Our Weekend

I thought you would all enjoy this street sign that we saw while walking around Grant Park yesterday!

Our weekend began with a Saturday garage sale to benefit Lutheran Campus Ministry. As you can see, Robert brought home a nice selection of stylish accesories.

The campus ministry did earn over $300, which is pretty good considering it was a rainy day, and the sale had to be moved inside.

Sunday afternoon was GORGEOUS day, so we decided to forgo the Sunday afternoon nap and take a walk instead. Zion is wearing his "new" dragon shirt, which he bought at the garage sale, wore all day, slept in, wore UNDER his church clothes, and then slept in the next night...I practically had to peel it off of him Monday morning. Here he is, practicing his baton twirling (I think he might be a drum major in training!)

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (LOVE that membership!) and then went on to the lake. The water is still VERY cold!!

On Monday we parked by the Shedd Aquarium (our secret cheap parking place downtown) and walked over to the Eyes Wide Open exhibit in Grant Park.

It was very sobering to see all of these boots, representing the young men and women we've lost in the war in Iraq. Each pair of boots had a name, age, state, and often a newspaper clipping or letter from family attached. It is impossible to capture the scope of this exhibit in a picture. The boots just went on and on, as far as the eye could see.
I wish I could say these soldiers died for a good cause. I'm proud of their sacrifice and the sacrifice their families have made...but I honestly think they were sent to war on a pack of lies.

Pray for Peace!

Mother's Day, Cotton Candy, and Rosebushes

Happy Mother's Day to me! May 13 was the first Sunday I was able to worship at Augustana with Robert and the kids for the whole year, so that was a great Mother's Day gift. The boys were nice enough to let me dress them up and take pictures.
Saturday night was my Mother's Day dinner at Buca di Beppo. If you haven't been there, it's really a hoot. Plus, I knew the whole family would eat there (spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad...YUM!) I love this picture with spaghetti sauce on Zion's face!
Don't these two look more like each other every day???
This last Saturday was a carnival of sorts on the University of Chicago campus. We stood in long lines, behind college students, to jump in bouncy houses. Lots of fun for the parents, as you can imagine. Caleb loved his free cotton candy.
Zion was brave enough to try it for the first time since the famous pancake breakfast/cotton candy incident a few summers ago! Unfortunately, he may be turned off from cotton candy forever. Shortly after this picture, he handed it to Papa and said "I don't like it!"

(he also mentioned he didn't like this "white" cotton candy...thanks to Grandpa Bill for color blindness!!)

Today, Zion's kindergarten class planted two rosebushes in the school garden. He was very excited to help out. Of course, digging up worms was an important part of the day. At one point, he had 6 worms and a roly poly in his hands. Then we had pizza. EEEWW!

Here's one attempt at a class picture. Miss Fragner is in the middle, and the taching assistant (Miss H) is on the left. Zion's little "girlfriend" Alex is in the green shirt in the front row.

Another Composer in the Family

Zion decided to write a song for his friend, Alexandra (Alex) Smith! Her birthday party is today, so he has entitled it "The Party."As you can see, he used several reference materials and has done several copies before he got to the final draft. I did the staff lines on this copy because he was unhappy with his uneven ones...

I have to say, though, that he writes more neatly than many college music majors I know!!

It's good to know the Ballenger tradition continues! I tried to get a video of him playing the song, but he says "It's not finished yet" so I'm not allowed to tape him. I'll keep working on that!

Papa's New Spectacles

Very nice! Caleb said "You look a lot smarter, Dad."
Way cool detailing on the side!

Caleb's Super Fun Day Care

Caleb has discovered a new talent...taking care of little kids! He is the new favorite "big kid" on the playground. He's always the one asked to push the swing. He especially likes playing with Kato's little sister, Moe.
Moe has a great little laugh! She's always yelling "Caleb, push me!"
Caleb was so encouraged by this new skill that he decided he is opening a day care this summer. He's made up signs that say "Caleb's Super Fun Day Care" and plans to charge $5 a day. We've been talking to him about the wisdom of this plan...we think he's a little young to be babysitting! But he definitely has an entrepreneurial spirit. And SOMEONE in the family needs to make some money...

Here's one of his posters! Notice he upped the price when he added his "partner", Ruth. I love how the first customers get a discount!

Superfrog and the Teddy Bear Picnic

Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated! Last month, all the kindergartners had a "Teddy Bear Picnic" at Ray School. The kids wore their pajamas (and some parents!) and brought a favorite stuffed animal. We all ate a picnic dinner in the cafteria. Zion brought Superfrog, and dressed to match...
As you can see, Zion had a great time!
Zion, Thomas, and Darwin
This is Zion's BEST BUDDY, Julian L. He is ALWAYS referred to as "Julian L.", because there is also a Julian P. in their class! Who would have thought Julian would be one of those names you would have multiples of in class? Caleb has a Julian in his class, too. Actually, there is even another Zion at Ray School, in 1st grade.

A great time was had by all! The best part was coming home and knowing Zion was already dressed for bed. Maybe we should just send him to school in pajamas every day!