Centennial Park

We have had some really slow, uneventful days lately, so these pictures are from about two weeks ago. Now that all the kids are back in school, Gavin has several friends who are either in all-daykindergarten or in afternoon preschool. He has school every morning. so that means many of our afternoons are just the two of us.

I had taken Gavin to Centennial Park, because there are always other kids there to play with. He tends to get bored more quickly if we go to a park and he is the only one there!

He found this little girl to run around with, so he was happy as a clam. They both took their shoes off, which didn't bother me since this park has a spongy surface - not woodchips.

Gavin is pretty much done with napping, so that helps to make the afternoons wide open. He doesn't need a nap every day; just maybe once a week or two.

He is fully into the swing of school again, and he loves it. I can get him to tell me about his school day if I ask the right questions when we are in the car driving home. Once we get home, school is a million miles away from his mind!

Brunswick Zone

Gavin was invited to a friend's birthday party at Brunswick Zone last weekend. We had never been there before, and it was Gavin's first time going to a bowling alley. It turned out to be just a little bit overwhelming for him. It was dark inside, and there were flashing lights and music.

He was fine with putting on the kid-size bowling shoes (they were so cute on him. You can see them in the photo below.) He was fine with tossing the bowling ball or sending it down the slide that kids use. He bowled a few frames, but when our party-helper said it was time for pizza, Gavin said he wanted to go home.





He gave it a good try! We'll go back someday - maybe in a year.

Silly Faces

Gavin is suddenly interested in making silly faces and poses for the camera - when I can get him to look at the camera, that is. He now also asks to see the picture right after I take it. Here are a couple of his silly expressions:

I took this one at Morton Arboretum last Monday - I had a feeling it was going to be the last 85 degree day of the year so I took advantage of it!




This one was just Gavin hanging around in pajamas one morning. Cooler weather later in the week = long sleeve PJ's!

Grandpa's Birthday

Last Sunday we went out for brunch to celebrate Grandpa Cermak's birthday. Auntie Clare was in town, and Uncle David joined us at the restaurant as well. As usual, Gavin added cream to everyone's coffee. Then he drummed on the table with his Auntie:

Giving Grandpa a card at the end of the day:

After breakfast, we visited Evie's spot and Gavin thoroughly watered it. Back at home, Gavin and Grandpa rode scooters in front of our house. Unfortunately, Grandpa took a tumble on the driveway but luckily he had no serious injuries! Than he and Gavin sat in his red convertible and listened to the radio until it was time for Gavin's bath.

Brookfield Zoo

I am a little bit behind on my blog posts! These pictures are from Labor Day, when we went to Brookfield Zoo with Nana & Grandpa Cermak. The morning was busy, so we went in the afternoon - the first time we had ever not gone in the morning. The zoo was more crowded, and as it turned out, Gavin was not too interested in being there.

We played in the Hammill Family Play Zoo for a bit, and then Gavin said he wanted to go home. It was the last weekend for the butterfly exhibit, so we convinced him to stay...but he refused to go into the exhibit at first. I stayed out with him, and at the last minute, he had a change of heart and wanted to go in. I snapped a few cute pics of him and Francis (using the "vivid" color setting on the camera).

After the butterflies, he was totally done and we came home. And, I had to carry him from the butterflies (on the north end of the zoo) to the parking lot on the south end - he weighs 36 pounds now! It's a good thing I work out! Oh, well - one of the benefits of being members is that it doesn't really matter how long you stay each time! It all evens out over the course of the year.

Busy Morning in Naperville

Last weekend, Auntie Clare was back in town. She and Gavin, along with Nana, Grandpa, and Francis, spent some time in downtown Naperville in the morning.

First, a visit to Evie's spot. Gavin watered it very thoroughly:

Gavin examined the wind chime in the tree near Evie:

Making sure she had PLENTY of flags:

Next stop - a shoe store! They were having a sale and Auntie Clare found two pairs of shoes. Gavin was more interested in the foot-measuring thingy:

Then it was time to visit one of Gavin's favorite parks. This one is better to visit on weekends, as it is very close to the train station in downtown Naperville (i.e. no parking at all on weekdays).

Gavin knows how to swing on the big kid swings - he didn't choose to do it that day!

Gavin had a fun morning with his family. Auntie Clare, we'll see you soon!

Playdate at the Park

Last week we met up with Aisling, Bridget, and baby Nolan at the park. Gavin and Aisling had a GREAT time, even though it was a lot hotter than we expected. They ran around the park like they owned it!

They slowed down at one point to drink some water, hug, and make silly faces. I was able to capture this cute sequence of them:

Finally we had to leave because it was just too hot, but not before I snapped this last picture. I think it looks like they are sharing a very funny story!

A Visit To Daddy's Office

Last week we drove over to Francis' office at the court house for a visit. Gavin said he wanted to see "Daddy's dirty desk." Gavin loved using the phone - at one point he even picked it up and said sternly "Get my lawyer!" (He learned that from the film Ratatouille.)





"Hey, Daddy has cars, too!" (ahem... those are Tron light cycles -Francis)



Checking the candy jar:



Giving candy to one of Francis' statues (ahem... that would be Galactus, devourer of worlds -Francis):



"This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back.You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." - Morpheus in The Matrix



Francis has a multitude of toys pop culture paraphernalia in his office. He has a bunch of mini heroes attacking the giant and I knocked a few down (ahem... that would be a diorama representation of the classic cover of Fantastic Four #243 and you decimated the Avengers' attacking forces. -Francis).



It wsa really nice seeing all of his co-workers again and Gavin can't wait to come back!