We broke up into two groups.... the boys and the girls!
The girls went into Chicago first and had a special lunch at the American Girl Place. What a neat experience, I can't wait to go back in a few years when Sissi is older and can really experience and comprehend all the history behind each of the dolls. For now, they are pretty and fun to look at. I, on the other hand, am fascinated by all the "back stories" with each of the girls. Grandma Stamp gave her some money for her birthday and so we got her, and her Lee Middleton doll, a matching outfit. Super cute! I also splurged and got her two of the "mini dolls" that are part of the historical line. They've retired so many of the ones that I really like in the full size dolls, so we got Samantha and Nellie in the mini size. They're only $22 a piece (so much better than the full size dolls), and they even come with a little book inside the box too. I'm hoping I can get her Elizabeth and Felicity (also retired in full size), in the mini size for Christmas or her next birthday!
Sissi with her dolly "Lizzie Julia", at lunch (if you know Sissi's full name, her dolly's name is hilarious)
Lara and her doll
Grandma Stamp and Ruth
Sissi ordered the American Girl Picnic Lunch - a mini hotdog, mini hamburger, mini bowl of mac and cheese, and a fruit stick...with chocolate milk and an American flag!
Dessert.....cakes and chocolate mousse in a flower pot, with a flower in it!!!
Looking at all the amazing historical dolls, is it possible they have been around for 25 years, really...that would mean I was 11 or 12 when they got started...I guess I was too old for a doll then????
Ruthie at lunch with her doll, Kit
Grandma Stamp and Sissi with the dress that she got from the store for her birthday. Her doll has the same dress too....oh, and notice the flower from the dessert in her hair.
After the American Girl Place we all met up for the Architectural History Boat Tour on the river. It was super neat, and as usual, Sissi became fast friends with the tour guide, Diane! Diane told Sissi at the end of the tour that in all of her years of doing this, Sissi was someone that she would never forget!
Some of these buildings had amazing stories. I also liked the tales of the bridges. We saw 25 on our tour and there are over 50 in the city; but, there are only 2 "tender teams" - they leap frog each other to open the bridges when that is necessary. They usually only open/close 2 days a week and only in May/June and September/October...when the sailboats want to come in and out from their moorings.
Liked that there are 5 different types of architecture on the river...this building had neat Art Deco balconies
What a view!
The Jetson's building ;)
Krypto getting silly toward the end of the tour
Penny and the rest of the family on the tour
The Navy Pier...heard a neat story about how they did touch and go's here on Lake Michigan while training for WWII
The building/HQ's for the 1893 World's Fair - The Grand Columbian Exposition! It was the 400th Anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America. We heard all kinds of stories about the fire of 1871 and how the city rose up from the ashes to put on one of the most amazing World's Fairs ever.
Later that night, we split up again...the girls went home and had dinner at an excellent Mexican restaurant in Chesterton, El Salto. The boys had a blast heading over to Wrigley Field and taking in a Cubs vs. Giants game. They had the whole experience, the Chicago style hotdogs, Heileman's Old Style beer (just Jon and Indy of course), buying the old ball caps....and BIGGEST surprise of all, the Cubs WIN!!!!
What a great time, thanks again Jon and Maria, we had so much fun!!!!
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