We had been having great, sunny, 60 degree weather but the weather forecast for the day was not nearly as nice. But we only had a short walk from the Museum Campus train stop to the Shedd. Or so we thought. We started our walk and ran straight into winds screaming off the Lake carrying snow and rain. All we could do was laugh and walk/run to the Shedd. We arrived at the Shedd soaked and cold but happy to be inside.We had a great time checking out the exhibits and were able to see a Sea Lion, Beluga Whales, jellyfish, Pacific white-sided Dolphins, sharks, and the coolest Sea Dragons (located next to the Sea Horses and they look just like leafy sticks floating in the water). By the time we had had enough, it was 2 and time for lunch.
We had to forgo our original plan of walking the short distance to the Lou Malnati's and instead hopped a cab (best $9 we had spent all day). The kids were all great at Lou's and the service was outstanding and pizza (and salad) were even better. Lou's isn't as well known as the Gino's or Uno's or Giordano's, but we're convinced we found a little hidden gem in the city.
After pizza and birthday desserts, we again opted for the cab ride and went to the train station. A short wait later, made even shorter by the broken snow globe's return and exchange and near-miss of the train (We had to board the train at the last car and walk our way through the inside of the train to one of the first two cars. Imagine 3 young kids and a 2-year-old in arms and a 1-year-old in a stroller making their way through those big heavy multi-doors as the train is moving. I'm sure we were quite a sight).
The ride home involved a couple sleepers and a couple birthday girls making the most of their final hour together. It was a wonderful day and a great way to celebrate the births of our spring babies.******************************************************************
On Wednesday, Eleanor's actual birthday, she chose to have noodles for dinner and strawberry cake with butter cream frosting. Her initial frosting choice was cherry and I quickly talked her out of that. Dinner was wonderful and Matt's parents were able to join us for the little celebration.
