The Boy's last elementary school concert was the most well attended.  Grammy and Grampy made the drive south, and I prepared a gourmet meal and the kids set the table "all fancy".  Bennett told Harper to "pretend like we sit at the table together every night". ha!

 As usual, the music department at ORE put on a wonderfully traditional show, and while I may be biased, I think the sparkly bow tie stole the show.

Our final day in the Windy City was spent exploring more great restaurants, the conservatory, a self made foot tour

and the Field Museum.  (Which is one of the best museums we have to which we have ever been.)

We kicked around the idea of staying in that night, vs going out to eat - but we decided to go out, and I'm so glad we did!

We found an authentic mexican place, and the walk there and back allowed us to see more of the city (and discuss more funny poses for the front of Trump Tower).

So long, Chi-Town.  We will be back.

Back to life.  Back to reality.  At least they missed me.

When I asked Harper if she missed us, she said, "No.  Not really." and crawled in her Daddy's lap.

It's the Ten Ham Commandments.

Number one: Pick up the bestie, and roll your way through MSP - all the while giggling like the little boy you are...

Number two: Meet the pilots ("My dad is a pilot, he just doesn't fly much..."), and sit in excited wonder as the plane takes off.  Try to snap as many pics as you can around the "she was pretty nice woman" next to you.

Number three: Pick up Colie, drop bags at the hotel and begin exploring the city -  with an enormous grin, and continued incessant giggles.  Look up at awe at the building, and chat away about the "incredible architecture".   Think of funny poses for pics in front of Trump Tower, even though you know your Mother will say "NO." 

Number four: Stop and crawl around the bean, illegally jump the fence and hop on stage of an outdoor theater (of course, following T's direction, as you know N was yelling "there are rules for a reason!!" as you crawled under the barricade.).

Number five: Stop at the drawbridge park and jump, run, swing and slide until finally - after a Mom mandate - you head back to the hotel to enjoy the balcony and "just be quiet for 10 minutes".

Number six: Get dressed, and allow your Mama to look at you with doe eyes and straighten your tie.

Number seven: Look the camera in the eye, ain't no higher.

Number eight: Fuel up with fancy food court eats and cheers to the four of us.

Number nine: Arrive at the theater.  Explore all the way down to the stage, and take in the wonder.  So much magic, by this time it is difficult to even formulate complete sentences.

Number Ten: Slip your hand into your mom's, and gently squeeze.  With shiny eyes, whisper in her ear, "Thank you.  Thank you, Mommy."

Hamilton

February 23, 2017 

A note from my perspective.   Hamilton was nothing short of amazing.  It was a quick weekend of  creating solid sticking memories.  While it was fun, and filled with sightseeing, great food and even better company - it was more.  (Not to get all dramatic but for lack of a better word) It was magic.   Seeing the wonder and awe in Bennett's face, and watching the lyrics that have been part of our daily routine for over a year, and become reality.  It was definitely magic.   I think I may have watched Bennett more than the actors, and could not stop thinking about how lucky we are to be alive right now.  

The magic did not soley come from Ham, there was more in the company.  There are few moments that I get to share just B and me, and being able to include the other most influential women in his life for the experience, was beyond measure.  There are messages being delivered from these favorite women and he listens.  It means more than something.  To him.  To me.  It was an experience I will forever be grateful for, and I know the wise 10 year old feels the same.