This is what I love about living in Chicago:
The city scape...
the lake front....
and lots of green space with grass, trees, and flowers.
With no great plans this weekend, we headed down there with a picnic lunch and good company. It was nice to be just the four of us again, hanging out, driving each other nuts for the day.
It's funny how time flies most of the time, but then there are those moments where it just sort of sits still for the day--in a good way. We sat there for only a few hours, but it felt like a long time--just chillin', laughing at the oddballs passing by, watching the boaters head out onto the lake and being a family again.
At one point, Joe said "You know, it's not gonna be like this too often anymore. You guys are gonna be off at school and jobs and we won't be together like this," and we were all very quiet in our thoughts.
Well, until Colin said "Yeah, thank God." He was kidding, of course, but we get it. It's tough to come home from college and be surrounded by your family in a wee abode. It gets tight here....for all of us. Maintaining your sense of humor is the only way to survive.
It's nice to know that we are a perfectly normal family--with parents who drive their kids crazy and vice versa. We try, you know. I just hope we get points for that.
17 comments:
It is all about trying. My experience with kids that age is that it can get very trying? (Like Colin, just kidding.) :)
great shot of the fountains and city scape behind it. thanks for stopping by the duel today
Nice. The photos, I mean; and more to the point, the time your family has with each other!
Looks like perfect family time, and there won't be a lot more perfect times like that, you're so right about that. Sad but true.
It is so important to spend time together as a family. It is hard when the kids grow up, and we don't see them as often. However I find that those precious times when we can get together as a family, create the best memories and bonds us together even more.
On another note, my friend was recently in Chicago on a teachers convention, and really enjoyed visiting your city!
Better elect that kid for president while he still knows everything, HAHA!! KIDDING!!! (That's an old Mark Twain quote).
Seriously, it IS a blessing to have a happy family.
When the time comes I think you might wind up with a major case of "Empty Nest Syndrome". It's nice to read about a happy family...
A sense of humor is the ONLY way to survive anywhere. Without one you might as well go live like Robinson Crusoe.
I have a feeling that your family will always have get togethers no matter what!
A beautiful family in one of the lovely places of Chicago.
You don't hear about many families doing things together like you guys do. It's nice. My kids were always too busy off with their friends to hang out with the old folks.
Lin, This a major SWEET post.
Y'all are lucky.:)
Chuck--It IS very trying a LOT of the time. We do a lot of laughing, but we also do a lot of eye rolling too. It doesn't help that the house is small. I offered to move out the other day. ;)
Sandra--LOVED the duel, Sandra!
Vanilla--Well, it was a good day--nobody got mad. Well...that I know of!
Diane--Yeah, it's hard to think about that happening. Although I will enjoy the closet space.
Hot Rocks--I'm glad your friend enjoyed it here. We like it a lot. I will miss the kids, but I know they need to move on too. I'm excited to see them grow up and move on to new things.
Rebecca--Oh, no. It's Emma who knows EVERYTHING these days. She is going to be a Senior in high school--they are VERY smart (just ask them). Ugh. Love them, but our outings can be hairy sometimes. This was a nice day. :)
Grace--I already have that--I hate that they are growing up and leaving. Although I can't wait for more closet space!
Patty--I offered to move out the other day to make more room around here. We have a small house and big kids--it is not a good combo all the time. For any of us. Although we did have a nice day Sunday.
Beaded Tail--I hope so, but you never know. Colin finds us really annoying now that he is in college. ;)
Sharkey--We love the lake front. It's really clean and nice. It was a nice day.
Ann--My kids are really close to each other and to us. We are lucky they still want to do things with us--you know, the annoying people. ;)
Jean--Thanks, Jean. I try to grab each moment as they come, but I don't cling too tight. It gets harder as the kids get older, but we still try to do some things together--without killing each other. Hahaha!
It is truly amazing how quickly time flies by. My teen is typically with her friends, so when we actually have time, just for us, it becomes even more special. Glad you were able to share a wonderful day together! Looks beautiful by the lake!
So this is what normal is. ;) A picnic lunch is always a wonderful time!
We have to totally agree with Beaded tail. I bet you will find ways to be together a lot. What a wonderful post. It is so nice to hear about a family that at least tries to get along. Good stuff. Take care.
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