Ben enjoyed one last play date with his BFF before school starts for him next week.

The forecast was for rain so we booked Sky High Trampoline Park. 

When the day finally arrived, it was sunny and beautiful out, but it was probably for the best because the place was not over crowded.

Dodgeball Arena

I wrongly envisioned a relaxing sit on one of the couches with Ben’s BFF’s mom.

Turns out, under 6 and over 6 are in two different areas so I spent most of my time running from one place to the next.

Still, it was really cool to see the kids all jumping with youthful delight. Trampolines are often used in therapy for kids on the spectrum so this was perfect for Ben.

The twins were surprisingly physical with each other. I spent a huge amount of time telling them to keep their hands to themselves. Chasing, then tackling – this seems to be an innate, testosterone type activity.

I also diverted them to the foam pits.

I got a groupon for this activity. With the groupon, 2 hours of jump time was $14 instead of $22.

It was with a heavy heart that I said good-bye to my father this afternoon.

Grandpa Arrives!

I know I’m not the only one in the house that felt it either.

They all gravitate to him.

He cleaned dishes, washed and folded clothes, cleaned the house, and spent many hours babysitting the kids for me. He put our families needs in front of his own every single moment of the day.

Jack won’t even hold my hand anymore!

He connected with each kid at their own level, creating a special relationship with each one of them.

Jack almost didn’t leave for his playdate this morning for fear of missing every last moment of time with Grandpa.

Chess with Ben

Ben bought that chessboard with his birthday money specifically for Grandpa’s visit.

Playing dinosaurs with Sam

Aaron took to him the most, following him around like his little minion. Each night Grandpa told his ‘bloody finger’ stories to the kids. Stories that he made up in his head. I have no idea how he came up with so many different plots! Often I would hear fits of laughter coming from the bedroom at night.

I’m sure I’m forgetting the hundred other ways he helped, like patiently helping Jack with his homework. Or talking to Ben for hours gently, sneakily so Ben wouldn’t be offended, about ways to improve his behavior. (He even based a few ‘bloody finger’ stories on it!)

Such a great, great person. We will miss him dearly.

We spent yesterday afternoon in The Glen Town Center, an enclave for pleasure seekers in Glenview.

I’ve been wanting to check out the new climbing zone, Funtopia, for a while now.

But first, we met up with Bubbie and Bill for lunch at the Yard House.

The kids menu kept the kids pretty busy. The adults too. Bubbie and Sam got a few games of ‘tic-tac-toe’ in, while Grandpa Devensky played against Ben in the ‘make a square’ game.

Then the Calisoff train was off to Funtopia!

There are a bunch of different sections to explore but for today, we just did the ‘fun walls’ section.

Jack and Ben took to it right away.

At first the twins were a bit nervous with the harness. But eventually they warmed up.

There were some really great moments.

Like watching Aaron play with Grandpa.

Or when Ben couldn’t complete one of the harder courses and Jack went back to help him.

One time Ben was cut in line and when I told the boy Ben was next, Ben said, “It’s okay, his time is almost up, he can go before me.”

We paid for a 2 hour session, which was $22 per kid, just enough time for Jack to complete every thing in the area. You can book for less time and less money, though. There are 1 hour and 1.5 hour sessions as well.

I highly recommend booking in advance!

Our lucky kids are getting showered with Grandparent love right now.

Last night, Bubbie and Grandpa Bill joined with my father for an enjoyable evening at our house. For once the adults outnumbered the kids!

And today, we met up again, this time at the extended stay hotel that Bubbie and Bill are staying in.

It was a great place to host the kids. The minute we arrived the kids got so excited that they jumped into the pool before they could hear what the plan was!

Then, Bubbie brought her dog Zoe out for the kids to play with. Besides Ben, they are all a bit spooked by pets. I was glad for the opportunity to expose them – slowly the kids are getting more comfortable around dogs. 

Afterwards, a failed attempt at kite flying.

Which turned into a playground visit.

Finally, Bubbie and Bill treated us to dinner at Max and Benny’s, Northshore’s best deli.

The kids ate so much that they didn’t even bother with dessert. That never happens when I feed them…

Today was Ben’s turn for a playdate.

This time we headed out to the suburbs to pick up his BFF, then continued on to a playground in Glen Ellyn, Maryknoll.

It was one of the many great parks we have seen when we hit the suburbs. It had two playgrounds, a zip line, a splash pad, clean bathrooms, a clubhouse that sold food and ice cream, mini golf, frisbee golf, shuffleboard, and plenty of green open spaces left for where ever your imagination might take you.

All the kids were the right age for all of it!

Climbing…

Here they picked up a game of tag with some of the other kids.

Zip lining…

Splashing in the water…

Even Grandpa gives the splash pad a whirl!

And of course, ice cream!

People often say that things get easier when the kids get older. Each summer is a chance to reflect on this, to look back and see how things have changed since last summer.

Yesterday Jack had two of his buddies over for a playdate. We headed over to Maggie Daley & Millennium Park for the day. Six kids, Two adults in a huge, open area park with lots of places to lose kids. It was a task that would have been too daunting a year ago.

This year was different. This year, Maggie Daley seemed like just about the only park in Chicago big enough for a bunch of 10 year olds to play at without getting bored. Or without getting dirty looks from parents of younger kids.

Jack and his buddies along with Ben played an epic game of tag. I barely got any pictures of them because I would just catch glimpse of them running.

Or hiding. 

Sometimes they would just pop up over ridges out of nowhere.

Yet they somehow managed to find each other because every time I asked, someone else was ‘it’.

Luckily the twins still needed my company all the time. And I was able to snap away at them enjoying all the park has to offer.

My Dad is here helping out so even if the twins split up we still had complete coverage.

We stopped for an ice cream break after 3 hours of non stop running.

Then across the Serpentine Bridge to Millennium Park to play in the Crown fountain.

After hours of hot sweaty play, it was a welcome change.

When we got back to the house, I expected the boys to zone out on electronics, but instead they played another tag game for hours in the house. The amount of energy exerted was incredible. If only I could bottle it and sell it, I’d be worth millions!

This week was the first week I had all four kids with me all day long in full blown summer mode.

What did we do?

Well, what DIDN’T we do might be a better question…

Tuesday was a hot and sunny day, perfect for the Hidden Creek Aqua Park in Highland Park.

Ben shared so nicely with these kids.

Lounge Chair Picnic

Wednesday Jack was on a playdate at Sky High so we checked out the new Budlong Chicken Restaurant down the street, the treasures at a garden nearby, and challenged ourselves at Privet Park.

Thursday the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and Cummings Park.

Finding Dinosaurs at the Lincoln Park Conservatory

Picnic at the Lincoln Park Conservatory garden.

Summer isn’t summer without the ice cream man!

Friday, while Jack’s buddy took him to Great America, we had a cool evening at Oz park.

Saturday a romp at Newberry followed by dinner and dessert in Chinatown. I wanted to check out Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings and the new Tasty Legend Thai Rolled Ice Cream (so did everyone else, the line was 4 rows deep).

Clown Car

And Sunday? Pizza baking, ice cream making and Cosmic Bowling at Waveland Bowl!

Jack’s choice – lemon/lime sorbet.

Surprised to see Vonda at the bowling alley!

What will next week bring?!!!

Today was Ben’s end of the long (11 month) school year.

As usual, his school celebrates with a fun afternoon picnic and party.

The party took place on their playground.

In addition to the climbing and toys, they hired a group to play games.

This is one where they have to transfer water from a full tub to an empty one with a sponge. 

And the kids favorite, turning mommy into a mummy!

This year Ben and Aaron got in on the action. Can you spot Ben in the picture above?

The kids also loved the pizza, unlimited lemonade and brownies!

It was a really fun afternoon.

I am so grateful that Ben has a school like this, one that accepts him completely, understands his struggles, and tries their best to accommodate them.

The six-way email girls strike again!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of keeping these 5 beautiful women company in Winter Park, CO.

Holly recently bought a second home there and it was a perfect excuse to meet up again.

Last time we met up was in Estes Park 2 years ago. Here we are white water river rafting…

But we have been meeting up for years!

Here we are in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico in 2001…

Winter Park is a gem of a place. From Holly’s apartment we could walk anywhere in town.

Many days we hiked. (Some of the other girls biked, or shopped.)

Broome Hut

Lost somewhere close to the Leland Trail

We checked out the local art festival.

Tried the Alpine Slide.

Rented a pontoon.

First time driving a boat. Made it through this bridge!

Soaked in hot tubs.

And Sulfur Hot Springs.

And ate.

The Dump

And ate.

Deno’s

And ate.

Carvers

It seemed like it didn’t matter what we did, it was always filled with laughter and fun.

Even if we just hung out at the apartment.

Impromptu Dance Party breaks out in the apartment.

We marveled at how rare it is to have close friends that have managed to stick together since middle school.

And thanked our lucky stars to be a part of something so special.

I am also lucky to have such a supportive husband! While I was away, he kept the boys busy.

One night he invited his buddy Jamie over for Portillos. 

And this happened afterwards…

He got them out for ice cream one night.

He taught them a tidily wink game.

And took them to the toy store.

Another night he took them to a playground in the suburbs then over to his buddy Rick’s, who is also sans wife right now.

Jack is a natural!

My sitter also worked longer hours to make this happen. While I was gone she got the kids out too!

At the fire station with Camila

I’m happy to be back, but am very much looking forward to my next meeting with these wonderful woman again, hopefully very soon. Until next time!

Even though it’s the middle of the summer and there is this thing called global warming, today’s high was only 72°. Too cold for any water activities!

So, we packed everyone up and headed to the Zoo.

Black Bear

We stopped at the Pritzker Family section first to show Adam the new, natural playground they put up there.

Otter

Then we headed into the climbing structure. Normally Aaron is too scared to climb it. Most of the time he will take his shoes off, climb one or two rungs then freak out and come back.

Today he turned to me and said, “I think I can climb it today.”

Then, without any hesitation (but with a very supportive older brother) Aaron climbed through to the highest levels SEVEN times.

Later that night, during dinner, we asked him how he conquered his fear. He replied, “I’m 5 now. So I can climb it”. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll tell him when he is 6 he can get tagged in a game without crying.

We didn’t spend much time there because soon it was lunch. We took our picnic out in front of the zoo, by the huge garden maintained by the Lincoln Park Conservatory. 

And there, within view, was the newly redone Cummings Playground. 

Another great new space for the kids. I love how some of the new structures in the renovated parks with are good for older kids as well. They help to keep Jack more interested in these outings for longer.

But Jack has such a good attitude about these things, he always finds a way to fit in. We spent a lot of time giving the kids “challenges” to complete and when they were too easy for Jack, he started to give them out himself…

Jack challenges the others to go down the slide head first!