Three days after my father left, my mother and sister flew in to help me out for the rest of my month with 4 kids.

I often see the quote, “Family is everything.” Right now everything in my life is about my family, and I am so incredibly lucky to come from the kind of family who rallies around me to help me when I need it the most.

My first family (father, sister and mother) coming out to help tirelessly for the month of August with current family must feel like the guy who figured out peanut butter goes with jelly. The joy of watching everyone I love from different generations interact together makes my heart sing.

Friday was my mother’s birthday.

Her treat was for her to surprise me on a shopping trip by paying my bill.

Then Adam and I dumped the kids on her and my sister for the night and went to the Billy Joel concert.

Wrigley Field

We didn’t even come home afterwards, instead using our Hilton points to stay the Waldorf Astoria.

While we were relaxing and sleeping in, my sister and mom put up with many tantrums, fights, butt wipes (and butt cream!), and still managed the house so well that when Adam and I returned home it was much cleaner than I ever manage to make it.

Lara turned all the kids into ‘hot dogs’.

Double Trouble

We also had a 1:1 ratio for the kids at our annual block party. Which mean Jack benefitted as well, he was allowed to invite some of his buddies to enjoy the fun as well.

We also got a chance to eat lots of Chinese food!

At Shine…

Shine Restaurant

And Dim Sum at Ming Hin…

And Cheng Du Impression…

This morning Lara left, but I still have mom to help me make it until both older kids are back in school.

If the saying “Family is Everything” is true, then I truly have everything.

The annual bock party was scheduled for this weekend and despite a forecast of rain, it ended up a muggy and wonderfully sunny afternoon.

I was very lucky to have extra helpers in town!

Mom and my sister Lara with my friend Laurie

We let the kids enjoy all the festivities with abandon, even though it meant they conveniently forgot dinner.

There were so many treats, it was easy to forget something like dinner, even though Summer House Santa Monica catered again and there were quite a few grills on the street cooking hot dogs, hamburgers and brats.

The kids enjoyed MANY cones at the cotton candy machine.

This year, not one but TWO ice cream trucks came to the street.

The regular band was there to keep the spirits high. So were the kegs. I saw a woman come by with trays of jello shots this year but I think I’ll have to wait until the kids are a lot older to enjoy those!

Walgreens came by and did face painting.

And one of the neighbors organized a craft table.

The Great Scott put on a fantastic magic show. This year Ben was called up as a helper!

Afterwards The Great Scott twisted balloons for all the kids.

The bouncy house area was expanded as well. After many complaints, they added a second one and split them according to age groups, under and over 5 years.

Finally it grew late and the glow stuff came out. 

The kids came home sticky, exhausted and happy. Till next year!

After our return from quiet Michigan towns, we wasted no time becoming Chicagoans again.

Sunday we found a field by the lake that wasn’t crowded at all and watched the Chicago Air and Water Show.

My Dad was still in town and it seemed like the perfect thing to bring an aviation wizard to.

Between the buzzing sights from the air, there was plenty of down time to play and picnic.

As usual, Grandpa Devensky spent the entire time making our kids laugh and feel special.

As usual, if there are sticks involved, Aaron is happy. 

As usual, Chicago had another brilliant show.

Dad left the next day.

As usual, he will be sorely missed.

A couple of days before we left for Michigan, this Onion article popped up on my facebook feed, “Mom Spends Beach Vacation Assuming All Household Duties In Closer Proximity to Ocean“.

Underneath was another article with yes or no questions to answer, letting you know if you are going on a trip or a vacation. Was there a laundry or kitchen were you were staying? That’s a trip, not a vacation.

I ticked most of the boxes and I think it really helped me realize that I was planning this beach house rental for the kids, and if I had any other expectation, I should swallow them before the trip so I didn’t ruin it for everyone.

This attitude went a long way towards making it a true vacation for them.

On Adam’s insistence, we chose a place right on the beach.

Evening Constitution

We were located conveniently between South Haven and Saugatuck, but for the first couple of days we didn’t bother taking the kids to either one, because there was a great beach a few steps from us.

On the first night we arrived, we took the kids to the beach around sunset to let them see it. They were so excited about the huge waves that they ran into the water fully dressed.

Our local beach was small but we practically had the place to ourselves so it was plenty big enough for us!

There were tons of rocks and sticks so the boys barely touched our plastic, store bought toys. 

And there was also a creek that ran into the lake great for mucking around in.

The last two days of holiday the kids feet were pretty cut up from wearing their water shoes all the time, even in the water (our local beach was filled with rocks in the water too.) We decided to check out the other two beaches in the towns close to us.

First Oval Beach in Saugatuck.

Oval Beach

Going to the beach every day is exhausting

Then South Beach in South Haven.

And there were other activities too.

One day we picked blueberries at Earl’s Blueberry Farm.

Another day we hiked Mount Baldhead. 

The kids liked running down the sandy dunes on the other side of these steps so much we decided to check out the Saugatuck Dunes State Park the next day.

It was very buggy and full of daddy long legs which freaked the kids out. Also it wasn’t well marked and we ended up going in a big circle. Kids were freaked out and crying. It felt like we were stuck in the Blair Witch Project. It rained on us and after over an hour of walking around, we never made it to the other side of the dunes to see the beach, instead we ate our picnic in the car ride home!

We also went to Saugatuck to visit the Teeny Tiny Toy Store, and eat at the Saugatuck Brewing Company. That night Aaron spilled a beer on my one side and Sam threw up on the other side. But hey, on the bright side, I didn’t have to cook!

We also ate ice cream at the local store, Kilwins.

We also spent a lot of time around the house, hanging out as a family. With so few toys, I loved how creative the kids got with the stuff I actually brought. Like these Pop Toobs. 

Hours of entertainment.

And roasting s’mores right in the front yard!

Even though I still assumed many of the household duties, having my father there was a godsend.

When Adam worked I still had another adult around. And not just any adult, one who spent lots of time entertaining all the kids.

He also took on laundry, kitchen clean up, and sweeping duties.

And he helped Jack with his summer homework packet most days.

Adam and I went out most nights, leaving my father with the sleeping kids. Many of the night we went to Mejier for groceries, but a few nights we were free to walk around the sleepy beach towns and eat more Kilwins ice cream.

South Haven Pier

Less toys, less scheduled events, and more free time left me more time to slow down. To be with the kids. To enjoy the sunset every night off our balcony. To sit and read a few pages in my book.

The kids came back from the trip very happy and so did I.

We recently renewed our membership to the Morton Arboretum.

For the summer months, it has definitely been worth it. Especially since Jack is starting to get to the age where a city playground isn’t stimulating enough for him.

I was able to take all the kids today with the help of my father, who is retired (and made the mistake of telling me about it). 

I leaned on him to help me for 2 or the 4 weeks Ben is out of school.

Just one of the kids.

Tadpole Pond

What I love best about this place is that it works for all ages. 

Getting lost in the Maze

Ribbit Exhibit

Right now we spend all our time time the Children’s Garden, but as they get older, I want to do some biking and hiking. It’s so big, I’ve only seen probably 1/10th of the place!