Last Week in Moments

Soccer season started for both boys. We had games Friday through Sunday, and put some miles on the car, traveling to Wales, Fond du Lac and back up to Appleton the next day.


Post-soccer game go-carting with some of C's teammates.


You should hear this guy snore!


H is playing tennis again. Here he is (in the back left) at his first match. They lost, but I love that he gets to do this.


Melissa and I met up on Thursday for lunch at a half-way point -- Lamb's Farm -- and I'm wondering why we don't do this more often. It was so great to catch up and I needed my dose of Melissa. We even went into the petting zoo, which was pretty hilarious. That little brown goat followed us around most of the time.


There was a camel hanging out at the entrance which was amazing. I don't think I've ever been so close to a camel in my life. This one was also super affectionate. So cute.


The boys were off of school on Friday, so I got to have two very handsome lunch dates. Lucky me!

Last Week in Moments

One picture. The gloomy weather brought me down this week. But today, the sun is shining, and it's supposed a gorgeous weekend. Seriously, I woke up in the best of spirits. Such a great feeling.

Last Friday I had a night alone. The boys were all in Rockford for the weekend for a soccer tournament H was playing in. Originally I was going to go too, but dogs and an accounting appointment made it a no-go. Instead, I ate sushi and watched two movies that no one else would have been interested in. It was really kind of nice. The rest of the week was typical. School. Soccer. Bed. But, Brian & I did go out on Tuesday! We went to see Holy Holy -- a supergroup performing the songs of David Bowie from 1969/73 -- which was really pretty awesome.

This morning I took this photo of Gretel. She's a major counter surfer which is totally annoying and can be quite a problem since nothing is safe up there. Too bad I can't put her to work, scrambling eggs, washing the dishes or something. Wouldn't that be great?

Last Week in Moments

On Saturday, H had his final two futsal games. Their team split in two due to size, and he was captain of one of the teams. It was such a great experience and opportunity for him. We are so proud. He's getting to wear the captain band one last time this weekend at their first soccer tournament of the season.


This guy turned 14 this week. 14! That's crazy stuff. I love him so much.


Unfortunately, his birthday fell on the first day back to school after Spring Break. But he had a good day regardless. We celebrated with a late post-soccer practice dinner of steak, Greek salad and french fries. Cake too, of course.

Chicago :: Day 2

The next day, we went to the Chicago Cultural Center to go to the Strandbeest exhibit. I really wasn't expecting much, but the entire visit to the center was amazing.


We lucked out by getting an unscheduled viewing of the Strandbeest in movement. It was truly magical. We were all completely mesmerized by the entire thing.


We also walked around the Chicago Cultural Center. I used to pop in there once in awhile when I worked downtown, but I forgot how absolutely beautiful that building really is.


We also walked through some of the art galleries.


We stopped into the Chicago Athletic Association to check it out. It so amazing, and one of these days (without the boys) we are hoping to stay there to really get to experience it. After that, we went to Block 37 to Latin City. The idea is similar to Eataly, but without the grocery or retail part. We tried a bunch of different dishes -- tacos, ceviche, empanadas and calamari -- and everything was really good. I sure wish it had been there when I worked down the street. That, and the Target that was down the street. That would have been a game-changer! Anyhow, afterwards, we made a quick stop at Room & Board, picked up some food at Eataly for dinner later, and headed on out, just making it to the kennel to pick up the dogs in the nick of time before they closed, and to get H to his final futsal games of the season. It was such a great surprise. A perfect way to end our Spring Break, and much needed pick-me-up after a long winter/early spring season. Thanks Brian!

Chicago :: Day 1

We were planning on going to Chicago for a day over Spring Break, but Brian surprised us with an overnight trip. He arranged for everything, and it was amazing. Our first stop was the Museum of Science & Industry. We used to take the boys there a ton when we lived there, and it really brought back a ton of great memories. H just had a huge smile on his face, and C kept saying "I remember this!"


We also went to the Brick by Brick exhibit. Thankfully, Brian purchased tickets for everything ahead of time. In all my years, I've never seen the place so busy.


There were some hand-on exhibit, but also some incredible pieces designed by Adam Reed Tucker.


We had a snack at Eataly before checking into our hotel. Then we walked up and down Michigan Ave. Two boys forgot winter jackets, so we had to do a little shopping. Brian had made reservations for an early dinner at The Publican, which used to be one of our go-to places. It was so good, and the kids loved it. We even ran into one of our friends there, so that was fun.


Afterwards, we walked around the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to Chicago 22 years ago -- the West Loop. Here's the boys outside our very first apartment together. We also got to show them where we had our rehearsal dinner and our second apartment (which was right across the street). We lived in that neighborhood for four years, and absolutely loved it. After that, we went back to the hotel and hung out. Nice.

Last Week in Moments

A day behind! But what a great week it's been. Spring break! The annual dying of the Easter eggs. My favorite!


We met Dad at quite possibly the best named restaurant ever -- Pho King. Seriously, that's the name. They even have t-shirts and it's quite incredible.


This crazy goose celebrated her second birthday. She's really such a sweetheart.


A trip to Chicago! First stop was the Museum of Science and Industry. I used to bring the boys there all the time when they were young. Brought back a ton of memories for all of us.


Second stop was snacks at Eataly. So good!

Studying in the hotel. We typically stay at The James if we are spending the night in Chicago. It's perfect for us. And right by Eataly. And Room & Board.


Touring our old city on day two. There are so many things I miss about it. And so many things I do not. We really had a great time reminiscing about the good times though. It's such a great place, and we're lucky we live so close by.


One of my absolute favorite things from this weekend was an exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center called Strandbeest: The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen.

Easter

It was another wonderful Easter for the books. Easter is still C's favorite holiday. Plus, it tends to fall around H's birthday, so he often gets a little birthday celebration thrown in the mix. The day itself was pretty miserable outside -- rainy and gloomy. No matter. We weren't going to let a little bad weather ruin the day. The Easter bunny came in the morning. Then we spent the rest of the morning getting ready for our family to come! It was the standard crew -- Brian's mom, sister and her family, my sister and her family and my cousin and his family (my parents are still in Florida). We spent the afternoon eating and catching up. We were even able to have another (indoor) egg hunt. For dinner, we stuck with a traditional spiral ham, and everyone pitched in by bringing a dish. It turned out perfect. I'm still stuffed! My mother-in-law also offered to pick up a Danish layer birthday cake from O & H, complete with the cutest frosting Easter bunny on it. He may be turning 14, but it really made his day. He absolutely loved it and has been talking about how nice it was. So that was it! Another great Easter.

Last Week in Moments

We went to look at bathroom fixtures and dream about remodeling. C was thrilled to be there. Such a grump.


Spring Break! Yes, we are sticking around cold Wisconsin this year. In fact, we welcomed our time off with ... snow.


While the snow may be getting old, watching six deer cross the street never does. It was beautiful. (And, the good news is, the snow melted the next day.)

Last Week in Moments

It was a rainy kind of day. Heck -- it was a rainy kind of week, to be honest. One that made us all very tired.


Celebrating Brian's 45th birthday on St. Patrick's Day with a homemade Chocolate Guinness birthday cake.


Papa was in town for a couple of days, and got to join us for dinner after an afternoon of pheasant hunting with Brian. We were all very happy to see him.

Last Week in Moments

It was gorgeous out over the weekend. We went over to the soccer club on Sunday to get some ball time in.


H made a delicious beef stew for dinner. Completely on his own. It was pretty amazing. C had made a cake the day before. I picked out the recipe for him, so he wasn't a big fan. It was a raw chocolate layer cake with ganache and caramel. I loved it.


On Tuesday, H left for his 8th grade class trip to Washington DC. Brian was gone the Thursday before through Wednesday (the day after H left). H comes home tonight, and I just cannot wait to get my people back together! I haven't heard too much from H, but it seems like they are super busy, he's really tired, and they are having a great time.


Spring in the air and Gretel is crazy. I always keep one of these stuffed birds around in case of emergency. Within 5 minutes, she always pulls the squeaker out, then works on pulling off the head and feet. We have bit and pieces of these birds laying all around our house.


C and I had a date on Thursday! We went to Belair, and had a great time. Unfortunately, even though Brian got home the night before, he had a dinner meeting already so couldn't join us. He's been really busy lately. Too busy.

Last Week in Moments

C and I got to visit Grandma on her birthday. Look -- he's almost as tall as her! We also got to spend some time with the cousins.


H is playing volleyball for his school again. They had a rough start on their first games, but looked much better the next time around. In fact, they actually won! Maybe the pizza their coach bribed them with helped.