Spring at the Botanic Garden

First of all, before I report on anything else, I must give major kudos and congratulations to Ben for his graduation from graduate school!  He has been working so hard going to school and working full-time, it is so wonderful he is done and can enjoy a little free time finally!  Nuclear engineering is not easy, I can't even imagine.  Great job Ben!

The week was pretty good for the Baranko fam, some pictures below.

We had a family event at Walgreens to celebrate Red Nose Day, the kids had so much fun.

Playdate with my former MindShare coworker and friend Susan.  It was SOOO great to see her and her three kids!  We had an awesome time.  There are people in your life who are just so easy to pick up with where you left off and Susan is definitely one of those for me, she is the best.  Her baby Nora is an absolute doll.

Her sons Ned and Will played really well with L&C, too.  They live in downtown Chicago, so the big yard and private playground was quite the novelty.

Claire liked petting baby Nora and going over to look at her.

It was a pretty warm day, so with the pool still closed we got out the little baby pool and the sprinkler.

We had to carry in pails of warm water because the hose water was way too cold for Luker's delicate sensibilities.

Luke watering his tree he received from Earth Day

Luke was quiet for a while in the yard.  I went to find him and he presented this wheelbarrow of flowers he had picked for me, what a sweetheart!

Luke wanted me to put some of my dandelions in vases in my room for me to admire.  One vase he made for me out of an old bubble container, and then I put a few more into my new vase from Christmas.

Took a visit to the Botanic Garden on Sunday

I LOOOOOVE the tulips!!!

Claire and I played on the grassy hill overlooking the Japanese Garden.  It was a perfect memory!

I can just hear her giggles.

Relaxin'

'Hug a tree' was on the Garden Bingo sheet.

Later in the afternoon we went to Luke's school art show.

That was Luke's planet

"stormy night" with crayon shavings

Lantern fish - paper mache with glow wands in their tummies presented in a dark room - so cool!

Jellyfish

Selfies on Monday morning

Nap time in the afternoon

Matt's little helper at the hardware store