We had a wonderful trip to Chicago this week. We took advantage of our flexible hours as realtors and had a mid-week getaway with the children. We went downtown one day to the Shedd Aquarium, Grant Park, Lincoln Park and the general downtown district. We stayed in Woodstock and took the Metra train downtown on Tuesday morning. We woke the kids up in time to catch an early train, so we were downtown by 9:30. It was worth the effort of having our sleep-until-8-am children up early because the next train from Woodstock would have had us downtown almost two hours later. I must say that the train is the only way to go downtown. It was so nice not to have to deal with traffic or parking, and the cost was less than gas would have been and certainly less than parking. We will certainly do that again.

From the Metra station, we took the free trolley to Shedd Aquarium. Personally, I wanted to go to the Art Institute, but common sense took over and I realized that the kids would enjoy the Shedd much more. We had to start our Shedd visit with the obligatory picture of the family with the giant man and fish fountain.

We lucked out with our timing, and they happened to be feeding the fish in the giant Caribbean Reef, so we were able to immediately listen to the talk about that. The kids were in awe of the giant tank teeming with animals, and Vincent really liked seeing the diver up close. Though the kids were disappointed that the belugas were not available to the public due to a new calf, they still loved the Shedd. The dolphin show awed them, and they were amazed at the variety of sizes and colors of fishes (a word I always thought was grammatically incorrect, but if the aquarium uses it, I suspect I was taught wrong).


After the aquarium, we took a walk through Grant Park past the Field Museum and along the shore. There is a fascinating display of globes there, each detailing a different aspect about the planet or some other educational concept. Plus they are quirky dotting the landscape like they do. On our walk, we were tantalizingly close to the Art Institute, but still I resisted. I wanted to take pictures with the lions, but no one else was game for that. The kids wanted to get to the fountains in Millennium Park so they could splash around. We did walk through the peaceful garden next to the Art Institute, a little oasis on Michigan Ave.

After a long break splashing around in the fountains, during which the children somehow managed to keep most of their clothing dry, we journeyed over to The Bean. Now, I'm not sure if that is its official name, but this strange sculpture is simply fascinating. As you approach it, you see a distorted reflection that is interesting, but once underneath, it becomes intriguing. It was impossible to capture with the camera. We spent a long time there looking around at the myriad reflections the angles of The Bean create. When Luis said he wanted to stop to see it, I thought "how goofy", but it was beguiling. I am really happy we stopped.

Following The Bean we had a long walk down Washington back to the train station with tired children in tow. They were troopers, and I think they were a little awed by the towering buildings around us. Simon did wonderfully all day, hanging out in the mei tai and the sling. The train back to Woodstock was an express, so it was only an hour back. Even so, Vincent quickly fell asleep, and even Isabella and Luis dozed on the train. All in all, it was a great day trip that must be repeated.

The second day was spent as Six Flags Great America's homeschool day. It was an amusement park, so obviously there was a great deal of riding rides, playing in kiddie areas and eating cotton candy. I must say that we are now spoiled for any other day at an amusement park after this experience. Most of the time we had to wait 2-3 minutes for a ride, even on the hugely popular roller coasters. In 6.5 hours we managed to do 5 roller coasters, 8 rides, spend time at all three children's areas, have a picnic lunch and a cotton candy break, and see a show. It was exhausting and tons of fun.

When did it become acceptable to have one's bra straps or more on display for the world to see?

I do not think that I am that old, but call me old fashioned on this. If my bra strap or the top the cup accidentally shows for a few moments, eh, no big deal. Lingerie is not something to be embarrassed about, but I do believe it is private clothing. Underthings belong under our clothing.

I do not feel it is acceptable to purposefully wear a bra with a shirt that does not cover it. I was hoping the trend of young women wearing spaghetti strap tanks with bras on display would be short-lived, but it seems to be getting worse. Recently I saw a lovely young women looking completely trashy by pairing a darling halter top with a strapped bra. Put on a strapless bra, my dear, or if you are perky enough and the shirt is not sheer, go without. Neglecting to wear underthings appropriate to your outfit is déclassé.

May the pendulum swing back to covering up lingerie again soon. Backless shirts need backless bras, thong sides and backs belong underneath the waistline, and bra straps belong inside of shirts.

This morning, the children and I were all up by 7, rather early for us. Actually, Simon and I were up by 6:20, but I digress. Since Luis was already out at the carwash supervising the final renovations before we reopen on Monday, the children and I laid in bed snuggling and talking. I forget what the conversation started with, but I made the mistake of telling Abigail that she was getting big. Suddenly she was almost in tears.

I rearranged a few small bodies and snuggled Abigail close so we could quietly talk about why she was so upset. She is worried that time is going too quickly. As she said "It is my last single digit year. I'm not ready to be double digits yet." She isn't ready to grow up, and she is worried about it. It led to a long talk about how we age and mature at just the right rate for ourselves. A few years ago, she wasn't ready to be nine, but now that she is, it is okay, and by the time she is 16, 18 or 20, she will be ready for that too. We talked about how she will always be my baby and how I'll still be able to snuggle her even when she is grown up, if that is what she wants.

All in all, it was a good conversation, and she seemed to feel calmer afterwards. However, the entire time we were talking, one thought stayed in the back of my head. Who is going to talk me through her becoming "double digits?" Regardless of what I told Abigail, time is going too quickly.

Three years ago, even two years ago, I wasn't sure if I wanted a fourth baby. I felt very done after three children in four and a half years. I wasn't sure I could parent another baby the way I feel is right.

Obviously my thinking changed, as Simon is such a part of our family now. He is such a gift, my little chubalicious darling. Looking back now, I realize that my concerns weren't about having a fourth baby, but rather about having four babies in, say, six or seven years. I was burnt out on babyhood and toddler years. I needed the larger gap, the four and a half years that separate Simon and Vincent, to get my feet back under me and to recenter my life.

In many ways, Simon is like having a first baby again. With Abigail, Isabella and Vincent being older and capable of more independence, I can focus on Simon's babyness. I can spend more time having raspberry blowing contests and kissing baby toes. I will never regret having the older children so close together. That was an amazing experience, a wonderful parenting journey. Their relationship is so neat. It was exhausting to parent through, though, and if I had had Simon sooner, I believe that I would not have been able to be the parent I would want to be for him.

I am so thankful that Simon is here with us, and that I am able to find such joy in him being with us. He is a darling with a deep belly laugh. I know he will bring our family much laughter in the coming years.

I do love this handsome baby boy!

Saturday means the farmer's market. We had a late start this morning, what with watching a friend's son while she worked out, and it started raining. Who am I to let a little rain stand between me and garlic, onions, green peppers, beets and (bestill my beating heart) butternut squash? With Simon in the mei tai and a couple of umbrellas, the kids and I set off, squelching all the way in our flip flops.

I have noticed that there are two types of people that venture out in gentle rains. One type is only out because they need to be. They cower under their umbrellas, looking down as they quickly dash from car to office building or store. The other type embraces the water as they laugh along, doing their tasks without measureable increase in speed. We had fun chatting with some of the second type today at the market, laughing as the tarp over one of the vendors let loose a small deluge onto Abigail's sweater and talking about the unusually shaped eggplant.

Now I don't pretend to never be the type who does dash around cowering under my umbrella. It happens, especially on days when I have my suede laptop case with me or good shoes on. I prefer the days like today where we can enjoy the music of the drops falling on the umbrella and actively look for puddles to stomp in, though. It is much more fun. We need more simple fun in life.

During the most intensely hot week of August of every year, I end up having the kids go through all of their fall and winter clothes to see what still fits. It never fails. It will be 95 degrees and muggy, and I will have them trying on their turtlenecks.

The intense heat always makes me realize that fall is just around the corner. I know it will be sweltering for one or two weeks, almost unbearable, then the weather will break. The cool nights will come back, and in the morning the grass will stay wet with a heavy dew for hours. The glory of lightening bugs fades away, and a chorus of crickets takes center stage instead. In the garden, berries finish their season as the tomatoes and summer squash are ripening in waves, and the fall crop of spinach is starting to sprout.

So last week the children slept naked in the heat, and I pulled hoodie sweaters off of sweaty torsos as they tried on all their winter clothes. This week, the pajamas and nightgowns are again being worn at night, and a new shipment of pants and long sleeved shirts is on its way from Old Navy. Pretty soon we will be hearing the rustle of drying leaves singing as fall starts.

I do love the change in seasons.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~ Albert Camus

I am seriously in love with my new camera. I have only touched the tip of the iceberg with it so far, but I like my pictures better already.

I took this one of my mother-in-law with Simon today. She would absolutely hate it if she saw it because she looks her age in it, but I love it. It is my favorite of all the pictures I have taken of her with any of the kids. It is simply her radiating love as she kisses her darling grandbaby. Part of me wishes that I had caught Simon's face in this one, but I had framed it this way on purpose and I think I am glad I did. I wanted the focus to be more on Carmen and her expression, and I think my sweet Simon's eyes would have detracted from that.

Simon enjoys playing rougher than the other children did as babies. Consequently, he adores playing with my father-in-law. I can also tell that Jose has relaxed over the last 9 years and is more comfortable playing with the babies. He has a really special spot for Simon, and I think he actually spends more time playing with Simon that Carmen does. For the first time with any of the kids, Jose will grab the baby away from Carmen to play with Simon himself. Simon lights up with a smile when Jose is around and interacting with him.

Since I'm sharing Simon photos, I must share some of the other kids too. Softball and baseball are now over for the year, but the kids had a great time during the season and are already looking forward to next year. I can tell that Abigail is getting older. She is becoming more serious and focused during the games, starting to lead off base and trying to score runs or make outs. She is paying attention to what is happening on the field, rarely waving to us in the stands. I had to call her name in order to take this picture. She glanced back at the batter a second later.

Isabella is my wannabe model. If the camera comes out, she must get her pictures taken. If I am shooting a picture of anyone, she wants to be in the shot too. She thrives on me focusing the camera on her and immediately strikes a pose. It can be frustrating when I am trying to catch her in action because if she sees the camera, she loses all ability to be natural and ignore it.

Vincent is the polar opposite these days. He used to love to have his picture taken, but lately he has been shying away from it. I have to catch him off guard or he may run away or hide. Of course, he'll shock me sometimes and demand that I take his picture, but that is usually only for action shots, things like him riding his bike. Of course, that is an extension of who he is right now. He doesn't want me calling attention to him when other people are around unless he is doing something he feels is "macarena cool" (he picked that up from the movie RV, much to our amusement).

I have been studying for my EcoBroker designation for real estate. It is simply amazing how much I am learning. There is so much information out there if only we know how to access it. The EPA has pamphlets on so many different topics, and then there is the information available from Energy Star. It is amazing.

One thing I came across today in my reading had to do with small things that can make a big difference. Did you know that the average home in the US is responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car? Unless you are using renewable energy sources, every time you flip on a light switch or turn on your computer, and electrical plant somewhere has to produce your electricity, and much of the time this is done by burning fossil fuels. Kudos to our electrical provider Alliant Energy for offering their Second Nature program. If you enroll, they guarantee to purchase energy from renewable sources in amounts equal to or greater than your usage. There is an extra cost for this program, but it is small (about $15/mo for us), and in my opinion it is a small premium to pay to protect the world for our grandchildren.

Change five lights. Change a light and you help change the world. If every American home replaced their 5 most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and together we'd prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars.

Heat and cool smartly. Improve the performance of your heating and cooling system. Have it serviced annually by a licensed contractor, and remember to clean or replace air filters regularly. To avoid heating or cooling an empty house, use an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat. And when it’s time to replace old equipment, choose an ENERGY STAR qualified model, and make sure it’s sized and installed properly. If just one household in 10 did this, the change would prevent more than 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gases.

I have said it before and I'll say it again - Small Things Make a Huge Difference IF We All Do Them.

To continue the campground theme, even tangentially, I was listening to a piece on NPR yesterday about sleep away camps. Apparently the rise of the internet has led to some interesting changes in the traditional camp experience.

The days of parents only knowing what is happening via hastily scrawled notes back home are disappearing. Many camps offer secure sites to parents where they will upload pictures of the children throughout the day, every day. One interviewee said that parents enjoyed seeing their children and feeling part of their child's time at camp. However, the comment was made the some parents are using this to micromanage. It has led to communications from the parents to the camp on things as small as "I saw a scratch on Liza's arm; what happened?" or "Owen was wearing the same shirt two days in a row!" One camp leader indicated that there is a rise of separation anxiety, not on the part of the kids, but rather on the part of the parents. In this age of digital and cellular communications (it seemed that most camps also ban cell phones), parents are accustomed to being able to contact their children anytime, anywhere. When they are completely out of touch with their children during camp times, it is difficult for some.

It was interesting food for thought. Statistics show that the world around us is no more dangerous than when we were kids, but the perception of many people is completely different. Luis and I have been talking about this since the new year. How much independence should we give to our children and when? Granted I was a responsible and level headed child, but at age 10, I was biking 4.5 miles in the country during the summer to get myself to band practice. We struggle with whether or not to let Abigail (age 9) walk 4 blocks to art class by herself or stay at softball practice alone and walk home afterwards. We have given her a two block range and let her go to the library or run small errands alone, but how do we expand that freedom while feeling comfortable?

I can understand now why some parents are giving cell phones to their upper elementary school children, even though I may not agree with it. The idea that even if our kids are away from us, tasting that independence, we can still contact them to make sure they are safe is tantalizing. It truly does nothing to make our children more safe, but it gives us the parents the illusion of control. When we first starting letting Abigail wander farther from home, we would send her with the two way radio. It felt wrong to me to use the radios around home like that for some reason, and I soon stopped. {We do use them when camping or at festivals without compunction though} I speculate that part of the growing process for our children involves our learning as parents to let go of control. Perhaps we need to learn to hand that control over to our children in order for them to learn to manage independence responsibly.

We went camping this weekend with family and had a very nice time. The campground we went to is one of the amusement-park campgrounds, one that has about fifty-three different activities catering the the children. It is great fun for them, don't get me wrong, and we enjoy the swimming pond that is filled with giant floating equipment. It certainly isn't as peaceful and calming as some other places we have camped, but it is fun.

One thing I have noticed as we have been camping in the last four years is starting to bother me. What is the deal with all of the golf carts? Campgrounds, at least around here, are filled with people zipping around on golf carts. I can understand someone who is disabled using one; some of the campgrounds are large or hilly, and it might be difficult to get around if one has a disability. However, there is no reason that an able bodied person needs to ride on a golf cart to go to a bathroom that is a 3 minute walk away or to get to the swimming pool that would only be 10 minutes away on foot. Last year, Luis and I saw someone get in their golf cart to drive less 100 feet to the bathroom. I am not kidding. The sheer absurdity of it had us snickering all evening.

Personally, I enjoy the walk to get places at a campground. It is a nice change of pace to walk to the bathroom in the early morning hours, listening to the birds or to stroll around the grounds in the evening with the crickets chirping away. It is fun to take a family walk to gawk at other people's campsites, see what creative things people do to their campers and wave hi or make conversation with others. I truly do not understand why someone would want to hop on a golf cart to speed around when putting one foot front of the other takes just a fraction more time and brings such contentment to me.

I said I wouldn't be posting much for a little bit, but obviously, I lied.



Vincent playing baseball makes me think of the song "I play right field; it's important, you know." He loves it and has the best time, but he is thrilled just to be out there. A few of the other little boys are already leading off base and actually getting outs. Vincent, on the other hand, is one of the boys who are busy dumping sand into his glove and grinning as they shout "Hi!" towards the bleachers.

And a quick shot of Simon sleeping. I can't believe how big he is getting!