What's that? You Say You Want More Pictures Of My Kids. Well. Alright.

Yesterday found us in Chicago at the Garfield Park Conservatory. I had never been there before, but Dave had recommended it and we want to get the kids together more often.

Finn and Philip

There are a number of huge colorful, sculptures on display in the garden by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The work is titled Niki In The Garden, and is meant to be played on and interacted with. Good times.

Finn and Ava

Trouble

Cranky Patrick with Ava in background

You Know You Love Pics Of My Kids.

We purchased a Slip'n Slide this weekend and are happily destroying portions of our lawn.

Ava giving me the 'Stink-Eye.'



Philip, Patrick, Conner and Ava.

I thought this was a pretty good portrait of Conner. He's a good kid.

Another in the long list of amazing things you think, feel and witness raising a child is their boundless potential. There is the standard talk of your kid becoming President, or perhaps making a difference in the world. Curing cancer and what not. I'm often struck by a child's, and Philip's in particular, physical potential.

Philip has always been big. Our last doctors visit measured him at the size of your average six-year-old. He's big and strong, possessing a never ending supply of energy. Now, I know common sense tells me he has no chance of being a professional athlete, but, look at him, that four-year-old is shredded.

The potential that is held inside them draws a sharp contrast to my declining physical prowess. I'm not suggesting I'm jealous of my son, but rather excited and a little nostalgic. Excited to watch him grow up and discover what he is capable of doing. Nostalgic for the good times that trip will offer. His potential will lead him somewhere, and neither he, nor I know where.

Hot Fun In The Summertime.

Morton Arboretum, 2007.

We have been busying ourselves with trips to Brookfield Zoo and The Morton Arboretum. The zoo is almost exactly as I remember it growing up as a kid. Shockingly so. The arboretum I had not gone to much growing up. It is very kid friendly and I believe they added the childrens garden recently.

More cicadas and a pond.

Though kids have the opportunity to wade through this pond, it is a living body of water, teeming with life. After a few trips I remembered one of my mother's motto's on all family day trips anywhere. Bring a change of clothes. It's priceless comedy to watch your son completely disrobe in front of a group of strangers.

While I was changing Patrick, I tried to brush some dirt off his feet, but it stuck to him. On closer investigation, a leech had stuck to his toe. I peeled it off and turned to ask a staff member if there were leeches in the pond. I have kind of a loud voice and luckily stopped myself before I caused a general panic amongst the kids and parents with, "Hey, are there leeches in the pond?" After quietly asking, he informed me there were. Cool.

Pond frog, Morton Arboretum, 2007.

The kids went crazy for this frog.

Patrick and Ava, Morton Arboretum, 2007.

Ava goes crazy for water in all it's forms. She loves the pond.

Philip at Xanadu, Morton Arboretum, 2007.

This is a sculpture called Xanadu, by Patrick Dougherty. It is made from various, large sticks all woven together. It took the artist fifteen days to sculpt, with help from volunteers. I wasn't blown away. The act of making it is impressive and the finished product was fun, but even so, I thought it would have been much cooler had it been grown and manipulated to this form, yet remained alive.

Ava, Goat and Patrick, Brookfield Zoo, 2007.

We didn't get to many pictures at the zoo, but this one of them brushing the goat turned out super cute.

Goat, Philip and Patrick, Brookfield Zoo, 2007.


Zoo lunch, Ava, Philip and Patrick, Brookfield Zoo, 2007.

Memorial Day At The Deely's.

Back in college, I was lucky enough to meet my friend Anita. Over the years, I've gotten to know her whole family. Last week The Boy's and I, along with Shelto and his daughter Ava, hung-out at Grandma Deely's house with Keira, Sheila's daughter, and Brenden, Michael's son. It is a special pleasure to watch your children play with the children of such good friends.

Philip and Brenden watering Grandma Deely's flowers.

Little Keira. Cutey. She cried whenever I got close to her.

Daddy Shelto plays with The Boy's while Ava climbs horse.


Shelto, Ava, Keira and her mother Sheila.


Boys love to hit things.


Philip and Ava.


Brenden, Philip and Patrick.

Ava.