UnrealisticExpectations 3.0

I meant to write this a couple of days ago, because it’s really been on my mind a lot.

On Monday, Nicolle and Sydney went to the park. I went to the garage and did some miter cuts and some sanding and cutting and sanding and staining and staining again.

Nicolle took a lot of photos, and a couple of my favorites are here:

and here:

(you can click on the pics to see the full gallery)

I consider myself one lucky shit to have such a beautiful thing in my life. I’m reminded just how little I care about things that I wanted all of 4 or so years ago and how much I care about big hugs, big kisses and big smiles. I love being able to do things for Sydney that lead to more of those things for me. Yeah, yeah. And Nicolle, too.

But the bigger picture here is that a bunch of people long before any of us were born risked or lost their lives to make sure that on a Monday when there’s no work for most of us… my kid can go play in a park, safely, without worry, and not even need to think about it.

But I think about it.

So should you.

Never forget.

It’s a little late, but for Mother’s Day, we took Nicolle to the Morton Arboretum for a brunch and family photos. We became members, which was probably a great deal considering how much they offer for kids and considering how much it actually costs just to park and get in. Not to mention a couple of kids shows and concerts that we’ll get to see for much better prices this summer–in an outdoor, comfortable and fun setting.

Here’s my family, the most recent:

I dig my kid:

And I dig my wife and kid (my two girls, if you’re in to that sorta thing):

I’m pretty proud of my family; on photo paper, we at least appear to be pretty darn happy–and in reality, it takes a lot of courage for me to say this for fear of repercussions just for, well, saying it: We are pretty darn happy.

There, I said it.

I’m looking forward to the shortened work week and to Saturday–we’re taking Sydney to see “Ralph’s World” at the Chicago House of Blues; free Rice Krispies if you get there by 9a! We may enjoy this pretty city for a bit or we may just head back home on the train, but the day’s about the daughter and that’s almost never a bad day.

Then, in just a couple of weeks after that, we’re off to take Sydney to her first ever Cubs game! From the Bleachers! My daughter’s getting exposed to my sort-of-off sense of humor, a wide, wide variety of music (and dancing!) and the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. It’s the right way to start off her fun little life, methinks.

There’s a lot of buzz going around about…

09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

Damn. Just wish I could figure out what it is or what it means…