Art Institute

3:00 AM:  Online looking at maps of how exactly to park at the Art Institute of Chicago, and then floor plans of the exhibits.  I had recommendations to check out American Art & Impressionists, and also I needed to see the sculptures and textiles.  Back to bed for another couple hours of rest.

6:00 AM:  Up and dressed to water outside and take in the recycling.  Home again to pack everything up, then get the small people up, fed, showered and dressed.   Remembered to grab Monet plate books, a watercolor book and the Seurat picture book.  A cup of tea for the road, some extra guests and we're off!

8:30 AM:  On the road.  Coldplay, Zeppelin, Fiona, Feist, Wheezer & Blues Brothers.  I have to put on the soundtrack right about I-55 & the exit to 294-  it gets us to the loop right about the time Sweet Home Chicago starts.   There's something to that music and the Sears Tower.

11:00 AM:  Park, Park Park, Stand in Line, Stand in Line, Stand in Line.  Patient children are sketching pictures of the IBM Building, the people around us, and Cocopugs is drawing a scene with Carrot people.  Yes, Carrot people.

11-12:30:  Walk into the Lower level south wing:  American Art until 1900.  Breathe deeply at the lovely sculpture room preceding the exhibit.  Ahhh....   The older children sketch pictures of sculptures and portraits, the college girl takes photos with her fancy pants camera, I walk in front of people, and I am really looking looking looking at the pictures.  A guard gently stops me "please don't let your child touch the lines."  Ok.  Cocopugs asks where the playroom is.  Temper tantrum due to no playroom and realization that her day will consist of looking at pictures, furniture and cloth.

12:30:  LUNCH.  a lovely afternoon of delicious and small bites.  We all left still hungry.  Made the grumpy Cocopugs smile when I gave her the camera and told her to start snapping photos of the bold and hungry duck hanging out around us.  Belly Baby sat at the table like a big girl drinking water out of a  big girl glass and smiling like the Cheshire Cat.  CB drew a textured picture of an alligator-  I knew all those episodes of Swamp People would pay off somehow.  Our sweet guests charmed us with their smiles and wonderful conversation.  Bonds were made, fun was had by all.

Cocopugs Tree Photo

1:00-2:  Impressionists.  It was like I walked into a room of old friends who were just there waiting for me to say hi!  and WOW  your color is GREAT!  I've been looking at prints of these paintings my whole life and to see their real colors, the brushstrokes of the masters, the personality of each artist shining beautifully was overwhelming.  I decided then and there that while I love love love having the kids and guests with me, I am going to treat myself sometime soon to a solo trip to Chi-town and the Art Institute so I can really sit and look.  And breathe.

Now the best story of the day:   Miss Cocopugs was feeling better after lunch, but still a little bothered by the whole thing.  We looked at all the Impressionists, and she sat beside Belly Baby in the stroller and looked at books.  We brought along a nice little book called Sunday with Seurat.  It's a book we've had forever-  sort of eaten around the edges, obviously well loved.  We stepped into the room with 'Sunday on La Grande Jatte' and she jumped out of her seat yelling "it's here!  ITS HERE!  Mom!  Do you see how big the picture is?  Look at the ladies!  Look at the dogs!" and on and on.  Baby Belle noticed the monkey and dog right away, and we saw the little girl with her mama and the umbrella.  That picture made the whole day for Coco.  Art Matters.

Our Friends Mason F & Griffin H

2:00 PM:  Leave the museum after Baby Belle meltdown in the museum store.  Headed over for a quick walk in Millenium Park, but only made it a few steps before we all decided we were too hot to explore, and we all wanted ice cream.  So back into the car for an excruciating drive on 55.  

 2:30 PM:  If you would have passed us on the road, you would have seen a middle-aged mama hoppin to FloRida, Britney, Justin and Plain White T's.  And after Ice Cream, you would have seen a car of quiet sleepy kids, and heard a lovely Chopin Mazurka.

It was a lovely day with wonderful people.  Can't wait to do it again soon!