summer in chicago - splash pads (humboldt park, logan square, wicker park neighborhoods)

a favortie thing to do in the city, on the hot summer days with little ones, is splash pading.
here is a little guide to the splash pads in humboldt park/ logan square / wicker park / west town neighborhoods

[Humboldt Park:]
1400 n. sacramento ave
a favorite of mine, mostly because its so close to us, but also because its right by the humboldt lagoon, which has duck families and nice scenery. this playground has swings, slides, bridges, tire swing, and a bonus.. a splash pad. giant blue ring of water. pretty sure this playground is getting a facelift, but until then, we like it just fine!

[Unity Park:]
2636 n kimball ave

unity park has a great playground, and a splash pad area. this water area is lifeguarded, and you have to have a swim diaper to enter. 

(i took these photos last summer, and finally getting around to organizing. lincoln is a tiny bald man.)

[Haas Park:]

2402 w washtenaw ave

no mulch here, this park is great for crawlers! there is a playground for little legs. kids and run under the water for a quick cool off and back to the slide. slip and slide.

[Holstein Park:]
2200 n oakley ave
playground, spray feature, mini baby pool and big pool. this park has it all!

[Pulaski Park:]

1419 w blackhawk st
this takes the cake for "splash pad." slide, tunnel, tire swing; all within a shallow pool area. right next to a regular sized pool.

[Wicker Park:]

1425 n damen ave

a small but fun bear squirting water feature, with a great playgound and you can grab a taco at [big star's] to- go window.

morning walk

since today is national happiness happens day, i would like to share how my happiness happens.

we live in the city of chicago. and yes, there are plenty of buildings, stores, restaurants, construction sites, loud sirens, people walking, traffic.. but chicago is one of the great cities with amazing parks. we are lucky enough to live near, in my opinion, the BEST park. we have our little slice of nature a few blocks from home. i shouldn't say little slice. its a big park.. so big slice.

anyways, happiness these days revolves around peace. i am not a morning person (and neither is nick), and trying my best to adapt to being up around 6am every morning. since nick works nights, i have the lincoln morning shift. on days like today, where i make an effort to get out of bed and head out the door early in morning, i always seem to really enjoy myself. everything is quiet, nothing is really happening yet. some people are jogging, but mostly its just us and the park and the trees. we walk and talk (sometimes sing because no one can hear us), we collect things... like sticks and flowers. we have an area where we love to go feed the ducks. even if lincoln is in a cranky mood, watching the ducks swim around and quack soothes him. its a great place to go and clear my head before starting our day, and i come home and feel happy. happy to be outdoors, happy to get some exercise, happy to enjoy the silence of morning, and happy my guys could be there with me.

and what makes it an even happier morning, is having some snacks. 

currently we are really loving [happy family brand]. i pack a few of their [super toddler bars] and fill up a little container with some [best friend cookies] to enjoy on our morning walk.

this post was sponsored by happy family

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word on the street / daddy's attic office - pawn works sticker club

chicago people-- pick up a reader today! my dudes are in the paper! 

check out the interview video [chicago reader] featuring nick and his studio space (our attic). 

linc makes an appearance and so does the rest of our apartment.  

[pawn works sticker club]
[pawn works chicago]