CHICAGO!!!

My mom's birthday present to Grace this year was a trip to the American Girl store in Chicago. Gracie and I rode the train from Kirksville to Chicago. It was so much fun. I highly recommend taking the train! It took less time than driving, and if Gracie was hungry or had to go to the bathroom I didn't have to waste time pulling into a gas station. It was very relaxing for both of us, I loved it!! When we got into Union Station downtown I had to figure out a way to get to the hotel. I was looking at the bus routes when I decided to just pay for a cab. Best decision of the day. We just got in the car, held on for dear life, and arrived at the hotel without having to look at one street sign! Mom met us there later and then we walked to Navy Pier. I took some pictures but they came out really dark, so I didn't want to post them. Gracie liked walking by the water and seeing the boats. We walked a lot and she got blisters on her feet, so that put a bit of a damper on the evening. We didn't go swimming because she didn't want to get her blisters wet. Poor thing!!

Here we are at the American Girl store. This place is amazing! It has three floors of shopping. It's so hard not to buy everything you see, except when you look at the price tag then it get's pretty easy to restrain yourself. Gracie was hilarious. Without any prompting she started walking around the store and pointing at things like a model from the Price is Right. Saying things like: "Here we have dollies sleeping in their sleeping bags. Here is a dress for you to wear." She even said in an adult voice: "And if you would just turn around Nana, you will see Niki and her horse." We couldn't stop laughing at her. I have no idea where it came from!


You can make reservations at the cafe for brunch, lunch, or dinner. We were there for brunch. Everything is decorated in black, pink, and white. The lamp shades are covered in hot pink flowers, the chairs are black with pink circles and a big white button on the back, and they offer black and white chairs for you baby to use at the table. Grace brought her itty bitty baby with her. The napkin rings are black and white scrunchies that you can take home. Grace used her's as a headband for itty bitty. The food was pretty good, and we were able to sit by the window and look out at downtown Chicago! Our waiter was unique. He had a little pony tail with wispy bangs. I told mom that is would take a "special" kind of guy to wear a black and pink apron and serve heart shape pancakes to little girls. But he was nice and we enjoyed our brunch.

I hate that this picture of mom and Grace is fuzzy. But you can tell by their faces that we had a good time! Thanks mom!!