Remember this post?
Yeah, the one I wrote, ummm...
2 days ago.
Well
I'm changing my plan
again.
I think 1/2 my problem is that I'm worried about what other people will think.
I'm worried about what I'll think of myself.
We've always said we didn't want the kids in daycare because we want to raise them.
We had kids for a reason- and that reason wasn't to send them off to someone else.
But I've been reassessing this stance lately.
Research is showing that kids "raised" in daycare are the same as kids raised solely by their mothers.
Research is also showing that while working mothers struggle more with guilt, they don't have self confidence issues once children are older, like stay at home moms do.
I've also read the argument: how/why is it a bad thing to introduce more loving adults into your childrens' lives.
Hmmm.
I've been super concerned about what Ren Man thinks/wants.
He keeps saying: "what do you want?"
What I want is for him to tell me what he wants.
Last night we talked finances.
We always knew with the bigger/nicer house and nicer car I would need to work- at least part time.
But I'm feeling so disjointed with this sub thing.
I make plans and inevitably within 5 minutes the woman calls asking me to sub the next day.
When I can, I change my plans.
But this is driving me crazy.
I also feel like part time work is looked down upon and is it worth the hassle at that hourly rate?
So I sent out two resumes today.
Just two.
I'm nervous and half expecting not to hear anything back.
Both are long term sub positions.
Like a test drive.
Minimal commitment.
After Thanksgiving I'll follow up.
If they don't seem to be going anywhere maybe I will send out more.
I'm really really going to miss the kids.
But at the moment I'm really really missing myself.
And if I keep going on being the mom I've been for the past month or so (not good)- I know someone can do a better job.
The last few days have been better.
I think because I've had playgroup, I've subbed once, we've been talking about me taking on a full time job...
Now we wait.
I think either way I'll be okay.
If it happens- great.
If not- great. I'll keep subbing until something else happens.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Occupation: MOM
Lately feeling very frustrated
Can't pin myself down
Want to do everything (mom, teach, midwife, read, photograph, write)
and nothing (sleep for a week)
feeling frustrated by indecisiveness and that everything isn't instant (kid are grown and successful, have been teaching for 37 years and making huge positive impact on students and community, helping moms catch their babies as they're born, reading fascinating books, photographing like I was born doing it, writing novels that no one can put down while sleeping- is evidently by dream).
I've been feeling so frustrated and held down by kids.
I think the book club book Flux got me really thinking about this.
Unfortunately I had to return the book to the library before getting to through the last portion where hopefully some closure is hiding because I'm going a little crazy.
For the record- the book has been ordered.
In light of all this I've been considering long-term sub positions and having the kids do daycare part time so Ren Man can get some school work done.
Research is showing that there are no differences between children who are raised in daycare and those that are raised by a stay at home mom.
Begin looking for positions.
Get nervous about not being hired.
And then start to think of the things I might miss (first step, discovery of a vividly colored leaf, watching a friendship develop, etc. etc.).
So I pause on the search.
Decide my "job" right now is mommyhood.
Decide to work on dedicating more thought/energy into the kids.
At the moment most of my kid oriented energy is poured into ways to get them to entertain themselves.
So that whole- quantity vs. quality time....
I am spending a lot of time in the same room with them but I'm not really with them.
Trying to work on that.
But know also that it will probably never be enough... for me or society's idea of The Mom.
Can't pin myself down
Want to do everything (mom, teach, midwife, read, photograph, write)
and nothing (sleep for a week)
feeling frustrated by indecisiveness and that everything isn't instant (kid are grown and successful, have been teaching for 37 years and making huge positive impact on students and community, helping moms catch their babies as they're born, reading fascinating books, photographing like I was born doing it, writing novels that no one can put down while sleeping- is evidently by dream).
I've been feeling so frustrated and held down by kids.
I think the book club book Flux got me really thinking about this.
Unfortunately I had to return the book to the library before getting to through the last portion where hopefully some closure is hiding because I'm going a little crazy.
For the record- the book has been ordered.
In light of all this I've been considering long-term sub positions and having the kids do daycare part time so Ren Man can get some school work done.
Research is showing that there are no differences between children who are raised in daycare and those that are raised by a stay at home mom.
Begin looking for positions.
Get nervous about not being hired.
And then start to think of the things I might miss (first step, discovery of a vividly colored leaf, watching a friendship develop, etc. etc.).
So I pause on the search.
Decide my "job" right now is mommyhood.
Decide to work on dedicating more thought/energy into the kids.
At the moment most of my kid oriented energy is poured into ways to get them to entertain themselves.
So that whole- quantity vs. quality time....
I am spending a lot of time in the same room with them but I'm not really with them.
Trying to work on that.
But know also that it will probably never be enough... for me or society's idea of The Mom.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Cookies
The day we came home from Chicago I insisted Ren Man make cookies as a thank you to our duplex-neighbor who looked after Bixbee while we were gone.
He made chocolate chip and peanut butter.
The next morning I placed a tin foil covered plate of cookies outside their door with a thank you note attached.
Several hours later a couple squirrels were in our garden (in the front yard).
I pointed these out to Ark Boy and watched as they dug around a little.
One squirrel came onto our front porch.
This was very exciting for Ark Boy.
The squirrel slipped under the gate that divides our half of the front porch from the neighbors.
I lost sight of it because of the angle of the windows to porch- but a moment later the squirrel was coming back under the gate to our side... with a peanut butter cookie in its mouth!
"Those punks!" I shouted before throwing open the door and snatching my plate of cookies back.
I think that only one cookie had been snagged.
Much later, when the neighbors were home, I brought the cookies to them.
I debated telling them the squirrel story...
decided they'd probably prefer not to know.
Lured him back inside by asking if he wanted to make cookies (was wishing we hadn't given cookies to neighbors but kept them for ourselves).
Time for eggs.
Showed Ark Boy where the eggs are in the fridge.
He was adamant about cracking them himself.
Slightly nerve wracking.
He does it.
Well.
Show him where to compost bucket is for egg shells.
Farm Girl wakes from nap.
Tell Ark Boy that I'll be right back.
Come back with Farm Girl.
Time to cream dough.
Seems too wet.
Decide to add more sugar.
Ren Man is attracted to mixer noise.
Assume cookies are in process.
Ask him about lack of creaminess.
Suggests we add more butter.
Decide to look at egg carton.
Only one egg left.
Evidently Ark Boy went and retrieved 2 additional eggs, cracked them into the dough, and discarded the shell, with only minimal shell in the mixing bowl...
all while I was getting Farm Girl from her nap.
So we doubled the recipe.
Then froze the cookies to deter us from eating them too quickly.
Even so... they're aren't so many left.
SOMEBODY (me) keeps going downstairs to the chest freezer where said cookies are being stored to get a couple... a couple times a day.
Yum.
He made chocolate chip and peanut butter.
The next morning I placed a tin foil covered plate of cookies outside their door with a thank you note attached.
Several hours later a couple squirrels were in our garden (in the front yard).
I pointed these out to Ark Boy and watched as they dug around a little.
One squirrel came onto our front porch.
This was very exciting for Ark Boy.
The squirrel slipped under the gate that divides our half of the front porch from the neighbors.
I lost sight of it because of the angle of the windows to porch- but a moment later the squirrel was coming back under the gate to our side... with a peanut butter cookie in its mouth!
"Those punks!" I shouted before throwing open the door and snatching my plate of cookies back.
I think that only one cookie had been snagged.
Much later, when the neighbors were home, I brought the cookies to them.
I debated telling them the squirrel story...
decided they'd probably prefer not to know.
***
Recently decided that while we invite Ark Boy to cook with us- he never really gets to do anything.Lured him back inside by asking if he wanted to make cookies (was wishing we hadn't given cookies to neighbors but kept them for ourselves).
Time for eggs.
Showed Ark Boy where the eggs are in the fridge.
He was adamant about cracking them himself.
Slightly nerve wracking.
He does it.
Well.
Show him where to compost bucket is for egg shells.
Farm Girl wakes from nap.
Tell Ark Boy that I'll be right back.
Come back with Farm Girl.
Time to cream dough.
Seems too wet.
Decide to add more sugar.
Ren Man is attracted to mixer noise.
Assume cookies are in process.
Ask him about lack of creaminess.
Suggests we add more butter.
Decide to look at egg carton.
Only one egg left.
Evidently Ark Boy went and retrieved 2 additional eggs, cracked them into the dough, and discarded the shell, with only minimal shell in the mixing bowl...
all while I was getting Farm Girl from her nap.
So we doubled the recipe.
Then froze the cookies to deter us from eating them too quickly.
Even so... they're aren't so many left.
SOMEBODY (me) keeps going downstairs to the chest freezer where said cookies are being stored to get a couple... a couple times a day.
Yum.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
It's hard
We're home.
It was nice to see everyone in Vermont.
Some times it was really hard.
Other times it was so fun.
There's more I'd like to say but I know my mother-in-law reads the blog at work and she doesn't need to read my thoughts about this weekend and Grampy Gillis while she's relaxing on her lunch break.
So here's a picture from this weekend during one of the fun moments.
Looking forward to Vermont for Thanksgiving.
It was nice to see everyone in Vermont.
Some times it was really hard.
Other times it was so fun.
There's more I'd like to say but I know my mother-in-law reads the blog at work and she doesn't need to read my thoughts about this weekend and Grampy Gillis while she's relaxing on her lunch break.
So here's a picture from this weekend during one of the fun moments.
Looking forward to Vermont for Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dear Ark Boy 30 months
Wow Big Guy!
You are officially 2.5! Crazy. You continue to do and say funny things every day. Recently you've started making silly sounds or bringing your sister toys when she's sad. You also start screaming when she does. It's hard to explain that it's okay for her to scream but not okay for a 2.5 year old to scream at the top of his lungs inside. People ask how you're doing with the adjustment to having a sister and I tell them that I don't think you remember not having her. She is such an important part of your life now. If we're going somewhere without her you immediately ask where she is. You often want to do things with her- like baths, playing with your animals, reading books.
Early this month we went apple picking.
You had a lot of fun walking around the orchard but didn't really get that we were supposed to be picking apples off the trees- not just finding the drops to munch on.
Whenever you want something you tell us what we should say to you. So if you're hungry you might say:
"Do you want a snack?" Sometimes you say: "Carry you up?" or "OR do you want to go downstairs?" or "Do you want some?" These suggestions are often followed by a loud and enthusiastic "That's a good idea!"
On our recent Chicago trip you loved pressing the "alligator" button to go up to our room at the hotel. I know you think it really is called an alligator because you signed alligator whenever you talked about the elevator. Another funny confusion on your part during the trip: at the field museum there were several stuffed animals on display and you kept calling it the zoo. You became quite adept at waiting for the white light before crossing the street in the city. You often insisted Del ride in the stroller. When we asked you to go in the stroller instead you would say: "or maybe Noah walk?". You often insist on being first- up the stairs or down the sidewalk. It was entertaining to see bystanders look concerned to see this independent little boy walking the streets of Chicago by himself.
It was also interesting to watch you watch other children. You watch to see what they are doing and then imitate their antics. Very very cute. Speaking of other children- you have recently become friends with Ethan, a 5 year old that is part of our playgroup. You ask about him as soon as we get to the playground and then follow him around and watch is every move. The cool thing is that he seems just as interested in you. He recently tried to throw you a ball... I don't know if he realizes you are half his age.
You have started potty training. We started by having you sit on the potty while you watch a movie. Now if we suggest you sit on the potty you say: "and watch Ogre Music (shrek)/Veggie Tales....that's a good IDEA!" When we tell people about your success on the potty you say: "what were you watching? Veggie Tales?" so I'm not sure you get the point quite yet.
There's a million and one things to tell you still but you're begging for a bath with your sister (another good idea, evidently) so we're off to the bath!
Your Chicago Tour Guide,
Mommy
You are officially 2.5! Crazy. You continue to do and say funny things every day. Recently you've started making silly sounds or bringing your sister toys when she's sad. You also start screaming when she does. It's hard to explain that it's okay for her to scream but not okay for a 2.5 year old to scream at the top of his lungs inside. People ask how you're doing with the adjustment to having a sister and I tell them that I don't think you remember not having her. She is such an important part of your life now. If we're going somewhere without her you immediately ask where she is. You often want to do things with her- like baths, playing with your animals, reading books.
Early this month we went apple picking.
You had a lot of fun walking around the orchard but didn't really get that we were supposed to be picking apples off the trees- not just finding the drops to munch on.
Whenever you want something you tell us what we should say to you. So if you're hungry you might say:
"Do you want a snack?" Sometimes you say: "Carry you up?" or "OR do you want to go downstairs?" or "Do you want some?" These suggestions are often followed by a loud and enthusiastic "That's a good idea!"
On our recent Chicago trip you loved pressing the "alligator" button to go up to our room at the hotel. I know you think it really is called an alligator because you signed alligator whenever you talked about the elevator. Another funny confusion on your part during the trip: at the field museum there were several stuffed animals on display and you kept calling it the zoo. You became quite adept at waiting for the white light before crossing the street in the city. You often insisted Del ride in the stroller. When we asked you to go in the stroller instead you would say: "or maybe Noah walk?". You often insist on being first- up the stairs or down the sidewalk. It was entertaining to see bystanders look concerned to see this independent little boy walking the streets of Chicago by himself.
It was also interesting to watch you watch other children. You watch to see what they are doing and then imitate their antics. Very very cute. Speaking of other children- you have recently become friends with Ethan, a 5 year old that is part of our playgroup. You ask about him as soon as we get to the playground and then follow him around and watch is every move. The cool thing is that he seems just as interested in you. He recently tried to throw you a ball... I don't know if he realizes you are half his age.
You have started potty training. We started by having you sit on the potty while you watch a movie. Now if we suggest you sit on the potty you say: "and watch Ogre Music (shrek)/Veggie Tales....that's a good IDEA!" When we tell people about your success on the potty you say: "what were you watching? Veggie Tales?" so I'm not sure you get the point quite yet.
There's a million and one things to tell you still but you're begging for a bath with your sister (another good idea, evidently) so we're off to the bath!
Your Chicago Tour Guide,
Mommy
Pictures posted
Just wanted to quickly update:
I've uploaded pictures from our trip and inserted them into the appropriate blog entry.
Enjoy.
We're off to Vermont tomorrow for the weekend.
I'll try to get Ark Boy's letter up before we leave.
I've uploaded pictures from our trip and inserted them into the appropriate blog entry.
Enjoy.
We're off to Vermont tomorrow for the weekend.
I'll try to get Ark Boy's letter up before we leave.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
disappointed
Lots of plans yesterday.
Boat ride, children's museum, and meet up with friend from college.
We debated going to friend's house because we weren't sure she'd be able to come in because her daughter is sick.
We opted to risk her not coming to see us last night because it would be a 40 minute train ride and then we weren't sure how close public transport would get us to her house.
The boat ride was great.
Ark Boy had a blast and it was really fun hearing about different buildings in Chicago and Chicago history.
The tour guide was entertaining.
After the boat ride we went to a restaurant that Ren Man wanted to try that we heard had awesome ribs.
It was a sports bar.
This isn't the first time we've brought children to eat a meal at a bar.
It's always interesting.
After a super filling meal (Ren Man wanted us to get full rib racks) we decided a tired Ark Boy wasn't up for the Children's Museum.
I was bummed but it was the right decision because we came home and Ark Boy slept for 3 hours.
Around 5:30 we heard from our friend- her daughter was still sick.
She didn't feel like she could come in.
It was a good lesson learned.
In the future when traveling people come first.
So we should have gone to our friends house in the morning and then tried to do the boat ride in the afternoon.
Oh well.
I was still full from lunch and Ren Man wanted to try the infamous Chicago hot dogs.
I'm happy to pass.
The verdict: taste like hot dogs.
Again, I'm happy to pass.
On the way back to the hotel from the hot dog place we stopped by the "bean"- a huge reflective sculpture.
I was soooo disappointed that we had opted to leave the camera at home assuming we were just running out quick to get the hot dog.
The pictures would have been awesome.
I've been playing with slow shutter speed- sooo fun.
Oh well.
____________
This morning we went back to the bean to get pictures.
It was fun because no one else was there.
(that teeny tiny white shirted person under the bean is Ark Boy)
We're leaving for the airport in about 10 minutes.
I don't feel done with Chicago (I never made it to the childrens museum, the art institute, or the science museum).
I do feel very very done with living at a hotel and NEEDING to be gone 8+ hours a day (meaning transporting myself and two children by myself in the city- needless to say- my feet are really sore... I think the bottom of my toes are blistered!).
Going to get home so we can vote:)
Boat ride, children's museum, and meet up with friend from college.
We debated going to friend's house because we weren't sure she'd be able to come in because her daughter is sick.
We opted to risk her not coming to see us last night because it would be a 40 minute train ride and then we weren't sure how close public transport would get us to her house.
The boat ride was great.
Ark Boy had a blast and it was really fun hearing about different buildings in Chicago and Chicago history.
The tour guide was entertaining.
After the boat ride we went to a restaurant that Ren Man wanted to try that we heard had awesome ribs.
It was a sports bar.
This isn't the first time we've brought children to eat a meal at a bar.
It's always interesting.
After a super filling meal (Ren Man wanted us to get full rib racks) we decided a tired Ark Boy wasn't up for the Children's Museum.
I was bummed but it was the right decision because we came home and Ark Boy slept for 3 hours.
Around 5:30 we heard from our friend- her daughter was still sick.
She didn't feel like she could come in.
It was a good lesson learned.
In the future when traveling people come first.
So we should have gone to our friends house in the morning and then tried to do the boat ride in the afternoon.
Oh well.
I was still full from lunch and Ren Man wanted to try the infamous Chicago hot dogs.
I'm happy to pass.
The verdict: taste like hot dogs.
Again, I'm happy to pass.
On the way back to the hotel from the hot dog place we stopped by the "bean"- a huge reflective sculpture.
I was soooo disappointed that we had opted to leave the camera at home assuming we were just running out quick to get the hot dog.
The pictures would have been awesome.
I've been playing with slow shutter speed- sooo fun.
Oh well.
____________
This morning we went back to the bean to get pictures.
It was fun because no one else was there.
(that teeny tiny white shirted person under the bean is Ark Boy)
We're leaving for the airport in about 10 minutes.
I don't feel done with Chicago (I never made it to the childrens museum, the art institute, or the science museum).
I do feel very very done with living at a hotel and NEEDING to be gone 8+ hours a day (meaning transporting myself and two children by myself in the city- needless to say- my feet are really sore... I think the bottom of my toes are blistered!).
Going to get home so we can vote:)
Monday, November 3, 2008
the rest of "today"
When Ren Man came home both kids were still sleeping.
By the time they woke up we weren't sure if we had time to do the Sears Tower before meeting our friend.
She ended up calling saying that her daughter was throwing up for the first time in her life and she needed to stay home.
We were sad but hopefully we'll be able to see her tonight.
We decided to go to Greek Town to get gyros- Ren Man's favorite.
He insisted we go to Greek Town Gyros because he'd read a good review.
In we walked and ate delicious gyros.
I glanced out the window and spotted a sign for Greek Town Gyros.
I asked if Ren Man was sure we were at the right place.
"YES" he said all agitated at my questioning of his gyro restaurant choice.
I pointed out the window.
Oh he was embarrassed.
Score one for me:)
We were at Mr. Greek Gyros.
It was yummy and I'm sure just as good as Greek Town Gyros.
After walking around for a little while (past Sears Tower, no less)
(taken for the sidewalk- as in the camera was on the sidewalk)
we came back to the hotel to wait for the Brown reception.
Ark Boy asked to read books and wanted his snuggly blanket.
Clearly he thought bed time was imminent.
We carted to slightly cranky and definitely tired kids to the reception for 9.
We saw a professor from our St. Mike's- where we were undergrads.
It was nice to see him and he told Ren Man to consider SMC when he's done with his program at Brown because the dept. "isn't getting any younger".
We would love to be at SMC so this was very cool to hear.
A little before 11 we brought one sleeping baby and one tired toddler back to the hotel and we all crashed.
Today- our last day in Chicago- is going to be just as full as previous days have been.
Then tomorrow we fly back to Providence- (well, Warwick really:))!
By the time they woke up we weren't sure if we had time to do the Sears Tower before meeting our friend.
She ended up calling saying that her daughter was throwing up for the first time in her life and she needed to stay home.
We were sad but hopefully we'll be able to see her tonight.
We decided to go to Greek Town to get gyros- Ren Man's favorite.
He insisted we go to Greek Town Gyros because he'd read a good review.
In we walked and ate delicious gyros.
I glanced out the window and spotted a sign for Greek Town Gyros.
I asked if Ren Man was sure we were at the right place.
"YES" he said all agitated at my questioning of his gyro restaurant choice.
I pointed out the window.
Oh he was embarrassed.
Score one for me:)
We were at Mr. Greek Gyros.
It was yummy and I'm sure just as good as Greek Town Gyros.
After walking around for a little while (past Sears Tower, no less)
(taken for the sidewalk- as in the camera was on the sidewalk)Ark Boy asked to read books and wanted his snuggly blanket.
Clearly he thought bed time was imminent.
We carted to slightly cranky and definitely tired kids to the reception for 9.
We saw a professor from our St. Mike's- where we were undergrads.
It was nice to see him and he told Ren Man to consider SMC when he's done with his program at Brown because the dept. "isn't getting any younger".
We would love to be at SMC so this was very cool to hear.
A little before 11 we brought one sleeping baby and one tired toddler back to the hotel and we all crashed.
Today- our last day in Chicago- is going to be just as full as previous days have been.
Then tomorrow we fly back to Providence- (well, Warwick really:))!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
today so far
This morning we went to Day Frog.
It has only been open 6 months and seems like it's a fairly popular place already.
I wish there was one in Providence.
So many times I've heard moms say they wish there was an indoor play space for cold/wet/too hot days.
This place would be perfect.
Again, it was interesting seeing Ark Boy observe other children and follow their lead.
There was an infant area that I wish Farm Girl and I could have spent more time in but I didn't feel comfortable letting Ark Boy have the run of the place without me watching.
On the way to Day Frog we had a little bit of excitement.
I turned onto the correct street and knew "frog" was in the name but couldn't find a sign.
So I called my mom and walked her through finding the link online (someone had pm'ed me from tbw and told me about this place so that's where I sent my mom to find the link).
She was thankfully able to tell me the address and that they explain on their site that there is no signage on the outside of the building.
Good to know.
We then went to meet Ren Man for lunch- he wanted to try Italian Beef, had heard it was a must try in Chicago.
Then we came back to the hotel and Ark Boy soon crashed on top of the couch (as in on the back of the couch leaning against the wall- don't worry- I took pictures).
When Ren Man gets done with "school" around 3 we're going to try and go to Sears Tower.
This evening we're going to try and connect with a friend from college who is living about an hour away from Chicago.
I'm so excited to see her!
Then after that (9-11) is a Brown University reception we're going to.
So yeah, that nap- going to do that now.
It has only been open 6 months and seems like it's a fairly popular place already.
I wish there was one in Providence.
So many times I've heard moms say they wish there was an indoor play space for cold/wet/too hot days.
This place would be perfect.
Again, it was interesting seeing Ark Boy observe other children and follow their lead.
There was an infant area that I wish Farm Girl and I could have spent more time in but I didn't feel comfortable letting Ark Boy have the run of the place without me watching.
On the way to Day Frog we had a little bit of excitement.
I turned onto the correct street and knew "frog" was in the name but couldn't find a sign.
So I called my mom and walked her through finding the link online (someone had pm'ed me from tbw and told me about this place so that's where I sent my mom to find the link).
She was thankfully able to tell me the address and that they explain on their site that there is no signage on the outside of the building.
Good to know.
We then went to meet Ren Man for lunch- he wanted to try Italian Beef, had heard it was a must try in Chicago.
Then we came back to the hotel and Ark Boy soon crashed on top of the couch (as in on the back of the couch leaning against the wall- don't worry- I took pictures).
When Ren Man gets done with "school" around 3 we're going to try and go to Sears Tower.
This evening we're going to try and connect with a friend from college who is living about an hour away from Chicago.
I'm so excited to see her!
Then after that (9-11) is a Brown University reception we're going to.
So yeah, that nap- going to do that now.
yesterday
Going to try to squeeze in a nap so this will be quick.
Yesterday we went to Lincoln Park Zoo.
It is surprisingly big (it's free).
We were supposed to be meeting local babywearing moms but I didn't see any.
Even so it was a fun day.
Ark Boy had so much fun seeing the giraffes, chimps, gorillas, all kinds of cats, snakes, etc.
I had planned on taking him to a playground- I heard there was one at the park.
I never saw it
and we spent so much time at the zoo that by 2pm when we still hadn't seen the farm and Ark Boy was walking slower and slower- I knew the playground wasn't worth finding.
It was interesting watching Ark Boy as he studied other children.
He loved standing on this viewing platform to see the giraffes.
At one point he asked if a girl standing nearby wanted a turn on the viewing platform.
I was shocked.
Then he didn't actually want to give up his place and I had to wrench him away until it was his turn again.
There was also a climbing sculpture- it's like this one (not my picture)
We ended our day at the park by going to the farm yard.
Ark Boy was obsessed with the cows.
He got closer than he's ever gotten to the cows at his Grampy's.
I'm interested to see how he reacts to Grampy's cows at Thanksgiving.
Ark Boy crashed under the desk at the hotel and Farm Girl kept falling apart because she couldn't manage to fall asleep but she was exhausted.
Finally Ren Man came to the hotel and we went to eat a quick dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Yesterday we went to Lincoln Park Zoo.
It is surprisingly big (it's free).
We were supposed to be meeting local babywearing moms but I didn't see any.
Even so it was a fun day.
Ark Boy had so much fun seeing the giraffes, chimps, gorillas, all kinds of cats, snakes, etc.
I had planned on taking him to a playground- I heard there was one at the park.
I never saw it
and we spent so much time at the zoo that by 2pm when we still hadn't seen the farm and Ark Boy was walking slower and slower- I knew the playground wasn't worth finding.
It was interesting watching Ark Boy as he studied other children.
He loved standing on this viewing platform to see the giraffes.
At one point he asked if a girl standing nearby wanted a turn on the viewing platform.
I was shocked.
Then he didn't actually want to give up his place and I had to wrench him away until it was his turn again.
There was also a climbing sculpture- it's like this one (not my picture)
We ended our day at the park by going to the farm yard.
Ark Boy was obsessed with the cows.
He got closer than he's ever gotten to the cows at his Grampy's.
I'm interested to see how he reacts to Grampy's cows at Thanksgiving.
Ark Boy crashed under the desk at the hotel and Farm Girl kept falling apart because she couldn't manage to fall asleep but she was exhausted.
Finally Ren Man came to the hotel and we went to eat a quick dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
daytwo
Avoiding writing blog.
Feeling like there's too much to say.
If I don't want to write it- you won't want to read it.
Attempt to make entry short and sweet.
DAY TWO
Went to Shedd Aquarium.
It IS enormous.
And amazing.
I don't remember ever seeing sea horses in real life (doesn't mean I haven't- just means I don't remember seeing them).
They are very funny.
There's a huge coral reef there that was super cool.
K- enough- trying to be succinct.
Went to yummy Italian Restaurant last night.
Saw fireworks on Navy Pier.
Throughout the day AGAIN people just started up conversations and were really nice.
the end
Feeling like there's too much to say.
If I don't want to write it- you won't want to read it.
Attempt to make entry short and sweet.
DAY TWO
Went to Shedd Aquarium.
It IS enormous.
And amazing.
I don't remember ever seeing sea horses in real life (doesn't mean I haven't- just means I don't remember seeing them).
They are very funny.
There's a huge coral reef there that was super cool.
K- enough- trying to be succinct.
Went to yummy Italian Restaurant last night.
Saw fireworks on Navy Pier.
Throughout the day AGAIN people just started up conversations and were really nice.
the end
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