An Afternoon in Downtown Chicago: Making Jennifer's Kids City Kids

In Chicago we were met at the airport by Robert’s sister Jennifer, whose suburban hospitality we would be enjoying during a weekend of family visits and celebrations. Wednesday morning found Jennifer, three-year-old John and two-year-old Emily, Robert, and me en route to downtown Chicago for the day. We ate lunch at Gold Coast Dogs at Union Station, where the recommended Charred Cheddar Dog (or the Double Charred Cheddar Dog) and the side of cheese fries did not disappoint. The children, small and blonde and picky, though adorable, turned up their noses at all but the soda and instead ate raisins, graham crackers, Ritz crackers, and cereal bars brought along by Jennifer just in case. We dropped Robert off at a business meeting he had scheduled for 1:00, and we continued to Washington Street where we parked and packed the kids into a double stroller to walk around. We found a fountain and a flower market outside a nearby office building, and these became our activity of the afternoon.

 

For about ten minutres, John and Emmy were happy to gaze at the water, silent and motionless. Even with my scant exposure to children, I am aware of just how rare a period like this is. Jennifer told them they couldn't get down and climb into the fountain, although they could throw some pennies in and they could dip their daisies into the water. Eventually, John decided that if he couldn't climb into the water, then maybe he could drink it. Jennifer decided to nip that in the bud by offering him different water to drink instead.

 

Below, the kids enjoy jumping gleefully in a very, very small, clean puddle.

After listening to clock towers, looking at El trains, and buying some flowers ourselves, we turned around and headed back to Jennifer’s house around 2:30. Home, we made dinner, awaited the arrival of Bill and Judy and Grandma Terrell, and then ate together before Jennifer and the kids collapsed in exhaustion for the evening.

 

Phoenix Sights | Scottsdale Conference
Downtown Chicago (Kids) | Family Pictures (Party, Etc.)