Yay for Addison

It's funny how having a child gets you more involved in the neighborhood. Before Mack, Andy and I worked and slept - with some hanging out sprinkled in there somewhere. We are both such workaholics, it just felt like we didn't have much time left over for other activities (although we did pretty consistently run or work out). But as a result we didn't do much as far as neighborhood activity.

But having a kid has made me realize how much is offered. We already knew our neighborhood Athletic Club was awesome. Basically any Addison resident gets a lifetime membership for a one time $10 payment as long as you live in Addison. And it is nice - not junky like most neighborhood/apartment things. Great equipment, really well maintained, friendly staff who know your name - really really great.

But it gets better! They have a nursery where you can bring your 3 month to 8 year old while you work out. It is great. It is a small nursery with one woman so it feels more neighborly than institution. They only take 2 infants under 12 months at a time so you do have to make a reservation, but it is SO great. You get 2 hours - 2 hours! - to work out sans baby. It's also fun b/c you run into the other moms who are there working out and dropping off their baby. Through that I have discovered there is an Addison mom's group, but I haven't been able to make the play date yet b/c they are on Friday and I always seem to have some rental business or we are going out of town or something else happening on Friday :-).

We also have discovered all these neighborhood events/offerings we never realized existed before. Like every Thursday night in the summer there is hot dog night at the pool. For $2, you get a meal (including hot dog, chips and strawberries - but just 5 as we discovered when Andy loaded his plate up with like 20 :-)) and get to hang out by the pool. It is really pretty fun as the pool is pretty hopping with families bustling around. Like with most kid stuff, Mack is too young to really enjoy it, but we do :-).

I don't really know how we were so unaware of all this stuff - it's like our heads are finally lifted out of the sand :-).