Bringing the Summer Fun

This long weekend has been a really fun exploration of trying new stuff, enjoying everyday things, and celebrating a long holiday weekend with four days of family time in a row!

Just today, we got a huge bag full of clearance items from a neighborhood thrift store for under $15.00, then took the el downtown, had a Ghiradelli's Ice Cream treat and visited with the carriage horses on the magnificent mile, before heading back home for naptime. In the last few days, we've camped out by the lake in Evanston to see fireworks (and saw 0.2 minutes of the show before Eva got scared and we went back home), flew a kite by the lake, swam at the beach and collected shells, and swam at two neighborhood pools (where Eva has successfully jumped in, rode on my back, put her whole head under once, and blew bubbles twice!) We've also hit the nature center to see animals and shoulder high plants, set up Eva's new sandbox, watched Mary Poppins (and then sung songs from it almost every day since!), had dinner out and saw a movie with some friends, and taken a bike ride and trips to the park. I happily crossed a bunch 'o things off my summer fun list today - and the long weekend isn't even over yet!

Most of these events have cost us little or no money, have taken minimal planning, and have been very fun for all three of us. It has been a good reminder for me that I can feel "accomplished" in these fun, everyday and family ways - not just through homework or sending work emails. :) It has also been a good reminder that motivating ourselves to try some things that are new, being ok with activities that may take time to get to, or patience to park at, etc. makes this city a great place to enjoy the summer and enjoy each other. Also, we've taken a lot of naps after our time in the hot sun and galavanting around town - that also helps!

Pictures will be coming sometime soon... happy Fourth to July weekend to all!