It’s time for Winter break. A chance for our children to shake off their school routines and hang loose for two weeks. (I think I am looking forward to it even more than my own kids. This has been a hard semester!) Typically vacations have meant just that, VACATIONS, a chance to get away from your regular routine by getting out of town. But money is tight for so many people these days that traveling is not often and option. Lucky for us we live in a city rich with opportunities for enrichment and fun. I love visiting Museum CAMPUS, Millenium Park and Navy Pier downtown. But I also love visiting The Kohl Children’s museum and Make-a-Messterpiece in Glenview, OR the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, OR Ikea and Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, (now that’s my kind of Amusement park!) The CAMPUS Kids and I have had the great pleasure of performing at so many wonderful sites around Chicago, and there are still so many more we have yet to encounter. So I asked them which Chicago attractions they would most like to visit during a STAYCATION this holiday break. There suggestions paint a beautiful picture of this wondrous city.

SMILE On!

Miss Lori

Winter Break is almost upon us. With the economy as it is many people are doing “staycations” instead of traveling. Imagine yourself as a tourist visiting Chicago, what attractions would you most like to visit?

Abi age 10~
I love going to Navy Pier, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Zoo Lights at Brookfield Zoo. The Museum of Science & Industry has Christmas trees decorated from all over the world. They also have a dollhouse of the White House there right now. The zoo is fun to go to at night and see the animals surrounded by tons of Christmas lights!

Sinead age 17~
Chicago is a great city! I’ve lived here for about 9 years, but I still love going downtown Chicago! It’s always exciting to visit, and it never gets old! If I had never been to Chicago, and had only one day to tour the city, I would definitely go to Millenium Park, because it’s always so packed with people. I love being around a lot of people! Michigan Avenue is my street, of course, because of all the shopping. So that would probably be at the top of my list! There are so many stores that surround you while walking down Michigan Avenue, not to mention the Water Tower Place, a mini mall in itself. Every 17 year old girl’s dream, if you ask me! There’s definitely not enough time in a day to fully experience Downtown Chicago, that’s for sure. But if you’re looking to shop, downtown Chicago is the right place to be!

Tess age 9~
I would like to see the Science and Industry Museum. I want to goto the Mayor’s Sports event. I also want to goto Devon Avenue and Little India!

McKenna age 11~
Well I would like to see the Willis Tower, (aka Sears Tower), for the phenomenal view of the city. I’d also go to see the Big Bean, I love going there. While I’m there I’d go to the outdoor ice skating rink, even though I’m not the best ice skater. On the top of my list would be Macy’s, the Walnut Room, (located in Macy’s) and the Magnificent Mile.

Elita age 9~
I would like to see American girl doll place, and Dillions Candy Bar!

Kyra age 11~
I would visit the Willis (Sears) Tower first, and then probably go down to Navy Pier. I would also like to see some of the museums. Chicago really is a cool place.

Jaedyn age 6~
Museums! Museums! Museums! Navy Pier. And my favorite, The Kohl Children’s Museum!

Ava age 11~
Skating in Millennium Park by the Bean is the coolest, but sometimes too cold when you fall a lot! But it’s a lot of fun. I think the Science and Industry Museum with all the Christmas trees from around the world is very pretty. I would love to see more shows with singing and dancing. And of course shopping is fun. Sightseeing too!

Ariana age 9~
I would most like to see the Sears Tower (I keep forgetting it’s the Willis Tower now). I want to go up to the very top of the Sears Tower and see how far away I can see. I wonder if I can see other states from up that high!

Anaiya age 7~
I would want to go to Navy Pier and take a boat ride. I also want to ride the big ferris wheel and the hot air balloon they have at Navy Pier. Me and my family could spend an entire day there and not get bored!

My family and I celebrated Thanksgiving in a way I hadn’t experienced before.  The cooking started at noon and the whole family pitched in to prepare foods that we had never served together before for the holiday.  Green bean casserole, turkey, stuffing, sushi and two pies were all squeezed onto the table that night.  There was excitement in the air as we feasted.  For most people, though, this is pretty normal.

The Thanksgiving menu is pretty typical for most American families.  But for me, it’s always a unique experience. You see, my family is one of mixed heritage; my mom is Chinese and my dad is Caucasian.  Usually, when Thanksgiving comes around, my Chinese grandparents eat with us and they cook.  For almost my whole life, I’d see them come over at 3:00 with practically a miniature farm/aquarium in their grocery bags.  When they cooked, the air would be filled with the aromas of lobster, crab, sea cucumber, jellyfish, pork and other delicacies.

But this year, my usual Thanksgiving cooks were in China, leaving me and my family to fend for ourselves.  My father immediately jumped at the idea of having a “normal” Thanksgiving meal.  He made a list of the dishes he used to eat during Thanksgiving when he was a kid.  Of course, my mom added a couple of her own (sushi and Chinese sticky rice stuffing) and we got ready to brave the unknown.  We were on a new frontier in the land of holiday dinners.  The biggest question that we all shared was, “Okay, we’re having turkey.  What do we do with it?!”  Were we supposed to fry the thing?  Maybe rotisserie?  Maybe barbeque?  We pondered this looming question for a while, thinking and brainstorming.  In the end, we decided to bake it.

The dinner was a complete success.  Everything was delicious and I’m glad we ventured out into uncharted waters. This experience has given me a mini-epiphany.  I’ve realized that even though most of Thanksgiving is focused on the big dinner, there’s a hidden purpose behind it.  The food doesn’t matter that much.  The only consistency during Thanksgiving is that Americans everywhere get together.  The purpose is to unite.  I know it fits very well into the “cliché” category, but hey, it’s a revelation to me.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/esthereggy/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

For me this year I am especially thankful for my new dog, Swayzee.  He is a special addition to our family.  Swayzee is spending his first Thanksgiving with us in Milwaukee at my grandparents’ house.  I am so thankful for my loving family and the chance to open it up to Swayzee.  I am also thankful for all of the new friendships I have made this year with boys, girls, Young Chicagonistas… and pets!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL0c2xLiBg4

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Skyler

We can thank the sun for giving us warmth.  We can thank the trees for giving us air.  We can thank the plants for giving us nutrients.  We can thank the people who surround us with protection.  Most of all we can thank our family for giving us love.

So let’s remember that there’s more to Thanksgiving than filling your belly.  Never forget to fill your heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK0RyWWmlx0

Happy Thanksgiving all year!