Chicago - Day Three

View of the drawbridges along the Chicago River.

On the way to the Cubs game Nikos insisted we stop at Dunkin Donuts. What can I say, the kids knows quality.

We stopped for a drink at Murphy's across the street from the ballpark before the game.

Taki, Nikos and Ernie Banks - or at least his likeness. As you can see, Nikos was pretty disinterested.

Wrigley Field - second ballpark on Nikos' tour of the ballparks. Whoop whoop.


We had great seats - thanks Stub Hub! - even though it was FREEZING. Seriously, it was very cold. We gave up beer for hot chocolate in the 6th inning.

After the ballpark and a return trip on the El we headed to dinner at the Grand Luxe Cafe - the upscale version of the Cheesecake Factory. Good stuff.

I told you it was cold. This is Nikos in his fancy cold weather gear on the way home from dinner. Too bad he didn't have it at the game. Bad mother!

Well Wishes

Happy Birthday to Uncle Mike and Great Anut Sandy!! We love you guys!

Brusha Brusha Brusha

One day I'll stop with the stupid running commentary, I promise.

Catch Me If You Can

Chicago - Day Two

On Friday we planned to visit the Shedd Aquarium for Niko's first up close and personal with the fishes. Although cold, it was a nice day so we walked over to the aquarium (despite the stern warnings from a few Chicago peeps who swore to us it was too far to walk), passing a few of Chicago's many statues and sculptures.

Niko's first aquarium experience.

This is when Nikos found his favorite fish that he followed for awhile - the one with the red stripe. I may have promised him that we'd see it in Kauai next January. Whoops.

Here's a shot of a seadragon - I had never heard of them but apparently they are a distant cousin of the seahorse.

After the dolphin show.

Chicago skyline.

The building that looks like it is growing out of my head is the Sears Tower.

On the walk back to downtown to grab some dinner.

Taki continues his quest to win the designation of numero uno amateur photographer in our house.

For dinner we headed over to Gino's East, a much recommended pizza joint in Chicago. Nikos agreed that while Zachary's was good (see a previous post), this stuff was da bomb.

Nikos is BIG into clapping right now and whenever he claps I usually say "Yay!" When we were in Chicago he started clapping and then said Yay. We are calling it his first word (barring the mama and dada that he seems to use with reckless abandon when addressing us, trees and Bosco.)

The restaurant was very loud and full of excitement. The table next to us was kind enough to share their birthday balloons with Nikos when they left - he was enthralled with his first balloons.

Before we left I made sure to add our names to the wall graffiti.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped for an evening river shot.

DUNKin Donuts!

So basically this post just illustrates what a dork I am but most of you already know that. It also shows that Nikos may be developing a love affair for Dunkin Donuts - aww, just like his mom and his aunt!

Chicago - Day One

Last week Taki had a business trip to Chicago so Nikos and I, being the jetsetters that we are (to read: Taki and I trying to get Nikos amped for the looong flight to Aruba next month) decided to join him. Taki flew out on Monday and Nikos and I followed on Wednesday night. Again he was a champ on the plane, awake for the first hour or so and then asleep for the rest of the flight. Since we were on Southwest (who no longer boards families first btw) we sat down in an empty row and I pinched Nikos a few times as people walked by so he would look like quite the fussy baby. I couldn't get any real tears but I did get some squirming and groaning. I may have mentioned something like "ooh, is that a stinky diaper I smell??" - again, a fabricated concoction. And PRESTO - we got the whole row to ourselves. Hee hee! Of course, once our fellow passengers noted that he passed out for most of the flight sprawled in the middle seat they may have realized they had been duped but HA too late.

Right about now I would usually insert a sleeping-Nikos-on-the-plane picture (please see previous San Diego/Seattle/Philly posts) but I discovered that like an IDIOT I had charged the extra-special-you-can't-easily-find-in-stores camera battery and left it at home. Hello Heather - you left the battery in the charger? What a novice. Sadly, it was even worse. I brought the charger and left the battery sitting on the kitchen table. Thus, you will see no pictures until Day 1 in Chicago (which was actually Day 2 of our trip since we landed at a little before one in the morning on Thursday.)

While we waited for Taki to finish up with work Nikos and I stopped by Barnes and Noble (we had to go somewhere while our $65 replacement battery was charging at the camera shop) and picked up Good Night Chicago.

We are starting a collection of the Good Night books for the places we visit. So far we have San Diego, Seattle, Philly and Chicago. Fun!

While Nikos napped I took a few shots of the fountain next to the Art Institute of Chicago.

We met up with Taki at the Chicago branch of Method and Nikos impressed the crowd.

Lucky for us, Chicago's Greektown was mere steps from Taki's office. Opaaa!

Yes, authentic Greek beer.

Clearly, Nikos and the monkey are infatuated with me.

I apologize that I don't have a picture of the flaming Saganaki cheese that we ate - yum! - but Taki is a little slow on the uptake so he got a picture of the smoldering cheese. Blast!

Taki made fun of me for this shot but I thought it was fun. They go all out in Greektown.

After dinner we headed back over to the Art Institute of Chicago (free admission Thursday nights - wahoo!) Here I am threatening Niko that if he acts up he will only receive armor for his birthday.

Every child needs a gauntlet to play with.

Roar! Go LMU Lions.

I think Dolly Parton was playing here. Hee!

I really enjoyed the landscaped medians so I made poor Taki pose by about 20.

Stay tuned for Day Two.