Friday in Chicago

Greetings from the ‘Second City’,

Today is Friday and it is a day we spent doing a little touring around and also getting Shannon ready for her dancing day on Saturday. 

I learned today that Chicago has another nickname, besides the ‘Windy City’.  It is also known as the ‘Second City’.  People used to believe that Chicago was given this name because it was the second largest city in the United States.  That was not true.  It was given this name because of the great fires of Chicago that destroyed most of the city.  Chicago feels that it was given a second chance to build itself and therefore, it is called the ‘second city’. 

We began our day at the Willis building.  This is also known as the Sears Tower.  It is the tallest building in Chicago.  We took the elevator up 103 floors to the top.  What a wonderful view of Chicago!!!!  The Willis building has a ‘clear’ floor viewing area that hangs over the outside of the building.  You can step out onto it and take pictures.  It is the strangest feeling to be out there.  Your legs actually go a little weak. 

We were back at the hotel for the early afternoon, watching some of our friends dance their competitions. 

Then, we went to the famous Chicago Navy Pier.  We went on the Ferris Wheel.  It was terrific and I would definitely tell you to walk along the pier and enjoy the sights and ride the Ferris Wheel if you are ever in Chicago.  For dinner, we went to Coco Pazzo.  A delicious Italian restaurant in the heart of Chicago, try the gnocchi – fabulous!

Saturday is Shannon’s dance day and it will be a busy day for all. 

We fly home on Sunday, and I have to say that I did all I wanted to in Chicago.  It was a terrific city and our entire family enjoyed our time here!!!!

Sharon 

Ceili in Chicago

Hello All,

Thursday was a part sightseeing day and a part dancing teams day. 

We woke up and decided to go to the Shedd Aquarium.   It is a beautiful building on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.  The aquarium is home to a new baby dolphin, born four weeks ago, and the girls really enjoyed seeing him.  It is a two-floor aquarium with fabulous exhibits throughout.  My favorite part was the beluga whales.  They have always been a favorite of mine and when I heard that there were some at this aquarium, I knew I wanted to take the girls to see them.  The Shedd Aquarium had a great Wild Reef display, and Amazon Rising area, and a fabulous ‘Jellies’ exhibit.   Shannon’s favorite part of the aquarium was the ‘Jellies’ section.  

By a little after noon, we were back at our hotel getting ready for our ceili competition.  Ceili is the word we use for a group dance competition.  Both girls are competing on the same team this year.  It is a mixed team with four girls and four boys.  They are in an under 13, age category.  I think it is great that both of the girls are together on the same team. 

The team was fantastic and they looked great up on the big stage.

After the competition, we wait for awards.  We went to a fun Irish pub: Lizzie MacGuire’s for dinner and after went to the awards room.

Shannon and Erin’s team won their competition.  It was very exciting!!!! The team truly danced fabulously and we are so very proud of them.

Sharon 

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Greetings from the Windy City,

It is Wednesday night!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

We started our day off at a breakfast place called ‘Yolk’. It was delicious.  I would highly recommend it if you are ever in Chicago.

From there, we went on a city boat tour of the Chicago River.  It was fascinating to listen to all of the architecture and history of the buildings throughout the city. 

During the boat tour I learned that Chicago is not called the ‘Windy City’ due to any weather or climate reasons.  It is because of a very old nickname that started because of the people of Chicago, and the fact that they brag and gossip between each other.  So ‘windy’ refers to the conversations, not the weather.  

By mid afternoon, we were back at the hotel getting ready for our team dance competition tomorrow. 

At night, we went out to Navy Pier, and watched the fireworks for the Fourth of July.

Happy Fourth to All,

Sharon

Erin's dancing day in Chicago

Hello Everyone,

Today was Erin’s solo dancing day.  For those of you that have read my blog before, you know that dancing days, can be totally crazy days.  This day was pretty good. 

It started early, with all of us getting Erin ready for her big day.  Between hair, make-up and warm-up, we usually start all of this around six in the morning.  Erin’s first round, which was her hard shoe round, started at 8:00 a.m.; her second round, her soft shoe round, went off around 10:30 a.m.  After that, we wait for the recalls to be called.  That’s when the judges call back half of the competition to dance another solo hard shoe dance.  Erin got the recall and danced again around 1:00 p.m. 

When the dancing was done, we decided to fit in a little bit of sightseeing.  We went to Grant Park.  It is a beautiful park in the middle of Chicago and it has a fabulous water fountain.  Every hour on the hour, there is a water show.  From there we walked to Millennium Park.  We saw beautiful sculptures of art.  I loved the ‘Bean’ That’s the nickname for the ‘Cloud Gate’.  It is a wonderful mirrored sculpture in the shape of a gigantic bean. 

For dinner, we went to RPM Chicago.  It is a fabulous restaurant owner by Giuliana and Bill Rancic.  It was delicious. 

We ended our night at the awards ceremony.  Erin danced very well today and got 5^th place at the 2012 Irish Dance Nationals.  She is ranked fifth in the country in her age category.  We are over the moon thrilled and so is she. 

We will get ready for the rest of the week.  Teams on Thursday and Shannon’s solo on Saturday.

Sharon

First day in Chicago

Hello to all and greetings for the Windy City,

We arrived in Chicago yesterday afternoon and I have to say that this city is one of the cleanest and calmest ‘big’ cities that I have ever been to. 

We had a nice flight into O’Hare airport and our hotel is the Sheraton Towers.  We have been very pleased with everything so far. 

Yesterday, we spent the day getting acclimated to our new home for the week.  We went for a delicious lunch at the Hard Rock Café – Chicago.  It is a great Hard Rock, nice open floor plan and as always, good food and great music. 

We have been using cabs to get around the city and I just can’t believe how ‘quiet’ the city seems. 

Last night, we went to Gino’s East on Superior Street for dinner.  This restaurant was featured on the Food Network show: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, with Guy Feretti.  I watch that show, so when I was planning this trip, I knew that I wanted to go eat there.  Well, I was not disappointed.  The pizza was legendary as they claim it to be and we enjoyed every bite.  We also left our mark on the walls.  It is tradition to write on the walls. 

On Monday, we woke up and went to the Hancock Building.  It is the fourth tallest building in Chicago, just shy of the Willis (Sears) Tower and did some fabulous sight seeing.  95 floors up and a great surround view of Chicago. 

For dinner, we headed to the Weber Grill Restaurant.  We have a Weber grill at home and Michael thought eating there would be fun.  They cook your food table-side, right on grills. 

Overall, so far, Chicago has been easy to navigate around, cabs all the way, and the food terrific. 

Tomorrow is a dancing day. 

We will catch up after that,

Sharon