Mom and Lara’s Annual Visit

Last week we had a visit from Japo and Aunt Lara for what is becoming a beautiful tradition.

We packed in all kinds of fun, most of which benefited me the most!

First, Japo very kindly watched Ben ALL day so Adam and I could take the other kids and friends to Great America.DSC_0678 DSC_0672Then, a few days later Aunt Lara showed up.

We immediately headed to Chinatown for Dim Sum!DSC_0711 DSC_0713

As soon as Lara arrived, she joined my mother in helping around the house. While Japo tirelessly folded laundry, Aunt Lara refinished our table!

Before

Before

After

After

The next night, Adam and I checked into a hotel sans kids and enjoyed some time together.

London House

London House

I got to go eat at all my favorite places.

Slurping Turtle

Slurping Turtle

Goddess and the Baker

Goddess and the Baker

We went running TOGETHER, instead of tag teaming our runs to take turns babysitting.

Buckingham Fountain

Buckingham Fountain

And we got a chance to explore the city without distraction. The walks we do with the kids feels more like herding cats then exploring.

CANstruction exhibit

CANstruction exhibit

Canstruction exhibit

CANstruction exhibit

While we were away Aunt Lara and Japo watched our rambunctious herd. IMG_9686 IMG_9737We got home just in time for the block party (see previous blog post).

The next day Adam watched the kids for the day while us ladies spent the day celebrating Japo’s 80th birthday.

We got reflexology at our favorite spot, Fit Foot.

Then we went to see “Crazy Rich Asians”.

Not so crazy, or rich, but somewhat Asian.

Not so crazy, or rich, but somewhat Asian.

Finally we had dinner at Girl & the Goat.IMG_9729

I was very sad to see them go this morning, and wished again for the millionth time that we all lived closer.

 

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Block Party 2018

Yesterday we happily participated in the annual block party.

There was so much fun to be had!

We ran from one delight to another…

Cotton candy…DSC_0721 DSC_0730Bouncy houses…DSC_0740 DSC_0747 DSC_0788Craft table….DSC_0726Hula Hooping with the Band…DSC_0716 IMG_9717Magician Show…

DSC_0785Ice Cream Truck…DSC_0792Face Painting…

Aaron's fan club

Aaron’s fan club

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Corn Hole…DSC_0754 DSC_0799And for the adults, we enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, catering from Oyster Bah and Summer House Santa Monica. Five kegs and many more adult beverages were scattered along the block as well.

But best of all, we got to celebrate with Aunt Lara and Japo…DSC_0780

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Grandpa Devensky Visits

Grandpa Devensky came up to help us this week.IMG_9473He arrived in time to join us for Ben’s last day of summer session, where they host an annual picnic.

This year, instead of being wrapped as a mummy, Grandpa took the honor.IMG_3549 (1)He also helped me take Ben and his friend to see the troll exhibit at the Morton Arboretum. Ben spent a lot of time separated from the other kids so it was super helpful to have another adult around.IMG_9499One night was had a delightful visit with Adam’s cousin, Brett, and his wife, their kids, plus one roommate and girlfriend.

DSC_0548Adam also scored tickets to a cubs game while Grandpa was here and they went with the older boys.

IMG_9537Over the weekend it was super hot and we cooled off at the water park. The kids were daredevils, the twins tried the diving board and big boy slide for the first time.

DSC_0566 DSC_0570 DSC_0573

Adam, my other daredevil kid...

Adam, my other daredevil kid…

Ben spent many times experimenting on the fastest way to go down the fast slide. He decided crossing your arms like this was optimal…DSC_0591

I liked how Jack took some time to hang poolside with Grandpa.

DSC_0585We had a trip to Chinatown for DimSum.

IMG_9550And Grandpa helped me bring all these kids to Maggie Daley and Millenium Park for a day.

IMG_3755In the morning, the older boys played tag while the younger ones enjoyed the park.

IMG_3736 DSC_0611Afterwards, we joined together for a picnic lunch.

DSC_0624Then we headed to the fountains to splash around.

DSC_0635We had a lot of fun activities, but as Grandpa always says, the best parts are not the planned activities. They are the down times, when you are just hanging around. When you have time to connect freely, unforced.IMG_9477 IMG_9495 IMG_9541 IMG_9543 IMG_9546Grandpa is great at that.

I was so incredibly grateful for his visit. Without his help, I couldn’t plan any of these fun activities for the kids! Thanks Grandpa for making the kids summer fun! (And for doing the laundry and dishes, and fixing the license plates on our car, and taking out the garbage, and putting the kids to bed at night!!!)

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