Dede & Papa Visit

This past weekend, Dede and Papa came to visit from Mississippi. While it felt like summer to us, they noted the pleasant, almost cool weather.

Hanging Out: (click on a photo for a larger version)


On Friday night we packed up a picnic, loaded a little table in to the car and headed up north to Ravinia to hear Hootie and the Blowfish. I know what you're thinking: those guys still tour? But it was sold out. Even the lawn. It was probably the biggest crowd I have ever seen at Ravinia. Sylvia certainly appreciated their music. Spen spent most of the concert near the stage dancing. Finally an hour or so past her bed time, we had to drag her away - still clapping and saying 'Yay!'


We also spent a good bit of time at the pool. Dede and Papa were convinced that it was a little chilly in the water, but they plunged in for Sylvia. Dede braved the steps in the kids' water park section, and Papa went down a water slide a few times for Sylvia's amusement. Sylvia even rode down once with Dad.




Sylvia is still talking about all the fun we had.

The Evanston Grand Prix

Today was the Evanston Cycling Grand Prix, the cycling race held in downtown Evanston every summer. It was a given of course that Sylvia would be attending. She had never seen that many bicycles in one place before or bicycles going that fast.

Chris and Sylva watch the cyclists zoom by

Sylvia points out the course to the baby doll

We Have Pee in the Potty

As reported by Chris, Sylvia Maridale Wallace urinated into the child-size toilet on Thursday, July 17th at 7:00 pm. Much to my dismay, I was teaching a yoga class, and came home to hear about this momentous occasion. I promptly asked for all the details, minute by minute from the time I left the house. At 6:25 pm, Sylvia and I said good-bye. At 6:30 pm, Chris and Sylvia danced to a few rounds of the Hokey Pokey ("mo pokey, mo pokey"). At 6:45 pm, Sylvia needed a diaper change by saying, "pee pee." Chris removed her diaper. He asked Sylvia if she wanted to sit on the potty and she agreed. During her time on the potty, she voluntarily urinated onto her toilet. We are so proud of her. I can't wait to see this miracle myself. And like any new event in Sylvia's life, I feel both pleasure, joy, and a twinge of sadness to realize that our baby is really, almost truly a little girl.

A Little More Water, A Little More Music

Though Saturday morning showers rained out any trip to the beach or pool, Saturday afternoon cleared up enough for us to head to the water.

At the Lee Street Beach Sylvia worked the afternoon away on an ever-collapsing hole in the sand, while Darcie and Chris were instructed to get 'mo wata! Mo wata!' Though the sky was still cloudy, Chris was just hot enough to take his first full dunk in Lake Michigan this season.

On Sunday Darcie ran ten miles while Chris and Sylvia kicked a ball around. Then it was off to the Skokie pool.
At the pool, Sylvia was more brave than ever - walking right in up to her neck. She also let Darcie and Chris take her into the water park for some splashing.

After a good nap (for everyone) we went to our old neighborhood, Lincoln Square for the Folk and Roots Festival. We met up with Amanda, Sabrina, and Nathan and heard some good fiddling. Sylvia also got to try her hand at playing a ukulele (she was pretty good).

Eating Crackers at the Folk & Roots Festival

Friday Night at Ravinia

Darcie and I got to have a date last night when we went to hear (not necessarily see) Feist at Ravinia. The concert was great, and the place was packed. We acted like kids with no cares - we drank wine and kicked our shoes off - until we decided to call the babysitter to 'make sure she knew how to work the TV'. Well, we're parents. Who don't get out much. Still it was nice to feel a little freedom.

Some Photo We Found on the Web of Ravinia
(We forgot our camera, but it more or less looked like this from our vantage point.)

A Texas Wedding

We just returned from Austin where Luke and Cindy were married last Saturday. Sylvia enjoyed the Texas heat and the chance to go swimming everyday (sometimes twice in one day). We all enjoyed getting to see old friends and make a few new ones.

The wedding was held outside at a beautiful Barr Mansion outside of Austin. The weather cooperated and the evening cooled off just enough.

Luke & Cindy heading to the reception

While in Austin we got to see a lot of friends and made some new friends such as Peggy who opened up her house to us and made us feel at home.

Alison and Sylvia

Ren, Darcie, Megha, Amanda, & Alison

Peggy, our host

Visiting with the Gouris Family (Can you believe Aimee and Jade were our flower girls!)

Chilly Barton Springs was perfect in the Austin heat. Sylvia splashed and even took a full dunk (thanks to her dad's unsure footing on the slippery floor of the natural springs). When we were not swimming at Barton Springs we could be found splashing in the pool with the Gouris family, and when not there, a little wading pool in Peggy's driveway did the trick.

Swimming at Barton Spring

Splashing at Peggy's house

Congratulations to Luke and Cindy! And thanks to everyone who made our trip so easy.

Having fun at brunch the morning after the wedding