We ❤ Family

Blessed to have LOTS of family love these last few weeks (plus we got the fabulous news that the Waits are making their way up from TX at the end of July--yee haw!).

Pics in no particular order.

Uncle Sharif!

Veronica-initiated hug with Cousin Kadin

Tanta Mariam

"Oompah, I'd like some more of that yummy chocolate, please!"

Uncle Wan is the only man brave enough thus far to let Hamilton play baseball using his hand as a T while giving him a piggy back ride.

I think her pleas were heard. Can you tell she has him wrapped around her finger?

Checking out GrandDad's watch while at a super yummy dinner at Uncle Julio's.

Too much fun with Grammy and GrandDad.

Hamilton and Sweet Lady Paloma on the tire swing.

Sweet Autumn with Uncle William

Saraina and Joshua exploring the Lincoln Park Zoo climbing structure

I love this picture of Freeman and William talking with Hamilton and Paloma catching rides. We should find a picture of them talking as kids and put it next to this one...many years and children later.

Autumn and Veronica planning their escape

I just thought this one was funny. While Auntie Kia was getting a fabulous picnic spread ready, Freeman was off to the right trying to keep the kids occupied. Hamilton and Paloma were listening intently, but Saraina was skeptical of whatever he was saying. Of course, Kadin was being sure to pose for the photo. Love those kids!

Water!

Yesterday was super hot--in the mid 90s even by the lake (and after some awesome thunderstorms last night, we're in the 50s today, but that's another story).

We celebrated the summer weather by wearing swimming clothes to the Children's Museum and then running around in the fountain in front of Navy Pier.



We rarely go in the Waterworks Room because, well, Momma's mean and doesn't want to have to change clothes before heading out into the snow. This time, I didn't even insist on the raincoats! By the way, can you tell they are related?



I was a little nervous about how the fountain would go over. Hamilton's in a phase where he doesn't like water in his eyes...but he didn't seem to mind.
Water would intermittently spray from holes in the sidewalk. When they would stop, Hamilton would coax, "Spray again!"

"Oh look--a stick!" (Jayme, that one's for you).

The stick was then used to "tag" the water as it shot up from the ground.

Veronica made the mistake of standing above one of the holes and got a surprise spray of water. Between that and being a bit tired from all the excitement at the museum, she was happy to lounge. No fears, though, we strolled through some of the spray and stuck to the shade while watching water boy.

Oh, I didn't mention the best thing (momma-wise) about this fountain. Navy Pier is the last stop on the #29 bus, which takes us straight home. That means that the bus parks for a few minutes right across the street from the fountain. I was able to see a bus coming and know we had plenty of time to catch it--or just wait for the next one.

What They Look Like Right Now

...literally.


I haven't posted too much about Hamilton's sense of style, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity. Giraffe costume top, orange/blue/white (arguably too small) pajama pants, new biker sunglasses, and hand-me-down galoshes for sister that's she's still too small for (on the wrong feet, of course). Going on 3 hours of this outfit now.


Veronica also wanted a picture donning her new sunglasses. Then she pulled them right off and asked me to put them on. Then she pulled them right off and asked me to put them on, again. Then she pulled them...well, you get the idea.