Had to add this...

Our backyard at the old house when Grady was about 1 1/2! What a precious boy!

Another Ear Infection

Grady had another ear infection hence the lack of posts to the blog. Poor baby has had 3 in the past six months. If he has one more in the next six weeks, then we will have to refer to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. We will be leaving on vacation to New York this coming Thursday! Can't wait to post pictures from the fun at Kris's parents house and fourth of July festivities!

Lake Shore Park

Today we went for a walk and found a new park we had never been to before. It was quite large and right near the lake. It had a bunch of slides, gyms and a water play area (we will have to go back on a hot day). Grady especially liked this concrete elephant and I think Kris did too.

Fee Fi Fo Fum

Grady loves the children's show, Super Why. Each episode will cover a different nursery rhyme and Grady's favorite is "Jack and the Beanstalk". Grady has been saying Fee Fi Fo Fum for the past week now and today when we went to the park he was banging on the slide screaming those four words that he just loves so much.

Father's Day

On this beautiful Father's Day, we met my mom and John at the Montrose beach. John and my mom recently married so I can officially call John my stepfather! We brought the dogs and let them drink as much water as they wished; I think they had a pretty good time even though Jackson threw up about 5 times. After the beach, we drove back home and walked over to a restaurant for a yummy lunch. On the way home, we stopped by a candy shop and got Grady some candy and a popsicle for the road.

Adams Water Park

Today was beautiful out so we decided to walk down to a water park in a neighborhood just south of us. At first, Grady was having fun but then another red-headed trouble maker started to spray the kids with water. Needless to say, Grady got all wet and was a bit troubled by the whole situation (see picture #2). After that incident, Grady didn't seem too interested in the water park so we went next door to the normal play lot. For the walk home, we got Grady an icy push pop.

MGMT

Last night John and I went to an MGMT concert at the Riviera here in Chicago. We had a blast!! We started out the night by going out to eat at an Italian restaurant (we sat outside since the weather was gorgeous!) then headed over to the theater. They played for about two hours then we met up with some of his co-workers for drinks. All in all, we had a wonderful time and the band was great.

Water Park

After Kris got home we walked over to a park that was recently rehabbed where they added a water tower and new climbing gyms. They just turned on the water for the summer so we decided to check it out! Grady played on the slide and ladder loop then headed over to the water.

Makin Music

Today we played at a small park and Grady immediately ran toward an area that had been recently cleared out. He found two appropriate sized sticks and played the drums on a freshly made bench.

Find the perfect sticks...

... play the drums...

...and rock out.

Drumsticks

It seems like Grady's favorite things are the ABC's, 123's and music. When we go to the park, he will find two sticks and bang them on whatever may be near. We don't have a drum set at home but he likes to watch performances from SNL. The teachers at school said he took two green beans at lunch and started to bang them on the table. That's very creative!

Park Rounds

Today we made the rounds of a few parks in the area. We had a great time today as the weather was perfect; not too hot, not too cold. It is supposed to rain tomorrow so we made the best of the time we had outside. We'll have to be a bit creative on our upcoming rainy day.

I love these pictures of his face in the shade with a little light coming through

"Star of the Week"

At Grady's school they have a "Star of the Week" program, that being a different child each week. This week it's Grady's turn. As parents, you can bring in pictures and their favorite things from home. Grady and I made this poster and Kris made a CD of his favorite music. (I think we may also bring in some of Grady's favorite treats, Cakesters, to share with the rest of his friends.

Sand Toss

We picked up Grady from school, which he seems to be enjoying much more, and went to the beach. It was supposed to rain and thunder all day but, instead, it ended up being sunny and in the 80's. Grady spent the first 30 minutes throwing sand from the shore into the water. Can it really be that fun?? Then he splashed and swung for the last 30 minutes. On the way out, we found a John Deere four-wheeler (Grady was actually having more fun than appears in the picture).

Stuck in the Alley

Yesterday, we were on our way home in the car and got stuck in the alley behind the garbageman. I knew Grady wanted out of his car seat so I grabbed him and put him in the front. Unfortunately, he found my stash of tootsie rolls and had three before lunch. Needless to say, he was a wild child from then until nap time.