A Few Summer Pics Before We Leave

We're headed down to Mississippi and Alabama this week, and we haven't been posting lately, so here are a few highlights from the past week:


Sylvia defies the condo regulations and sun bathes on the front lawn.


A little jam session


At the pool.

Sylvia has come a long way at the pool this week. She now heads right for the deep end and knows how to kick her legs. She likes 'jumping' off the edge and climbing up the ladder. She's still a little unsure of the area with the waterfalls and spraying water, but she's getting there!

Summer Begins

Summer has officially begun.

The summer heat is here. We've even turned on the AC a bit, though open windows and the fans usually keep us cool enough. There are other signs as well. This weekend we dipped our feet in Lake Michigan, the swimming pool, a number of puddles, and a minor laundry room flood. Our 'wet weekend' began Friday night when our newly repaired washing machine poured two inches of water onto the floor of our laundry room. Luckily the neighbors downstairs did not have any water leaking through their ceiling.
(Right: 'Soaking up the flood')

Saturday morning we hit the farmers' market early and then headed over to the beach. the rain came Saturday evening, so we went to Sears to pick out a new washing machine. On the way back we played in a few puddles.

Planting some mint from the market.


Grilling in the Rain

Sunday morning we met our friend Nathaniel (and parents Sarah and Jamie) for a breakfast of pancakes before heading to the pool for a quick swim. The rain has not returned. Water has been the theme this weekend.


Nathaniel gets brave


Splashing

G's visit with Sylvia

Sylvia spent all of last week with G. G came into town so that I could do a yoga teacher training. This was the longest time that I had been away from Sylvia. I was gone ten hours each day and couldn't wait to get home to see her. This was the longest time that G has gotten to spend with Sylvia without Chris and I in the way. Sylvia has been asking for G for the past 2 days now since she left.

While on her visit, G and Sylvia went to the zoo, Wiggleworms, different Evanston parks, and Bennison's Bakery. Sylvia got accustomed to her trips to get a cookie and now when we pass the bakery she starts saying, "yummy," and pointing. We've had to remind her that she gets to go to the bakery with G everyday not with mom and dad.

Here is picture of G and Sylvia exploring at the zoo.

8 a.m. One Saturday Morning

*we did not dig this hole.

Pop-Pop & Grandmom Visit Sylvia

Grandmom and Pop-Pop came to Chicago for Memorial Day Weekend which included lots of bike rides, trips to the park, Hot Doug's for hot dogs, and a beach picnic. We topped off the weekend with a winning Cubs game and 80 degree weather!


On the see-saw at Raymond Park with Grandmom.


Digging in the sand on our cold, cold May day.


On the bike ride to the rose garden. Sylvia only wanted Pop-Pop to push.



In the rose garden. Sylvia found someone who would let her play with glasses - Grandmom!



At Hot Doug's waiting in line for some encased meats.


We all biked up to Wilmette for a beach picnic at Gilson Park.



Mmmm...picnic. Sylvia did a little splashing in Lake Michigan until her toes started turning a little blue.



Back to the park. Pop-Pop and Grandmom couldn't get enough of the see-saw.



Another type of ride for Sylvia.



Outside Wrigley - Go Cubbies!



7th inning stretch - Sylvia took it literally.

Happy Memorial Day everyone.

Beau Cou

Beau Cou (from the French meaning 'beautiful neck') is often used in the toddler tongue to mean 'bicycle'. While what she has is technically a tricycle (or Tro Cou), Sylvia has been saying Beau Cou non-stop this evening since we bought her this:




Learning to pedal


Attempting to pop a wheely


Giving the bike a quick tune up


And back on the road

Mothers' Day, 2008

Dede and Papa came into town for Mothers' Day (just a few days after Dede's birthday). We had a great weekend, though the weather was just a bit chilly and drizzly. We did manage a number of trips to the park, and we even got in a visit to the Edward Hopper/Winslow Homer exhibit at the Art Institute.


At the Park


It took about 20 slides to get this shot


Negotiation at Millennium Park


Refreshments


Outside the Art Institute

Happy Mothers' Day (Belated) to all you mothers, grandmothers, and soon-to-be mothers!