EJ Climbs and Slides

MOM and Dad have been visiting the local play parks recently, encouraging the Twins to climb up the equipment and slide down on their own. The do the slide part, but up until today, neither would do climb part.

Dad decided to take them out for a walk to get out of Mom's hair and let her work in peace. Entirely on his own, without prompting from Dad, EJ climbed up and slid down the slide.

Our Town

THE town the New Family lives in has some interesting historical buidlings, pleasant neighborhoods, and lots of shopping.

Above is the former Adams Memorial library, now the DuPage County Historical Society.

Casa Solana,  a street in a neighborhood adjacent to the New Family home where Dad always had ambitions to reside. If you, like Dad, prefer to hear children playing baseball in the nearby park instead of traffic noise, and your mortgage budget is in the middle $300,000, then this is the place to live.

Above his the house he had ambitions for.

Shopping is a daily affair for the New Family. Trader Joe's and Aldi are two of the Family's favorites.

And to feed Mom's addiction to Costco, one is not 10 minutes away.

The local Walmart is undergoing renovations to become a Super Walmart.

The foremer City Hall building above and below is now condo units. These are within easy walking distance to the train station for commuters that work downtown Chicago. Dad loves trains, but not at night while he is trying to sleep.

The original building is on the left below and the condo additions sprawl out toward the east.

Flips, a local burger, gyro, and hot dog place also offers "Sumarine" sandwiches.

She is a Girl. Yay!

DAD loves to dress his little girl in girl clothes. She loves to play dress up. They are simpatico.

Buggy in a Box

NOW that the Twins are getting older, it is important that they are allowed to do things for themselves. Dad, exasperated by the late afternoon noncompliance from the kids, told Buggy that he is shipping her off to live with gypsies, so she needed to get into the box so he could ship her off.

"Ready to go Daddy!"

Well, maybe Dad will keep her around a little while longer. Where else is he going to get his cute?
:-)

Rain Day

IT was April showering on a recent day, a day that otherwise would have been a good day to get outside and burn off some energy.

Discourse on a Rib Roast

TO honor Opa for Easter, Dad made a rib roast, one of his favorite dishes. The interesting thing is that he did it on the stove top.

Really.

The roast never saw the inside of an oven. And it was perfect (for Mom's taste, Dad prefers a little more red and a little less pink, but since it was for her, he made it to her taste.)

Click to read more.

Chicks and Rabbits

THESE are by far Dad's favorite Easter candy. Too bad the twins don't care for them, all the more for him!

Five and Under Park

IT is interesting that one's perspective changes when becoming a parent. Before children Dad did not take notice of the playground equipment installed in various parks. He has been to this particular park before, even as recently as this time last year, but gave little thought to the suitability of the equipment to a given child's age. Today, at the urging of Mom, they set off for 5 and under park. He marveled at the thoughtful design, at how appropriate it is for the almost 2 years old crowd.

Above, the climbing structure is perfect for mobile little ones. Unlike big kid equipment, the Twins can actually climb this on their own.

The slides too are well suited for this age group. The incline is not as steep and the landing zone is long enough to prevent them from falling off.

Mom is ready to catch Buggy, but it is unnecessary.

The steps are also easy for toddlers to ascend and descend.

The slide above is higher than the purple one, but it is covered so there is no fear that they will fall off of the side.

Having mastered going down feet first, the Twins then did it head first. Dad was able to take photos instead of receiving them at the end.

Buggy found a pine cone and a switch. She gave the pine cone to EJ but kept the switch for herself.