Posted in Out Exploring
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Yesterday our family drove into Chicago. Our girls have been to Chicago several times, but like most things you do with your children before the age of ten or twelve, they didn't fully get the whole scope of the trip. How fun it was to see them examine the skyline and notice the diversity of people. We went to Chicago to take advantage of the Shedd Aquarium's free week that happens once a year.We all learned so much and had a wonderful time! The general admission was plenty for us for one day. But the best part of our trip was after the museum. We brought a picnic with us since the museum is just a walks distance to the harbor that falls between the museum complex and Navy Pier. And after almost three hours in the museum we were ready to eat it. As we passed the long line of visitors still waiting to get in we saw and hear many people admiring our picnic basket, wishing they would have thought of the same thing. Feed and rested under the Cherry trees off the harbor we discussed what else we could do. We had time, but not much money. We decided to try and find the Lincoln Park Zoo. I have heard good and bad about this free zoo, but why not find out for ourselves? Ten minutes later we were there! It was just a few miles up Lake Shore Drive. Since we have done numerous zoos, we thought it would be fun to go through the zoo without the zoo map. That was a blast! Every corner was something new, and we were all surprised. We really enjoyed that zoo. It was the best FREE zoo we had been too. (The worst? Washington D.C.) Upon leaving, we checked the map for anything we would have missed. We did pretty good. www.sheddaquarium.org www.lpzoo.com  Trip Tip: It's been my experience that bringing a small 'lunch' portion in a container is always the way to go any time you think you'll be out for the day. Don't fuss with it too much. A large variety of items instead of quantity works well for our family. (The kids appreciate 'picking' their own picnic) Bring items that could last the day and go back in the fridge once the trip is over. (granola bars, apples, ect.) That way, you don't feel obligated to eat it. You are still free to decide on a whim and the weather what you want to do. Or if you get stuck in traffic or a car incident happens, the kids can have a snack. |
Posted in Out Exploring
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It was a spur of the moment, great road trip weather, nothing in our schedule kind of morning yesterday. So my husband woke up our youngest, and announced to our oldest "Road trip!". Two words that evoke smiles on our children every time. Everyone raced around the house to get set for the day and ready to, especially since we don't know where. (Okay, the children don't know. But it is inevitable that at some point we will vear to somewhere even we didn't plan on going.) On our way out to the van I look and each of my girls has a backpack with them. I have to laugh a little out loud. How far do they want to go today? In an hour and a half we were at the Henry Vilas Madison Zoo. We had heard they were doing some new exhibits there and we hadn't been in a couple of years. (It's also free and complete with beach and picnic areas - www.vilaszoo.org ) We toured the buildings we had seen on previous trips. Then we saw they added a tropical aviary building where you can walk right through among all the birds, and an endangered species carousel. Of course we did both. But what was really different this trip was that I didn't get into teacher mode. I just enjoyed the experience with my family. Our road trip didn't take us too much farther. We debated at a chinese buffet stop whether to go see the Kincade exhibit in the mall or catch a movie at a cinema up there, but in the end we were too relaxed and took the scenic route home. Upon which we discovered a great state park we will have to stop at some time soon, perhaps on our next road trip.
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