Inflated fun

From a kid's perspective, the talent to twist balloons into fun shapes is just about as cool as the ability to fly, see through walls and a host of other super powers.

A few days ago, I wrote about AJ getting called up on stage during a live show at Navy Pier. (If you haven't seen the video, click here.) After racking up three of his minutes of fame, AJ happily exited the stage armed with two balloon swords (one of which he immediately offered to cousin Ben, because what good's a balloon sword if you can't sword fight someone with it?) and a balloon belt.

Sadly, the balloon belt didn't last long. While attempting to fasten his seat belt in the taxi, I accidentally popped the balloon belt. AJ was beyond upset. It was as if I'd committed ultimate betrayal. He'd trusted me to keep him safe, and instead I destroyed his newest, most favorite possession.

As luck would have it, barely 24 hours later we wrapped up our final night in Chicago with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. It was a great restaurant with amazing decor and surprisingly good food. Even better, it employed a woman who knew how to twist balloons.

What did AJ ask her to make? I'll give you one guess. (If you need a hint, look at the brown balloon wrapped around his waist in the photo below.)

AJ was so excited to again have a place to stash his balloon sword, he had to bring his sister over to see the artist in action.

Sydney was suitably impressed and soon ended up with a special balloon creation of her own - a lovely flower. 

I couldn't help but shake my head at the pure joy these simple toys inspired. The restaurant features giant aquariums filled with colorful tropical fish. Plus, we'd ordered a really cool fudge-covered ice cream/brownie dessert that looked like an erupting volcano. And yet all AJ wanted to do was go back to the hotel so he could get his balloon sword to put in his balloon belt.

Amazingly, the balloon belt survived the trip all the way back to Minnesota, as did the green stem on Sydney's flower. (How lucky for me?!?) The sword popped before we reached the Illinois/Wisconsin border, and the flower's pink petals popped one at a time over a two-day period.

But at least for one evening on vacation in Chicago, all of AJ's swashbuckling dreams came true.