Life moves pretty fast

If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris Bueller

Actually, it's Jack that is fast. So we've been pretty busy keeping up with him this summer. And we have had a great time.

So far, we have gone to swim lessons, music class, the Children's Museum on Navy Pier, A Kane County Cougars game, the pool, lots of parks, St. Germain Wisconsin, playdates with friends, on the boat with Aunt Susie and Uncle Peter (and Nicky of course), a Spokesman reunion, and many other things I can't remember right now. And that's not including what Jack does while he's at daycare twice a week. Still, his favorite thing to say is "More".

For Father's Day, we made the rounds and saw Papa and Pepere. Jack and I actually got up and made Steve a breakfast burrito.





Shortly after, we started swim class. I learned the downfall of being a working mom. It turns out I can't read the park district schedule, so we only made 2 out of the 8 classes. The weather didn't help. It's pretty hard to take photos while you are swimming with Jack, so I've got the "getting ready to go" photo and that's about it.



However, if you were there, you would have seen him asking to get into the water as soon as we walked on the deck. Then once we were in the water, he was the first kid to start splashing and I think the only one who wanted his mom to let him go while in the water. We sang lots of songs: The Wheels on the Bus, Motorboat (which I didn't realize was a song), and I'm a little pancake (sung to the tune of I'm a little teapot). Jack loves to splash and he puts his face in the water like a champ. He's even letting us dunk him now. He's definitely a water baby.

The Fourth of July was pretty fun too. On that Thursday, Jack's school had a parade, so I stopped by and took photos and cheered them on. It was quite cute. Jack was definitely in the spirit as he let his teacher put on face paint. I don't know how she gets him to sit still for that, but she is certainly amazing!





We spent the actual holiday with Susie, Peter, Nicky, Brent and Dawna in Antioch/Gurnee. We went out on the boat while the weather was iffy and the boys had a great time helping drive.





Of course, they were cute enough just in those little life vests (which both boys wear without much trouble!)





After we put the littlest boys to bed, we set off some fireworks in the Nustra's backyard. The big boys had lots of fun with that. Steve made Susie light one since she had never done it before.





In mid-July, we took our vacation. We drove up to St. Germain, WI to spend a few days at the Carlson's cabin, "Up North". While the weather wasn't exactly summery (we wore jeans and sweatshirts every day), I wouldn't trade it for any other summer vacation. Auntie K is right when she says it only takes a few hours up there and you are totally relaxed. We had just driven six hours with Jack and Breyer in the car, and that was still true for us.

I could write an entire blog post about our time at the cabin (and probably should have when we got back), but the highlights were the fantastic views and sounds of nature, the screened-in porch, naps, s'mores and campfires, the boat, the ski show, and the awesome park. Even though we had a wonderful time, I think it was Breyer who enjoyed it the most. She loves her Auntie K and all of the freedom she had while she was up there.









(Look for the eagle in the tree!)


In the midst of all of this fun, we are also working on the house. We are in the process of redecorating the living room, which means lots of painting. Steve just finished making our screened-in porch safe for Jack to play in. Slowly but surely we are getting the house in the state in which we would like it to be.





Now that you have made it to the end of this post, I do have a treat for you. It has gotten harder and harder to get Jack to pose for pictures. But the other day, I did get him and the blue bear together for a little 18-month shoot. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!







Now that I have an iPhone, I might be able to update this a little more often. However, I wouldn't get your hopes up. It's probably best to think of this as a quarterly newsletter until Jack slows down.