We piled our peaceful clattering’s back into the van and drove to Chicago yesterday evening where we will spend the rest of the week. Oddesy, US Geography and a little dance party all helped to pass the time.
We arrived at our hotel around 10:30 pm and after getting checked in Stephen quietly rushed us into the side door (so not to be detected by the night staff) and up to our room. As he whispered and nearly had a heart attack over every peep the children made… I reminded him that he did let the hotel know that his family was along and there are three beds in the room…
He did not however specify that his atypical family included six offspring.
So not to have to “sneak” in and out all week I encouraged Stephen to just talk to the front desk in the morning… and I petitioned the Lord… just in case there was some per person limit that we were violating.
This morning I awoke to a very happy man who had received a relieving “oh, you guys are good” from the front desk. Thank goodness, because keeping this clan under the radar would have been a feat.
I did leave quite a bit in Iowa and brought to Chicago only what I thought we’d need… three suitcases, five back packs (not counting the princess or the Dora backpacks), two other bags with diapers, blankets and random necessities, three sacks of food, a stroller, the pack-in-play, a bathroom bag and a box of this weeks school work and coloring supplies. Thankfully, the hotel room comfortably accommodates the six of us… and the small house we brought along.
To my delight, the hotel is practically walking distance from Ikea. Oh yes, we spent our first day browsing the isles of wonder. And did you know that kids eat free on Tuesdays? Why yes… I’ll take six free kids combos please. And thank you.
And here we are, back at the hotel, finishing up some school work. And as I sit here with my children reflecting on the adventures of traveling with six in tow… I recall yesterday’s devotional…
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
