Elliot plays Darth Vader Theme music

Grandma Sue left her synthesizer after T-day. Elliot picked up the Darth Vader theme music after seeing it played twice. Pretty cool.

One more at the field of dreams

E.B. took this between soccer drills. Nata really likes to lie on the fake grass.

Got a shot of the new historic district sign on the way home just for the heck of it.

Lincoln Park Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool + Zoo

On the way into the Zoo, we stopped in to the Lily Pool. Beautiful even in late fall.

LP Zoo after a night out in the club

Turkey's done

Field turf on Augusta.

Love the year round soccer field.

No sleeves and a picnic in her pack

Recent art

Nata is showing some big skills lately. Elliot's got her in his school. Her most recent drawing of Julie, complete with running shoes, eyes and mouth caught our attention.

E.B.'s drawing of a Tomten was also pretty cool. Of course, he has the distinct advantage coming from a long line of pointy-capped Scandinavian dwarves.

Elliot's drawings from the Art Institute

All ball point pen on wide ruled spiral bound paper.

Among many others, he drew a suit of armor dating from between 1550 and 1560, Sanctuary by Martin Puryear, and created an original piece. He's hidden various letters in this piece. Which can you find?

Art Institute

First trip since Elliot was a baby. Gotta love getting a cheap family membership.

E. B. was obsessed with sculptures. He loved the ancient pieces but came around a little on the modern stuff after a while.

Wearing a piece of armor was very cool as well. We also played hide a seek in the courtyard. It was surprisingly hard to find him.

Nata made some art of her own holding up her fairy wand in front of a video installation in the new Modern wing.

Also, there were sweet treats in the cafe.

Sunday Fun Day

Natalie wrote her name today while wearing a green fairy costume (a gift from Katie, beautiful Katie).

Later, the kids tested Dad's patience as we planted bulbs for the spring. Note the frown lines deepening.

Octoberfest in November

The Mercs threw a great sausagefest at their house today.

We seized the opportunity to dress Elliot and Nata in the super cool Bavarian clothes given to them by the Hahns.

Darth Vader Theme Music transcribed by EBD

Elliot got very excited about sheet music the other day when I was playing my guitar. He really wanted to write down the notes to Darth Vader's Theme Music, and he did today. I told him Aunt Deb would be proud and he wanted her to see it. Here you go Aunt Deb. Maybe it's time to think about piano lessons.

Headed to boo palooza

Nata refused her coat despite the chilly wind.