March 2014

It was still cold in Chicago in March. We celebrated Mimi's birthday at our house with the whole crew. Here's one of Megan and Mimi: Megan got her expander from her orthodontist in mid-March. Here's a pic of her on the first day with it. Jake and Darin made sure to keep fit over the winter with plenty of workouts in our basement. How cute is this one: In late March, we made a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. Jake had been asking to go, as he was really interested in seeing Sharks. We saw lots of interesting exhibits. Here's a little seahorse.... And we saw the dolphin show. Unfortunately, Jake was disappointed with the shark exhibit. He said he was expecting it to be much better. On the bright side, it was a pretty nice day outside, so we took our time getting back to the car and the kids played around the museum campus for a bit.

February 2014

My baby lost his front tooth in February. It occurred to me yesterday that the kids really love reading the stories about themselves. I have to remember to jot down some of the funnier ones, rather than archive our lives with only photos. One particular conversation comes to mind. Last year (June 2013), I was on the back porch with Jake, Megan and Mimi. Jake made some joke about farts or something and Mimi said, "What is it with you kids and all of this fart and poop talk? What do you think would happen if your parents went to a party and started making those noises and talking about farts?" Jake said, "Well, then it would be a pretty fun party". He didn't miss a beat. Note to self - get this boy some Improv classes and put him on a stage. We did a little more skiing at the Grand Geneva on the weekend of President's Day. Was able to get all 4 of us into a photo: We started going to the YMCA for indoor swimming after school on Tuesdays (early dismissal day). I had to sneak a photo because no cameras are allowed on the pool deck. I wasn't able to get both kids in the shot. Jake finished up his basketball season in February. Ironically, I was just filling out the form for this year's season today. He only wants to play if Dad is gonna coach. Here's the big award from the season: I think I mentioned in my January wrap-up that we had a ton of snow over the winter. Megan and Francesca took advantage of one of the not so freezing days (or maybe it was just as freezing and they were just sick of being inside). We had tons of snow in WI as well. I just happened to like this picture: And I'll wrap up this month with some frozen lake running:

January 2014

This winter was a cold one! We spent New Year's Day in Wisconsin. The kids always like walking on the lake when it's frozen. Jake really enjoyed ice fishing with Eric in the little tent (it was actually pretty warm in there!). We headed back to Chicago for the last weekend before the kids went back to school and got hit with lots of snow. Boy, did they enjoy that. But then it got so cold that their break was extended and additional two days due to extreme weather. Once they got back to school, it was time for the annual roller skating in gym class. They both really love it. I didn't get a chance to help out with Megan's class (I guess they're old enough that they don't need help anymore!). I did manage to snap a few pics of Jake. We went back to WI on the 11th to ski with the Cleavelands. We had a pretty nice day (really cold early, which maybe kept crowds down, and then sunny by the afternoon). Here they are enjoying cocoa in the lodge. Jake had been asking me if we could make donuts. So we embarked on an adventure to make the real deal donuts....no shortcuts. We prepped the batter in the evening. Then, the next morning, we rolled out the dough, cut the donuts into their shape and let them rise. Finally, we fried them up and gave them a dip in glaze. Some of them even got a double glaze! They were delicious. Megan completed a project on Finland for her class' cultural fair. She presented her project at the school's Open House on January 26. We had to find some Finnish products to go along with her poster board and we ended up discovering these delicious caramels that we found at the Sweden Shop. They are called Dumle. Those were eaten up quickly! We ended the month with a 70's and 80's skate party at school on the 31st. We went with the 80's look. I channeled my mom and made Jake's t-shirt at 10:00 the night before! I think it turned out pretty good! All in all - a good month!

Summer Break

It's official. School's out for the summer. So far, it's been pretty laid back. On Monday, the kids tagged along with me to CrossFit and then swam at the Y for a while. On Tuesday, they had to come to my office with me for about an hour. We got a slice from Village Inn and are it at a park in Skokie. Jake and I played basketball and he beat me fair and square. 

They played at the playground for a while before heading home for the afternoon. On Wednesday, the weather was pretty rainy, so they played xBox in the basement and went to CrossFit with me. It cleared up enough in the afternoon for Jaje's team to get their last regular season game in. Although it did rain while they played. They were able to get in 5 innings and came out victorious with a score of 4-3.  

December 2013

IMG_4021, a photo by tracyg00 on Flickr.

Our Elf on the Shelf, Harold Sweetcheeks, had a busy month. the kids liked this mustache prank that he played.

They got a chance to talk with Santa on Dec. 8th. Jake mentioned that he really wanted Wii U and Wii U Lego Marvel Superheroes. Megan told him that she wanted a real puppy. And a computer.



My little sous chefs got to work making some banana bread one Sunday evening. They have such a blast cooking and baking.



Harold found himself a Barbie stuffed animal and made himself a little bed on the mantle.



On the 11th, our girl scout troop made our way around Sauganash and did our caroling in very freezing weather. We had our fun cocoa party at the O'Donnell's afterward.



More mustache fun with Harold:



Megan and I ran the Jingle Bell 5k on the 14th in really snowy, crummy conditions.



On the 18th, Cariane and I hosted the WAX Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Rabbit's.



On the 19th, QAS had their holiday concert. I took video during the program, so the only actual photo that I have is of Jake and his friend Joe.



Megan's big acting debut was on December 20. She played Pig Pen in the Sauganash Park production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. She was so excited about it and did such a great job.



Here's the cast:



She can't wait for the next program to begin!

On the 22nd, we went to a Northwestern basketball game. Here's Jake and Michael:



And all of the kids in our group (it cost a fortune to feed this crew!)



On Darin's birthday, we took our train trip downtown. We visited Macy's.





The line was way too long to eat in the Walnut Room. Our backup, the Burnham Hotel, had reservations all booked, so we couldn't eat there, either. We stopped by the Chris Kindle Market, but it was really, really cold. We got a couple of Churros to appease the kids. We ended up at a little Asian restaurant. Nothing screams Christmas meal like potstickers (and churros)!



After lunch, we headed back home.



The train was pretty crowded and Megan got stuck sitting next to a sleeper.



That photo still makes me laugh. We ended the day with a visit from Aunt Jenny and Portillo's chocolate cake to celebrate.

This was Harold's last appearance on Christmas Eve.



We hosted Christmas Eve at our house this year.



Here's the grown-up table (minus my dad, Brian and me):



And the kids:



Aunt Jenny got Pierce a Wii U game system and Jake was horrified because he was the one who actually wanted it. His reaction when Pierce opened it was priceless.



Once the guests left, my boys got into their Batman PJ's to retire for the evening.



Christmas morning brought a smile to my boy's face when Santa came through with the Wii U.



And Megan was just as pleased with her laptop computer.



We went skiing at the Grand Geneva on the 27th. Megan's bindings weren't tightened properly and she lost a ski on the lift (it actually happened twice before we went to have them tightened).



They got right back into the skiing as if no time had passed since the last time they were out there.





Jake entertained us with his new move in the lift line.



After skiing all day, these two decided that they wanted to sled. We stopped on the way out and they spent about an hour at the sled hill.



We got back to the cottage and hung out for a while. We got geared up and walked to Jenny's at around 7:00. It just so happened that she wasn't home so we came back. Since they were already suited up in snow gear, they stayed outside and played in the dark with headlamps for another half hour or so. Endless energy......



We had to leave early the next morning so that Darin could help out with a school project that he volunteered for. I caught this little pic of a pretty sunrise.



We went back to WI for NYE. Megan enjoyed playing Sims on her computer.



We had crab legs for dinner, the boys did some ice fishing, kids had milkshakes and we rung in the new year in a pretty low key manner.



And there you have it. It is January 1st and I am officially caught up through the end of 2013. I will try my best to not wait so long in between posts!!

November 2013

IMG_3676, a photo by tracyg00 on Flickr.

I joined Jake on his class field trip on the 7th. We went to the Botanic Garden. I think the kids had the most fun while waiting for the bus in the big field.

Jake started playing in a basketball league at Brooks park. It was his first experience with basketball, and he seems to really like it. Here's a shot from his first game:



We had our November girl scout meeting on the 13th. Our topic was dining etiquette and we had a nice guest speaker.



Here's a shot from Jake's second game. He's a pretty good dribbler.



On that Sunday evening after the game, the kids helped me make an apple crumble. They also put on some diner hats and made themselves mustaches and nametags. It was so funny.



We went back to Bughouse Studio on the 19th. Jake made another bowl:



Megan came with us this time and caught on pretty fast for her first try at the wheel:



She has a lot of confidence as an artist. Not bad for her first piece (all by herself):



I also forgot to mention that Megan signed up to be in a play at Sauganash Park. She had practice every Wed. and Fri. after school for 2 hours. One Wednesday, Jake and I went to Starbucks (his request) and he did his homework there, while enjoying a hot chocolate and croissant. Megan thinks that he looks like a businessman in this picture:



On November 23, we celebrated 50 Years of Marriage for Mimi and Papa. The whole crew went to dinner at L.Woods.



On the 24th, Megan, Darin, Larry and I participated in the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5k. It was brutally cold that day, but we survived.





We made it back to the Bughouse Studio for one more crack at pottery on the 27th (the kids had no school). They glazed some of their pieces:



Jake decided that he wanted to do some hand-throwing, rather than the wheel. He made a pirate ship. We still have to go pick it up. Here's the before photo. Watch for the "after" to come soon.



On Thanksgiving Day, Megan and Darin ran the Evanston Flying Turkey 5k (another cold one).



And then the Cleavelands hosted the Thanksgiving meal. Jake and Pierce celebrated as cowboys.



That about sums up November!

Jake the Potter

IMG_3897, a photo by tracyg00 on Flickr.

Megan was requiring much of my time throughout the fall with the coaching of cross country and attending soccer games, so Jake was feeling a bit left out. I told him to choose an activity that just he and I could do together. He suggested that we "go do that thing with the clay where you spin it in front of you". I found a studio in Skokie where kids could participate in wheel throwing. So, Jake and I headed out on one of their open studio nights and fortunately we had the place (and the instructor) to ourselves. She gave us a good lesson and helped us create two pieces each. We had a really fun time. We had to go back on another day to glaze them and then another day to pick them up. Somewhere along the way, Megan got the bug too and I'll show off some of her throwing in November. This was our finished product from our first try:

October 2013

IMG_3089, a photo by tracyg00 on Flickr.

My birthday was on the 2nd. Darin picked up a Red Velvet cake and we had a nice little celebration after Megan's soccer game in Arlington Heights.



On the 5th, Megan had a cc meet at Niles West H.S. They had a 2 mile race, followed by a one mile exhibition race (meaning no prizes available). Megan ran in both races with only about 20 minutes or so, in between. This kid continues to amaze me.



On Oct. 19, they had what was meant to be their final meet of the season...the big CYO Invitational at Maryville Academy. Megan had a good race, finishing 33rd in the JV girls race and earning herself a ribbon.



Uncle Scott came up to watch and afterward we had him over to our house to celebrate his birthday. The kids surprised him when he arrived with a silly string attack.



QAS ended up with an opportunity for one more cross country meet at Edgebrook School on the 24th. There were 4 schools represented and Megan took 3rd overall (6th grade and under girls) with a time of 7:20....her best yet. I snapped a photo but she was going so fast it didn't focus in on her!



On Oct. 26, we celebrated the life of Uncle Adam with a Memorial Service in Oak Lawn. I wanted to give a special shout out to one of our loyal blog readers. We got to meet Aunt Charmayne in person and snapped a quick photo. I wish I would have taken two, because this one is not so clear. But I guess it will have to do.



Now we get to the Halloween portion of the month. My company produced the Trick or Treat Trot in Evanston on October 27. I got my group to dress up as Power Rangers.



Then, for my second costume, Jake had our whole family dress in a Bat Man theme. Jake was Bane, Darin was Scarecrow, I was Bat Girl, Mimi was Catwoman, Booje was Batman and Megan was Poison Ivy. Papa was a photobomber.



I made Megan's Poison Ivy costume and I think her's turned out best (I guess I'm a little biased). Here's a closer look:



Jenny came over earlier in the month and decorated our yard with all of her fancy decorations. Here's a view in the evening (who is that ghoul?!)



And here is an extra spooky photo of Aunt Jenny on Halloween.

Happy New Year - Here's Sept. 2013

IMG_2240, a photo by tracyg00 on Flickr.

Yep - New Year's Day 2014. I am going to wrap up last year today. I mean it!

September was another busy month for us. We were at the cottage for Labor Day weekend. Jake and Darin were out fishing and - no lie - Jake was catching fish as quick as Darin could take them off the hook and re-bait. He must have caught at least 30 small fish that day. As a matter of fact, he threw in his hook with no bait a few times and even caught fish on that. I went out there and grabbed the little Barbie pole and after about 5 casts, I caught this monster:



We made it to the Walworth County Fair (just like every year). Here's the cousin photo by the Tilt-a-whirl:



Megan had a busy sports month with lots of soccer games and cross country meets.



We had our Balmoral block party on Sept. 7th. One highlight was the donut eating contest. It hung from string and you couldn't use your hands!



The kids loved the DJ and the bouncy house, as well. A good time was had by all.



Megan had her first cross country meet on Sept. 9th. It was a really hot day, but she handled it like a pro. Look at this form:



She had another meet on the 13th at Bunker Hill with approx. 500 girls in her race. That's one intimidating start line!



That same day, we had to leave the meet right after her mile run and head over to a soccer game. She basically changed into her uniform in the car and we arrived at the game right after it started. She was definitely warmed up already!!



Then, this superstar athlete had another cross country meet the very next morning! Oh, how I would love to have that energy!



Did I mention that Megan was also taking guitar class at the Old Town School of Folk Music on Thursdays for all of Sept. and Oct? The four of us went to her class on the 19th to watch a special performance by a band from Mexico. After the performance, Jake and I got to go to class with Megan and Darin. Jason (her teacher) brought Jake a guitar so that he could join in.



Here's an interesting cross country story. On the 24th, QAS had a meet at Regina High School. They had chip timing and a big finish line structure. They had the top 7 from each team race in the first race and then had an open race for remaining runners. Megan typically finishes in the top 3 on her team, so she ran in the first race. I believe she ran about a 7:30 mile that day.



When they had announced the open race, she said she wanted to run again. She decided to pace two of her team members in the second race. I gave her a goal to get them to run a 9:00 mile. (previously, each of them had only run as fast as a 9:45). They ended up finishing at 9:01 and 9:03. That's my girl!



We were back in WI for the weekend of the 27th. I made the kids pose for a couple of pics. This is one of my faves...



The Marino family joined us on Saturday night and then the whole crew went out on Sunday for some apple picking and boating.



Here's Jake and his buddy, Jack at the Apple Barn:



It warmed up enough in the afternoon to hit the lake. Each kid got to drive for a while.



And that's a wrap for September.