Our night ended late at about midnight and our day began early, around 4 AM! We woke the girls at 4:45, the last thing before we drove away to get on the big bus. They were upbeat, but nervous, C chatting nonstop and FL being very quiet. We kept them in pajamas for the first hour or so, hoping (but not expecting) that they would sleep again. Thoughtful Sam called ahead about getting a bus with seatbelts for the girls' car seats, so, since that is a new thing, we got a brand new bus! That was fantastic, but having a seat that fit the girls and kept them safe (and contained!) was even better! Let me tell you, that bus is very well broken in, now!
A few eyebrows were raised as people boarded the bus and saw our young children (I mean, who in their right mind takes two three year olds on a thirteen hour bus trip?! I can't tell you how many times I almost backed out the week before!). I was worried, but hopeful. They are human, but they are also very well behaved, sweet little people most of the time.
Remembering the great excitement of my own travels as a small child, I tried my best to make the planning and the journey full of fun! I still have the red TWA bag that my mom helped me pack for a plane ride when I was about the girls' age. It was filled with a new coloring book, stickers, markers, gum and a very special sucker (I can still remember how it tasted!). I couldn't wait to use it all once the trip began! I decided to do something similar for my girls. I bought them a few inexpensive toys, activities, packed a TON of snacks and had a surprise friend that they would find waiting for them in their seat on the bus. They saw everything before, except the surprise friend. C got a pig that she named "Dots" and FL had a dog she named "Flower". They were very inexpensive, but made them very happy and helped to distract them from their anxiety.
One of their favorite things was a little notebook (that cost me .50) that they scribbled in with a "real" pen and crayons. They also peeled and applied about 1,000 stickers in them as well! It kep them busy for over an hour several different times!
Of course, there was snack time, lunch time, 1,000 trips to the bus potty and rest stops to help break up the travel time as well. (Y'all, I HATE public potties, bus potties, porta potties, gas station potties - you name it. I have been to these more times in the last nine months than I have my ENTIRE life combined... Tell me this stage will be over soon! ; )
There were also many interesting sites to see out of the window. FL was my buddy for most of the trip and she was so interested in these wind turbines!
Actually, everyone on the bus was!
Finally, we reached our much anticipated destination!
The views from is hotel are just fantastic. I spent several hours last year just watching the activity of this big, busy city from our window. The girls thought it was fun to watch, too. They especially liked the watching the tour boats turn around and counting the swimming pools!
We had a few very small sad moments on our trip, but they were short and all in all the girls were GREAT! I would also like to say thank you to the Y employees/interns and the team from MA that helped us out while Sam took care of his work responsibilities. I was prepared to do everything for the girls on my own, but they wouldn't let me do that and put our needs ahead of their own many, many times. Thank you!
We are looking forward to a fantastic time in the Windy City!!!
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