Sunday

Breakfast with Daddy.

Let's take a train ride!

We didn't have any particular destination in mind. The journey was the sole purpose.

One last quick trip to the park before you leave.

It was awesome to have you visit. I'm so glad you came!

Back in the park

Both boys are big fans of bubbles, especially Linc. Nash liked trying to make bubbles. He was more successful when he just stuck out his arm and let the wind do the work.

Catch 'em!

Hanging with Mommy

Race ya!

Tongue

Farm-at-the-zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo has a "farm" area.
It's too bad today the tractor was closed for maintenance.

Linc and Nash both enjoyed the chicken area. They even had some real baby chicks on display.

The dairy barn featured a machine-milking demonstration while we were there.

The boys got a good view up front.
Moo!!

Zoo

In the afternoon, we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lions... (in the background)

... and tigers.


(OK, so I didn't get a photo of the bears. They did have a giant black bear at the zoo, though. One of Nash's favorite toys is a black bear. He takes him to bed at night.)

Nap

So much fun at the museum! All tuckered out.

ZZzzzZZZzz.
The boys were very well-behaved at the museum. They each got to pick a toy from the gift shop. Nash picked the school bus. He kept a grip on it all through his nap. Actually, he kept a grip on it for the REST OF THE DAY!

Kohl Children's Museum

The Kohl Children's Museum has some neat exhibits.

Our first stop was the grocery store. Linc picked out produce.

The boys debated which canned goods to buy.

Next stop: automotive world.

This was Nash's favorite area. Water, water, everywhere! Linc was actually better at fishing out the balls. Nash just wanted to splash around.

This season's special exhibit was perfect for kids of my brother: Pizza!! You start at the pizza-making station (with felt for crusts and sauce, plastic curlicue cheese, and other toppings), then proceed to the oven. They boys liked the counter with a telephone for take-out orders. Nash liked the houses where you could perform deliveries. (The doorbells were a huge hit.) Even the couches in this area were pizza slices. It was incredibly well-done.

In the music room... Daddy played the guitar. Nash two-fisted the xylophone. Mommy and Linc played accompaniment.

I have a large compost pile in my backyard. This one was smaller and MUCH cleaner.

In the cute veterinary clinic, Nash gave this kitty a check-up.

Linc gave Mommy an immunization.

Linc will probably grow up to be a veterinarian. He loves pets.

He was anxious to put water into the dog dish, and couldn't wait for someone to give him a boost. Good thing he's a strong and determined climber.

...also good that this faucet was just for show.

Better hurry up, Linc! Nash and his friends are thirsty.

Nash in his natural habitat.
Last year this train table was in the room where the pizza is now.

The boys were a little young to appreciate it, but this cool counting exhibit had wood blocks that represented ones, tens, and hundreds.

Nash wants to be an astronaut.
He'll need to understand air flow and the Bernoulli Effect. Why not start learning about it now using this blower? The egg and ball float on top of the air stream, but the block does not.

Morning

Nash is usually quite cuddly in the morning.

Happy family

Bed time

Play time just before bed.

We watched a DVD called "Giggle, Giggle, Quack". Or, as Nash calls it, "Giggle, Giggle, Duck".

Nothin' like a cup of coffee before bed. Just kidding.

More park pictures

At the park

Family visit

Brad, Sarah, Nash and Linc came to visit me this weekend. Our first stop, as always, was the California Pizza Kitchen.

Next stop: Mansfield Park

Hangin'

It took me a while, but I finally got around to hanging those photos from my trip last fall.

I also hung the big painting I finished in March.