Amy's Visit

Three Chimps and a Baby at Lincoln Park Zoo

Greetings and Happy Sunday to All!

First off, I want to wish my mom a happy birthday this past week!

We had a very wonderful weekend with my good friend, Amy, who visited from Indianapolis. Amy is one of my best friends and was in our wedding on my side as my “Groomschick”! With all that has been going on in our lives, we haven’t seen each other for over a year! So Amy decided to zip up for the weekend and I am so glad she did.

She got here Friday afternoon, and we hung around the house and enjoyed introducing her to Audrey. The evening was spent in Aurora, where a softball team picked me up for the night because so many of their players were either injured or out of town. We played a double header (lost both), and I think I did all right at third base considering it was my first couple games in two years! During the second game, a lighting storm passed over us, and there was a torrential downpour, but the umpire kept us playing! I loved I, but t other players were a little skittish…rightfully so with bolts of lightening only a few miles off!

We spent the time laughing a lot and of course playing with Audrey. Kim, Audrey, Amy, and I spent Saturday in Chicago at Lincoln Park Zoo and also at Navy Pier. While both places are free to the public, parking was $50 total! However, we all agreed that for a full day of entertainment, food, and parking in Chicago for under $100 was a pretty good deal for three adults and a baby!

Audrey and the Rhino

The weather could not have been more agreeable, in the low 80’s with a refreshing breeze and intermittent clouds to provide a brief, temporary shade for both the animals and us! Audrey was fascinated by most of the animals, especially the pacing tiger, the seals, and beavers! We enjoyed a nice lunch in the Café’ and had a chance to see every animal and tour each house on the grounds.

Amy and Audrey outside the Polar Bear Tank

Going Ape for Audrey

Daddy, Audrey, and Bushman (this one's for you, Dad)


Audrey and the Ape


Audrey and the Seal

(From Left) Amy, Kim, Abel, and Audrey at the Zoo

While we were all energized, we decided to drive and park again at Navy Pier rather than take the three mile walk along the lake. It was packed at the Pier, but we went with the flow of the crowd, stopping along the way for ice cream and a little souvenir shopping. We logged over ten miles of walking all in all over the course of the day!

Abel and Amy at the Pier

Abel and Kim enjoying the day at the Pier

Saturday night consisted of Chinese take-out and a thought-provoking movie titles “Donnie Darko”. Very interesting concept about time travel and well-played roles!

Now it is Sunday. Amy left early to get back on the road for her 3+ hour trip back home. I’ve got a little Honey Do list, including hanging shelves, moving around the guest room, and the usual laundry and cleaning. The day is beautiful, so I am sure I’ll squeeze-in a nice long walk with the dog and Audrey! If all goes well, I may even try to catch a bit of the Sox game later tonight against Detroit. One thing is for sure, it has been a nice weekend and it is important to remember our good friends.

Aunt Amy and Audrey

-a

Late-Night Check-In

Again, I must apologize for the absense as of late in terms of attention to this blog. While there are moments that I think, "Hmmm, I need to post soon," I never seem to get around to it. I will chalk this up to summertime procrastination.

Audrey lay 'a snoozin' next to me. Today was a busy Saturday for us, with a trip to Ikea for a new shelf for the guest room and an impulsive purchase of a couch and love seat at a garage sale in our neighborhood! We've been making plans all summer to reorganize, simplify, and get our house in order and now it looks like we're actually moving on those plans. I'll get some pictures up when things are finished. Should take another week at least to get things the way we want them to be!

It feels like summer is quietly excusing itself and slipping out the door slowly as Fall creeps over the horizon. While the warm, sunny days are greatly appreciated, the small whispers of a chilly breeze remind me that autumn has plans to reside over us in the near future.

While July has been the definition of simplicity for me this year, August promises to be the absolute opposite! Not only do I begin teaching at a new school, but I must attend all the orientations and faculty planning sessions, as well. Also, I return to school myself to begin a Master's in Educational Leadership, so that will keep me on my toes, also. On top of all that, I am expecting visits from both my dad and mom! I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they see how much Audrey has grown!

We also have trips to Indianapolis and Michigan planned, so there will be no shortage of adventure and travels in our near future! I am also waiting to hear about when our softball practices begin, as I am eager to try out my new bat!

Well, I hope everyone out there in cyberspace is doing well. I will do my best to pick-up the pace again.

-a

Happy July

It is a quiet Thursday afternoon. Audrey lay a' snoozing next to me as the fan overhead hums softly. The laundry is going and the dishes are done, so not too much else to do for the moment except enjoy a little quiet.

The days have been sweet around here. Snacks and naps and walks are the order every day. Summer school starts next week, which I am actually looking forward to. While my time home has been exceptional, I am looking forward to a little peer interaction and keeping a little more busy.

I'm starting to get more and more excited about the next school year. My school seems well-put-together and I am looking towards a challenging and rewarding year as the math and science teacher. It will be a different focus. For the past five years, the emphasis is ALWAYS on literacy followed by math facts. I am studying different methods, however, or incorporating literacy into math and science to make my curriculum and techniques more "rounded".

Audrey is enjoying all of the Daddy/Daughter time. We sleep-in and then enjoy a quiet breakfast/brunch of puffs and bananas with graham crackers. We go for long walks with Phoebe around our subdivision or into neighboring subdivisions. I have discovered a nice little walking trail that goes for about 2 miles that takes us along a few farms and little lakes. It is the closest thing to secluded I have found in suburbia. Other times we pack-up and drive a few miles to our favorite trail along the Renwick Bird Sanctuary. It reminds me of the wetlands in Alaska a little bit. Phoebe loves this time of year because of all the other dogs and rabbits that abound in the nearby bushes.

This 4th of July weekend will be spent in Indiana. While I anticipate much fun will be had by all, I cannot help but look fondly back at my 4th of July days spent in Juneau, with fireworks at midnight and the parade the following morning with an afternoon of hot dogs at Sandy Beach and Eagle Beach! Good Times! Wherever everyone is, I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th.

-a

PS-Here's Daddy's favorite shrimp napping right now!