Our first neighborhood picnic a success!

I am one of two co-chairs of Chicago's Neighborhood Parent Network's West Town Club. Both my co-chair, Kelly, and I are are new volunteers. We've been emailing and talking on the phone for a few weeks now, and we finally met each other in person last week. Today we held our first neighborhood event - a picnic in Wicker Park.

A lot of families came, thank goodness. Kelly and I and our families were the only ones there for the first half hour, and I was getting a little nervous. But more and more families kept arriving and spreading out blankets and they were all so nice and talkative and friendly and best of all, live in my neighborhood. (Oh, to have friends in my neighborhood! Parent-friends!) Pretty soon the lawn was covered in blankets and the blankets were covered with parents, and the parents were occupied with their strollers, dogs, and babies.

Babies everywhere! Jett was the oldest kid there, and Kai was the second oldest by about a year. I had packed a soccer ball, bubbles, and temporary tattoos for the kids - and none of them were old enough to use them. Except my kids, of course, but they didn't stick around. They dragged Charlie from soccer field to playground, to farmer's market and back again, while I lounged on my blanket and talked with the parents.

A few new moms were getting ready to go back to work. Some were trying to breastfeed discreetly under blankets and blouses and covers. Dads were shaking bottles and bouncing babies. Some parents were trying to get their babies to nap in their strollers so they could stay and keep socializing. Almost all of the parents were looking for childcare and debating the merits of nannies and day care centers and home day cares, and au pairs.

I felt...experienced. I felt like handing out advice, but I didn't, because those are personal decisions and I'm still a stranger. I sat in the sun and listened to their conversation and.....I secretly rejoiced that at least I don't have to worry about breastfeeding and two-naps-a-day and maternity-leave-ending anymore. Everyone should have a chance to remember what they don't have to worry about any more.

Then I looked up to see that Jett had accidentally kicked his soccer ball at the back of a woman lying in the sun and Kai had spilled his bubbles all over his feet while he was trying to sneak away, and....well, silly me, for feeling so smug.

Anyway, I can't wait to see all those families at our next West Town Club event. I better start planning....

Gossip

Psst! Did you hear my mom got a new job?

Part-time. Flexible hours. Works from home.

Yeah, that's 'cause she loves me.

She does most of her work after midnight.

Shut up.

VACATION!

We were at the Indiana Dunes. The weather was perfect and the Johnsons were...loud, hilarious, patient, and sandy.

Geotrax on the deck. Kai spent hours on the deck playing trains. Here he is with playmates Uncle Chris and second cousins Erin and Sean.

Second cousins, Erin and Jett. This was their 12,537th card game in a row, and Jett won every one. Thank you, Erin.

Uncle Dave! and Kai's belly.

Cousins Jett and Ellie, in one of their sweetest moments of the week, enjoying a chat before playing putt-putt.

Uncle Chris pitching. Charlie would like you to notice how Jett is lifting his foot, just as he is supposed to.

We really did spend a lot of time at the beach, I just couldn't stop to take a picture because I was constantly chasing Jett, who was suddenly much braver in the water than I was prepared for. It was a classic summer vacation full of sun, sand, and tantrums. Can't wait until next year!

Quiet in the House

Capturing a few minutes of cooperative play.

Dancing

The other day I took the boys to Millenium Park to see Miss Lori's Campus. The boys love her CD. When he saw her in person Kai started dancing in his seat, and was onstage by the second song. Look at him dancing!

He kind of stole the show from Miss Lori, and I wish I had more pictures of his attention-getting moves, but I spent most of the show pulling him off of the actual stage. The kid has aspirations!

Sometimes they are really sweet to each other

Gazing

Second Cousins

All born two years ago within a month of each other.

Keegan, Kai, Cameron, and Quinn

I'm not saying you don't ever have to buy him another present....

....but you're set for a while.

Aunt Heather and Union Station

Having a chat.


There's no use in wasting this expanse of marble.

Their Shoes Showed Signs of Red Georgia Clay

and oh how I miss that clay.

Well, not really. But I sure miss the people. So please forgive me for bragging that we spent the weekend with these old friends. They brought with them all the peace and adventure and humor that I remember.


(Sorry about the closed eyes, Moses. My bad!)


I don't know what Kai is doing in this picture, but I can tell you that he loved Mark, and spontaneously ran up to him (well, to his shins) for hugs.

Join me for a picnic in the park!

If you live in Chicago, I can't think of anything else you should do on July 25th except come and meet me at Wicker Park. Buy lunch at the Farmer's Market, spread out a blanket on the south lawn, and then lose your kids in the playground. It'll be fun!

I am one of the new co-chairs for the Neighborhood Parents Network West Town Neighborhood Club. My co-chair, Kelly, and I have just planned our first event. Come on out and join us!

West Town Neighborhood Club
The West Town Neighborhood Club includes the neighborhoods of Bucktown, Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village. We have events once or twice a month at kid-friendly local businesses and area parks, providing an opportunity for parents and children to meet up, hang out, discover nearby places and make new friends in a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere. Our group attracts both working and stay-at-home parents, so we try to plan both weekday and weekend get-togethers.

When: Sunday, July 25th, 2010, 11:30 am - 1:30pm
Where: Wicker Park (south edge lawn), 1425 N. Damen Ave, Chicago, www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Parking: Street parking - or take Blue Line to Damen stop
Who: Members, Non-Members and Children
Cost: FREE
Maximum # of Attendees: No limit
RSVP: Required on the Events RSVP Form.

Independence Day Recap

This was the kids' first fireworks show. They loved it.

We spent the evening with friends in Oak Park. Our kids aren't together that often, and their kids are a few years older than Jett, but Jett loves those boys when he's with them. We walked to the fireworks separately, and on our way Jett decided that he would share his snacks with them. This is a significant sign of friendship for a four-year-old, at least for our four-year-old. Then he made sure to sit next to them on the blanket - and share his snacks, which meant dividing up his little bag of fruit snacks three ways (such sacrifice)! Midway through the fireworks display he exclaimed to me, "This is so much fun sitting here with my friends watching the fireworks!" I hope I always remember that line, and how he said it. He was completely thrilled.

Kai had a great time too. He spent the first half of the fireworks display cuddled up next to our friends, who he really has barely met. I guess he knows good people when he sees them. I could barely take my eyes off of him to watch the fireworks, because he was so animated. He raised his arms in the air and screamed and sighed, with the rest of the crowd, in delight. He spent the second half of the show alternating between my lap and Charlie's, and laughing his cute head off with every firework explosion. Also, hand that kid a glow stick and he will show you how to boogie, no music required. It was a great night. I hope you had a good night too.

Just look at this kid!

I hope you all had a happy Independence Day. I'll write more soon!