After our morning with the immediate family, we headed into Chicago to celebrate Christmas with the Giere clan. If there were ever grandparents who love their grandkids to pieces, here they are.

Once the kids filled their bellies and opened their presents, they had some energy to burn. Thankfully, the city of Chicago had just opened a new park down the street from my parents’ home. The kids had a blast running and sliding and swinging to their hearts’ content.

It really is a unique playground, at least according to suburban standards. As you look beyond the playground equipment, you see the Chicago skyline packed with skyscrapers.

The kids spotted green space and exclaimed with delight, “Let’s run!”