Entering 5th Grade!

Gabe's first day of school today, 5th grade with Mr. Sinwelski. We took bikes in the morning but it was raining pretty hard on the way home

Camping at Warren Dunes

The weather was chilly and drippy till about the time we had to leave on Sunday, but we all had fun camping at Warren Dunes with the Hermen and Bandstra families. The girls spent hours collecting slugs with a butterfly catcher and various containers. Douwe's favorite activity was walking to the playground by the bathroom. We had a nice hike, a few good hours at the beach, some dune climbs and lots of eating by the campfire!

Sharing etc.

Douwe has been learning a lot in the past few weeks, how to share his toys all day everyday, taking turns, sharing a lap for books, and getting the last word in a constant banter of "no, MY _____" (no MY shoes, no MY backpack, no MY cup etc. They laugh while they play this verbal game, but I'm not fooled, there is an undercurrent of hostility and territory protection going on here. "no, MY grandpa!") Douwe never thought of walking outside on his own, doing a somersault over the couch, or walking up steps without holding onto the rail, until he had a three-year old to keep up with. He is having a ton of fun playing with his new friend, but he is understandably a bit more keyed up and touchy than his usual calm self.

Tomato Explosion

I put in 7 or 8 tomato plants this spring when my garden beds were ready and they grew higher than the 5 foot ladders that some of them were staked with. All green though, until the last few days when cherry red and large red, razmatazz and yellow tomatos are ripening. Mmm. . . tomato basil mozzarella salad, pesto and tomato sandwiches, . . . can't wait to eat you!

Block Party

We helped organize our neighborhood block party, it is about the 5th or 6th one that has happened since we moved to this area in 2002. It was a nice time saying hello to eachother and letting the kids play in the street.

Beethoven's 9th

We met Lanting family members in Millenium Park to listen to the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus perform the 9th Symphony by Beethoven. Alison and I took the train into the city with the kids, they loved the whole experience. We collectively unpacked a fried chicken picnic complete with fruit, baked beans, and a lemon tart for dessert! The lawn seating was completely packed, I guess everyone else in Chicagoland thought this would be a good night to go to a lawn concert. The children did well but we were getting dirty looks from the couple sitting 2 inches from our group, so we let them run loose in other parts of the park about 50 minutes into the performance. Jeff sent me back so I wouldn't miss the best part, the final movement.

Whihala Beach

This county park was packed on the first really hot Sunday afternoon this summer. The water was achingly cold but we all went in anyway.

Just Saying No and Yes, OK, Please, Thank-you

Well this is a follow up to my "no" entry, because as of the last few days, Douwe is able to pronounce yes and loves to say that about as much as no. And has started to say thank-you when objects are given to him or if he gives something to someone else and they don't say it . . so cute! I'm a word nerd so this is going to be the most thrilling part so far, to be around Douwe as the new words start pouring out of his mouth.
"Let's put your shoes on Douwe!" "OK, Mama" This is a joyful exchange.