Good morning and happy Friday!

I feel like I’m ALWAYS saying this, but yesterday was one of the most fun days we’ve had since we moved here! I know I’ve said that multiple times, but it feels like summer in Chicago was DESIGNED to be so fun.

Probably to remind people – during the winter – that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel!

We dropped Ishu off to daycare a little earlier in the morning so we could pick him up a little earlier and take him to the Ducky Derby events.

Ducky Derby is an annual fundraising event for the Special Olympics. Every rubber duck purchased is a $5 donation and they managed to sell nearly 70,000 ducks!

They take all the ducks purchased and drop them off the Columbus Street bridge. Once they splash down, they “race” to the finish line and there are multiple prizes for the winning duck.

Splashdown was at 1pm, but the events and music and fun started at 10:30 over on Michigan Ave.

We picked Ishu up at 10am and went straight there.

Before we even reached Michigan Ave., he was already kicking with excitement because he had spotted the balloons. And then, when we got up closer and he could hear the music, well, he was squirming to get out of his stroller.

We stayed for about an hour and Ishu definitely made himself known. He was the band’s biggest fan and spent most of the time up front and center, clapping and stomping to the music.

Ankur and I just kept staring at each other and laughing. I mean, who even is this kid? Where did he get his dance moves from? And how does he already have such a big personality?

We weren’t the only two falling in love with our little guy. Looking around, several people had their phones out, snapping pictures and taking videos of Ishu. I don’t know whether to find it sweet or horrifying that so many people went home with a video of my baby. But, it is what it is. You have a big personality that you show off to the world and you end up on everyone’s Insta stories, I guess.

ANYWAY, he bobbed in and out of the crowds, always ending up closer and closer to the music. A few times, he tried to climb onto the stage. I couldn’t tell if it was the music that was drawing him in or the fact that there were a tiny set of stairs on the side of the stage. And we all know how he feels about stairs these days.

We left the festivities around 11:30 because Ankur had to head to work. Ishu and I went home and had a little snack before heading back out to watch the splashdown.

We got there about 15 minutes ahead of time and got a prime spot. Right under the bridge, across from where the ducks were being dropped.

The countdown happened, the ducks dropped, and it felt like we were a part of something pretty cool and exciting. Everyone clapped as the final ducks dropped. Ishu joined in. And, now when we watch the video of the splashdown, he claps every time.

We didn’t stay to find out who the winners were because Ishu hadn’t napped yet and I wanted to hurry him home before he fell asleep in the stroller.

But, it’s probably pretty obvious that his action-packed day had him napping LONG and HARD.

Now, we’re looking forward to another weekend of “best days ever!” We plan to head to the Children’s Museum, the zoo, and probably more parks and playgrounds!

Summer in Chicago is simply amazing.