Having a full-time job really puts a cramp on those halcyon days of summer. I really love my job, but I do wish I had more PTO, especially to use in the summer. Still, I managed to squeeze in a few here and there and today was one of those days! I have a long list of Chicago To Do's and I wanted to check some things off of it rather than visit one of our regular haunts.
Before even leaving the house, Brent and Liesel made sure we would be well hydrated for the day.
The first stop was the Chicago History Museum. We parked just a couple of blocks away and found this lovely fountain just outside.
Perfect for some individual photos:
I found this exhibit about the Great Chicago Fire absolutely fascinating. To this day, no one knows exactly how the fire started in Mrs O'Leary's barn!
Houses were made of wood and closely built together. An extremely dry year along with high winds and that was it, the city went up in flames.
This is how they alerted officials there was a fire! A trusted citizen had a key and they would send a telegraph to the courthouse. The number of the alarm box would go to the bell operator in the cupola who would then ring the bell the number of times of the alarm box. So if alarm box 26 sent in the code, the bell would be run 26 times and that's how the firefighters in the area knew where to go. They'd also look for smoke to guide them.
Here's an actual alarm box from the year 1871.
People had to decide if they wanted to try and carry their things, bury them to try and dig up after the fire or just leave them. Check out these incredible keys! They also had actual items that burned like a stack of coins that had just melted due to the intense heat. Some went into the river or Lake Michigan to escape it!
I took so long reading and watching all the videos that when I came out, I found the girls playing a game. They each picked a person and tried to rebuild their lives as they went around the board. If someone needed sewing work done and they had sewing machine and 4 daughters they would do better than say someone who didn't sew and had only 1 son.
Ireland was pretty loaded by the end! But she was born into a rich family with sons.
An exhibit on sports in Chicago featured some of Scotty Pippin's stuff. I sent this pic to Brent which led to a discussion of athletes who are really great with fans and those who are not.
I found this one so charming- the Bes Ben store would have a clearance of hat and they'd throw them into the crowd. Whoever caught one could buy it for a deeply discounted price. You could get a $475 hat for just $5. Once they held it at 2:15 in the morning just to see if people would still come- and they did!
When Liesel was little, she loved learning about Abraham Lincoln, especially his assassination. On a trip to visit Reagan in DC we went to Ford's Theater where she chatted with a tour guide. We went across the street to the home he died in and they noted the actual bed he died in was not there- it was in Chicago! Well she finally saw the actual bed Lincoln died in. And it was small!
After watching a cute movie about Chicago's history in the theater, we thought we were done and headed out. I took some individuals of the girls by the Chicago flag made of balloons.
Off to the side I noticed just one more exhibit and I wanted to check it out. The girls could put together their own Chicago style hot dog.
Don't forget the celery salt!
Various smells of Chicago. The stockyards were pretty disgusting (see Gita's reaction!). The chocolate pretty lovely.
OK, now we headed out and walking along the back of the building found a garden. This piece of fused metal is from the Great Chicago Fire- it was part of a hardware store.
We headed to lunch at Ed Debevic's which has a lovely diner feel to it.
Our waiter was named Garbage Can and when he threw straws at the girls instead of politely placing them on the table, I knew we were in for some fun. He set a tray of waters down and we weren't sure if they were for us or not so I timidly said, "Uhm Garbage?" "It's WATER! Do you not know how water works?" Everyone turned to look at us. I think he knew we were teasable because he gave a lot of attitude. I gave him a good tip.
He yelled at Gita for not knowing the difference between a shake and a malt.
"You don't know what a malt is!"
He wasn't always sarcastic. Liesel asked if anyone told him he looks like Jack Black and in all seriousness he said, "Yeah, actually I get that a lot."
My order came last. He brought out everyone else's and then just walked away. When I signaled for him, he yelled across the restaurant, "I only have TWO hands! Give me a minute!" I ordered the 6 way chili and it was delicious!
Honestly? Summers are long and it was rather nice to have someone yell at my kids for me for a change.
There was a Sephora just across the street and the girls reminded me I had yet to make good on my promise to get them one thing if they did the Wolf Tail slide at Great Wolf Lodge. We stopped in and I dropped a load but everyone was happy and excited to try out their latest beauty purchase.
Before heading home, I wanted to peak into the Chicago Public library. I'd read there is a massive 52 foot, glass-domed winter garden on the top floor and I wanted to check it out. The girls were getting tired and I told them they could stay in the car- I really wanted to see it. Oh my, this library is something special!
The winter garden is absolutely stunning! I had no idea this existed in the heart of Chicago- FOR FREE!
It was such a peaceful place. Quiet like a library should be but serene too.
Why not have live trees growing in there? They definitely have the space!
We used the restroom and ran into a group of girls getting ready for Lollapalooza. A few floors down, we found a display of books that have been banned elsewhere. Illinois passed a law that book banning is illegal. The girls were surprised to each find a book they love that has been banned somewhere else.
I thought this was a pretty cool ceiling fixture. Then I realized those are all dog tags! Oh my gosh, it was just incredible to look at from all angles.
I had to stop by the children's section. When the girls were little, we regularly went to the library and this was more than a little nostalgic.
Sydney with her braces is life imitating art.
Gita was determined to get this arch together by herself.
Even the older girls didn't mind sitting down to read a book for a moment.
And can we talk about that spectacular window?
We really enjoyed having this day to explore parts of the city we haven't visited before.
Love this quote!
Had to toss in a few coins before saying goodbye.
I love where I live!
