Chicago Conert

 We rounded out Spring Break with another concert for Gracie's Sweet 16.  With snow falling yet again, we headed to Chicago for the weekend to see Tate McRae at the House of Blues.  

We arrived in Chicago and got settled in.  The girls had their own room which adjoined to Matt and me and they lived it up.  We kicked things off with a trip to the Chicago Institute of Art.  Of course we got in some shopping and hit our favorite restaurant.  

However, the highlight was of course, the Tate McRae concert.  Matt surprised Gracie and the girls got the VIP meet and greet experience. They were sooooo excited and I have to admit, it was so much fun watching them.  

Upon arrival at the House of Blues, the girls were given a T8 beanie and lanyard.  Afterwards, they were ushered upstairs to meet and have pictures made with Tate herself.  

After the meet and greet, they were given early access to the concert floor.  Yep, these two got right up to the stage.  Their excitement was off the charts, especially considering that during the concert, Tate reached down and grabbed Gracies hand, took her cellphone and videoed herself on stage before handing it back to her.  Those two girls nearly came unglued.  Tate put on a great show, but I have to say the show these two put on with their excitement was unforgettable!  

Chicago Institute of Art- You could spend an entire day here.

I loved the Monet's

But it's the Georgia O'Keefe's I was excited to see.

American Gothic

Nothing beats a meal at Joe's

They actually wanted to pop into American Girl.  We had fun looking around and reminiscing about the trips here and all the girls and accessories. 

Arriving at the venue we found that people were wrapped in blankets in a line that wrapped the building.  The snow had stopped but the wind and the temps were quite frigid and some of those people waited 3 hours to get in.  I've never been so grateful to have splurged for something like VIP entry. 

Inside, checked in and READY to meet Tate.

While waiting in the meet and greet line, this sign flashed above us we thought it was pretty funny.

The big meet- unfortunately they had to wear masks to meet her and have their picture made but it's the only time we had to wear them while there.  They could have cared less and it was still just as special and exciting. 

After the meet and greet they got early entrance to the concert floor which got them right up to the stage.

Here is where I make a confession. This place was packed elbow to elbow.  I was not feeling that scene, so I dropped $100 to for a seat at the bar that surrounded the concert floor.  Grace and I would text back and forth so I could check in on her.  At one point, you can see her raise up her arm to let me know that she was ok and she and Jackie holding their own. I met some nice parents back at my seat who also agreed that those seats were priceless and we had fun chatting and laughing about the crowded scene around us.  Those kids stood there for 4 hours.  

Lily sent this picture from her point of view behind her.

The girls and I agreed that the House of Blues was a really cool and fun venue for a concert. 

Being right at the stage she got up close to Tate's performance.

You've never met two girls more excited than these two after the concert.  After Tate took Lily's phone and filmed with it, I din't think they would ever some down off their excitement high. 

Always have fun with my best friend too.  Matt was our chauffer, coat collector and security

We ended our trip with Palm Sunday mass at the beautiful Holy Name Cathedral 

Spring Break Kick Off- Girl's Road Trip to Nashville

Lily Grace and I left early on Sunday morning to kick off  Spring Break with a girl's road trip to Nashville.  Our agenda, all things Taylor Swift in the city where she got her start. 

We had the absolute best time!!!!!  We stayed downtown at the beautiful JW in the heart of things.  We hit the ground running just a soon as we arrived.  We got in everything on our list and then some.

We both agree that the best part of our trip was the Bluebird Cafe where Taylor was discovered. (and where we made new friends waiting in line for over two hours to get in for open mic night)

Gracie, I can't tell you how special that trip was to me.  The laughs, fun and experiences are memories I will hold close to my heart.  And we will always have "Slowpoke, Cowpoke from Longpoc!"  

We are back home to wash clothes, pack another bag and grab Matt and Jackie.  We are off to Chicago to round out Spring Break with another Sweet 16 concert request, Tate McRae at the House of Blues.

We stopped by the lips mural next to Fidos.

Lily Grace loves Greek mythology so of course we had to swing by the Parthenon.  Yep! In Nashville

Some of the beautiful art on display

We loved the Athena statue.

This is also where some of the Percy Jackson movie was filmed.  Here's a couple of the pops and the original script for the movie.

Of course we got in some shopping.   We were able to hit the beautiful Green Hills mall which was our favorite as well as the Opry Mills mall.

Beautiful downtown view from our suite

Of course Lily Grace had to get her pic made in front of this green mural.  Green, green, green- the girls does love this color.

Washi tape mural

We made it to the Nashville wings mural.

This piece outside the art museum reminded us of Honey.  She loves roses.

We walked Music Row of course.

We promised Matt we would stop by the Johnny Cash museum and send him a pic.

She couldn't wait to get inside and see the Taylor memorabilia.  

I won't lie, Hee Haw got me a little excited.  It was like my childhood in that cornfield.  I totally remember watching that each weekend growing up.  

And seeing the Taylor's Red guitar, her trip was complete.

Her antics did keep us laughing.  

We waited a little over two hours to get into the Bluebird Cafe.  It's where Taylor was discovered when she sang her original song, "Tim McGraw."  The cafe only holds 75 people and it's a Nashville bucket list stop for most everyone who visits.  We actually had someone who didn't make the cutoff try to buy our spots.  We met another mother daughter duo from New Jersey who we chatted with along with a couple behind us while we all waited.  It was open mic night.  Inside the Bluebird you will find communal seating and sat with a girl performing for the first time.  Lily Grace got her autograph just in case her career takes off and we can say we saw her start.  There were 18 acts that night from all over the United Sates and as far away as Canada.  While some were memorable for different reasons, Gracie and I enjoyed them all as well as their courage to get up there and sing.  They sang their own original songs. Covers aren't allowed on open mic night.  We ate, listened, laughed and had an absolute blast.  The wait was definitely worth it.  We couldn't imagine this trip without having gotten to do this.  Even Matt was at home texting us anxious and hoping we would make the count since this experience was really high on our list.

Favorite memory

And there she is, a young Taylor.  It's amazing to see all the artist who have gotten their start here or stopped by to play.  The wall is full of artists. 

Each  morning Gracie and I would head up to executive lounge for breakfast and in the evening's we would head back for a late night snack over the city lights.  I swear this girl and her antics kept me laughing. 

Sweet 16 Kick-off with Conan Gray!

With her 16th birthday quickly approaching in April, Lily Grace asked for concerts for her special birthday.  

First up, Conan Gray in Indianapolis and we made a weekend of it.  With the car loaded with requested snacks, a road trip playlist and two very excited girls, we first made our way to Keystone Fashion mall for a little shopping. After a few hours at the mall, we had dinner at Lily Grace's favorite Italian restaurant.  

After dinner, the girls and I checked into our hotel and started getting ready.  Wow!  Getting ready for those two meant piling on the glitter and excitement for the sold out show.

It was super cold and snowed all day, but it most definitely didn't take away from the fun.  

Conan put on a great show. (and as always, his hair looked amazing) We all had fun dancing and belting out his songs.  

After breakfast and mass on Sunday, we piled in the car and made our way home.  Gracie and Jackie said the concert completely met and passed their expectations.  They've already planned to wear their concert tees on their next dress-down day at school. 

Gracie, I had just as much fun watching you as you did watching Conan.  Memories I will cherish. 

Up next, a road trip for all things Taylor Swift.

The girls found this Taylor Swift album at the mall.  

At least the snow had stopped by 6:30 when we got in line, but boy was it cold.