Chicago Vacation-Day #1

We left this morning for Chicago for a 2 1/2 day mini-vacation. It was supposed to be to celebrate all three of our birthdays as a family but it was definately all about the kids, especially Alaric but we all LOVED it!

We try to always stay at Residence Inn's by Marriot because they have two rooms and kitchenettes and are just wonderful. Here the fam is watching a little movie about firefighers before the highlight our trip....
...a visit to the Lincoln Park Firestation to meet Firefighter Patrick. For those who follow this blog, you'll remember that we met Firefighter Patrick at a Super Bowl Party in Monticello and I asked if we could visit in March. He agreed. It could have been a 10 minute tour and we would have been happy but he spent more than an hour with us and made Alaric feel like the biggest, most important 4 year old IN THE WHOLE WORLD!
Here Pat shows Al the thermal imaging cameras to show heat. Al had no idea it was so technical!

Then they practiced with the hoses

Alaric tried to carry the hose- it was heavy!He got to try on everything and really pretend to be a firefighter, just like Patrick!

This is Patrick's helmet.

Patrick put on his entire suit, from removing his shoes, to putting on his facemask. Alaric was fascinated by the mask and got to try it on with the oxygen.

Seriously, this kid was in HEAVEN!

Then the ambulance returned from a call and we got to meet the paramedics and tour the ambulance too. Patrick hooked up leads to Alaric's heart and showed him what his heart looked like on the monitor. Ironically, exactly 4 years prior, just down the street at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Alaric was hooked up to heart rate monitors 24 hours a day in the NICU as a preemie!

One happy 4-year-old!

Before we left, Patrick surprised Alaric with a Chicago Fire t-shirt and a patch like his. Alaric couldn't hardly stand it, he was so excited- he showed everyone that badge. Look at this sweet boy hugging his new favorite person!

Thanks Firefighter Patrick for being so kind to our family and for making Alaric's birthday extra special! It was amazing and we are so grateful!

After dinner with Brian's best friend, Anthony and fiance Maria, we headed back to the hotel, got naked and changed into jammies- nothing better than zerberts on the belly and trying to get mommy too!Good Night, Sleep Tight- what a great day in Chicago!