Seems like it was only days ago that I was full of anxiety at the thought of watching two kids all day long for three months. But now it feels like the gorgeous, fun filled summer days are slipping by way to quickly. Now I’m suffering from a different anxiety, of how much Ben and I are going to miss having Jack with us all day.
Angus running from Jack with a Bucket, but Jack has no idea the bucket has a huge hole!
A little surprise perk of signing up for Lil Sluggers this summer were the free tickets to the Under Armour All American Baseball Game at Wrigley Field.
The Gang Sitting Right Behind Home Plate
This is a game played by the best high school players in America. And Canada. Besides us Lil Sluggers families, there were lots of scouts there watching the players.
Scouts with their Radar Guns
Because it was not crowded, we were able to run around the entire stadium. This kids loved this. It didn’t matter how many snacks we had, they were itching to check the place out.
Look How Close We Got to the Field!
Traditionally, after the game they let the kids on the field to run the bases. Since it rained most of the game they cancelled it. Now that I know about it, I’m definitely going to try to go next year. Running the bases at Wrigley is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I don’t want my kids to miss!
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We had a great morning at the Zoo. It’s big enough that each time you visit you’ll have a completely different experience.
How City Kids See Cow Milking
We were joined by a classmate of Jack’s, Martha, and her summer nanny who is also their school teacher, Ms. Vanessa.
Hide and Seek
It was a day filled with fun. Picnic, hide and seek, train riding, climbing, and last but not least, animal viewing!
Ben, Martha and Jack Watching the Polar Bear
Last night we were lucky to have another of Adam’s high school buddies make an appearance at our house. This is the summer of high school friends!
Looking at old photos
Dave and his soon to be college aged son Jake joined us for dinner last night. Jake
was surprised to see himself at age 5 in Adam’s album. The photo was of the Isberner’s wedding, which Dave had brought Jake to.
It was odd talking to Jake. He was a fine young adult. And we could chat about anything with ease. We even chatted about how much we both loved the show ‘Entourage’. However, he was also able to talk with equal enthusiasm to our 4 year old about the new movie ‘Cars 2’. Made me feel old, but also that life was short.
Pin ItFriendship is a funny thing. I’ve lived so many different lives in so many different cities and I’ve picked people up every place I’ve been. Some have stayed around and some have disappeared. You never know who will become a real friend and who won’t for many years after meeting the person. But no matter how many people I meet, there is nothing more heartwarming about the feeling you get when you realize someone is becoming a good friend. That ‘ah-ha’ moment when it dawns on you that this person has some staying power.
Jack and Grant at the Morton Arboretum, May 2010
I had that feeling today when a friend of mine shlepped 45 minutes to the Morton Arboretum to meet us. She gave birth to her third child nine days ago. Nine days ago! And it’s her third! And it’s 45 minutes away! Her oldest is Jack’s age and I’m pleased to say joining him next year at his pre-school. Her second is Ben’s age. I missed the boat on matching our third kids together. Maybe I’ll catch up for her fourth?
Jack and Grant at the Morton Arboretum, August 2011
You’d think he was gone a month when I saw this reunion at the airport…
We missed you Papa!
In fact it was a mere 2 day trip.
Pin It“I guess the old grind ain’t so bad.” I thought as I sat on my beach blanket Tuesday morning with my good friend Pam.
Pam playing with Max in the Lake
We visited Foster Avenue Beach. It’s got a parking lot right out front where there is always parking for $1 and hour. It has the usual Chicago Beach accommodations, bathrooms, shower at the exit to wash off the sand, small concession stand. It also has a wheel chair accessible ramp where you can wheel your stroller right to the water’s edge. And very attentive life guards.
Once again, six kids, all boys.
It’s a great beach for families. The life guards were so attentive that they even reprimanded Jack for accidentally getting some mud in his water squirter. They also had me take off my kids life vest. Yep. You read it right. Apparently there is a rule in Illinois that if the life vest is not regulation you can’t wear it. I also had this problem at the Hidden Creek Aqua Park also.
Mom tip: If your kid is scared to swim getting a life vest is a great way for them to get over their fear. I can’t take credit for the idea, I stole it from my friend Kelly. Before the vests Jack wouldn’t enter the water and Ben would jump in without caution. After the vests and a few weeks of practice, both kids can swim without me holding them. Just make sure you get a regulation one, otherwise you’ll find yourself with a a two year old like a floppy fish, thinking he can float when he can’t!
Pin ItWe humans are quite adaptable. It’s amazing how quickly we can completely change our environments and meld right in without any anxiety. In fact for the past week I’ve not felt a hint of nervousness. Perhaps if I had ventured into the drivers seat of our passenger side driving seat and tried to drive on the other side of the road it might have given me a flutter or two. I know Adam kept cursing himself every time he wanted to put on the turn signal and once again found himself turning the windshield wipers on instead.
After six months of careful diet I threw it all to the wayside. I could not believe how easy it was to not even think about calories. And I don’t even want to admit what I let the kids eat.
Once we were out of the country I barely checked my emails. Amazing considering that I can’t go a day in Chicago without checking them at least once.
Adam and I, who love to see how much we can possibly fit into one day started a lazy routine that included not much more than eating and playing on the beach with the kids.
Finally I didn’t feel like exercising once.
Who was I in Cayman?
The Wongs and Calisoffs at the Tiki Bar in Cayman
When we arrived back to our home in Chicago real life hit me. All of a sudden the rush was on. How quickly could I get to the supermarket and pick up dinner? I wondered as I shoved clothes from the suitcase into the laundry. I’d better call and order I thought while making a mental grocery list and sorting mail.
Life was back to it’s hectic pace.
And as quick as I shed my Chicago skin when I left, I grew another one. Must book the gym, must eat healthy, must call friends and organize some play dates for the kids, must file, must do the monthly video and photos. (Which are up, by the way. You can click on them to the right under the title ‘July 2011’ under ‘Youtube Videos’ and ‘Facebook Photos’.)
As much fun as I had on holiday, it’s always nice to come back home. I’m happy to see the DVR full of new shows, happy to see my friends again, happy start checking off the rest of the fun and exciting stuff I have planned for the kids this summer. I’m excited to be back on my own computer playing with my modern day scrap book, my somewhat censored diary – this blog.
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