Wisconsining

A few weeks ago we snatched up a groupon deal for a hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.  $116 got us a one night's stay, and included in the deal was a $50 room service/restaurant credit.  It was a bit of a gamble, deciding to spend a night away from home (after all, there is no crib like one's own) and in a time of many variables (from Ellie's point of view- "I'm happy, I'm crabby, I'm sleepy, I'M NOT SLEEPY!").  Jim and I have thought back over the last few months and have decided there are several things we should have just bit the bullet and DONE over the summer, like going to a Cub's game with Ellie in tow, for example.  So, that was one force driving the decision to buy this groupon deal- we were willing to take a stab at an adventurous weekend.  Another pleasing aspect was the fact that it was for Madison, Wisconsin.  In the five and a half years that I have lived in Chicago, I had yet to venture the hour north into Wisconsin territory.  Pathetic, yes, and I was ready to change that.

So last Saturday we hung around here until it was time for Ellie's nap, then loaded up the car and trekked north.  We had a most fabulous time.  We strolled around near the capit0l building, did some window shopping, ate some Italian food, and swam in the hotel pool.  I think what made the trip successful was that we didn't try to make it any more elaborate than we three could handle.  So while for some, driving 2 1/2 hours to casually walk around downtown Madison might seem like the most boring thing one could do, for us, it was great!  And what we saw of Madison was lovely.

A challenge with being in a new area with a toddler is that it can be hard to determine what restaurants are baby friendly.  We restaurant-shopped until we saw some kids sitting in high chairs at the Mia Francesca (which also exists here in Chicago, but oh well) and had a really yummy dinner (the kid loves pasta.  Who knew?).  Miraculously, Ellie slept well in the hotel's pack and play, waking just once in the middle of the night and quickly falling back to sleep.  Jim and I ordered drinks to the room after she fell asleep and spent the evening watching college football (perfect, since we didn't want the TV volume to be up too high).

The next morning we went to the Madison Children's Museum, and then we drove home while Ellie napped.  It was even the easiest trip back into the city that we have ever had.  So, lesson learned.  Every so often, it pays to take a chance.