Chicago Trip March 2013: Part 4 Downtown & Firsts

This trip to Chicago was filled with a lot of 'firsts' for me, most of which came during my trip downtown. We woke up early in order to take the Metra train downtown. You can see the boys eating their breakfast here.

When we arrived downtown we headed out for a bit of a trek to the Chicago river, because we were going to see the river turn green.  We arrived a little early, but not early enough for a front row view. Can I just say that it was super cold. I think it was in the single digits and it also started to snow. It was frigid!

Here's my brother and family while we were waiting.

Aren't they just so cute!?!

Then of course we had to take one with my cute nephews.

While we were waiting this boy just danced on the grass to the rhythm in his head. It was pretty humorous.

This boy was just silly.

And then, with no preamble, a boat sailed down the river leaving a trail of green in it's wake.  For those who don't know, they use an orange phosphorescent salt that when put in water, turns it green.

To join in the celebration there was also a leprechaun on jet shoes that played on the river.

And then of course we all had to take pictures as proof that we were really there as eye witnesses to the river turning green.

Here's a close-up of the water.

I thought this line was so interesting. The green just stops at that bridge.

Best costume there.

A quick snapshot at Millennium Park as we walked to the St. Patrick's Day parade.

If ever you go down to see the river turn green and then think that it would be fun to see the parade, save yourself the trouble and after the river go somewhere warm and interesting - two things that the parade was not.

Oh this kid cracks me up.

Yep, you can see just how into the parade we all were.

As we were walking away Walks asked if he could take my picture.

At that point we parted ways. My brother and I stopped for lunch and then went to the Cadillac Palace theatre for Jekyll & Hyde. Which was fantastic! This is a view from our seats.

Inside the theatre's lobby.

Me and the marquee.

Meanwhile, Mom, Shell and the boys went to the Art Institute. They were fascinated by a display of paper weights. The boys even explained to strangers how they were made.

This was Walker's favorite piece in the museum

And this was Will's.

On the steps of the Art Institute

After the play my brother and I started walking back to the train station. Eric wanted to take a panorama picture of the Sears Tower (aka Willis Tower), so we stopped for a few minutes.

During his panorama picture time Mom, Shell and the boys happened upon us. I say happened because we had no plans to meet up. We didn't expect to see each other until we got back to Downer's Grove. Talk about luck.

Pictures in the city

I loved the art display in this building

Then here we are, waiting for the train to leave the station and take us home.

When we got back the boys Legos and the rest of us just took it easy for the night.

So, my firsts were this: taking the train in/out of the city, seeing the river turn green, the St. Patrick's day parade and a musical in downtown Chicago.