Chicago Day 2

Our second full day in Chicago was filled with so many amazing places to visit. It was cloudy and cold when we started out in the morning. Our first stop was to the Sears Tower. They told us that there was zero visibility and that the 103 floor was under construction, so we would only be able to go to the 99th floor. We went up anyway and actually could see quite a bit, even with the zero visibility. The Sears Tower is the highest building in the western hemisphere.

Something I didn't know is that Chicago is a finalist for the 2016 Olympics. There are signs of support all over the city.

After that we went to the Chicago Institute of Art where many incredible artists and works of art are displayed. I have never had much of an interest in art, but have always felt it was so important for our children to be exposed to fine art. I was absolutely blown away by how much Cameron knows about artists and works of art. He talked nonstop telling me about the different artists that we saw. There was art from Monet, Renoir, Jackson Pollack, Georgia O'Keefe, Remington, and Salvador Dali. I asked him where he learned all of this and he said that he learned it in art from his wonderful art teacher, Mrs. G. He also learned it from the Art Masterpiece program. I truly was blown away and it convinces me even more how important these opportunities to learn are for our children. His favorite picture is "Water Lillies" by Monet which was on display.

The other display that was awesome to see was the Caldecott winners from 2000-2008. These are the artists that illustrate children's books.

After that we went to Museum of Science and Industry where they are having the Harry Potter Exhibition. Cameron was so excited to see this. He could hardly contain himself when we got there!! I have to say that as excited as he was about the Harry Potter, he was almost as excited to see the great works of art. Anyway, the Harry Potter Exhibition is only in Chicago. It has been there since April and runs through September. It will then go to two other U.S. cities that haven't been announced yet. After that it will be taken to Europe. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in this exhibit. I haven't really followed the Harry Potter Series, but I love that this series has gotten so many people, both children and adults, to read and be excited to read. The exhibit had many of the original costumes and artifacts from the different movies. It was very well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it!We saw a whole lot in the two full days that we were in Chicago. It was great to see so much. I think I would like to come back and really take more time in some of the places that we went to visit. Of course, I have to make sure that Cameron comes with me because he has so much information stored in his brain!!

It is late now and we are in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We are driving to see Mount Rushmore tomorrow. We went through Wisconsin, Minnesota, touched close to Iowa, and got here about an hour ago. I had never been to Wisconsin or Minnesota and both states are absolutely beautiful and green.

More driving tomorrow, but it has been well worth it! It has been cool to cold all day today--so hard to believe it is June!!