Why so many people stop at 2 kids.
Actually, this isn't going to be a negative post nor particuarly humorous.
I spent this past weekend in Chicago (northern Indiana, actually) with my 2 oldest girls for Payten's soccer tournament. We had a delightful time, just us 3 'big' girls. Getting them away from my 2 younger cherubs for more than one night did us all some good. I don't really think about how hard it is to raise 4 girls until I just have the two who are both old enough to really be decent human beings much of the time. Payten and Kyler even really seemed to enjoy spending time w/each other over the weekend. We got to eat at our 2 favorite restaurants Des Moines lacks, we got to see the city and Payten got to win a couple of soccer games.
Driving in on Friday evening we stopped at restaurant #1. Something fancy or at least a Chicago deep dish pizza place? No. Steak & Shake. We weren't even in Chicago yet. We stopped at the Steak & Shake in LaSalle, IL. I believe LaSalle has population of, oh, maybe 20,000 and they get a Steak & Shake. Des Moines' metro population is over 500,000 and we don't. I hate that. More than you can imagine. What sense is there in this? I'd even drive to the other side of town for a Steak & Shake. Friday, though, we were there and it was good.
Saturday a.m . brought 2 early soccer games w/a win and a loss. Around noon the 3 of us headed to the city. I've been to Chicago several times but have never myself driven there. I'm soooo proud of myself for navigating I-90 into downtown and PARKING! 'Course it was in a $23 ramp, but still. We spent some time on Navy Pier before hoofing it to Water Tower Place, the mall Payten remembers from several years ago and loves (probably 'cuz there's 8 levels of MALL). All in all though, a really nice day with the girls. Tired feets at the end of it but really nice.
Sunday a.m. brought our last soccer game and another win. Free to leave at noon, we stopped at DSM-missing-restaurant #2, Boston Market. Now, we used to have several Boston Markets, one not more than a couple of miles from where I now live BUT, several years ago they all closed and mine was taken over by Krispy Kreme. I'd give a year's supply of Krispy Kreme donuts just to get my Boston Market back. This visit was a bit disappointing though, because I found out that their squash casserole is a regional thing...The BM's in Kansas have it. In N. Indiana, they don't.
We had a peaceful drive back even though it was stormy for the last bit. Payten drove through IL and I slept. Can't get much more peaceful than that. The calm before having the 2 little ones home Monday a.m.
