Chicago Field Trip

It seems that everyone we know is on snow day overload this year, but no matter how much snow we get, this Winter has still been comparably mild, and we don't get out of school unless there is A LOT of snow, or temperatures dip below -35. I am happy that we have not suffered either one of these conditions this year, but I admit to being so jealous when other people's kids get a snow day and we don't.

A couple weeks ago I finally realized that it is not going to happen, and quit torturing myself with the daily first thing in the morning snow day check. Instead, I set my eye on January 28th, because it was the end of second quarter and there was no school. I decided that we had to go on a big field trip. It was either that, or do what we have been doing the rest of the Winter....

After much looking around for some cold weather fun, I found that The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago was FREE weekdays in January. The museums all have free days, but they don't usually line up with the days we are out of school. We have already been to the other Chicago museums, so I was really excited that the one we had not visited was going to be free on Friday. I roped Jen and her girls into joining us. Actually it wasn't too hard to convince them, considering Mimi came home from school on Thursday and asked her mom, "What are we doing with the Johnson's tomorrow?". I guess we are a bit predictable.

We opted to take the train, to eliminate the stress of driving to Chicago and back. We also thought we'd have more fun if we could all sit together instead of in two separate vehicles. The kids were crazy on the train ride in, but luckily we sat by some pretty patient riders. Once we arrived in Chicago we jumped in a cab and were whisked off to the museum.

It is the biggest museum I have ever seen! We walked in and immediately saw a full sized train by the ticket line, only to later find that there was another full train, an entire submarine, several airplanes, tractors, trolleys, and every other massive mode of transport you can think of. There are more exhibits than I have ever seen anywhere and they are all so fun and interactive. You could spend weeks and weeks there and still not run out of things to see and do. We ran full speed all day long to try to squeeze in as much as we could, but still missed a couple of exhibits. This place really has it all. Interesting for adults, but also totally hands on for kids. It was super hectic with 6 kiddos to chase, but I will definitely go back, maybe with daddies in tow next time for extra parental assistance. Plus, Seth really wants to go and was a bit jealous that he couldn't join us.

The kids smiled all day long. Last night when we put them to bed, Alyssa told me it was the greatest museum she had ever seen and thanked me for taking her there. Miracle of miracles, kids do eventually realize and appreciate what their parents do for them. Who knew?

The lighting in museums is not usually the best for photos, but I do have a few little peeks for you.

On the train

The first full sized train in the museum

Human hamster wheel

We had a good laugh at the fun house mirrors in the circus exhibit. Chloe with a giant head.

Alex and Mimi with tiny legs.

U-505, a real German submarine captured during WWII. I don't think Alex was on the same page as Mimi about how they would pose in this picture.

Giant Kaleidescope

I think the kids could have spent all day at this tube. You put a ball in the tube and the air sends it up the tube and over to the other side of the exhibit. If you don't shove it in good enough, it will fly right back out into your face, which was also a good time.

If you stood close enough to the opening you got a good blast of wind on your face as well.

Off to the farming exhibit

This was a giant farming combine and each of the kids took a virtual spin through the cornfields.

Here is the moving screen in front of you.

Another entire train

This area simulated natural diasasters. Chloe hated it, but the rest of us thought it was pretty cool. We saw an avalanche, lightning, tsunamis, and tornadoes. We also had to laugh at the people lined up to go in to booths where they could feel wind blowing on them. Um, guys, we're in Chicago, wind is not too hard to find.

You could put your face in a mirror, and it would project a 3D image of your face onto this statue. it didn't photograph well, but it was pretty funny.

Several airplanes were hanging from the ceiling on the top floor. They even had a commercial airliner, which we thought was just for show, but we climbed up a balcony and walked right on the thing.

Another place the kids could have stayed all day was at the air pressure balls. You grab different sizes of balls and put them on those metal stands and then adjust the air pressure until it is strong enough to make them float.

By the time we finally got on the train home, the kids were pretty wiped out. This actually helped keep them semi-quiet on the ride, which was for the best since our evening commuters were not as friendly as those we had encountered in the morning. We live in between train stops. A few minutes north of us is the final train stop, in WI, and a few minutes south of us is another train station in IL. We decided to go to the station in IL, since it is a less hectic station. All we had to do was remember to get off there. An entire stop before it was our turn, we got up and went and stood by the doors. When the train stopped and announced our station, we waited and the doors never opened. We were trying to get someone's attention and finally a lady told us that only one door opened at that stop, in the back of the train. She told us we would never make it, but we ran for the back anyway. Jen had Violet, and I had her stroller, and we were running, flinging open train car after train car to try to get to the back. I picked up Chloe since her little legs were slow, and then dropped the stroller on the kids behind me. I told Alyssa to pick it up and keep running. After we made it through a few cars, I saw a group of commuters standing by the doors and I assumed they were waiting to exit. I was so excited that we had made it! Then I noticed they were laughing, and turned around to see Jen laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. They all realized what I had not yet noticed. The train was moving again! I didn't even feel it start since I was running the opposite way. We were stuck, and would have to get off at the next stop. I tried to call Seth to tell him that him and Mike needed to come get us, but there is no cell phone reception on the train. Once we got off the train, we called Seth and Mike and they set out to get us. Luckily it wasn't cold since we had to stand outside and wait (20 degrees, no wind..yep that is how we say not cold in Wisconsin in the Winter). I thought it was pretty funny! I try so hard sometimes, but I am just not as competent as your average adult. Once the boys arrived, we headed south to the other train station to pick up the van. While we were there Seth pointed out to me that the platform there is only a couple feet wide, and explained that that was why only one door opened. I get it now, and I will remember that if I ever use that tiny little station again. We did have a good laugh about the whole debacle and eventually landed at home, all tuckered out.

What a funny way to end a super fun day!