Summer Vacation - Chicago Round 1

We recently returned from vacation in Chicago and the midwest. We loved it there! We had such a great time. Chicago is one of the best cities I've ever visited. I can't wait to go back again. Marek enjoyed it a lot. I spent part of my time at a conference for my work, but when I wasn't at the conference, we were having a blast!

I took so many pictures during this trip. Here are just a few:

First airplane ride.

Wouldn't you love to call this home?

This was part of the garden courtyard of an exquisite historic building not too far from the Magnificent Mile.

The Art Institute of Chicago. Love this museum and its collection!

Love Chi-town at night!

Sunset view from our boat.

Marek is having a great time!

Grant Park near our hotel.

Walking back from the Adler Planetarium.

A beautiful wall and quote in the evolution exhibit at the Field Museum.

Getting ready to watch the planetarium show at the Adler.

Listening to the dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Sue and the beautiful architecture of the Field Museum.

A night out at Buckingham Fountain. Marek's practicing his Jedi skills.

Buckingham Fountain.

A lot of time spent in the stroller. Little legs tire easily!

Summer Vacation Videos

A few videos to share from our vacation!

Buckingham Fountain at Night from Kristin S. on Vimeo.

Catching Bugs from Kristin S. on Vimeo.

Catching Fireflies with Aunt Trina from Kristin S. on Vimeo.

vacation with the family

My sister's family came to visit for a week and we had the best time! I don't think Marek has been that exhausted ever! From the moment he woke up until the minute his head hit the pillow at night - he was playing with his cousins. He just fell in love with them all over again. My shy little boy really came out of his shell and had a blast! He's so sad to see them leave and has even cried on and off because he already misses them so much. I really wish we all lived so much closer together. Here are a few photos from the visit:

summertime

I haven't posted anything in ages and will try to get back to more regular posts soon. In the meantime, here are some recent photos from our happy transition into summertime!

Pure popsicle bliss...

Corn on the cob. He's such a good helper!

Walking the surfboard with his friend.

The view from our walk to the store.

Hamming it up on our walk to the store.

Inexpensive sprinkler = hours of fun!

Flowers are in full bloom.

Looking down from the deck.

Looking out forward from the deck.

Resting inside after a long day of fun.

Collecting pebbles at the park.

A trip to the Oregon coast.

Taking Advantage of the Sun

We had gorgeous weather about a week ago and Marek couldn't resist a long bike ride. It's about time to raise those training wheels up and work on some more balance! I cannot wait until it is summer and sunny most of the time!

Winter/Spring Outdoor Fun

I thought I'd post a couple of videos of Marek's outdoor fun up north the past few months.
Riding...

Taking the Jeep for a spin...

This I Whole-Heartily Believe

This is one of my favorite quotes...

"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much." - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Easter in Washington

Hope you had a happy Easter! (Belated) Easter wishes and love from Marek & I to all of you...

Marriage

We spent a lot of time in the car yesterday and one of the things we talked about was marriage. I don't even know how the topic came up, but I realized that Marek, at age four, doesn't have much of an understanding of what marriage means. I did my best to explain to him about growing up, meeting someone you love, getting married, living together, deciding to have a family, etc., etc. He thought about it for a moment and then said, "When I grow up I'm not going to get married." I asked him why not and he replied, "I'll just want to be by myself!" Then he paused, thought some more, and changed his mind: "No, I was just kidding! I want to get married. I'm at the beginning part of being married." I asked what that meant and he said, "I love you and I live with you and so we're at the beginning of being married!" So, there it is...all boys want to marry their moms! :) I explained to him that marriage is for when you've grown up and meet someone - not your mom - and love them and want to spend the rest of your life with them. Marek exclaimed, "I know that, but I'll still want to be with you!"

Lion's Birthday

Marek worked really hard for this camera. He had to go for a period of time -set by mom - without throwing any temper tantrums - not even a tiny one - so we celebrated with his new kid digital camera. He loves it! It's durable, has a LCD screen, takes video, has a small assortment of games. He has been taking pictures and playing around with the added features (including photo editing).

We had an impromptu birthday party for Lion, Marek's puppet, last week. Chocolate frosted cake, candles, singing...what else could you ask for to brighten up an afternoon? Marek loved it!

Just before the singing of Happy Birthday to Lion, making a wish, and blowing out the candles.

Now doesn't Lion look proud to be turning 100? Yes, 100 - "Lion turned 100 on his first birthday! How did that happen?" That's what Marek said...and so goes preschool logic!