July 2019, Illinois, Day 12

This hotel obstacle course occurred right after the reenactment of "Ten Dual Commandments" from Hamilton betwixt Mae and Thomas with the dueling cap guns Thomas procured at Wall Drug

This was at precisely the same moment Mr. Bullington had to bail on today’s festivities because of the whole work thing. I loaded the kids into an Uber and, I’m not kidding, the driver dude changed the radio station to a “new” country station. I DO NOT KNOW ANY NEW COUNTRY SONGS! (Now, if he’d played some Dolly, I’d have been a happy camper). I know he was just trying to be sweet and I still gave him 5 stars. But, don’t you judge me, Samuel!

We started our day in the lovely Shedd aquarium. I know, we have the Largest Aquarium in the World in our backyard, but the children wanted to see the Shedd Aquarium and I said yes.  WOW! Not only is it housed in a cool old building, but it has an amazing collection of sea creatures with lots of diversity.  And, the best part was that one of the mama Belugas just had a wee little baby! Cuteness overload!

Touching slimy things

Highlight of the day was watching Thomas in a Virtual Reality situation exclaiming with defeat, "awwww" when he attempted, but couldn't actually touch the whales.

Oooh! Pick me!

Poor Shedd Aquarium docent succumbing to defeat after being peppered with Thomas' shark questions for 10 minutes.

Next stop, The Field Museum! This is a super sweet spot for some taxidermic treasures.

Boots with the fur.

LYLAS, Shelly O.

It's Prey-Day!

Falcon, your deep tissue massages are THE WORST!
Love, Squirrel

Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout Willis?

Hey, Sue!

Who wants to rub my feet?
Love, Meemaw

These Elephants were the Field Museum's first specimens from 1906! Looking good, fellas!

We headed back to the hotel to gather up Mr. Bullington for our trip up the Willis Tower. The highest observation deck in the U.S.!

We passed the "Married with Children" fountain on the way.

MOVE!

Al Bundy thanks you

We insisted that we walk to the Willis Tower from our hotel so that the parents Bullington would not have to deal with an excess of tomfoolery and unspent energy in our close quarters tonight.

The first rule of Flight Club, Nobody talks about Flight Club.

I am only one Oprah Winfreys tall...

Hey kids, Should I get a Chicago fanny pack?

Energy, get thee behind me!

Every. pole. Surely there is an award for parenting this?!?!

This sweet couple, he was a Chicago Fireman and she was a Chicago Police officer, insisted that we take our picture on this sculpture. "OKAY!" We said, Obviously.