Family Night

Monday evening, we picked Andy up from his office and went to the Navy Pier for some family fun. It was a gorgeous night. There was a warm breeze and the sky was lit up with red and purple evening clouds.

Our plan was to take the girls to the Children's Museum and then ride the Ferris wheel.

We took the girls to the Children's Museum. They had so much fun playing in the water works exhibit and in the wilderness play area. Alli loves the tiny toilets in the bathroom at the museum, they are just the right size for her.

We played until the museum closed. Then we strolled along the pier back to the Ferris wheel. Unfortunately, we got there ten minutes too late. The rides were closed for the evening.

Alli has really been looking forward to riding the Ferris wheel. Every time we drive by, she points it out. She has gazed at the Ferris wheel from a high corner office at Andy's work and dreamed of riding it one day. We have tried taking her on the Ferris wheel a few times before, but it hasn't ever worked out for us. Once it was closed for maintenance. Another time it was closed because of high winds. She will get to ride it someday (soon).

Alli was a good sport. She posed for a few pictures. We felt bad about not getting to ride the Ferris wheel, so Andy told Alli we could have ice cream. So we went to the Navy Pier food court, and everything was shut down. Alli was very concerned.

We ended up driving to the McDonald's downtown to get some ice cream. Their "bistro" where the good gelato is was closed for a private event. We settled for regular McIce Cream. I got the Shrek-inspired mint chocolate shake. It was a nasty color and it tasted like mint syrup. It was gross.

Alli enjoyed her strawberry sundae, and Ruby wiggled and reached and fussed and tried to get any little taste of ice cream.

Despite the changes in our plans, the setbacks and disappointments, we had a very fun family evening. That is what being a family is all about.