(Chi)cken in a (Ca)r and the Car can't (Go)...

...That's how you spell???? Come on now, I know you can figure it out..... Chicago!!!

Mom used to sing that all the time and still does, I think, whenever I tell her we are going to Chicago to visit hubby's Mom and the rest of his family residing there.

So yes, we are off to Chicago tomorrow night for the holiday weekend. The plan is to prepack the (ca)r as much as possible tonight after Sofia goes to bed (I need some good luck with that lately) and tomorrow after work, we swoop up Sofia from daycare, come home, throw the dog in the car (not literally), throw ourselves in the car (mini-SUV really), drive up to G.R. to throw G. in the car and then make the 5 hour trek to Grandmommies house. (depending on the lovely Chicago area construction) We are hoping that by leaving late on Thursday, we'll avoid the usually horrendous holiday weekend traffic AND catch a break in the construction areas. To which I say, Murphy will most likely have other plans for us, but we'll see.

We do have one glaring "issue" on our hands. With all the necessary baby-type stuff to bring and still leave Zoe (the dog) with enough room, it only makes it possible for us to bring our umbrella stroller. I have an issue with this because if we are going to be (and we will be) A. at the zoo B. in downtown Chicago or C. walking around "Last Fling" in Naperville, then I have a hard time making Sofia nap sitting up. And she needs to nap. Trust me, she does. Nor do I know if she'll nap sitting up. So, do I end up carrying her around in my arms sleeping for an hour like we did on Mackinac Island?? How fun THAT would be to do again! Or do we bring our kiddie backpack carrier and let her sleep in that while one of us must have her attached to us at all times? Don't..know..what..to..do. Hubby says she'll be fine. Hubby is usually making sure G. is happy, so it really isn't his issue, for the most part.

Vacation is supposed to be fun, right? I'm worrying over nothing, right? Don't get me wrong, I like going places and you know, actually doing things. But it's the battles that I have with Sofia to nap, find her someplace to nap and get her to go to bed in a strange place that make me want to stay home. Other than that, I don't mind vacation at all.