ABCDs

Twisty Swing

Just like Uncle Joe

Sorry Joe, I couldn't help but post this!

The Sandbox

My Birthday Cake

I kicked off my shoes and stripped Finn's shoes and socks. We were building sandcastles and burying our feet. And, Finn filled up a shallow sand toy and made me a birthday cake. He even poked holes in it for candles and sang a line of "Happy Birthday."

--JAK

Finley's Wit & Wisdom

"Wait for the seven, Mommy." April 12

Working in the yard during what I thought was naptime, I look up, startled to see a sweet little boy's face in the kitchen window. I wave as I head toward the back door. As I walk in the door, Finn announces, "I'm watching you and Papa work." I ask if his nap is over and he says yes and that he came downstairs by himself. "I don't need a momma." April 17

The topic of whether or not Finley needed parents came up again today.  When I asked him what he needed Mommy and Papa for he said, "to make dinner...and to make chocolate."  May 2

--JAK

Vacation with Grandma and Grampa

Click to see more pictures.

While Jason and I were in Michigan, Finn and Calvert had their own vacation in Schaumburg. They found more to do than we did-Easter activities, Monkey Business, the Children's Museum.

--JAK

Quiet Michigan

Jason and I stole away for a long weekend in Northwestern Michigan at the end of March. At times our trip felt like a comedy of errors:

We stayed at a ski resort, but really ski season
was over and we did not ski.

Jason "was left nonplused today after attending an underwhelming maple syrup festival where two sheepish gentlemen in flannel and overalls labored to explain their syrup-making process when probed and then had none of their wares to purchase. Crazy good entrepreneurs these northern Michiganders."

Restaurants and shops were closed, the area was quiet as could be, but we had each other. We hiked, wine tasted, spent an afternoon at the spa, and explored the surprisingly happening Traverse City.

--JAK

The Mall as our Savior

There was a day back in February when the North Riverside Mall saved me. A Sunday morning dawned and Finn was his usual high-energy self, ready to play. Jason and I were both reaching for Kleenex and cough drops and cold medicine, crawling out of bed regretfully. I wasn't sure how we were going to get through the day. For some reason the only thing I could think to do with the morning was take Finn to the mall to keep him from bouncing off the walls, get an errand done, and hope Jason and I didn't have to exert much energy.

As raunchy as I felt taking Finn to the mall for a family outing, the North Riverside Mall nonetheless, it ended a Godsend. Finn spotted the train, which I thought had left with the holidays, and was overjoyed to ride for as long as his parents would let him. Jason and I bought several tickets, secured Finn in a train car, and slumped on a nearby bench. We walked a bit further and discovered a mini-amusement park of stationary rides. I was grateful for the change machine and kept on plugging the quarters. Finn was entertained Jason and I did not have to do the entertaining.

On any normal day I would have scoffed at this outing, but on this day I couldn't have been more grateful for the North Riverside Mall. I walked around the mall in a bit of a daze feeling like I'd reach a new level of enlightenment. We found the Subway for lunch; boy ate well and without fussing; I could not have been happier.

--JAK