Chicago, Illinois day 3

The older girl wanted to go to school and the younger girl wanted to hang out in the city.  So we woke up early and headed to Indiana to drop off the old girl.  The bright note was we were going to visit another state . . .

. . . for about 45 minutes to be exact.  Hey, it still counts!  We jumped back in the car and headed back into the heart of Chicago . . . and then it started snowing!  Our friend had a doctor's appointment so we hung out in the car in the parking garage . . . I know sounds exciting!  Colin would get out from time to time and play in the snow . . .

It was past lunch time so we headed for a birthday lunch with our friend for yummy Thai food at Star of Siam.  We were dreading trying to find a parking spot and then I noticed they do Valet Parking at the restaurant for only $6; best six bucks ever spent.  It was cold out and super windy too.  The food was yummy but the company even better.  As our friends were heading out of town, they dropped us off at Shedd Aquarium.  It was only open for a few more hours so we just did the short tour . . . read that as the cheap ticket!  I was shocked that there were some tickets/packages for close to $50.  Oh and it was free today for residents of Illinois so it was packed.  I always get annoyed when places make you take the photo before you enter . . .

. . . it was a good photo but no way was I paying $17 for it.  Off we went to explore all the fun exhibits.  Colin loved watching this turtle . . .

. . . but not so much this guy.

According to the sign this electric eel can produce 600 volts.  That is enough to stun a human or kill a fish!  But eels mostly emit small radar-like pulses that help them navigate in murky water and communicate with other electric eels.  He wasn't so sure about sitting down to take a photo as if the eel would get him.  I loved all the brightly colored fish but especially this seahorse . . .

As we were nearing the end of our visit, we encountered this kid . . .

I had seen him talking to other families but next thing I knew he had latched on to us.  He talked and laughed and followed us and then was gone.  I watched where he went and he sort of just roamed around on his own.  I wondered if he was there alone or with someone, but we went on our merry way.  As we left the aquarium it was getting dark and super cold . . .

 . . . just another cold day in the city.  Colin managed to make one snow ball . . .

. . . and then pegged me in the middle of my back.  Ouch!  It was not so good feeling since it was mainly ice, but it made him happy so I just shrugged it off.  When we arrived there were tons of taxis and of course now there are NONE to be found.  We waited and did not see one single taxi so we walked over to the Field Museum . . . again they would pull up and felt bad for jumping in front of a family with a small kid so stepped back but told Colin the next one was OURS!  We finally waved one down and was happy to be back on our way to our warm hotel.  We went upstairs to change into our swimsuits to go relax in the pool and jacuzzi.  There were only 3 people there which was much nicer than last night.  I was too comfortable to go back outside so ordered a pizza from room service; it is special treat for Colin and I cringed as I signed the bill.  He also opened the fortune cookies from lunch . . .

. . . what an awesome fortune after a great visit with dear friends!  I fumbled around with our suitcases trying to get it all back in there . . . we both had our winter coats packed when we arrived and now they are out and still not all going back in there.  Tomorrow is going to be epic or an epic failure . . . stay tuned!