Chicago 2012 - Day 4

When we started planning this trip back in the spring, we were most surprised that our search for shows in the area indicated that the musical version of "Pinkalicious" would be on tour while we were in town.  Turner has enjoyed the Pinkalicious books she's read and we knew this would be right up her alley for sure!

The basic premise is that Pinkalicious eats too many pink foods (namely pink cupcakes) and she actually turns bright pink!  She has to face her fears and dislikes and eat enough green foods to counteract the harmful pink cupcakes.  The tunes were catchy, the actors were superb, and the message promoted healthy eating habits and positive family interactions.  Definitely a great experience and one I'd recommend even if you are fairly unfamiliar with Pinkalicious the book series.  We loved it!

Turner with Pinkalicious and her little brother Peter!

And though I said before we left that we weren't going to dive into the American Girl doll realm just yet, the temptation (and Mark would tell you guilt) got to me while we were there.  Any mother of girls that I talked to before we left said we must go to the American Girl store while we were there - citing the seven story largest AG store in the world, the hair salon, the option to have real brunch/tea with your doll in their fancy restaurant, etc.  I had rationalized that Turner hasn't shown us that she loved dolls all that much at this point in her life, and that perhaps we'd expose her to this and then see if it would be a birthday or Christmas present.

It was probably a combination of guilt and desire that motivated me to take her in the store - and once we were in I knew there was no going back.  Turner has been exposed to American Girl dolls by the family who babysits her in the afternoons and summers and she actually had more knowledge than I did about this whole new world of dolls, accessories, etc.    Long story short, we have a new member of our family, Rebecca Rubin, who is one of the historical dolls from the early 1900's.

Turner has absolutely loved having Rebecca and has played with her and taken her with her more than I ever expected.  I've also realized this provides a great venue to help family select gifts for birthdays/Christmas, and it's also opened up another website experience through americangirl.com where the games and experiences thus far seem wholesome and learning centered.

I was astounded at how many families I saw walking the streets of Chicago with American Girls in hand.  Funniest of all, were the many daddies who were holding the dolls and totally owning the look!  It didn't take long for Mark to get in on that fun, though here he's just holding the bag!

As you can see, Turner was happy with her new friend!

When we arrived back at the hotel it was time to gather our bags and head toward the airport, but not before we had a little photo/modeling shoot in the hotel lobby!  Turner cracks me up with all her posing!

Rebecca and Turner all belted in and ready to fly home.

On our way from baggage claim to the park-n-ride area,as Turner was hauling her carry on just like her daddy, I looked down to find Turner with big tears streaming down her face.  I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Why couldn't we just stay a few more days?  Why did we have to come home so soon?"  It took us a while to get her calmed down and try to explain that vacations must end - something her mommy and daddy struggle with at times as well.  I was happy to know that we have what appears to be a lifelong travel buddy in our sweet girl. 

We had the BEST time in Chicago and it took us all a little bit to come to terms with the reality of home, work, and "normal life".   Even as I type, Turner is sitting here with me asking if we can go back to Chicago one day.  :)  I am so thankful for the opportunity to get away and have fun with my sweet family.  We are blessed.