We've been in Chicago 11 years...and never before had snow/wind/storm like this. And according to Mr. Skilling, only twice in the modern era has this happened, 1967 and 1999. And never again in my lifetime would be fine by me.
Not exactly good timing, given trying to build a house. I had visions of the something caving in there, or roof getting blown off as the winds sounded like they were going to blow the windows in at the rental house all night. In total, spent 7 hours shoveling/moving snow between the rental house and the new house. Further, given all roads were not plowed, had to trek the 5 blocks between both houses with my handy dandy shovel...twice...because on the first time I was so beat, due to a 4ft drift on the porch roof which I needed to get off, as I could see it was putting pressure on the temporary 2x4's holding it up. Not too fun. Further, needed to dig out the 12 foot dumpster, and create a path so workers and deliveries could get it. On top of the that, the wind was so intense, for so long, a good 1/2 inch of snow covered the inside of parts of the 2nd floor, despite having windows in and roof on. The culprit was the house is not air tight yet, so the strong N wind at 40mph+ for 12 hours, with 65+ mph gusts, eventually drove snow up through the inc0mplete soffit, and up and over the walls into the house. Hoping I dont lose my goal date of having this done by memorial day...but I don't forsee them being able to trench the gas line in, nor connect the water until this snowpack dissipates a bit...luckily, I really dont need water anytime soon, and gas is probably not needed for 4 weeks yet.
Either way, kids enjoyed getting a day off (even though I saw them only before 9am and after 5 pm) and got out for a bit and looks like they will get another off as well, as most schools are closed Thursday as well...the boys school is closed simply because all the snow is not removed, etc...
Many non-main streets in downtown Naperville are still unplowed, and I am guessing our alley will remain that way for a couple days yet.
Its not really enjoyable not having a garage, nor is having alley access, nor is living on a urban lot that is 50ft wide and there is no place to put the snow you are shoveling...
Normally, there are 5 steps there.
One car unburied, one more to go.
Thankfully, sun was out all day and aided in getting the cars clean...Carter was more interested in making them snowy again. And the glasses were his idea, not ours. He wanted to ride his bike...
My view as I trekked over to the new house...unplowed streets...but a pretty neat feeling with absolutely no cars in downtown.
Carter and Connor helping after it was all done...
Naper school is real nice. Its the old main school from the Naperville of yesteryear - think the building dates to 1920 - so it has a very "formal" private school feel to it. Its also nice because it is real small - classes are small, etc, as the kids from the other side of Washington St downtown go to Ellsworth - which is the other old school - so the downtown kids are split into 2 schools. Also, being a nice walkable 4-blocks away is pretty sweet.
Swim lessons at Y downtown. The had pee-wee soccer on Saturday morning too. Connor did great - for being the first time really on his own. Carter did good too, but went under one time and that was it for him - he wanted out. Its a nice program - however, its pretty much sink or swim...not a lot of pampering going on.
Surprisingly, Connor picked up the ability to swim around with the noodle and his feet - albeit, slowly.
Carter tempting to float (after he went under). After he did this, he pretty much check out for the day, but he said he wants to go back next week.
