IndoIan

Out and About with the Girls June 1 2016

So this was the REAL first day of summer when they did not have anything going on and could get up and do whatever for the day. They loafed around for quite a bit and then we ventured out to run some errands and came across the city centre wednesday celebration. I guess they do this every Wednesday during the summer. There was a djay and lots of dancing and such. They met up with some friends from school and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Beautiful day, fun times.

City center dance party!

The girls found some friends at the party.Ada still rockin her Claire's glasses.

Getting their dance grooves on.

Go Ada!

Country eyed Joe or whatever that song is that involves a mid song dosie doe.

And then Emmerson, Ada and friend started getting the hair fling thing going!

All three getting the hair going.

Emmerson in full fling.

Emmerson emerging from her bedroom after her first real summer sleep in. Ada is still up by 7 but Emmerson is now into the 9ish time frame if left alone.

What???!!! Oh Emmerson, nothing, sweet child, nothing.

Summer Vacation Begins!!!! 2016

The Memorial Day weekend officially kicked off summer vacation for the girls and they celebrated appropriately. The festivities began with participation in the Elmhurst Memorial Day parade. Emmerson marched with her DARE group from school - which she was a member throughout the school year.

Ada walked with her Brownie troop. Each troop honored the veterans of various US conflicts and Ada helped carry the Kosovo banner - which was cool. A little known conflict that continues to have repercussions in the Balkan region of Europe.

Emmerson in full march - an of course handing out candy. That has seemed to become the norm in most parades these days.

Ada representing.

Besides the girls, my favorite part of any parade.

Afterwards, we went to a neighborhood party. Great food and drink and lots of people from all ages. The girls enjoying - note Ada's Claire's glasses.

Skateboard season and the first case of road rash. This was a first, not the road rash but how it happened. Anyone who has ever ridden a skateboard, skooter, roller skates, etc. knows to steer clear of large pebbles sticks and such to avoid the board stopping short and the subsequent face plant. I was in the alley avoiding appropriately and saw a nice patch of smooth blacktop up ahead. Steering into it, my board stopped abruptly and deposited me on the concrete in front of a bunch of teenagers who were playing basketball - slick. The blacktop was newly lain and the heat of the day had softened it quite a bit. My front wheels dug into the soft surface - so I have learned not to do that when out and about on the skateboard.

Old Chicago # ???? With the Girls

I will no longer have a monthly pass as of June 1 so am trying to get max use out of it and this is one of our favorite things to do together - head down town to the hotdog place and see what transpires on the way!

Finally, actual spring weather. Ada is cradling the book Emmerson bought her from the Art Institute for her birthday - a "Cat High Yearbook" - which they both quite enjoy.

A the obligatory selfies - more than one when the girls art at the helm of the camera controls.

Emmerson was quite taken by these nectarines at the "French Market" downstairs at the train station - curious child is that Emmerson.

The girls very much like Claire's - a store that sells lots of accessories and other junk for girls. They could spend an impressive amount of time in this establishment as they did while we were waiting out the time until the train to go home. Ada was very taken by these fake glasses and used some of her allowance money to buy them. She has worn them everyday since .... curious child is that Ada.

Another Random Daddy Emmerson Trip to Old Chicago May 2016

Actually, this one had a bit of a purpose other than going downtown. Ada's birthday was fast approaching and we wanted to get her a few items from the Chicago Art Institute gift shop that she had pointed out on a previous visit to the museum. I was still in work mode and could use the monthly pass and the girls are still free on the weekends so still a "free" trip!

Emmerson sporting some multi-colored teeth these days. On the train headed to Old Chicago.

Obligatory selfie - one per trip - get it over with early on.

Emmerson took over the camera and took some shots. She then put them together using one of the movie apps on my phone while we were still on the train and played it for me. I was impressed - did not know my phone or child had the know how.

Emmerson's view

Approaching the station, Trump tower looming haughtily in the background.

A lot going on in this photo. Obviously, recycling has become common place in most downtown areas and they have come up with some pretty creative ideas in Chicago. But what I particularly like is the image in the background - the sacred and the secular sharing a space .... It used to be that the sacred dominated a city-scape, cathedrals were often the tallest buildings and many a place made it official by mandating that no building could rise above the cathedral. Not the case in the US. As the US industrialized and secularized, the sky scraper, which are all about materialism, replaced the cathedral as the dominant buildings in the city scape. Well here we have them sharing a space ... interesting - to me ....

We did not go to our usual hotdog place as it is in River West area and we were headed due east to the Art Institute. It was a Sunday afternoon and we were surprised by how many establishments were not open. We did find this small hotdog place, I believe on Adams, which we had eaten at before so stopped here for lunch.

Posu!

At the Art Institute

This is one of the latest editions to Millenium Park which has become quite the eclectic space. Lots going on beyond "the Bean". It is basically a huge playground for kids.

Framed by skyscrapers in an open space.

Every once in a while I press the wrong button on my phone and it goes to black and white. I like this one. Elevated walkway over part of the park with the amphitheater in the background.

Springtime Randomness 2016

A bit of this and that from the last few months.

Spring time in the midwest - duck couples making the most of any standing water.

Yea man, rock on!!! Not sure what was going on here - other than rockin on.

My department chair retiring after a wonderfully impactful career. She will be severely missed.

Ada's creepy sleep style. This is what she looks like when she naps in the car. Emmerson is always intrigued and this time documented the phenomena.

Ada's birthday the Freeport episode.

Getting ready to open her main present.

Woohoo, giant reading pillow, which has been very well used.

We tag team various celebrations and Ada and I had our birthday's at the same time out at Freeport. Here is Emmerson admiring my birthday cake.

Me and my cake.

Emmerson loves tree climbing and in classic little sister fashion, Ada wants to follow suite but is not quite sure how to go about it ...

Daddy to the rescue! Hefted Ada up and once she was appropriately elevated, did quite well.

Emmerson commandeered the camera and took some artsy shots.

Not bad!

A favorite, thank you Emmerson.

At my school, I peered out the 3d story window 7th period and came upon this scene out on the whatever you call this part of the building outside of a window. She's roosting on ten eggs. Ducky Mcduckface, in honor of the new British boat that was going to be dubbed a similar name but more traditional powers opted otherwise, has become kind of the departments sort of mascot - or at least a nice diversion at the chaotic end of the year time.