Chi-Town Day 6: Shedd Aquarium

By MAGGIE WANG

All in all, a fun trip to Chicago (starting with the flight out, when we took off from LAX and Sedona had half the plane cracking up when she shrieked from her window seat: "We are in the air!").

Our last day started with a morning at Shedd Aquarium with the Lev and Suh families. We saw some fish, turtles and octopus before watching the Fanta-sea Show with dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and a hawk. On this trip Sedona took a real liking to penguins -- asking to see them everywhere. The show was not all it was hyped up to be, but the kids enjoyed it.

After the show we had lunch at the Soundings Café within Shedd. While the girls were waiting for the food, they colored ... and played with the iPod Touches. (Note from once we got home: Kevin and I watched a documentary "A Small Act" about kids in Kenya, and they didn't even have electricity and had to do their schoolwork by oil light! I couldn't help but think what a luxury these iPod Touches are!)

Sedona was working on her Peanuts coloring book with a real-life Charlie Brown, as Kevin likes to tell Sedona and Maven that Uncle Mag resembles (and they agree).

Sedona made like a penguin in sliding down a penguin "glacier" slide.

Can you see what is between the girls (under Maven's hand)?

On the left are Maven and Parker Suh, Kev's and Bry's littlest ones ... and on the right are our girls with all the boys!

Outside Shedd, we said our goodbyes to Bryan's family. Maven kept it light, but if you've been watching her in the recent photos outside in the Chicago heat, Sedona isn't too comfy. More on that to come.

We hit the hotel pool then -- the girls love swimming now -- and later Mag and Austin came over while Sarah had a date with a friend.

The kids had a great time eating at the hotel and and dancing in the hotel room before winding down with some "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!" DVD action.

When we got home the next day (Day 7), Sedona drew a picture of Chicago. Take note of the sun that she cannot stop talking about. Kevin has a video of Sedona, explaining her picture, that he'll put up later.

I really don't think Sedona realized how great she has it with the Southern California weather until this trip.

Example #1: 

Me: "Do you want to go to the parade?"

Sedona: "Yes! ... Do I have to be outside."

Me: "Yes."

Sedona: "No, thanks."

Example #2:

Me: "What was your favorite part of the trip to Chicago?"

Sedona: "Being inside."

Example #3:

Kevin: "Did you have fun on the trip?"

Sedona: "Yeah."

Kevin: "Did you like this week in Chicago better or last year's trip (a week in early September) to New York City?"

Sedona: "New York City. ... (pause) ... I didn't know it was going to be this hot in Chicago." 

Example #4:

Me, as the plane is about to land: "We are almost home. The weather is going to be great at home."

Sedona: "Mommy, why is it so hot in Chicago?"