Last weekend was the annual Chicago Air and Water Show. We took just the older boys last year to their first Cubs game on a Saturday, stayed in a hotel and then went to the beach to check out the show on Sunday. We really didn’t have any plans to go this year, but we DID have a party that was 1/2 way to the city on Saturday afternoon. I suggested that we try to find a room (a long shot during such a crowded weekend in the city). BUT…daddy worked his Marriott platinum status and got us a hotel in the same place we stayed last year. He didn’t find this hotel, however, until about 15 minutes before we were schedule to leave for the party so we RAN around the house packing…and forgot a couple important things (see picture comments)

Here are the boys sitting on top of the minivan after the party as we were getting ready to head downtown. We had to make a minor pit stop to get Brady some shoes since that was the first important thing we forgot to pack (he hates them so we usually just put him in the car and toss some shoes in after him…which didn’t happen…and we didn’t realize until we pulled up to the party).

At the hotel: there are these funky lights in the hotel that change colors and do a variety of cool patterns. The boys love them and insisted that they have their picture with them. Any time they would turn blue or orange, Logan and Aiden would yell, “Bears colors!” Are these kids brainwashed or what?!

A (very) late dinner in the room. There were far too many fun kids at the party to actually stop and eat so the boys had McD’s around 9pm instead!!

The next morning we got up, drove over to our old neighborhood (where we lived prior to kids) and had an amazing breakfast at Wishbone. Then it was off to the beach! See the plane in the sky?

The boys were having such a blast playing that we literally had to yell at them and point to the sky when something super cool was happening.

We don’t go to North Ave beach where the “main” show is held. It’s too crowded and the boys can’t play in the water. I honestly don’t know what this particular beach is called, but it’s perfect…located right by Navy Pier.

Daddy and Brady enjoying the show…Brady enjoying some italian ice.

“Look at that!!”

I think Logan is having fun…

Yep, it’s official…this is his signature “I’m off in a flash for more adventures” pose.

Just a candid of Aiden walking out of the water. He is carrying sea weed for his beach creation.

Thinking very hard about it too I guess. Oh..and yes his goggles are on upside down. And no…not sure why they needed goggles, but I always have very upset kids on my hands if I don’t have them when we’re anywhere near water. Blame it on swim class. I told Logan once that I never had goggles when I was a little girl and he was like incredulous. Couldn’t believe it…told all his friends like, “can you believe my mom didn’t wear GOGGLES?!”

The boys spent most of their time digging a big hole. Daddy built walls around it. I think Logan is doing some decorating here.

Blue face

Obligatory self-portrait

Our big hole…filled with water. Logan is working on a tunnel. Daddy and Aiden are creating these crazy sand castles that Aiden “invented” (he would take really watery sand in his fists then slowly let it pour out while rubbing his fingers around…hard to explain)

But this is what it ended up looking like. Reminds me of that magic sand.

After a couple hours of fun, we had hot dogs under our giant beach umbrella/tent and then headed home. I really wish we could have stayed longer, but I had a very red eye from sleeping in my contacts (saline solution was the second important thing I forgot to pack. I decided I would just sleep in my contacts…it’s Wednesday and I’m still wearing glasses to heal from that little decision!)