New playground

Big news! Pretty much the best thing that could happen to a stay at home mom! A new playground, right in our backyard!

So that’s what I was thinking way back in February when we heard machines working and go out to find massive construction taking place. We had heard rumors of a new playground to replace two smaller playgrounds that were really close together, so we were happy to see that it was taking place after all. Over the span of 3 days or so the playground is completed. They brought in some rubber mulch which I was excited for over the wood mulch, and then a couple days later they scooped the mulch back up, put up an orange fence, and then did nothing for six long months. 

The old playground, very simple but it was nice to have so close

 

 Over time we learned the story of what happened, and the local newspaper was covering the drama as well (pretty happening place over here). So, after laying the rubber mulch some lady complains to the city that the rubber fumes are going to give all our children cancer. We got fliers on our door about why wood mulch is better, they held a special meeting to discuss the matter (which I would have gone to if I wasn’t in Seattle). Finally, the city council decides to do a poured in place rubber surface. The mayor decided that she also wanted the playground to be handicapped accessible, so this allows for that to happen? Anyway, they took down the wood surrounding the playground and added a little ramp and a poured rubber surface. Then they took the fence down, and we have been loving it ever since. I’m quite thrilled with the rubber surface actually. The wood much is awful. There is no place to put crawling babies because they’d just eat the wood, the wood grows all sorts of mushrooms in it and is disgusting, it needs to have more mulch spread out as the old decomposes, and when it freezes, its rock hard and has no more protective qualities. So I’m actually really proud of the council for concluding that the hazards of rubber were inconclusive and not serious enough to go back to wood (although I was not happy that they pulled the rubber mulch because of the letter from one person). The playground is in open air, they are only on the surface for an hour or so at a time; there is no risk to their health in my mind.

And wow have the kids been flocking here. It is certainly bringing the neighbor hood together, because that’s where all the kids want to be and so the parents are there also.

They just tore down our old little playground, which was a little sad, but lets face it, the new one is much better. 

Chicago

 After flying in from our separated originations, we made it back to Chicago and were reunited after being apart for four weeks. It was nice to have daddy back. It was nice to be in Chicago because we got to see Chris’s sister who also came out (we’re so excited for the new cousin to come in just a few weeks!), and we were able to go with Chris’s brother as he went through the temple for the first time and is now in the MTC getting ready to go to Brazil (if only his visa would come!) During our stay, we had a fun visit to the Brookfield zoo in Chicago, saw fireworks for Independence Day (and barely missed seeing STYX), walked and kayaked in the river, looked for bugs (jack’s favorite pastime), had a blast at the local pool (but it was way cooler than just a pool), got some awesome clothes at gymboree (juliet’s swimsuit, the kids hats, and a steal of a deal on a dress for the future), went on walks to parks (because when you have kids they like such things), and went on walks to get ice cream (because when you have kids you need such things). The weather was quite pleasant throughout. So after a week of enjoying Naperville, we finally got in the car and set off. After a 13 hour car ride (and 36 days since we left), we were home.

p.s. During our trip our car turned 100! We missed the 100k by one mile, so we got a palindrome instead. Thanks car, you’ve been good to us. Here’s to 200k more.



This is probably the most picture heavy post, and in no particular order because the library is closing soon and I can't arrange them. so. 

During our stay in Seattle we had quite a few visits to water, either to the puget sound beach we could walk to, or one five minutes away by car, or at my grandparents cabin on a lake. Jack ended up really liking the water, and for whatever reason never brought a swimsuit until the very last time we went because that’s not really what you do in the Puget sound. But it was actually very pleasant and jack ended up going in waist deep and would have gone out further if we let him.

Since we had all the cousins together (but not for long!), my brother set up a little photo shoot and got some great pictures, especially of Juliet which is mainly what I’m showing.

And some other pictures for good measure.

Tom captured Jack doing his “actions” while at the park one day. He runs around fighting the air and making sound effects.

Juliet enjoying some avocado and watermelon (she started eating solid food in earnest while here), and sucking her toe. 

So after our four weeks were up in Seattle we flew back to Chicago, met up with Chris in the airport, and then went to spend some time with Chris’s family.