Although milder than the last two, we have not been disappointed by Chicago’s Summer season. It really is the best! It is great dressing in t-shirts, shorts and sandals each day without having to worry about the weather turning cold. As my energy has returned, we have been getting to the park every day. The boys love this.
We have taken advantage of the Green City Markets, stocking up on fresh, fresh organic and local produce at affordable prices on Wednesday mornings. The boys love buying croissants and sitting on our picnic blanket to eat these before running around, buying obligatory ‘hot cheese’ (a baked cheese not unlike haloumi) and partaking in fruit smoothies.
We have found a new favourite breakfast haunt in Nookies Too. A cafe that is open 24 hours during the weekends, copes with kids admirably, is without a wait at around 8am and provides a good breakfast to boot. We took the boys here this morning, stacked them full of energy-pancakes before embarking on a bike visit to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, to see a butterfly release. On the way there, we saw a ‘real-life’ beaver lodge constructed by some local city-type beavers in North Pond.
Last weekend we were subjected to myriad aircraft buzzing around overhead with the Chicago Air and Water Show. Luc’s latest future occupation has been ‘fighter pilot’ after witnessing the Navy’s Blue Angels flying in formation... fast! The planes seemed to be flying really low and would set off car alarms in the street each time they flew by. The crowd at the lakefront was just too large to be enjoyable (I attempted on a Friday afternoon) so we saw most of the action from the parks around home and our rooftop deck.
The boys are now the very proud owners of a bunk bed. We made a special trip to IKEA to choose one, then had it delivered several days later. There was so much excitement revolving around this, that Nic soon forgot all about his small bed (that had been his cot) being dismantled and taken away. He is now the proud occupant of a ‘big boys bed’.
Not quite too sure how Luc managed it, but he talked me into letting him host another party for his friends. This time it was a pajama party - partly fueled by the bunk bed acquisition, and partly by an episode of Max and Ruby (this show has a lot to answer for... filling a young lad’s head full of party ideas!!). Luc asked that everyone wear pajamas. I mentioned to him that it might be difficult for the mummies if they had to walk along the street or drive a car, to wear pajamas. He conceded. Luc helped again to work out the menu (vanilla cake, fruit kebabs, hummus and lemonade). Luc had to help produce all these items - which he did with some enthusiasm but with more reluctance. I was determined to impress upon him, that a party does require planning and preparation: it is not just up to Mummy to do everything. I do love those little language misunderstandings: Luc uses ‘Rapunzel Beans’ to make hummus (chick peas are known as garbanzo beans in the States).
Picture: Luc’s invitation to his Pajama Party. I am the tall one in the centre, Luc is wearing his robot pajamas (the one with the spiky hair).
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