The World of Tess & Nora!: Thanksgiving travels

We just got back from our big trip to Chicago! Tess was very excited about going on our trip, staying in a hotel, going to the aquarium, and most of all, seeing Papa Art, Grandma and Uncle Mark. Dad had to introduce Tess to a thing called a calendar so we could count down the days until we saw them. I'm pretty sure that it didn't help cut down on the number of times she asked whether it was time to see them or not, but at least she learned how to find the calendar function on the Blackberry.

We went downtown a few days early (before meeting up with family for Thanksgiving in the 'burbs) to shop, take in the sights, ~~relax~~ and have fun.

We arrived pretty late at night and had a cheese and
cracker party since we were all starving.

The next day, we went to Shedd Aquarium! Tess loved it.

On our walk to the aquarium... when we were still happy.

Note to self: Never walk it again. At least not in 30° weather. Never.

Finally. We made it. Rejoice.

Tess was obviously bundled up pretty good in the stroller seeing that she still had a smile left once we arrived. The rest of us, not so much.

A Weedy Seadragon. Very cool.

We had tickets to the whale and dolphin show. Nora was psyched.

We passed by this little wooden boat (sitting in the middle of carpet along with a camping display) earlier in the day and Tess wouldn't agree to sit in it for a photo op. Later, we saw it again and she sat in it for two seconds for this picture. We never talked about it again. At least not until later that night, when we were all in bed and I asked her what her favorite part of the WHOLE day was. She said, "the little red row boat." Um, what?

Here we are at what must be the most beautiful bus stop in all the land. But did we end up taking the bus? NO. We waited patiently. For about 6 minutes. And the we hailed a cab.

Tess in her first "taski"

Nora too. Notice that she was a little skeptical about
going carseat-less. Her daddy's girl.

Fun at the aquarium was had by all.

Then we hit the pool!

The next day, we hit State Street for some shopping. We had lunch at the big Macy's store. We were lucky to snag a window seat. We had a great view of State Street and a ballet class (with real ballerinas) at the ballet school across the street. The first thing out of Tess' mouth: "Mom, there are ballerina boys?"

Tess' Christmas List. At that moment, at least.

Mailing it to Santa (at Macy's).

Nora in the hotel lobby.

Tess in the hotel lobby.

A good shot of the Palmer House lobby.

Tess getting her nails painted for the first time at the salon. Such fun!

The next morning was Thanksgiving! We completely lucked out given that the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade was right outside our hotel, even our hotel window (except we were a little high to really get a good view). We braved the cold temps and caught most of the parade! Pretty cool.

Gobble gobble.

Snug as a bug.

Captain Jack posed just for me. Really.

Tess' favorite part. And she just saw me post this and said, "Oh, the girls with the color dresses! That's what I loved. How pretty are they?"

All dolled up to go meet Papa Art, Grandma and the rest of the

family for Thanksgiving dinner. FINALLY!

The end of a long, fun Thanksgiving day.

The next morning, we went for breakfast at Aunt Sally and Uncle Michael's house. Here is Tess and her new buddy, Samantha. Although I'm pretty sure, the affection only goes one-way. Samantha is 19 and was probably just thrilled to meet Tess.