Shedd Aquarium

Cliff is off enjoying concerts, presentations and connecting with colleagues at the annual Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic here in Chicago, and the kids and I have tagged along to play!  The kids were so excited to check in to the Embassy Suites yesterday; our suite has a living room and bedroom.  This was VERY exciting to two young kids.  After a quiet evening in the hotel last night (after 2 long days on the road), today we headed out for fun.  The kids had their very first taxi ride, and the destination for fun was Shedd Aquarium.  It was so great to be there on a quiet weekday where we could enjoy the whole place without fighting crowds.

Ready to explore!!

We got to enjoy the whole place, starting with back-to-back shows, the Ice Age 4D movie experience and the aquatics show.  It was great watching the dolphins and beluga whales do tricks for the audience.  I am a big kid when it comes to dolphins.  They have always just amazed me.

Waiting for Ice Age 4D to start!

After the shows, we went through the jellyfish exhibit and explored part of the Polar Play Zone before taking a break for lunch at the Bubble Net Food Court.  We had a table with a view of Lake Michigan.  Even though it was very cloudy and foggy today, it was nice to watch the waves crashing while we ate.

This girl loves her hot dog!

After lunch, we went back to the Polar Play Zone to see the penguins and play in the penguin play habitat.

Sliding on their bellies, just like the penguins.

Penguin costumes! :)

Hiding in the cave in the Polar Play Zone.

We saw lots of real sea turtles today too!

Some of our other highlights included seeing a blue-tongued skink eat a tomato worm up close, seeing an anaconda, visiting the sharks, looking for chameleons and reading fun facts about many of the fish on the museum's touch screen info boards.

Posing in front of the skyline before getting a cab back to the hotel.

Laura thought it was "FREEZING" today.  Poor little, pampered Southern girl!  It was actually a mild 45 degrees!  Nathan just wanted to make silly faces.......

We ended the day with some down time at the hotel that included TV time, snacks at the manager's reception in the lobby, swimming in the hotel pool, dinner in our suite and a bath.  Looking forward to another great day tomorrow!

Gina