1. Sled hill
During one of our snows, we took the kids to the "big" hill that's down the street from us. The kids loved sledding down our "little" sled hill off of our deck stairs, but this was in an entirely different league. I wasn't sure they would like it because it was so...well...big, but they LOVED it! OK, Sadie thought it was fine, but Linus LOVED it. He loved it when they made it to the bottom in one piece...
...and when they didn't even make it to the half-way point.
I have to say, winter became much better as soon as the kids learned to enjoy snow.
We survived, and apparently this has been one of the worst winters in history.
2. The basement
Brian was in Italy for a week presenting at a conference while I stayed home with the kids. During his time away we had our first thunderstorm.
That lasted for over 8 consecutive hours.
Our street was flooded over the curb and most of the houses on our block had water up to their front stairs (luckily we weren't one of them).
Our back yard was under a foot of water.
Our foundation is less than a foot above ground level.
See where I'm going with this? Yep, water started pouring over the foundation in our basement. Our sump pump kicked on only to have water start shooting out of the washing machine outflow pipe and our sinks downstairs. After many calls to my dad, I managed to plug up the pipe and sink drains which caused the pipes under the sink to burst apart and water to flood out of the cabinets downstairs.
My biggest worry: Our furnace is right next to the sump pump and it was supposed to be below freezing for the rest of the week. What was I going to do if the furnace shorted out? Take the kids and the dogs to a hotel? That sounds almost as fun as freezing to death in our house. I had visions of everyone curled up under our only electric blanket (which is a twin) and staying there until Brian came home the following night.
But, the rain finally subsided, our basement eventually dried out, and our furnace was still kicking out heat on high so all in all we made out OK. After all of that, the only damage was that we had to get rid of a rug downstairs and take apart the wainscotting so it could dry. (Sorry no pictures - that was the last thing I was thinking about at the time).
Apparently this was one of the worst episodes of flooding in decades.
I'm getting kind of tired of experiencing "the worst" Chicago has to offer.
3. Monkey Island
There is a new place we discovered after almost 2 months indoors with the kids.
Let me say that again: The kids had 2 months worth of pent up energy. We were all going crazy.
A few different people had mentioned a place to take the kids that is a huge warehouse filled with bouncies. So, one weekend Brian and I packed up the kids and sped to Monkey Island.
It was terrific.
I mean, it's no Wild Animal Park or Legoland, but in Chicago in the dead of winter it's almost as good.
After a couple of hours, the kids hit a wall and were asleep in the car before we even left the parking lot. I think we'll be going back there again next year.
4. Reading
The kids have always loved books and reading. Ever since they were little, I have read to them any and every book I could get my hands on...mostly because the alternative is to try to be creative and we all know how lousy I am at that. What is most impressive is that they remember most of the books we've read. If you try to paraphrase or skip a section because it's getting late or you're losing your voice, watch out because Sadie will point out what you've missed and she'll insist that you read it the right way. What's even more fun is that Sadie has started reading to Linus.
And Duckie.
And Mimi.
And just about anything or anyone else who will listen.
I'm so proud of the fact that they have such a love of books and I hope it continues.
5. Gish and Grandpa
The past week we Brian's folks came to visit us in Chicago for the first time.
It was great to have them here, and I know the kids had a blast with them. I'm not sure they're going to want to come back though since we put them to work as soon as they got off the plane. (Poor Brian was moving rocks and shoveling wet dirt for a two days, but our back yard looks great!)
I promise that we will go do some fun stuff the next time you visit!
We're looking forward to seeing you in June. The kids are are already talking about which bathing suit to wear when we swim in the pool...
6. Swingset
Brian and I, not who you would call the most handy of people, are attempting to put together a swingset for the kids.
Swingsets have a lot of parts.
A lot.
After half a day of just organizing wood and hardware, we were able to put up the frame and floor of the fort. The kids think this is just about the coolest thing ever,
but I'm afraid they're going to have to wait a (long) while before we get the entire thing put together.7. School
Sadie and Linus love school. They don't always like getting ready for school. (Just this morning Linus was pretty emphatic that he Did. Not. Want. To. Go. To. School.) But once they are there, they have a blast. Both kids have learned to cut along lines, they prefer to cut and paint over some of the other activities, and they play independently of each other even though they do "check in" to make sure they each are OK.
Some of the older kids with behavioral problems are no longer there so I have left them a few times so I can run errands. Their teacher keeps telling me that they are even more interactive and independent when I'm not there and are very helpful and listen well in class. Maybe that's a hint to leave them more often? Hmmm...
But just look at these cuties:
What's not to love?********
Even though I know you aren't expecting much from me these days since I've been terrible about posting, I will warn you that I'm taking the kids on a road trip that will last almost a month. I'll be sure to post when I get back so check in towards the end of April.
