In tents

Jim, constructing his haunted man...

Glorious, Cihlas' acres

Ready to be a-mazed

Brent's spooky storytelling

Bountiful fall harvest

Me-n-E, self portrait

Nothing like a trip to Michigan to fully embrace Fall. Ethan and I hit the road for an October weekend, inspired by my high school friend's annual camping extravaganza. Dave does it up with a maze - a swath he cuts through a few acres of prairie; a carefully orchestrated haunted trail, complete with music, push lights, and a cemetery; a karaoke barn; candy barn; cook out; and camping. Storytelling around the campfire, shadow theater, a burning effigy, and great times with "old" friends are just a few of the treasures that bring me back each year. Driving to the hotel through the countryside on a moonless night might be just enough to get me to pitch a tent next year, but the 35 degree overnight dip and a 6-year old made me think better of it for this time.

I missed the Sunday a.m. rehash and late night shenanigans, but got an even trade with a 3-hour morning hike through the dunes and long walk along the lake, plus a visit to Dinges farms - a favorite local hangout. We returned home with a harvest of pumpkins, concord grapes, squash, mums, acorns, fresh air and smiles. A nod to thanksgiving, so thankful for that peaceful, introspective weekend! xo bb.

And they're off...

First day of tackle


A winner, score notwithstanding


It's been off to the races with the beginning of school. I usually keep our schedule in my head, but the past couple weeks, I'm referring to the back-up paper version at least twice a day. It's great to have a community of parents here looking out for each other - somehow we all manage to extend a hand before something falls through the cracks. The first example was the one out of six surveyed first grade kids who admitted to having homework on day two. The news spread like wildfire so we all managed to get it done.

My nephew and godson has started high school and we were all very happy to attend his first football game. He's played flag in the past, so when I showed up at the stadium the morning of his first game and I saw the cross country team circling the track, I asked someone in the stands if this was the right location for Frosh flag football. "This is the right place, but it's tackle, not flag." Kola was ecstatic - Andrew trotted onto the field sporting full pads and a helmet! Kola has since played football with Andrew and gets a good view of the turf on each play - he's happy to spring back up to try to bring down almost 130#s the next time. His persistence and sausage intake will pay off sooner than we think.

Simply perfecta in the box seats at Arlington


Both are smaller than I thought


Bet on 3 races, only lost $2.20


Behind the scenes at Arlington Race track


Mr. Ed and friends


Feeding a peppermint treat


Feeling the horse twitching


"mamma, I look like a snowboarder!"


Another big hit was our trip to the track for family day - including pony rides, a petting zoo, bets on the races, and a behind-the-scenes tour. My mom's friend since college (and mine since birth!) is a part owner of horses that race at Arlington. She gave us a grand tour of the box seats, owner's room, and stables where the horses who might race there are kept. Ever since, Kola begs for piggyback rides so he can practice being a "jockey." I think that's one career which will soon be eliminated for both our "little" guys. xo bb

Hoosier buddy

racing on an elevated track at the Indy 500


It was kola's turn to hit the road with "mamma." And luckily, our trip was wide open all the way to Indy. I thought I made record time in just under three hours, until our visit to the speedway where I learned time trials exceed 230 MPH. The good news there was that Kola and I were able to do a little shopping.

my mother's day present, 2025


Our real reason for the trip to Indy was so see former neighbors and still friends Laura, Pat, Colin, Brendan and Caroline. It was terrific to see them again, and pick up where we left off.

kola, are you having fun yet?


A special treat


big dipper


little dipper


The time whizzed by - I loved catching up with everyone and extra time out with Laura, for cocktails or coffee. Other highlights were kola finding his feminine side playing dress-up, my time swimming and diving with Brendan, tracking Colin's progress during baseball tryouts, watching Caroline's soccer game, and a dinner party with Laura and Pat's friends. It's always such a joy to spend time with their family and we look forward to going back soon. As we drove away, Kola fought back the tears and said, "mamma, I feel sad. I'll miss Caroline." So today we wrote a letter: "Hi Caroline. Thank you. Happy Valentines Day. Love, Kola."

schooooooool!


first day, first glimpse of his teacher


On his first day of school, Ethan woke up at 6:15 ready to seize the day. He's been increasingly excited about the start of school, looking up his teacher in the yearbook, studying his class list (he knows about 8 of the 22 kids), and savoring every nugget of info. I solicit from other families about his teacher and 1st grade. Although Kola continues his campaign to petition his way out of preschool and into grade school, he was equally as excited on Ethan's first day. Upon pick-up, Kola wore his John Deere hat and carried one for Ethan to wear home, too. He missed his buddy, and had his face smashed up against the school door, eager to see his brother.

Ethan was a font of details after his first and second days, uncharacteristically chatty about things like: the "no nut" table in the cafeteria, that he could choose from "cow milk or chocolate milk," that his teacher is the 2nd tallest in his school, that Zane had trouble opening his supply kit, describing his classroom which features stairs and a pit (if it had a ramp, he surmised, the kids would walk into class too fast), that his desk can open and close...I'm very excited to share in his new discoveries and contagious enthusiasm. A few parents on the playground noticed Ethan's bleached hair from our summer beaching and his growth spurt - it should be worth a few laughs to try on pants soon, since he hasn't worn any since May. Good thing capris are still in!

Kola starts at his school in earnest next week, and is definitely ready to be an upper classman. Shortly into his one-hour open house Wednesday a.m., he made his case for needing to be bumped up to Ethan's school, but seeing old friends and his teacher from last year reminded him of how much he likes his home away from home. The teacher had Kola showing a couple three-year-olds the ropes including the bathroom, meeting room, and reading loft, and he eagerly stepped into his new role as a leader. We're off to the races with soccer and gymnastics, art and french to follow soon. Thanks for checking in! xo bb

Life on parade

Ready to step off


Da mayor with his future CTA Director


Wouldn't you know it, the CTA saved Ethan from the long walk...


In late winter at a UIC department dinner and silent auction, one of Sig's co-worker's wives and I decided it would be a good idea to bid on 6 spots in a parade of our choice as guests of NBC channel 5. I'm glad it worked out for the Bud Billiken parade on the south side on 8/8. We found fantastic spirit and hospitality in the people we met, and were lucky to shake hands with Mayor Daley, Ron Huberman, Pat Quinn, and a few other notables who walked and floated with us near the front of the parade.

Ethan and Kola got the waving down pretty quickly, and when we started to space out as we soaked in the crowd, the smiles and waves the spectators delivered pulled us back in the groove. Although we stepped off with NBC5 and the Chicago Public Schools float, the boys were like moths to the flame when they saw the CTA mini bus riding behind us all. After about 5 blocks, the CTA group encouraged the boys to hop on and were more than happy to share their stash of snickers, grapes, and iced tea. (The first time we were encouraged to eat on a CTA bus!!) We marched from 40th to 55th along Martin Luther King Drive and as I was warmed by the crowd and welcomed by the other entrants, I thought about how different a march this could have been when I was Kola's age (1967.) It's hard for me to believe I was only two years older than Ethan when we moved from the south side.

We stayed to watch more of the parade and were treated to spectacular performances from the Jessie White tumblers, drum corps, dance teams and more. We capped it off with a zoom up to Millennium Park to reunite with friends Nancy and Rick from St. Paul, MN. We perpetuated our awe of the city with our walk through the park and lakeshore, serenaded by sound bleeds from Lollapalooza. Of note - a hot dog and a pop at the Bud Billiken parade: $1.50; a hot dog and a pop at the stand across from the north exit of Lolla: $6 (and I'll bet the hot dog at BB would be way tastier!)

I celebrated my birthday at Lollapalooza, for the fourth time ('91, '92, '08, '09.) Checking my stub from '91, the one-day admission was $27.50 with $2.50 in service charges. 18 years later, $80. But well worth the cost of admission every time. I'll spare you the review of the bands, but am happy to report I've found a few new favorites and rekindled my appreciation for my oldest favorite.

Kaiser Chiefs under glass


Our band of merry travellers


Our congested commute from one stage to the next (well, it IS chicago...)


Perry - ringleader of Jane's Addiction and Lollapalooza, backed by the infamous Dave Navarro


Searing 95+ degree heat did not seem to agitate the crowd, and every few minutes during concerts, I'd get slapped by a cold burst of water from someone swinging their water bottle over their head. The first time it happened, it felt like a burn and my heart skipped a few beats. By the time I left, the back of my clothes were soaking wet. It all went too fast and we saw a lot of great talent. I was glad to have good friends with me who proudly broadcast my b-day, got me a Jane's shirt (we earned it, dodging the mosh pit and holding our ground in the 10th "row.") I found a few "old" friends there by texting, and met a few new people, too. I believe a very good time was had by all, and with great people and band watching, it was an entertaining and enriching view of life on parade. Come to find out the next day, St. Paul friends Nancy and Rick were watching us from the 95th floor of the Hancock over chilled martinis. Got me to pause at the the good fortune I've had to witness such a panorama of Chicago views in my 46 years here. xo bb

Just press >play

Breakfast guest


Take a bow


On the first day, we lost count at 147 (number of times Kola used the words jet ski)


Our guide and cap'n


Lap 2


Not wet...yet


Cracking the whip


All in


Thanking our lucky stars (about :45 minutes early)


We're fresh from one of our favorite annual summer traditions - a visit to Lori/Werner/Adriane's Michigan cottage. From tubing to raft diving, and cocktails to campfires, it's the quintessential getaway weekend. The boys squealed as we pulled in the driveway next to the boat trailer, and I squealed and held on for dear life as Lori drove our age on the jet ski. Highlights included great conversations, DJ'ing (by Werner), baby turtles, fresh summer produce, boat cruises, swim lessons, a great blue heron on the swim platform, and a deep, rich sky teeming with stars.

up, up and away

Awaiting the blue line (note my vintage, BKF-initialled Lands' End duffel, circa 1981)


Paula and me on Brady Street


"Before," 9:57 a.m.


Watching it unfold


With wings outstretched


MAM entrance skylight peppered with a Calder


Ethan and I thoroughly enjoyed our hop up to Milwaukee two weekends ago, to visit our friends Paula and Marie. Paula and I met nearly seven years ago, in a prenatal yoga class when we lived in Chicago, and I'm thrilled we became friends and are still in touch. Since her 6 y-old and husband were away camping, Ethan and I had the pleasure of setting up camp in Shorewood for a couple days. The weekend whizzed by as swiftly as the Amtrak that took us there. Ethan absorbed as much about the train trip as he could, flipping the tray table, testing the bathroom, admiring the luggage rack, following the schedule, and enjoying (or enduring, he's such a sweet kid) my string of train stories from my previous travels.

Within an hour or so of arriving in WI, we were at the beach, stripping the the fair city of its rock specimens. Later, Paula and I enjoyed a wonderful night out of catch-up, local flavor and a late-night chat. Milwaukee is such a great city, if you haven't been, I highly encourage it.

Ethan is fascinated by the variety of mint box packaging on store shelves, with the seemingly endless combinations of shapes, colors, sliding doors, panels, flip tops, and boxes with multiple openings. So I was itching to show him the impressive opening of the Milwaukee Art Museum, an addition designed by Calatrava featuring huge wing-like panels that gracefully unfold over a 3.5 minute timespan. Ethan was just as impressed with the interior and art -- the museum is very kid-friendly with thin crowds, bite-sized introductions to a variety of forms and time periods, two kids' project studios, kids' sketch kits you can check out for the day - tailored to specific exhibits/areas of interest, mac-and-cheese al fresco, and an unmanned coat closet where you can run through passageways for a quick game of hide and chase. The Amtrak tickets in our pockets limited our MAM visit to 3 1/2 hours.

On our return ride, I asked Ethan his favorite part of the trip, expecting his usual, diplomatic answer "all of it." But was touched to hear him say, "Spending time with Paula and Marie." I second that emotion. We're lucky to have them and you as friends. We'll be back! xo b/s/e/k

Dunescape

Always beckoning


Toe henge


Running with reckless abandon (and yes, Kola did a faceplant for year 3 of 3)


Beach baby


Calm water rafting


Dances with waves


Runs with sticks


Big dig - under budget and no timeline


We all enjoy our annual pilgrammage to "the sawyer cottage." The weather these last couple months has been cool and rainy, so I was grinning ear-to-ear the first few days where we had full warm sun, a gentle lake breeze and a refreshingly cool lake to float in. The beach house flags were green - a welcome greeting for our first days there.

I don't think Kola truly remembered much of sawyer from last year, most of his anticipation was built from legends and previous years' photo albums. When we drove up to the cottage, our car loaded to the windows, he said, "mommy, would you please show me where the bathroom is?" In minutes, he considered it his home away from home. "Great cottage mommy. Good choice. Are we here lots and lots of days?" Once he saw the beach, he was hooked. "Mommy, who put all this sand here to make the big sandbox?!" By then my eyes were closed, my toes in the sand. Theological or geological answer? "Well Kola, someone sure had a good idea." The first day, Kola was a whirling dervish - cutting off his own questions with newer questions, sniffing around in fast motion. It was almost like watching a video on fast forward. He eventually settled in, but for a couple nights after the trip, he slept for 15 hours.

Kola's favorite activities included running about 25' across the sand and jumping off a small hill into the shallow river water, proclaiming himself a diver. He also found the speedboats very exciting, but (for year 3 of 3) did not feel comfortable going in the big lake and was very hesitant to go near waves of any size. He was suspicious of the waves lapping the shore and was a bit worried to see me swim in the lake. I asked him how he would be able to ride jet skis and speed boats if he doesn't like big water and waves, and he reassured me that he'll be fine with all that once he's old enough to drive.

Ethan really seemed to slip quickly into mellow mode, spending a lot of time with science experiments, quietly wondering and soaking it all in. We did lots of collecting and constructing and low-motion activities. E is a water-lover and was happy to play raft-rescue with me in the big lake, jump waves and splash around. Beach hopscotch and sand drawings were an all-around favorite. Ethan was also interested in doing more of the food gathering with me. I have about 3 local hangouts I check out each year - falatic's butcher shop for my beef jerky fix and daily grilling, froelich's to see colleen and get homemade canned jelly & juice, and dinges farm to chat it up with the farmer, see his animals, and get fresh produce. Oh and the blueberry stand on red arrow with the colorful umbrella. And the harbert swedish bakery for the cardomom coffee cake and fresh bread....It's a bit more driving around to shop local, but so great to see the slower pace, have conversations, pay cash!, and eat the tastiest, freshest food. It was fun to see Ethan find the zen in the experience.

"Go ahead, son - grab the blade"


Crammed in a caboose


Enjoying the ride


Grandma and Grandpa joined our merry band at Redamak's on day 3 and we all headed to the Hesston Steam museum for train rides and a civil war day. Kola was not a fan of the shoulders (read: soldiers) and when our train was stopped and surrounded by an armed calvary looking for gold, he almost reached a panic, "I don't have gold - I don't have any pockets!" We had to assure him the next trains we rode did not go through the forest, gunfire, or cannons and he steered very clear of the shoulders.

Poking and stoking


Toasty toes


Testing centrifugal force


When the weather cooled, we enjoyed bonfires, hammock rides, and Ethan and G'pa had a great night of camping on the back 40. Without the beach as a temptation, we all hit Captain Mike's for a fun afternoon of go carts, water bugs and bumper cars.

Finally, some decent wheels


No mercy


Plotting his next move...


The sawyer trip kicks off my midwest tour. Ethan and I take the Amtrak to Milwaukee this weekend to visit my friend paula, we all descend on lori, werner, and adriane's MI cottage in late july, and kola and I visit friends in Indy in August. Let the road trips begin! xo b/s/e/k