Elgin Public Museum

I read in the newspaper that the Elgin Public Museum was looking for used books for a fund raiser.
I have a bunch from long ago when I was in a hard cover books club. Why we didn't get rid of them when we moved into Shady I am still not quite sure, but we didn't. Mike built bookcases and they have been collecting dust in our basement.
What better way to spend a rainy day than to pack them up and take them to the Museum.

This museum holds some pretty darn good memories of my childhood. Just like the pool.

We, as in me, Sharen and Barb,  spent many a cloudy, non-swim days in and around this museum.

I dropped the books off at the back door and entered the front to take a step back in time.
The museum hasn't changed that much. The outside is still the same.

 But the inside looks a little different - as far as I can remember. The first thing I did was go in search of the 2 headed calf. Turns out the poor thing deteriorated and lost one of his heads. I did find this old, old display case full of birds. The birds are all brown now, but I can remember it.

 The huge buffalo head was still there. I think in the same spot.

 The second floor or balcony was one of our favorite spots. Still the same.

 This display used to be in the basement (which is now closed). It is now on the second floor. Boy I remember daring each other to climb over the ropes (back then there was just ropes guarding the displays). Me, all you had to do was Dare me - Barb was a double dare and for Sharen, most times, it took Double Dog Dare, but we all sat in this canoe at one time or another.

 The inside still has the beautiful tile floors and thick wood railing. Still very beautiful.

 I was most excited to see this!!
IT'S STILL THERE!!!
They moved it closer to the building.
This is a petrified wood stump that we used to take turns climbing and sitting on top of. I think it was more fun that climbing on the playground. We all had our picture taken sitting on this thing. I know ouch, right.

   Damn some good memories came flooding back.

Roger Is 2

Happy Birthday Little Man...

We had a fun day celebrating Roger's 2nd Birthday!

Bryan used Roger's chalk to draw a picture of Rapunzel for Samantha. Sam with hands on hips supervising.

Maryellen with a watchful eye on the kids in the pool.

 

Caroline's swimsuit matched Aunt Mary' skirt.

 Roger is not a big fan of cake, so Mary baked him a giant cookie.

Blowing out his candles with Mommy and Daddy.

Chowing down on said big cookie.

Aunt Stacy and kids bought him a bubble leaf blower. He was telling his daddy where to put the bubble juice. They say if you don't know how something works give to a kid, he'll show ya.

 

 

Roger's BOX

Roger has been obsessed with outlets and everything that goes into them ever since he could crawl.

So I suggested to Mike that he make Roger a box for his birthday with outlets on it, so he has someplace safe to plug things into.
I had no idea that he would make him "A BOX"
Mike hard at work! Enjoying every minute of it.

 We took apart our old computer and Jon donated his old laptop for more different places for things to plug into. He hinged the top so Roger could store all his cords. Added some wheels to the bottom  for easier mobility. Then I painted it!

Mike was a little concerned that maybe he went a little over board, but I was certain Roger was going to love it!
Guess who was right - I WAS....

He loved his BOX. It was also a great way to get rid of all the old cords we had around the house.

Location! Location! Location!

Famous line if you're house hunting.

We found the perfect location with this house.
The number one attraction is the large oak trees through out the neighborhood.

When the storm passed through last night, I got scared. It came through fast and hard. I didn't even have time to get into the basement, before I heard sticks and branches hitting the house, windows and the decks.
 I heard a big crash, so I jumped into the door frame and Mike ran to the window.
Mike heard nothing - granted the storm was really loud.
"See anything?"
"Just Branches!"
'Well, I know I heard something."

Turns out we did pick the perfect location with this house in the neighborhood.

Our yard! Just a whole bunch of sticks and leaves.

 Neighbor right next door. Full tree down!

I knew I heard something! They are up north at their cabin. Don't they have a surprise waiting for them when they get home.

Back in Time

WAY BACK!

I belong to LA Fitness and Sharen and I take water fit classes every Monday and Wednesday night.
Linda on the other hand gets up early and takes a water fit class at the Center downtown at 8:00am.
We talk all the time about joining each others classes.

I wasn't too big of a fan about getting up early to go to the center. Hell, I can take water fit classes at LA at 9:00 am and only have gone to 2.
When Linda called and told me her class is meeting at Lords Park Pool, I changed my mind.

I was all over it!

See, Sharen and I grew up at that pool. We, along with our neighbor, Barb, would spend every summer day at  THAT pool.
We had pool passes that Mom sewed on our suits (couldn't loose them). We would walk to the pool every afternoon. The pool opened at noon and we were there. We mostly wore our swimsuits down to the pool. It saved us on locker fees. Everyone had to wear swim caps. We all had the fancy puffy swim caps with the flowers. Yes, it was the 60's after all.

I cannot put into words the fun we had there. We behaved and did nothing to interfere with our swim days They made everyone get out of the pool for 10 minutes every hour. We knew that at the 4th rest period it was time to head home. We never stayed longer - we knew that if we did that we wouldn't be allowed to go the next day.

I was very excited to get to the pool this morning. I guess it's been about 45 years since I have been there. Yikes!
Not surprised it has changed.
First I almost walked into the men's locker room. I was certain the ladies room was to the right.

The pool now has a play area for the wee ones with a walk out and small slides and water spouts.

 The diving boards are now big slides. I remember one time when Barb's brother Jim got into trouble for jumping on Barb off the big dive and had to sit for awhile.

 This section wasn't there way back then. the pump house was at this corner.

 As you can tell it was a beautiful summer morning. The sky is bright blue, the water was the perfect temperature, the sun was in your eyes. I had a great time with Linda and her class. Though I did get called out several time by the teacher for not following directions.
I think I will go again - If they will have me.

Pool Time

Mike and I got to spend an afternoon with Roger.

It was hot - very hot! So what better thing to do but play in the pool.

We bought him a slide for his pool. After going down a few times he wasn't too sure about all that water at the bottom. Mike got in to catch him (oh, and too cool off). He still liked it better when the slide was out of the pool.

 He did enjoy pouring water down the slide for Papa to catch.

 Then we put his water table into the pool and he was all over climbing in. That boy sure loves his backyard.

 When we pulled up in front of their house their were trucks and back hoes working on the street. Roger was fascinated with it all. I had to rearrange the furniture in their living room and take down the curtains so he could watch "The Man".

So when it was time for bed he had to read to Papa his book with all the trucks just like the ones that were working out in front of his house.

Roger's First Carnival

I really wanted to  take Roger to the Kane County Fair for his birthday. I wasn't sure if he was old enough to get on the rides or even if he would like it.

I noticed a small carnival was coming to the Kohls parking lot right around the corner so I thought we could do a test run and see how Roger took to it.

Bryan and Mary thought Roger would love it and so he did. I put a call into Carrie to see if Matthew wanted to join us. I knew what a thrill seeker he was.
The Flory Family...

Rode the train with Daddy

We took a spin on the Merry-go-round

Went down the really big slide with Papa

Rode his first solo ride (No Adult holding  on) with Matthew. Roger did NOT want to get off this ride at all.

Raced Matthew down the big slide riding with Daddy this time. He thought it was like the slides at the park and he would turn around and try to go back up. He figured out real quick that he needed a rug to sit on and grabbed it up as soon as one came back. No sweetie we have to pay each time.
Shout out Thank You to Matthew - Roger lost his hat on this slide ride and Matthew climb the stairs back up to the top and found it for him.

Another trip on the Merry-go-round with Mommy and Luke. This was the only ride where the adults didn't have to pay.

That's the only rides that the poor little guy could ride on.

 He was too little for riding with Matthew on the Dragon roller coaster. Notice the lack of kids around. I think there was only about 8 families there.

 The spinning tea cups - Though I did think he would be ok with this one, but Mommy put her foot down and said NO. Roger has a habit of just getting up and walking off when he is done with something. Mary was afraid that he would try to get out while it was up in the air.

 The ferris wheel and Carrie too

 He REALLY wanted to get on the helicopter on this ride.

Next year Buddy! We have a date for the Kane County Fair and we are going to ride them all.

Luke was unfazed by it all.

Barn Quilt Blocks

When we were on vacation traveling through the east I couldn't help but notice the occasional barn with a quilt block painted on it. Is there a quilter living in that house?

I was fascinated about the stories behind them and thought I want one of those. Of course I do not have a barn, but I thought maybe on the shed in the back. Just didn't look right there, so I forgot about it. Kinda.

One went up on a barn right around the corner from us and my interest got renewed.
So!

I drew the pattern I wanted. Mike cut it into pieces. I painted it the colors I wanted and mounted it on a piece of plywood.

And now everyone who drives by our house (which isn't too many, besides the neighbors - gotta love a dead end street) will see that a Quilter lives here.

Smile!!

I have a picture frame that say "Grandma and me".

We finally have all the kids over to the house at the same time.
All I wanted was one picture with ALL my grandkids.

OK, Grandma -Good Luck with that.

Here is the best of my Pic!

Guess which two didn't want to be there.
The Two who didn't know better.
and the hambone who smiles right at the camera.

God Bless Luke Gerald

Sunday was a perfect summer day and also the day that Luke was Baptized.
Bryan and Mary joined a Catholic church in Park Ridge that is beautiful.

 Roger was trying to see just what the fuss was all about.

 Luke was a trooper. Just like his big brother he loves the water. Luke is blessed with 2 strong men to support him and guide him. God Fathers -  Mike, Mary's brother, who drove in from Cleveland (along with Sean) and, Bryan's cousin, but he feels like a big brother, Craig.

 It will be Ok Luke, These guys will take really good care of you. You can count on it.

Mary made lunch for everyone back at the house,
Yes, A perfect summer day.