The 4-month comparison

The last time I did this picture comparison was at 7 weeks. Today, 8/10 is Hayden’s 4-month “birthday”, so wanted to give it another go.

Xavier in his swing at 4 months old

Let’s start with Xavier. He is as happy as a clam just three days after officially turning 4 months old. Pay special attention to the longer and darker hair he was sporting as compared with Hayden.

Hayden in the same swing on her 4 month birthday

Then we have Hayden. Believe it or not, Hayden is bigger at the same age than Xavier was, and he was a big boy until he was almost a year old. Her hair is a bit lighter, and does not lay down yet like Xavier’s did. The other thing I notice is that her eyes are a little larger and rounder, but it is subtle.

So, what do you all think? They definitely look like siblings, don’t they?

Young Kids and Hot Days Don’t Mix

2009 has been a strange year for weather here in Chicago. By all accounts, it has been one of the coldest and wettest years on record, while down in Texas and parts of the Southwest they bake in 100+ degree heat and severe drought. Well, we finally had a scorcher here in Chicago yesterday, relatively speaking. It was by no means even close to the hottest days I remember, and should not have been in any way unexpected, but it was hot enough to stay indoors, that much is not in question.

So, I took Xavier out for an early morning visit to the park, still covered in shade from the ever-rising condo development just to the east. We ran around and got some energy out, but then it was back home as the heat was rising for a long day of books, toys, and lots of Thomas the Tank Engine videos. Right now, the video on repeat is Percy’s Chocolate Crunch, but that is neither here nor there.

He handled the indoors fairly well most of the day, but come 7:15 or so, when Xavier began running random laps around the house, it became very clear that he needed another outdoor excursion. By 7:30, most of the heat had gone away, though it was still very muggy. He was not interested in the park, so we went by the river to watch all the boats troll up and down the waterway. Before heading back home, I treated him to a tasty chocolate shake at Baskin Robbins; a reward for “dealing’ with the day.

Xavier enjoying some cool breezes by the river.

It leaves me with a question for all of you parents out there…what do you do to entertain your young children on hot summer days? Do you just head outside with light clothing, sunscreen, and hats, or do you have cool and inexpensive indoor fun on the docket? I’d love to hear any and all suggestions!