Our World on a Saturday

The Fire Bolts

H's soccer season started today. He has a great team, with lots of his friends on it. His game was bright and early this foggy morning (8:30 a.m.), but the team performed great. H has come such a long way since last year. It's fun to see. The Fire Bolts (H's team) tied the Green Goblins 1-1. And what made it even better was a surprise visit from Nina & Papa. We showed off our wonderful Farmer's Market, had lunch at Wishbone and even saved room for gelato. What a great day.

Tonight

What a great 10th anniversary! I picked Brian up at work, and we headed to the Judy A. Saslow Gallery for our friend Jason Rohlf's exhibit. Please stop by -- it runs through October 8th, and is amazing show (the public opening is tomorrow night). Jason and I share some great mutual friends. He's such a nice, and very talented guy. I like him a lot. Ironically, when Brian and I got married, my wedding present to him was a painting from Jason. So it was pretty cool that Jason's opening, was exactly the same day as our anniversary. We got to hang out for a bit, then Brian and I headed to an amazing dinner at The Publican. I really can't think of a better night.

Pablove Across America

Our friend Jeff just announced Pablove Across America. His son passed away June of this year from cancer. Pablo had just turned six years old. And Jeff is going to be riding 3000 miles in 30 days to raise awareness for Pablove and pediatric cancer. What Jeff and Pablove is doing is a big deal. Who knows. Maybe some of you riders across the country can meet him along the way.

10 Years Today

Brian and me -- our apartment, 1994

Brian and I met during the Fall of 1993 -- 16 years ago. He was 22, just out of college. I had barely turned 24. Within four months of knowing each other, I was packing up my apartment in Milwaukee, and moving to Chicago. I never looked back. We got married nearly six years later, on September 10, 1999. And, I've got to say, things have worked out pretty well. In fact, I couldn't be happier. Happy Anniversary, Brian!

Grilled Figs with Goat Cheese

I'm not sure what it is, but H's 2nd grade class is obsessed with fresh figs. Last week, he told me (after the fact) that he had mentioned to his class that he might be able to bring some in for them to try. Every day he asked me if we had some. And every day I said no. I had no idea he actually said this to them, and even got his teacher's permission. In any case, I thought it was great that a group of 7-year-olds were so excited to try something new -- and it was fruit. I had never even tried a fresh fig until probably ten years ago. So, we picked some up over the weekend and he brought them to share. The verdict is, most of the kids liked them.

We've been enjoying our share of fresh figs too, and grilled some with goat cheese over the weekend. Basically, I followed this recipe -- except I also wrapped them in prosciutto. Delicious.

Gregory Thielker Art

While I'm not necessarily a big fan of rain ... or traffic ... or tolls, I'm absolutely LOVING these paintings (yes, paintings!) by Gregory Thielker.

(via the lil bee, Images by Gregory Thiekler)

C's First Day of School

It's official. Both the Doodles (H & C) are back in school. C finally started today. (that's him sucking his thumb and holding his blanket above). It's his final year at Montessori school. He's an "afternooner," so goes to class from 8:30 to 2:30 every day. He's so excited. He even managed to stay awake for his "First Day of School" dinner. I'm thinking it's going to be a great year.

Labor Day .. Or, the End of my Birthday Weekend

We hosted a little get together with some friends this evening. I may go through withdrawal! It's been so much fun spending time together this weekend. H and Finn played soccer the entire evening. Emma was darling with baby A Frig. I loved watching M Frig all dressed up playing with trucks in the sandbox. And not to leave anyone out, C was a bit of a nightmare. But, I will say, he was beat after this fun-filled weekend. Me too. But it sure was a good one.

My 40th Birthday

Today, is my 40th birthday. That just seems crazy! But let me tell you about yesterday.

Penny and I had appointments at Parto Naderi for massage or facials and manicures/pedicures (I had the facial -- figured my 40-year-old skin needed it -- and bright red nails). It was nice to hang out and get pampered. Even though Penny has an 8-week-old baby and I kept worrying about her nursing situation. Anyhow, we ended up taking our time a bit. When we came back, I was going to take a shower, put on some make-up and dress up a bit -- we were going to go out for dinner later. Penny had called Chris, to mention she was on her way. She said he was at our house checking out our new TV so she was going to stop by for a few minutes. Honestly, I just said something along the lines of "what dorks," but it is totally something they would do. I walked in, and C and M were laying on the sofa watching TV. So I sat there talking to them ... for awhile. When finally Penny said something like "what is that over there?" I looked up, and our house was filled with friends and family from near and far. I absolutely couldn't believe it.

I'm not a big fan of being the center of attention, but I've got to say, it was a great night. I'm not sure if this is something I should be proud of, but my friends are great liars. I had no idea any of this was going on. Penny got me out of the house without any question that something was going on. Chris totally helped Brian out with liquor store and Costco runs. Melissa put together an amazing Asian-inspired spread for my "Good Fortune at Forty" party. C and Brian picked up the cake together, and while C did spill the beans about the cake, I had no idea it was from Bittersweet -- where Brian and my wedding cake was from. And Brian ... my amazing Brian. I don't even know what to say about him. He pulled off a great party. I have no idea how he did it, but he did, and it was incredible. Thank you to everyone. It was an unforgettable evening, and I'm just so lucky. Here's a few of the guests -- wish I could have gotten everyone:

So let's talk about today. I woke up with a massive headache, but it's good now. My mother-in-law, my sister and my niece all spent the night. After chatting with my German host-sister on Skype, we headed over to The Depot for breakfast, and ran into the Elsmo's and my friend Ed and his son, who had to the party last night from Milwaukee and stayed with Leif & Melissa. That was fun. Then we got back and the kids bobbed for apples. H figured it out with the goggles, I think. We plan to lay low and relax. It's going to be the perfect day.

Brave Little Bugger

Next week, C will start school as an "afternooner." It's a big deal in his Montessori world, and he's so excited. Instead of taking a nap, he'll be in the classroom until 2:30 every day. In our care, he hasn't taken an official nap for about a year. But this doesn't mean he doesn't sleep. Daily, at some point he just crashes. On the sofa. On the floor. Wherever. Little dude needs his rest! After class gets out at 2:30, he will go to child care -- there really won't be much opportunity for him to sleep. It should be interesting.

On another note, today was a big day. C started speech again. His teacher said he really matured over the summer and did a great job. It was encouraging to hear. He also went to the doctor -- and had to get four (4!) shots. Didn't even cry. What a brave little guy.

Update: The shots are kicking his little bootie. He has a 102 fever and even got sick last night. Which he decided to tell H about at 2:00 a.m. I hope he feels better soon.

Soup Man

For C's birthday, he received a couple Justice League comic books, trading cards and action figures from the Elsmo Four. This one is his favorite -- "SOUP MAN," as he likes to call him.

Dinner with Nina

We were in a bind this week. C doesn't start school until next week. Not only that, CHILD CARE IS CLOSED the week before school starts. Does that make any sense? Especially when the public schools in our area already started last week? Well, no matter what, it's a big fat giant pain. So my mom came down for a few days. C is loving it. And so is H, even though he only gets a couple hours a day with her. Tonight, we went to New Rebozo for dinner. It was a bit chilly, but we had a great dinner outside. It's been fun having Nina around.

Hooks

We received the new Anthropologie catalog in the mail yesterday, and I can't help but wonder where a good place would be to hang these. I particularly love this one.