we were standing in line I had a magical, teary eyed moment that was extremely similar to the moment I had last year when Kya saw Cinderella's castle for the first time. I was absolutely overcome with the realization that I was watching an actual dream of hers come true. THAT is something to hold onto. I had more to say about it and, if you're interested, you can read about it on my blog.

After she made her purchases we made our way to American Girl Avenue so she could take her new doll to the salon and get her ears pierced. We dropped her off and then had a look around. This place was so cute! It was like a little street with wooden benches, lamp posts and even 'windows' with awnings and flower baskets on the store fronts...

Kya looked around for a bit and my mom took Jace over to the Lego display that was next door (where he got to work on a Lego picture that will hang in the new store!)

With everyone occupied for a moment I finally had time to focus on taking a few pictures. The bakery/candy shop had the best photo op display!

Finally our shopping was winding down and it was time for our lunch reservation...

STAY TUNED!!

 

[Parla]

Ah, memories. I've loved our trips to AG. I hope you got to eat in the restaurant. I especially liked the bathroom with the little holder for your doll net to the toilet.

So it looks like there's going to be a Lego Store right there? They are really expanding!

 

[DrMomof3]

Having traveled with my parents and my MIL, I totally know what you mean about one person causing everyone else's misery. Fortunately as a family of 5, we can usually overcome the misery-inducing person.

That's awesome that Kya was able to fulfill her dream. I love when kids save up for something or work hard at something and see the fruits of their labors. It's such an amazing life lesson!!!

Thanks for the info about the Rainforest Cafe $.99 kid meals. I printed out a bunch of them for our upcoming trip. Since we'll likely eat at both Rainforest and T-Rex, I should be able to use them twice.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Ah, memories. I've loved our trips to AG. I hope you got to eat in the restaurant. I especially liked the bathroom with the little holder for your doll net to the toilet.

Yes, we ate in the restaurant- it was great and I hope to post about it soon! I didn't actually use the restroom but Kya was cracking up at the seat for the doll.

So it looks like there's going to be a Lego Store right there? They are really expanding!

Yes, on the third floor, above the Disney store (which I didn't have time to go to).

Having traveled with my parents and my MIL, I totally know what you mean about one person causing everyone else's misery. Fortunately as a family of 5, we can usually overcome the misery-inducing person.

We've been to the beach with my parents and it was really great. I think I just learned that more structured trips where we're trying to fit lots of things in are not so great with her. It was like having another kid!

That's awesome that Kya was able to fulfill her dream. I love when kids save up for something or work hard at something and see the fruits of their labors. It's such an amazing life lesson!!!

She was so excited! She's saved up and bought an AG before but actually being in the store was an entirely new experience.

Thanks for the info about the Rainforest Cafe $.99 kid meals. I printed out a bunch of them for our upcoming trip. Since we'll likely eat at both Rainforest and T-Rex, I should be able to use them twice.

Amanda

I hadn't thought about using the coupons at T-Rex. You'll have to be sure to post if that works out because we're going to T-Rex during our Dec. trip to KC.

 

[-Hope-]

I left off just as we were finishing up our grand shopping adventure at American Girl Place and were about to head to our lunch reservation at the American Girl Cafe!

The restaurant was sleek, stylish and just beautiful! Kya was so excited as we walked in and she was asked how many dolls she had dining with us so they could get a chair for them...

She was a bit disappointed that we'd had to leave Kanani at the salon during lunch but we knew we wouldn't have time to wait to get her ears pierced after lunch so we really had no choice. But at least she had Kit with her as well. We didn't need them but I thought I'd mention that they also have a lot of extra dolls that you can borrow if you don't have one with you.

We made our way to our table, which was set beautifully!

The napkin rings are actually hairties that Kya got to keep. She has plans to give the extras to her friends along with some flowers we got but she keeps forgetting to take them when she sees them.

We knew in advance that this would be a four course meal, we would have our choice of drink and entree but the other courses are uniform for all patrons.

As we were looking over our menus our waitress came and brought our starter course...

as well as a box of conversation starters for the table...

She took our drink orders... and yes ladies, they have wine at AGC... while we looked over the menu. When she returned with our drinks and to take our order she also brought the next course...

Those pretzel bites are filled with real cheese (not the gooey stuff you usually find in pretzels) and were soooo good!

Next up were our entrees. The kids both opted for pizza...

My mom got a chicken sandwich with salad which she said was very good...

And I got a DELICIOUS cranberry quiche with side salad...

We were already pretty full at this point and weren't sure about dessert but when it arrived it just looked so good that we all had to try some!

The flowerpot was filled with chocolate mousse, sprinkled with oreos. YUM! No one actually finished their desert and we took the cookies with us but we all enjoyed sampling!

Jace was the only boy we saw there- there were a few dads but no other brothers. I thought it was really sweet of him to do this for his sister. My mom had offered, before I made the reservation, to take him somewhere else but he wanted to come with us. When the waitress remarked what a great sport he was to do that for his sister he told her that he'd actually had a lot of fun!

I also just have to mention that the service we got was EXCELLENT, better than we got at any other meal in Chicago and really, rivaling Disney. (Yes, that's how I judge all of my waitpersons now.) After she chatted with the kids for a bit she offered to take our picture- the ONLY picture I have of myself on the entire trip!

Up next... more Michigan Ave. shopping and more drama!

 

[DrMomof3]

Now I'm dying to take Jessica to AG cafe! That looks amazing!!!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Now I'm dying to take Jessica to AG cafe! That looks amazing!!!

Amanda

It really was Amanda! Kya wants to take a girls only weekend for her next birthday and go back!

I'm fairly certain there's and AGC in New York.

 

[DrMomof3]

It really was Amanda! Kya wants to take a girls only weekend for her next birthday and go back!

I'm fairly certain there's and AGC in New York.

Yes indeed! We went to the AG store in NYC a few weekends ago. Jessica got a zebra print dress for herself and her doll (she has a Rebecca doll because "Rebecca's Jewish and so am I!" - so self-aware for age 5!). We didn't check out the Cafe because it was a spontaneous train ride into the City and we hadn't really made plans. Maybe for her birthday I'll arrange a mommy/daughter lunch at AGC. Especially after seeing your pictures, it looks totally worth it!!!

Amanda

 

[Parla]

That was sweet of Jace to want to go there. The only reason my son was envious when he went to Lego Discovery Center instead was because he knew we were eating in the restaurant. The boys went through a McDonald's drive-thru and my kids love sitting down and eating in restaurants.

I still have my flower from Molly's dirt cup dessert. I keep in stuck in the vent in my van. However it's been so hot lately it keeps flying out at me when I crank up the air.

 

[-Hope-]

That was sweet of Jace to want to go there. The only reason my son was envious when he went to Lego Discovery Center instead was because he knew we were eating in the restaurant. The boys went through a McDonald's drive-thru and my kids love sitting down and eating in restaurants.

I still have my flower from Molly's dirt cup dessert. I keep in stuck in the vent in my van. However it's been so hot lately it keeps flying out at me when I crank up the air.

I was surprised he wanted to go- but really glad he did.

Kya has all of our flowers (and all of our napkin ring/hairties) to give to her friends, she just hasn't gotten around to it yet.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Great TR so far! Loving that you explored Chicago. Very cool. That's where my family is from.

Confession: my 7 year old has a bitty baby but not an AG doll. Is it too late to get her one? Am I pushing it? Did I miss the boat? We are close to NYC so I would love to take her to the store - I went in and bought her Bitty Baby there!

 

[Parla]

Great TR so far! Loving that you explored Chicago. Very cool. That's where my family is from.

Confession: my 7 year old has a bitty baby but not an AG doll. Is it too late to get her one? Am I pushing it? Did I miss the boat? We are close to NYC so I would love to take her to the store - I went in and bought her Bitty Baby there!

Of course not! I think the recommended age in the catalog is actually 8. My niece still loved her dolls when she was 12.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Great TR so far! Loving that you explored Chicago. Very cool. That's where my family is from.

Confession: my 7 year old has a bitty baby but not an AG doll. Is it too late to get her one? Am I pushing it? Did I miss the boat? We are close to NYC so I would love to take her to the store - I went in and bought her Bitty Baby there!

Liz, Savannah got her first AG doll at 7 when my niece gave her her old doll and she was hooked! She got two more at 9 and still uses them and she is turning 11 this year!

 

[-Hope-]

Great TR so far! Loving that you explored Chicago. Very cool. That's where my family is from.

Confession: my 7 year old has a bitty baby but not an AG doll. Is it too late to get her one? Am I pushing it? Did I miss the boat? We are close to NYC so I would love to take her to the store - I went in and bought her Bitty Baby there!

No, it's not too late at all! Kya is 11 and is saving up for another doll right now! She loves them.

We have a friend who still has her dolls from childhood and continues to buy more and has them on display in her living room. Kya says this is proof that she'll *never* be too old for AG dolls.

 

[-Hope-]

When we left American Girl we decided to walk down Michigan Avenue a bit and hit a few stores now that they were all open. My mom had been talking and talking about a store that a friend told her about that was supposed to be three floors of clearance items. We were walking and spotted a store with basement in the name (Debbie's Basement, maybe??) and figured this must be it. It was basically like any department store and the prices weren't that cheap but that didn't prevent my mom from taking her sweet time.

I was fine to pop in, have a look around and see if we found anything but she just kept looking, and looking, and looking. We were still supposed to be going to Legoland Discovery Center in the afternoon, the kids were completely bored and still she was looking at clothes... for nearly 45 minutes and didn't even buy anything! I was still holding my tongue, reminding myself that this was her vacation too... but really, 45 minutes in a single store when you're traveling with kids? I know we were spending a lot of time doing the things the kids wanted but they were also fun and interesting for us- we weren't just sitting around, completely bored waiting for them but she seemed to be okay with everyone else being bored while she shopped. When I finally told her we were going to wait for her outside she got the hint and wrapped it up.

We had spent so much time in there that the kids were antsy and leery of any more shopping so we decided to just catch a cab back to our hotel (it was close enough that a cab ride would cost about the same as bus fare for four people). But before we had the chance we spotted... The Hershey Store!

We had to pop in and look around- it SMELLED amazing in there! It wasn't a big store so it didn't take long... we looked around for a bit and then were on our way. We hopped in a cab back to the hotel so Kya could drop off her bags and change out of her dress and into shorts.

We headed outside to grab a cab. It was too funny because Kya just walked up to the curb and raised her arm like she'd been hailing cabs her whole life. Jace on the other hand was still waving his arms like a mad air traffic controller. We immediately got a cab (they were always plentiful, perhaps because we were on Michigan Ave.) but the driver had no idea where Legoland Discovery Center was- and I'd forgotten the address in the room. We let him go, went to get the address and hailed another cab (with less arm waving this time, lol). When we told the driver the address he told us this would be at least a $70 cab ride!! I knew it would be more because it wasn't in the city proper but had no idea that this was actually the LAST suburb outside Chicago. We hopped out of the cab to regroup.

My mom said a few things and had body language that more or less implied that we'd just skip Legoland because it was too expensive to get there. Jace had a really worried look on his face until I reassured him that if a $70 cab ride was the only way to get there then that's what we would do. This was the thing he'd been looking forward to more than anything- something he'd wanted to do for YEARS and I wasn't about to skip it. I went inside and talked to the front desk about how we could get there via public transit and asked about how long it would take.

We got directions and would still be arriving about 4 hours before closing. I told Jace that if he wanted to wait until the next day so he'd have more time we could go to Navy Pier right then and wait one more day for Legoland. He had his heart set on Legoland even if it was a shorter visit so we headed to the nearest eL station. We took the eL to the last station and then hopped a cab to Legoland!

OMG- I have to take a minute to tell you guys about our cab ride! Our cab driver was HILARIOUS! He was standing outside the eL station waving and dancing to attract customers and was just so generally happy that we couldn't resist him! When we told him our destination he cheered and instigated a "wave" right there in his van! He had pop music turned up loud and was dancing while he was driving, encouraging us to "raise our hands in the air". He was a hoot!

He also asked us if we'd been to American Girl and said they loved taking their granddaughter there. He asked Kya which girl she bought, about lunch, etc. Then he said that their favorite girl is... Kaya!! (Pronounced the same as Kya, both rhyme with Maya, as in the Mayans). He absolutely FLIPPED when he learned her name was Kya and CALLED HIS WIFE to tell her! He had her on speaker and had Kya tell him her name and SHE flipped, going on and on about what a beautiful name it is. Kya was EATING this up! It may have been schtick, I don't know, but it worked- he got a very generous tip.

Up next... Legoland Discovery Center- FINALLY!!

 

[DrMomof3]

You are very patient Hope! I think I would have told my mom to meet us back at the hotel and taken the kids on their way.
What fun that you had such a great cab driver. It makes such a difference and I know you'll never forget him!!!

Amanda

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Your day at American Girl sounds wonderful. It showed that Kya was really enjoying herself Jace was such a trooper, going to the cafe! It's nice that he had a good time too. An American Girl store and bistro just opened in our area and True has been asking to go - but I don't think that she knows there's a bistro there. Now that I've seen your pictures, I really want to take her to get her first American Girl doll!

The way you described the kids hailing the cab was too funny! The cab driver sounded like a riot! Those unexpected moments just make a trip that much more enjoyable I can't wait to hear about LegoLand!

 

[-Hope-]

Well, after all of the transportation and shopping related drama we finally made it to the Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg.

I can't remember exactly what time we arrived but it was around 3:30 I think. the place closed at 7 and I was worried we wouldn't have enough time but it worked out fine. The place is very cool but not huge so 3 1/2 hours with my crew was perfect. We saw absolutely everything in the place, some more than once, and still had plenty of time to grab a snack and for Jace to look around the gift shop to his heart's desire.

When we entered the first thing we saw was the Lego model of Chicago...

Which led into the Lego Jungle...

The detail in the jungle was amazing! One of the workers told us that the tiger cost $50,000 to build!! No wonder it was so cool.

After the jungle there was a room with some celebrities, including the president...

In various places throughout the day we saw Batman, Albert Einstein, Indiana Jones, Santa Claus and Mr. Krabs. But Jace's favorite was...

Of course there were areas set up to play and build with Legos...

And we also rode a small, ride through dragon ride (think Pooh or PotC style) that had lots of cool builds- pirates, dragons, treasure, villagers, etc. all built from Legos. It was dark though so I didn't get good pics.

After the ride we made our way upstairs to see the rest. Earlier in the morning Jace had worked on a picture for the new Lego store and now we could see what those types of pictures looked like when they were completed. At this location that had Lego versions of Starry Night and The Scream...

We made our way to the Lego factory where a tour was about to begin. This was really just a small room with a condensed version of how Legos are made but the kids, especially Jace loved it! He knew the answer to every question the tour guide asked (including the type of plastic used to make legos) and his questions stumped the guide!

After the factory tour we went to the 4D movie theater. My mom was confused to what 4D was but we, of course, knew what to expect. The movies were cute but the 3D wasn't as good as Disney and the 4D effects seemed kind of laughable compared to Philharmagic and Muppet Vision. Yes, it always come back to Disney doesn't it. It was cute though and the kids enjoyed it.

After the movie we had a little bit of time to kill before the workshop we'd signed up for started so we headed to the snack area. No pics of the food- we just shared nachos and soda. There were also some fun things for the kids to do in the area including Lego building areas, typical fast food indoor jungle gyms and a fun little ride that the kids enjoyed...

After our snack it was time for the workshop so we headed that way (this place is not large and everything is close together). Everyone was given a set of Legos and found a place to sit in the room. The instructor was up front and there was a camera on her hands with the video projected behind her so everyone could see what she was doing.

The project was simple but fun- they made a working top that looked like a hamburger. After the workshop (which was free) the kids had the choice to buy their top for $5. The decided not to buy it but were glad they'd done the workshop anyway as it had been fun.

And finally it was on to the gift shop. It was really small and they didn't have the set Jace had really wanted but no worries... he still found a few things.

The guy who checked us out gave us directions to the bus stop so we could save cab fare back to eL station (the ride there had NOT been cheap). While we waited Jace showed off his haul...

The ride back was pretty quiet. A bus and two eL trains later and we were starved. We'd noticed a McDonald's near the eL station earlier so we decided that we'd just grab something there before heading back to the hotel. It was a little scary! There was a police officer on duty inside and he had to unlock the bathroom for us to use, one at a time. We ate quickly and walked back to our hotel!

Once we were settled in for the night Jace immediately started putting his Legos together and Kya was finally able to play with her new AG doll. She changed both of them into their matching pjs and we all were happy to just relax after such a long day!

Up next... The Field Museum!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

You packed a lot into one day! LegoLand looked really cool and I'm glad to see Jace had such a good time