Thursday, April 18, 2013
Deluge
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Above: The intersection of Mount Vernon and Heritage Lakes Dr facing west by southwest.
Above: Heritage Lakes Dr facing west. There is a street under all of that water with full sized curbs.
Above: Heritage Lakes Dr facing west by northwest.
Above: Heritage Lakes Dr facing north. The clubhouse is the brick building on the right. Next, Dad makes his way to the steps of the clubhouse.
Above: Steps lead to the water's edge. Turning north again...
Above: Standing in front of the clubhouse, you can see how the retention pond (behind that structure) has overflowed its banks and flooded Heritage Lakes Dr.
Above: Across the water, the zoom lens shows how the water has come right up to the edge of those building to the north. Those basement have to be flooded. Dad witnessed several sump pumps ejecting water out onto the ground only to seep back into basements.
Above: The new paper-birch is flooded.
As is the elm and new willow.
The ducks had fun. The sign warning of winter ice dangers is normally five feet off of the ground and within a few feet of the normal pond boundary.
Above: On the north side of the clubhouse facing east looking across the pond, the flood waters back up into the single family home's backyards. Those trees in the distance demarcate their property line.
Above: Zooming out, you can see the last of the old willows is flooded.
As is the tot-lot adjacent.
Above: Dad made his way about 100 yards to the north to 22nd. St. (Fawell). The storm drainage system empties into the retention pond hence causing this flooding.
Above: Traffic made its way carefully through the flooded road. Driver behavior was interesting. Some plied the crown in the road slowly (recommended), some turned around (another good idea), and still some hit it at the posted speed limit of 30 m.p.h.
Like the kid above.
The wave he pushed up slowed him down pretty quickly, though Dad didn't catch the initial splash.
This driver, not as fast, managed to create a splash.
After observing drivers for awhile, Dad made his way back south then east behind the clubhouse to catch the overflow of water flooding the tennis court.
Above in the distance: The rear of the clubhouse where the pool is located. How close did the water come to filling the pool?
Above: The swail above, adjacent to the pool left, with tennis court on the right, is completely full.
Another 6" and the water would have made it to the pool.
It completely surrounds it.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Let's Talk
EJ is really trying to learn to talk. During snack time today he put aside his usual syllable babble da-da-da-da, and tried instead an interjectory da-da! Having gotten Dad's full attention, EJ had used his outdoor voice after all, he then waited and studied Dad's face for a response.
Dad looked at his son expecting to exchange a quick smile and to see EJ demure as is his pattern, but got a little creeped out when his smile was met with a laser like stare in response.
There was no warmth, no emotion at all, just cold eyes fixed on Dad's face, acutely observing his reaction which, for the briefest of moments, bordered on terror.
Dad felt that the da-da was an accusation made by a confident prosecutor having built a solid case against a defendant.
Dad, disconcerted, broke the gaze and turned aside going back to preparing snacks, when EJ again shouted da-da! Dad again looked at EJ, this time offering no smile.
He stared. EJ stared back. Microseconds that felt like minutes passed.
Dad's mind raced through scenarios searching for an appropriate rebuttal, most of which you have seen before in psycho-thriller movies. He finally settled on one. He nervously offered his son an oat puff. Suddenly EJ was his normal self again and now focused on the joy of eating.
Dad felt relieved, odd since he had done nothing wrong, been accused of nothing, but had only come under the curious gaze of his son.
Dad later figured out what it was that unnerved him. It was the realization that the Twins were entering a new phase of development where they would soon be more than just observing and learning the New Parent's behaviors, but they would also soon be mimicking them. EJ's newest attempt at puzzling out language made Dad keenly aware that son was becoming aware, aware enough that Dad had to consider his own role modeling the Twins would soon be emulating the worst if not best of .
All of them. Including Dad's favorite abuse of language, one he seems to favor when he encounters unexpected frustration.
That is terrifying.
Why Dad felt accused of modeling poo
Dad looked at his son expecting to exchange a quick smile and to see EJ demure as is his pattern, but got a little creeped out when his smile was met with a laser like stare in response.
There was no warmth, no emotion at all, just cold eyes fixed on Dad's face, acutely observing his reaction which, for the briefest of moments, bordered on terror.
Dad felt that the da-da was an accusation made by a confident prosecutor having built a solid case against a defendant.
Dad, disconcerted, broke the gaze and turned aside going back to preparing snacks, when EJ again shouted da-da! Dad again looked at EJ, this time offering no smile.
He stared. EJ stared back. Microseconds that felt like minutes passed.
Dad's mind raced through scenarios searching for an appropriate rebuttal, most of which you have seen before in psycho-thriller movies. He finally settled on one. He nervously offered his son an oat puff. Suddenly EJ was his normal self again and now focused on the joy of eating.
Dad felt relieved, odd since he had done nothing wrong, been accused of nothing, but had only come under the curious gaze of his son.
Dad later figured out what it was that unnerved him. It was the realization that the Twins were entering a new phase of development where they would soon be more than just observing and learning the New Parent's behaviors, but they would also soon be mimicking them. EJ's newest attempt at puzzling out language made Dad keenly aware that son was becoming aware, aware enough that Dad had to consider his own role modeling the Twins would soon be emulating the worst if not best of .
All of them. Including Dad's favorite abuse of language, one he seems to favor when he encounters unexpected frustration.
That is terrifying.
Why Dad felt accused of modeling poo
A Dreary, Rainy Day
WHAT is with this recent weather?
It has been rainy, drizzling, and overcast for several days in a row here in Suburban Chicago. Dad and the Twins want to get out for a walk, but until things clear up, and dry up, they're stuck indoors.
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| A happy Buggy in the play space. |
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| Buddy is not so happy about it. |
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| She is ready to come out and explore. |
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| Gotta get the obligatory explorers cap on. |
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| And now we're out! |
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| "Wasn't me Dad!" |
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| Wardrobe change. |
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| EJ finds his jumper a nice place to be. |
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| So nice in fact, he is getting drowsy. |
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| She is not ready for a nap yet. |
If you see some guy building an Ark, maybe you should seek passage.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Playtime Together
GIVEN the option, the Twins usually stay together. If one heads off down a hall (usually her) the other will soon follow. Today was no different.
Their need is to be in close proximity, they do not necessarily need to interact though they frequently do.
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| Catching up with his sister. |
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| They frequently check to see where the other one is. |
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Separation never lasts for long. |
Their need is to be in close proximity, they do not necessarily need to interact though they frequently do.
Buddy Too
EJ waits patiently for breakfast (yogurt, mixed berries, and oats).
Normally he would have some toasted oats cereal to feed himself while Dad prepares breakfast, but today he had to endure the wait 'cause Dad wanted pictures.
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| Handsome |
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| Adorable |
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| Earnest |
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| Impatient |
Normally he would have some toasted oats cereal to feed himself while Dad prepares breakfast, but today he had to endure the wait 'cause Dad wanted pictures.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
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