Without music life would be a mistake. ~Nietzsche

Playing for the residents of The Meadows of Glen Ellyn ~

Sonny Acres

Mary was invited to a birthday party at the pumpkin patch today. She wouldn't cooperate with the first photo-op~
Dane (the birthday boy) has a brother on one of Sam's baseball teams. We've never been to Sonny Acres, so we were all looking forward to it~
After hot dogs and birthday cake, the kids were sent off with wrist bands to enjoy the rides~
Mary loved the petting zoo~
And the pony rides~
Sam loved the train, and was also very sweet to the younger party guests~
On the motorcycles~

Mary loved the train, too~
But she really loved going down the giant slide with each of her brothers~


Sonny Acres was a lot of fun - there was more to see than (as usual) we had time for~

Naper Settlement

Back in February, I won some passes to Naper Settlement at a silent auction. I can't believe we haven't been here sooner~
It's a recreated 19th century village right in the middle of downtown Naperville~
First stop was the blacksmith (a nod to my maiden name). We watched him forge an iron hook. Very cool~
The stonecarver's shop~

A hand pumper - purchased after the great Chicago fire~

Inside this log house, the boys got to help hand grind coffee. Luxury was a very different thing back then~
A replica Conestoga wagon~
Fort Payne~


If you build it, Sam will climb~


Copenhagen Schoolhouse~
Century Memorial Chapel~

When we first arrived, a couple of school groups were finishing up their field trips. After that, though, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We got a late start, unfortunately, and were unable to stay as long as we would have liked (had to get Charlie to band). We will definitely be back in the spring.

Legos and Lilacs

Today was the annual Lego construction contest sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction and held at our library~
It is Charlie's last year for eligibility~


Both boys had a lot of fun, and it was interesting to see what the 40 other kids built, too. We stopped at Lilacia park after~

Charlie is a good sport - I wonder if he'll still agree to this photo when he can touch the ground~

I couldn't keep Sam out of trees if I paid him~

My little (big) tree frog~
And this is Sam, doing his "cool" look~

Ribbit

Scott and the kids visited the arboretum with his mom today. We have had some really great weather lately~
Sam has been into posing lately~

Can you see it?
Better~