nanny and grampy’s

A few weeks ago (I know, what’s wrong with me and my blogging lately?!), we took a trip to Chicago!! It was so fantastic to be back – and especially to see Rob’s parents! Elliot and Sophie were hyper with excitement on the long – very, very long – drive there!

Honestly, the visit did not get off to a great start, for this one simple reason:

Somebody was having a hard time letting go of work and getting himself into vacation mode. He was on the phone or meeting up with colleagues pretty much constantly the first few days. It drove the rest of us nuts!!! In fairness, he did have a pretty good reason. He has just launched a national college radio event. **More to come on that in the next few months!**

Eventually, Rob did relax and we all had a wonderful time. Nanny kept the kids happy with lots of ice cream cones!

This visit was tinged with sadness, because Rob’s parents are putting their house up for sale, as they are planning to retire back to England next summer. Knowing that this would probably be our last or next-to-last stay with them in their bright American home that they’ve made so beautiful and welcoming, we couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy. Of course, it will be wonderful to go see them in England, too. It’s just sad to reach the end of an era.

On Memorial Day we went to one of our favorite places – Morton Arboretum’s children’s garden. Why didn’t they have places like this when I was a kid? It’s magical!

This is a musical garden, the flowers being various instruments.

I love this area where you can walk on paths through the water.

I always remember the first time we brought Elliot here. It was such a thrill for me as a new mom to watch him experience the joy of toddling around in the water.

Sophie and Elliot were both enthralled with the myriad tadpoles.

There were thousands of them. I wonder what the Arboretum does when they all become frogs.

They have an adventure area with very cool treehouses.

This is as far as Elliot got before he got scared and turned around.

Then we found one a little closer to the ground. Much more fun!

Sophie could conquer this one too.

It was a super hot day. Sophie and I made the most of the many wading rivers!

For some reason, Elliot resolutely refused to get his feet wet.

At the end was an overlook tower that kids can climb to. Is this not totally your childhood fantasy? I want one in my backyard!

While we were in the area, we also saw our friends Jamie and Stacy. When we got to their house, look what was on the curb!

It’s the car seat all four of our kids came home from the hospital in. They graciously let us borrow it for the first months of both our kids’ lives. It’s now over five years old and they’re not allowed to sell it to anyone, so they put it on the curb for anyone who wants it. Sniff sniff. All things come to an end, don’t they?

Speaking of, these dear friends are also leaving Chicagoland. Stacy has just found out she’s being transferred to Arkansas, so they are moving over the summer. So yet another tie to this area is vanishing. I feel our links to Chicago are fewer and fewer – and I’m still emotionally so attached to the area, having still not come to terms with the fact that we’ve moved away. I’m still hoping on some level that we’ll move back and this New Jersey episode will have just been a brief blip. No offense to my NJ friends. It’s lovely where we are, honestly. I don’t know what my problem is. I need to get over it already!!

We also saw our friends Clay and Karen and their adorable kiddos. Just look at this face. Oh my goodness!

Here are our girls together. Sorry, I couldn’t choose which one to use, so you’re getting all of them. Come on, they’re adorable, admit it!

On one of our last days we fit in a trip to Geneva. It was a beautiful day!

Rob’s parents took us to eat at Egg Harbor, one of our favorites. Rob and I can never resist all the fabulous restaurants while we’re in the area – Indian, BBQ, pizza, even sandwiches (oh my goodness, Shane’s and their amazing pesto pollo baguettes and choc chip cookies!).

And of course, ice cream.

Ice cream is always a top way to end a vacation as well as start one.

All in all, it was a successful trip. We came back rested and refreshed. And Nanny did her magic and somehow the kids are now asking for broccoli and cauliflower and carrots for dinner. How does she do it? Thank you, Nanny and Grampy. You are dearly missed!