See Jack.

Jack loves the new jungle gym and ball pit. OK, dad also thinks the ball pit is pretty cool.

Jack is thrilled with the inauguration of President Obama.



















But admittedly, he still has the attention span of a 19 month old.

Finley on his second birthday.

I took a few minutes and filled out a Jungian personality quiz. I can't say that I agree with everything, but Penny and I agree that, for the most part, it's a generally accurate description of some of my personality traits. Here's what it said:

I am an initiator of change, keenly perceptive of possibilities. I energize and stimulate others through my contagious enthusiasm. I prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship, and are tireless in the pursuit of new-found interests. I am able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation. I bring zest, joy, liveliness, and a zany sense of fun to all aspects of my life. I am at my best in situations that are fluid and changing, and that allow me to express my creativity and use my charisma. I tend to idealize people, and can be disappointed when reality fails to fulfill my expectations. I am easily frustrated if a project requires a great deal of follow-up or attention to detail.

I don't think the last part is true. I love the details. And I probably wouldn't call myself 'zany.' But I do bring the zest.

Comments? Questions?

Dad in the ball pit.














At the Exploritorium.

Seven days old.

I signed up for a Facebook account this past weekend, and it's made me feel something I generally don't like: Nostalgic.  These things happen, and we move on.  But one good thing (besides reconnecting with past friends - if only fleetingly) is that I've been going through a lot of old pictures, images I haven't seen in years, and some I don't remember seeing at all. 

It's been strange (and emotional) seeing pictures of my dad from when I was a kid, and even as far back as when he was a kid.  A lot of the pictures are black and white, and so many of the ones in color are starting to go sepia, or that strange green tint that old pictures sometimes develop. The weirdest thing has been looking at old pictures of myself, and seeing Jack's face, his expressions. There is no doubt I am my son's father.  

Saturday morning and Jack had more energy than a nuclear power plant. We'd all been a little cooped up all week, avoiding going out because of the string of sub freezing temperatures (and 40 consecutive hours of temps below zero). We took Jack to the Skokie Exploratorium to shake off some of the cabin fever, and the first thing Jack saw was the row of hanging punching bags, which he was more than happy to smack around.

Jack enjoys story time at the Common Cup, our neighborhood coffee shop.

We all went to the last night of ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Finley just doesn't care how cold it is.



















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