Also cross-posted to the Budget Board:
Be SUPER CAREFUL re: using Hotwire, and most especially Priceline, for hotel ressies in the Mag Mile area or the Loop in Chicago. Both services only guarantee that the rooms will have space for 2 persons, and in the older hotels in Chicago, that may mean one double bed with no room for a rollaway. Generally, the higher the star rating the less likely this is to happen, but it is still risky. Personally, I won't take the chance on bidding only one room on anything less than 4.5 stars if I need to accomodate 3 or more people, or if I absolutely HAVE to have separate beds. Note that a bid for two rooms will not guarantee connecting rooms; that is up to the hotel after the fact, and they won't always have them available.
For pretty good prices without the stress of bidding, I recommend
www.hotrooms.com; they are a Chicago-only consolidator. The Convention and Visitors Bureau (choosechicago.com) also sometimes has good rates for Chicago.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR FINAL DATES, be sure to go to
http://www.choosechicago.com/smi/calendar.cfm to check on whether or not any major conventions are scheduled on your preferred dates. Generally, if there are more than 20K attendees TOTAL expected that weekend, you are going to find decently-priced hotel rooms nearly impossible to find in the Mile/Loop areas. Chicago does NOT have enough hotel rooms in these areas to meet demand on major convention weekends. If you really need to stay in the Mile/Loop area, don't buy airline tickets or tell your kids you are going until you check this; major disappointment could ensue. The suburban hotels close to the Metra lines almost never sell out completely, but getting to them can be awkward for those flying, especially if you are arriving at Midway.
She loves her Bitty Baby, too and she took her doll (they dressed alike as many of the girls there did.) We started at the Bitty Bear Matinee- they have a theatre show for girls ages 3-6- it was so cute! Then we shopped and had lunch there. Make reservations, it was packed! They put a candle in her dessert and sang Happy Birthday for no extra charge. You can do a more elaborate birthday party, but we decided not to and spend our money on shopping. They have chairs for the dolls to sit in at the table and they bring the dolls a plate and cup so the girls can feed them too. It is absolutely precious to see all those little girls and their very loved dolls. We are planning on making it a trip every year and she is already talking about turning 5 so she can go to the "Bitty Baby Store." I hope you enjoy your trip!!
The big Hershey chocolate store is also nice. Have fun! 
