Last weekend Adam ran a charity 5K race. He often runs races around the city, but this one was special.

It was organized by 12 year old twins, the son and daughter of Adam’s long time friend Steve.

For their upcoming bar/bat mitzvah, they wanted to give something to the charity of their choice. Although it is recommended, an act of charity is not required for this rite of passage.

They chose the Anti-Defamation League, which mission statement is to “stop defamation of the Jewish people… to secure justice and fair treatment to all.”

No bikini clad car washes, like we used to do in our day. Or standing on the street corner begging for cash with a tin can. These two entrepreneurial kids pulled permits from Glencoe, organized metals, T-shirts, snacks, marketed and charted out a race which almost 100 people attended!

Still those numbers were no match for my super fast husband. Armed with his new Vibram Five Finger shoes he beat almost all the other racers even though he had the additional handicap of a double stroller in front of him! He placed third, only behind two high school track runners.

Ben napped while Jack’s eagle eye spotted every runner. He would point to them and yell for Adam to pass them.

Here is an article on it, Glencoe Seventh Grade Twins Raise $3500.

As my friend Laura always says, “It’s on like Donkey Kong.”

And so it was – three days into the strike we were back in full blown summer mode.

Twins in the Pack and Play

Our friend Jenn threw down the gauntlet – A day at the beach.

These were some of the most fun days we had over the summer. They were also the most difficult to organize.

It takes me a good hour to make food, organize all the toys, towels, chairs, umbrella, repack the diaper bag, yada, yada, yada, and fit it all, along with a wagon, pack & play, and double stroller in the trunk of our car.

But at the end of every beach day I realize it was all worth it. Each beach day is a blast. Each beach day is completely different from the one before. Having the largest sandbox combined with the largest zero depth entry pool makes for endless possibilities.

As we did most of the summer, we invited Jack’s buddy Tim. Tim attended Jack’s preschool and also won one of the precious few lottery spots at his new school. A bit more work in the beginning to have an extra kid around, but a lot less work once we are there. Jack never tells me he’s bored and wants to go home when Tim is around. Ben loves him too.

Ice Cream Break

Much as I’m enjoying our endless summer, I’m a bit worried about how long they are out of school. I heard when the strike is over they tack the days the kids missed on to the end of the year. I just hope that June next year isn’t as hot as it was this year, Jack’s classroom doesn’t have air conditioning!

Pam’s idea to keep our kids really bored every day of the strike ended today. Let’s face it, we were given a bonus of time with our kids and other CPS kids during one of the most beautiful months of the year. Why not go out and enjoy it?

Emma, Angus and Jack

So, we met Pam and our other friend Jennifer at the Blue Park, the real name is actually South Lakeview Playground. Jennifer wasn’t there when we arrived, just her daughter was. Jennifer was at the doctor’s office on an emergency visit getting the acorn that her two year old had wedged up his nose out.

Angelica Feeding Sam

Otherwise it was a perfectly lovely day, almost like summer was still here. We had been given the gift of MORE summer! I just have to keep thinking of it that way when the kids are fighting with each other and I am at my wits end juggling them all.

One difference from summer is now Angelica instead of Kristen helps with the kids and listened to my non stop ramblings. I feel bad that Angelica, our other sitter, didn’t like her job and quit. But it’s such a windfall for me! I’m so pleased that I continue to get such great helpers for my kids. I’m very lucky.

Can’t wait to see what other strike days bring…

I must have jinxed myself this summer. Since the twins were born people often ask me how I’m doing. I kept telling them, “All I have to do is make it to September when the older two are in school, then I’ll be fine.”

Today was suppose to be Ben’s first day at school, Jack has been in school a week.

I had plans to redo the closets for fall clothes, clean up all the cabinets in the kitchen that are a mess, go back to the gym and start working out again, and so much more.

But right now I’m still sitting in my jammies at 9am and everyone is at home. Why? Because the Chicago Teacher’s Union is ON STRIKE.

So far I’ve been up from 2am – 4am feeding babies, then up for good at 5:50am with Aaron, then Sam 10 minutes later, then Jack 15 minutes after that. Ben brought up the rear around 15 minutes after that.

Adam kept trying to leave for work, but there were too many babies crying coupled with older kids doing naughty things. I finally got both babies down for their first nap and he exited quickly before another emergency emerged.

Luckily Adam had the foresight to hire the sitter for an 11am start instead of her normal 2:30pm arrival. I just have to make it until then.

My first instinct was to book a play date, but after speaking with my friend Pam I decided against it. She said she was trying to make it as boring as possible for her kids so that they would want to go back to school.

Probably a good idea given Jack’s first week at school. I’ve already been pulled aside by the teacher to talk about Jack’s behavioral problems. Apparently he does not want to do anything the teacher asks, refusing to move onto new activities when prompted.

Okay, two more hours to go until help arrives. Wish me luck.

Yesterday afternoon Adam’s Aunt Aloha and Uncle Ronnie came to see the twins.

They live in California and were in town for Aloha’s 50th high school reunion.

They are also proud parents of four children and every time they come to visit they are very good with all our kids.

Within a minute of them entering the house I had them both on baby duty.

I handed the kids over then, half jokingly said, “Well, I guess I can go now.”

Only the fact that Adam had taken the older boys out this morning kept me there, feeling refreshed and in the mood for conversation.

When Adam came back he said, “Did you rest?”

No, I didn’t. The twins were on opposite schedules so one was up at all times. But I still felt like he gave me a big break from the normal ridiculous hectic days I have during the week.

With only two around, I cleaned the entire house, did the laundry, prepped lunch and even make a zucchini bread. I had so much time. I can’t believe that I’m writing this, but only having two infants around was so easy! Please teachers, don’t strike!

Who is the jerk that snuck into our family picture?!

Adam’s childhood friend and long time buddy Steve generously gave us his White Sox tickets to last night’s game. They were incredible seats WITH a parking pass.

The game was ‘Half way to St Paddy’s Day’ and they gave out green Sox hats to celebrate. The south side of Chicago is known for it’s big population of Irish and these hats plus the bag pipe procession before the game confirmed it. Jack thought it was hilarious that the men in kilts were wearing skirts.

It was a cool, crisp evening. One that reminds you that falling leaves, apple picking, and Halloween are just around the corner.

We hardly ever come to the south side of Chicago. Even though we were only a couple miles from home, the mirror image of the skyline made me feel like we were in a different city altogether.

This was my first time to Cellular field. As one of the mom’s from Jack’s school said – it’s like a shopping mall. And so it was!

I was very pleased with the food and wine selection. We’ve come a long way when I can get a choice of 10 different wines by the glass and eat a veggie burger at a ball park.

I loved how they shot fireworks off at the beginning of the game and for every home run. The kids waited eagerly for the next show.

Besides the fireworks, there were other things that made it much more friendly for kids. They had a kid area, “Fundamentals”, where they could bat, pitch, and do other things that we didn’t manage to see, due to a potty emergency. I guess it’s something to look forward to next time…

Embolden by my shopping trip yesterday, I decided to venture out for a play date this morning.

Here is what I felt I needed for a two hour stay at the park. The double stroller is already in the trunk. I’m pleased to say I used most of it.

Ben picked his outfit today and decided that 5 year old shorts and rain boots on this sunny, 85° day would be perfect. The twins look like they are second guessing the attire. I guess it was better than yesterday, when he decided to pick Jack up from school in his Hulk halloween costume.

Once again I was shocked at how well it went. Except for a bit of crying on the way home, the twins were angels. They didn’t need constant holding and played peacefully in the pack and play. Since I didn’t have a free hand, Ben very nicely held the stroller until we entered the park.

Pam helped me carry our stuff back to the car, but we made it there on our own and were all set up by the time everyone else arrived.

Max and Hamish Play with the Twins

This week Jack is in school but Ben doesn’t start until next week. However, my fall schedule has kicked in. This means I will only have a helper when I have all four kids to care for after school. In the mornings I’m on my own.

I planned to lay low all week and not do much before help arrived. What could I possibly accomplish with three kids under 3?

But yesterday I realized we were not going to make it through the week without more wipes, diapers or formula. So, I took a leap of faith and did this…

This picture was taken by my friend Pam, who I ran into by chance. She has three kids but only had one with her this morning. Ironically when I saw her she was completely frazzled. The school had just called because she didn’t leave a change of clothes for her kid and he had an accident. The other child who was with her just had a big poop and needed changing. She came in for some umbrellas for the kids and left $168 lighter with no umbrellas to speak of. She should probably start her own blog, she’s got a great sense of humor and these things seem to happen to her daily.

After target we made it over to Costco. This time I had one car seat in the cart, Ben up front sitting in the cart, and a twin strapped to my chest.

Somehow it all worked out. Seven trips back and forth to the car later we were in the house and ready for lunch. I was very proud of myself, but I also realized it was sheer luck they all behaved.

Other super mom feats I accomplished this morning – making a peanut butter sandwich one handed while holding a baby in the other and breast feeding standing up while holding a baby in one arm and patting another one on his back to sooth him to sleep.