Time And Tide

Here we are in August.

I have heard people say recently that the summer is going too fast, but I can honestly say ours has not.  Besides our two trips (and one still to come), our days have moved slowly.  We've circled from park to beach to park to library, home again and out again, as our day and desire takes us.

But time is moving on. Colton will turn three years old.  Audrey will be starting preschool in a few weeks.  I am excited for the experiences the fall will bring, but I'm also sad to leave our schedule free days behind.

As for today, we are heading to the beach, again, to soak up the freedom of these days.

On The Bright Side

Instead of dwelling on the returning cold today, here is what we did in the beautiful spring days last week.  Park. Botanic Garden. Beach. Lovely.

Aaaaand right now, snow is falling.  Spring is not for the faint of heart.

Lakefront In December

Mile By Mile - A Different Lake Path

This morning we loaded the bikes and trailer into the car and headed to the Chicago lakefront path, at Foster Beach.  We rode south to Navy Pier.  It was about 10 miles round trip, which pretty much wore me out! The path is full of locals and tourists - running, biking, walking dogs, heading to the beach, just living.

Can you see the John Hancock Building, Trump Tower and the Sears Tower, I mean Willis Tower? (From right to left, the three tallest buildings!)

Belmont Harbor

The ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

 On the way back we stopped at a bird and butterfly sanctuary. It could easily be called a people sanctuary, too, it was so cool and quiet inside.  Adurey loved being "in the woods."

Montrose Harbor

We hardly ever head down to Chicago, but I love seeing the city this way.

Eighty One

 Oh, beautiful day!  We were at the lake early this morning and found it mostly empty.  These are my favorite days, when the water is smooth and warm and the beach is quiet.  Audrey and Colton are frighteningly adventurous and love every minute in the water.

The lifeguard's board said the water temperature was 81 degrees!  I don't doubt it, as for the first time Colton's lips did not turn blue and I was happy to sit in the shallow, blowing bubbles in the water with Audrey.  We will be here again tomorrow, and the next day, and then again the day after that.

Summer Storms

We've been summer busy - beach days, park evenings, gardens and thunder storms.

I'm also busy preparing for some great celebrations in the coming weeks.  There are lists on the counter and lists in my head - ingredients and gifts, cleaning and making.  Lists of what to bring to the lake and lists of things to do to the house.

When I look at the state of my house - the finger prints on the fridge and windows, the food smears on the table, the dirt and sand and food on the floor - I feel a little panicked.  How will my house be ready to welcome a celebration when I have`two whirlwinds undoing twice as fast as I can do?  No list can keep my house clean, so I'll just have to wing it at the last minute

Yesterday at the lake we saw a small seiche.  Here is the water going out, just before a storm arrived.

Here it is coming back in.

Our storms have been what I think are typical mid-west summer storms.  The first boom of thunder gives you about five minutes before the heavens open up.  Rain comes down like a waterfall.  Trees bend to the howling wind.  Lightning flashes and sometimes the lights flicker.  The noise and power of it all is exciting and sometimes a little scary.  And then just as fast as it started, it ends.  Is that at all symbolic of motherhood?  I think it just might be.

Here And There

Where we've been:
Cantigny,
Street fairs,
the lake.

Happy Monday!