Our First Midwest Thunderstorm

Well, here we are still struggling to get into the groove, to find our routine, to settle into daily life here in Oakahpark. Last week you and I got to watch our first thunderstorm come in! It wasn't really our first thunderstorm, it has rained what seems like every freaking day since we moved here. But this was the first time it was calm and clear and we got to watch a storm come in.

I was a little worried that you would be scared. After all, there really aren't any thunderstorms in California, and you don't like the fireworks or loud booms so much. Luckily, it didn't seem that the thunder and lightning bothered you at all. Mom was at the store, and I had to call to tell her she might want to wait out the first nasty part before coming home.

There was SO MUCH LIGHTNING, it was mostly like daytime even though the sun had already gone down. In fact, I was lucky enough to catch one of the lightning bolts in a picture:

I think it was about this time that we decided to put down the camera, get away from the windows, and listen to the thunder crash and lightning flash from other parts of the house.

I think you are starting to like Oak Park. You are definitely liking all the kids on the block, and they are liking you too. We'll be sad when they go back to school and start hanging out with their friends, because they are over here just about every day to play with you. Keegan (the 4-year old across the street who is about to turn 5) just loves showing off for you, riding his bike (or more recently, his sisters' bigger bikes) up and down the street and yelling for you to pay attention to him. Mattie and Alex next door have been kind of bummed, they have been away on vacation for a couple weeks now and haven't gotten to play with you. But Liam and Mary-Kate down the block sure have been, along with Keegan's 3 older sisters Emma, Olivia, and Grace. You've got a regular posse over here. There are a whole series of chalk drawings up and down the sidewalk of all the kids, plus some mermaids and hopscotch boards thrown in for good measure.

We haven't gotten to do a lot of fun stuff yet - we haven't even been to the beach OR the pool! But no worries, you've been very busy as have we. And this weekend your Grandpa Dick is coming to see you! That should be fun...

Anyway, you are down in bed so it is time for us to hang stuff, clean stuff, move stuff, and put stuff away. We are REALLY looking forward to having Grandpa Dick help us put in a garbage disposal, fix the leaky sinks, and a whole list of other stuff. And don't worry, we'll find time to play with you too!