seattle summer weather

this week has been just absolutely gorgeous in the windy city. it's like the weather gods forgot this is chicago in july and therefore should be in the 90s with 99% humidity and instead have graciously-allbeit-absentmindedly granted us weather more often associated with seattle in summer--mid 70s and 50% humidity. i'm sure this won't last, but it sure was nice to not have the AC on the past couple days.

...so ted found this really great playground by the lake. it's part of the berger park cultural center at 6205 n. sheridan (couple blocks east of the grandville stop on the red line) and is only a year old. it's 8,000 sq. feet and is covered in soft surface tiles, which means cadence can run as fast as she wants in this playground because there's no cement to tear up her little knees.

...there are at least four slides, a little climbing wall, and even a pirate ship with a real kid-sized hammock. directly adjacent to the playground is a tree-covered grassy area that would be perfect for a picnic. all this against the majestic backdrop of the big wide vastness known as lake michigan.

...and what do ted and i like best about the park? why, it's just down the block from the best coffee in the city...metropolis! cadence is already on a first-name basis with some of the baristas there. i have never craved coffee before, but now i sometimes daydream about the consistently foamy goodness that is their lattes...mmm...