Visiting Old Haunts

After Hubby and I were married, our first date as newlyweds was to go visit the Shedd Aquarium. Now, nearly ten years later, I finally made it back for a return visit.

This was another stop on our Summer Goals list and Townshend was very excited about going! Originally, we were going to go a week earlier, with Grandma and Grandpa, however, as we got looking at the admission tickets, we decided it was more than we wanted to spend just then and we went off to do other fun things. 

Serendipitously, the next week there was going to be a free-day (for Illinois residents), so Townshend, Moon and I determined we would go then, just the three of us. And we did!

As it was a free day, to avoid the major crowds, we planned to get to the aquarium as early as we could get ourselves there, and we even were pretty successful - 30mins after doors opened. On the sidewalks all around the building (and sprinkled around inside), there were these big ocean animal themed sculptures made from trash pulled from the ocean. They were really cool! We spent some time looking to see what items we could recognize (and talking about how it's always best to throw your trash in a garbage rather than leave it out in nature).

Since our tickets had been reserved online, we got to bypass the nasty waiting lines and skip right in! The downside was that I never did find a map of the place, so we did a lot of wandering. However, one of my goals this summer, in keeping with the idea of keeping it fun but not over scheduled, is to do more kid things at kid pace; letting them take the lead and not rush through at adult speeds. 

It's sometimes a challenge, 'cuz I get into my groove of trying to be productive. Still, there's a kind of magic in slowing down and seeing things at their speed and hearing things through their eyes. So, not having a map was almost better. (except when looking for bathrooms quick-fast.. but we survived.)

Plus, there's something incredibly soothing about the movement of water, and watching fish. And, really, it's just an impressive place worth pausing in and savoring. So, despite the crowds that grew and grew as the day drew on, it wasn't hard to find a view that was peaceful and lovely. 

Even in the crowded and crazy lunchroom, we found this awesome view and enjoyed our lunch together.

Down in the lower levels, there are some play areas that the boys really liked. However, we didn't stay too long after lunch because the crowds were really starting to roll in and, by that point, we'd all had about enough and back outside, into the beautiful day, we went. 

turns out that crazy statue of a man holding a fish is a fountain! (my 10yr old question is finally answered)

The Shedd Aquarium is on what is called the Museum Campus ('cuz the Field Museum, the Shedd and the Adler Planetarium are all right there) which is on this little peninsula sticking out into the Lake. Not only are there awesome museums, this peninsula also offers one of my favorite views of the city skyline. 

In the morning, as we were heading in, there was some impressive fog hovering over the city, but by the time we came back out, the fog had mostly burned away in the sun. So, we took a walk down on the path and enjoyed some fresh air and the beautiful day (and the first day after the recent heatwave broke).

Another fun day and another thing marked off our list!