Seems like I spent lots of energy in April and May preparing for the summer months. Thinking about all that I wanted our family to do, experiences I wanted us to have, adventures I wanted to go on, and here we are mid-way through so I thought I would do a pulse check.
In June Jackson and I ventured to Chicago to visit my Great Aunt Carol Jean and her family. Carol Jean is my dad's mom's sister. I decided to plan the trip when my dad's one remaining sibling passed away in April. Dwindling family members gave me a sense of urgency to have Jackson connect with his extended family. And Carol Jean is a sweetheart (that's how my dad would say it), I just envisioned her seeing Jackson, wanting to hug him (just like my grandma liked to squeeze us kids), and I looked forward to absorbing stories about my grandma, maybe a few about my dad. And I got all of that plus more!!
Sunday morning Carol Jean and her daughter Debbie picked Jackson and I up and we met Beverly (and her grandkids) at church. That morning of worshipping with my extended family and my son, remembering all our family that has gone before us was an amazing feeling. Taking communion with family that we don't see often but who I am forever connected with gave me such a feeling of wholeness. And that Jackson was with me gave me such a sense of pride.
(I'm realizing I might ramble here, but I want to remember)
The weekend we were there the Chicago Blackhawks were playing in the Stanley Cup and as the Pastor stood to gather the children for the children's sermon I realized he was putting on a jersey. I leaned over and mentioned to Jackson that it looked like he was going to talk about sports. I have never seen Jackson move up the aisle so quickly, this from the kid that I practically have to bribe to go to church let alone participate in children's time. Next thing I know I keep seeing this little hand go up, and a young voice answer the pastor's questions, sure enough it was Jackson. Not only did he go up for the sermon, he participated! Blow me over!! After church I asked Jackson why he didn't go up at Augustana and he said in order to go up for children's time Pastor Mark would have to fire the clown and talk about sports. Well OK.
We spent the afternoon swimming with our new found cousin Karegan, she and Jackson are about a year apart, they had a great time swimming and were old friends in no time.
Then we went to a near-by fire station and met Debbie's son Matthew who recently graduated from the fire academy and he gave us a tour. Really interesting, Jackson was enthraled!
Then we had dinner at Beverly's house. And the kids ran around, and Great Aunt Carol Jean, Debbie and Beverly and I chatted. Shared stories, and it just seemed normal, like it was how we gather for family dinners. I heard about the time my Aunt Anne was in Chicago and they saw a car get broke into right in front of them, I heard about Aunt Carol Jean thought that my Grandma Herman was as much of a saint as I thought he was for putting up with my Grandma Mimi most of the time. I laughed when Carol Jean asked if Jackson looked at all like his father (she thought he looked just like my dad). It was a great day, my sole was fed and it felt good.
On Monday we met my work-mate Vikki and her boys for a trip to the Field Museum. We had looked at the museum online before our trip, so we knew a little about what was there, we were really looking forward to seeing it. Our boys hadn't met before but you know kids, within minutes of getting out and running around they were fast friends.
Jackson, Chris, Logan and Dylan. The Field Museum is right across the street from Soldier Field.
And with three boys, there was lots of talk about boogers, butts and farts. I'm a lucky mom.
But the main attraction was Sue - the most complete TRex found.
Then the boys ran around at a park across the street. Next we found some ice cream.
Did I mention how perfect the weather was...we were so grateful for sunshine after being damp and cold for MONTHS in the NW.
And because the weather was so perfect we explored downtown, visited fountains, people watched, took in the big city.
We found this great fountain where Jackson ran around, it didn't take long and his shirt was off. Love summer in the city!!
We walked what felt like miles and miles and the kids were such troopers, Jackson just kept going taking it all in, he really is a good traveler.
We found Jackson on Michigan Ave.
We got a kick out of how the hockey helmets were on the lions in front of the art museum.
Fun art piece at the park. So a great day exploring the city, wish we had more time to take it all in...but we will come back again.
And our last day, we headed over to Aunt Carol Jean's for lunch. Jackson and Karegan dined in the kitchen.
Jackson and Aunt Carol Jean
We took this last few pics and headed off to the airport. As we left Carol Jean's apartment and headed to the elevator my tears started and Jackson asked if I wanted to go back. And by the time we got to the car he was crying too....we just soaked in our family and it was hard to say good-bye. We are committed to going back.
So I wanted this post to recap our summer, but obviously this is just four days of our whole summer...more to come.
