The official sound on an airplane is the murmur. The pilot murmurs the cruising altitude. The nearly silent flight attendents dole out pillows and 2 ounces of Diet Coke per passenger. The business travellers have nothing to say, saving their words for saving their jobs. Couples cuddle together and curl whispers until they tangle. Grunt, snore, stare. 
Aidan, who never got the memo announcing she was to gaze knowingly at a laptop screen or read “Fit” magazine, shouted: “There are squares! Squares on the ground! Why haven’t I noticed that before?”
Because you’ve never been up this high to see the ground. The squares are farms. I murmur.
“Do the farmers know about it?” she demanded.
Yes.
We had just taken off, flying into a sunrise and away from a night I was glad to kick to the curb. It gave me no rest. I was too excited about our trip to Chicago.
Christmas 2004 brought an American Girl Doll to Aidan’s eager arms. It was a gift from my parents, a dream come true. When she discovered there was a Place for American Girls, she wanted to go. We’d talk about how much fun it would be for the two of us to jet off to Chicago for tea with her doll, never really believing it would happen.
On Christmas morning, 2005, a silver envelope appeared on the tree, addressed to us. We saved it for last and opened it together. Inside was an airline confirmation, a hotel reservation, tickets to the theater, and a ticket for a dinner reservation. We were going to Chicago. Hubby had done it all—played travel agent and put together every last detail of our trip. It was a complete surprise.
Aidan and I found ourselves in the sky, two weeks later. The four pajama’d boys and hubby had been kissed goodbye and we were off, not knowing exactly what we would encounter in Chicago. We laughed, we cried, we had a crazy and unexpected meeting with a family member, we met the King of Chicago and have photographic proof.
We are now home, recipients of God-given journey mercies. Aidan is back at school, I am once again Suburban Mommy in brown clogs and a purse with a two-feet-long SuperTarget receipt stuffed inside.
I am going to spend this week writing about our adventures in Chicago.
Cool.
It sounds amazing. Can’t wait to read more about it.
I can’t wait to hear more! Sounds like so much fun!
Tell your husband that this is one of the sweetest things I have ever heard of. Fifteen hundred points for Mr. Mospy.
Looking forward to reading all week.
That is fantastic. I can’t wait until my daughter and I can have those special vacations.
That’s it. I want to read more. 🙂 Sounds like your dh is the best dh in the world. What a terrific idea. I’m sharing this trip idea to my hubby now, hoping for a similiar trip in 5 years. LOL!
JoAnn
How much fun is that?? Hubby deserves an award. Can’t wait to hear more!
PS I have an American Girl doll, but I guess she’s from before there was a place for them.
Can’t wait to hear all about it tomorrow on our date with P.F. Love, Vashti and Jenn
What a fun surprise from your DH! Can’t wait to hear all about the trip!
And LOL about Aiden wondering if the farmers know about the squares.
This is probably proof that I’m spending too much time blogging, but I found myself wondering all weekend what wonderful trip you might be on! Surely there couldn’t have been a better one–I can’t wait to read more. And I laughed out loud at “do the farmers know about it?”
OH man…. that’s just awesome. Can’t wait to read about your trip
Very cool! Never knew that such a place about American Girls existed, and will have to file that away in my memory.
What fun! I’ll bet you guys made memories that will last a lifetime. Can’t wait to hear more about your adventure.
Wow. I can’t decide which is cooler–the trip itself, or that your husband gave it to you. Wow.
When my girls were younger they would have LOVED to go there! They both have 2 of the dolls and almost all of the books. Of course, they are too old now (sigh) but my four-year old is loving pouring through the catalogs to look at Itty-Bitty-Baby! Yeah!
It is so neat that your were able to create such an awesome memory with your little girl!
You have a wonderful husband, who loves his girls and knows what their dreams are and desires to fulfill them. What a treat for you and Aidan and I know he was blessed by knowing that you two were having the time of your lives.
That is fantastic!! What a great Dad you found your kids. I hope you and Aiden had a ball!!
He’s a keeper! 🙂
Sounds absolutely lovely! I’m glas you guys had a nice time!
And I’m glad you’re back. I’m looking foward to reading of all you’re adventures!