Ahhh.....summer

Perfect evening tonight: I left work early (well, early for me when Drew is home -- usually I leave at 6:30 or even 7; today I left at 6:15). Got to Grant Park in time to see Rachel run through the fountain that features metal statues of Ramona, Henry and Beezus (from the Beverly Cleary books). Then we all played a little tetherball. Drew went home to prepare dinner and Rachel and I played on the seesaw and the swings and the play structure (she went down the slides BACKWARDS and is such a climbing monkey these days that I told her we really need to take her to an indoor climbing gym this winter. I think she'd have a blast). It was wonderful to sit on the park bench in a sleeveless dress and light jacket and feel warm. It gets up to 84 degrees in the day and cools to 60 or so at night. Perfect weather!

Then we had gazpacho, challah and salad for dinner. Rachel interrupted a couple of times to say, "can you finish your contenataion (we figured out she meant "conversation") so I can talk?" Talking turned out to be getting us to ask her what kind of pretend ice cream she wanted and Drew saying he really likes dirty socks ice cream, and pavement ice cream, and so on.

Now he's putting her to bed while I spend the next two hours getting work done. It's lovely sitting by an open window with a light breeze, oldies on the radio and the dishwasher humming. Soon enough it will be winter and we'll be shut up inside. I hope that in return for our late summer we get a late fall.

Rachel's diss on Drew today:

Rachel, as they were driving to preschool:
--Daddy, can you tell me a story? Mommy tells really good stories.
--Do I tell really good stories? Drew asked.
__No, Rachel said matter-of-actly.

I think he's kind of sad she said that. But he's hiding it well.