7th Inning Stretch

Last night we went out for an evening of family fun with the Kane County Cougars minor league baseball team. Going to a ballgame is one of my favorite things during the summer. There is something about the growing anticipation, and seeing the green of the field open up before you. I remember going to Wrigley Field as a child, and having the same feelings. While the girls aren't as interested in the actual game, they still get excited about the mascot Ozzie and all the other fun mini happenings around the ballpark.  Oh yeah, and cotton candy and hotdogs. The evening ended with a Cougar win, fireworks, and the now traditional running of the bases.  We arrived home late, tired, and satisfied. It was a good night. Play ball!

Audrey's seat had a winning voucher good for four tickets to any future game!  Looks like we will be back sooner than later!  

Violet and Daddy.

Mommy and Violet.  

Our view from our seats. Beautiful night for a ballgame!

Short Summer

Audrey and Violet on the lion at Brookfied Zoo

The days are moving quickly and time seems to be fleeting.  I am savoring each day with my kids and we are packing-in a bunch of activities and events that would normally be distributed throughout an entire summer.  We have all been taking advantage of sleeping-in a bit (8am) and then taking our time with breakfast and some lazy morning reading and playing in the living room.  Then we decide what to do with our day once Kim leaves for work.  Two days ago we spent the day at the Brookfield Zoo, visiting our favorite animals and attempting (unsuccessfully) to avoid intermittent thunder storms and rain showers.  It is nice that the girls have a place that they love and are really starting to know their way around!  They truly enjoy seeing the animals and discussing their similarities and differences.  Audrey, in particular, is really finding the world of animals fascinating.  So, while a short summer is in order this year, we are not skimping on the fun and activities.  We have a Cougars baseball game on Friday night, and everyone is excited for that!

Quick selfie at the dolphin show at Brookfield Zoo.  Violet is goofy.

We also try to remain active during this short summer.  If the weather is cooperating, we spend a lot of the day outside in our driveway biking, scootering, and running around playing with neighbors and chasing the dog.  Biking around the block a few times has also become  staple in our days.  The girls are getting stronger and can now complete a few laps without being sopped by slight inclines and breaks in the pavement.  They are also safety captains, and I am reminded constantly to wear my helmet and look and listen before crossing the street!

Daddy, Mommy, and Violet

Speaking of biking, I got to participate in an event in South Bend last weekend called "Bike the Bend".  It is a non-competitive event where a route of about 31 miles is set-up along the St. Joseph river and several aid stations and a breakfast destination is offered to bikers.  I biked 25 miles with my brother-in-law, Mark.  We strapped a wireless speaker to my bike and played classic rock the entire time.  It was a lot of fun just rocking-out, putting-down the miles, and having a pancake breakfast in the middle of the whole thing.  This event makes me want to bike more at home, which I intend to do as I attempt to build an exercise schedule.

Biking Selfie:  This is my brother-in-law, Mark, taking a selfie of us biking the Bend.  Part of the route took us through the minor-league baseball team stadium!  

My position as assistant principal starts in a couple weeks, but I am taking online training and will attend a few workshops between now and then.  It is exciting, and overwhelming at the same time to think that I will be in a completely new environment with all new names and items to learn and master.  I am very excited and looking forward to it, but I recognize that taking advantage of my current "down time" is also critical to this process.

Today is a rainy, overcast day.  A movie and a trip to the grocery store are in our future, as well as some reading and play time.  Possibly a drizzly bike ride around the block.  We are waiting for the window repair people to show-up and fix our foggy windows, thus making our house more appealing to potential buyers.  We have had a few showings in the last week, and we are hopeful that an offer will be made soon, thus allowing us to move forward in purchasing a new home and moving!  One thing at a time, I know, but it is exciting to think about the possibilities!  To have some extra storage, a basement, and at least one extra room for guests would really make life great, not that it's bad or anything now!  I am not complaining.

We take the time that is given to us, and we spend it as we see best.  Hopefully we are content with how we use our minutes each day and inspired to do even better the next time the sun rises.

-a

Dad and his girls.  Life is good.

Calm before the Unknown

Calm before the storm is a great cliche.  We use it all the time in my house, especially when the girls are asleep in the morning and we have a few very previous quiet moments before they wake up and the silence is broken.

This morning, I woke up just before the kiddos.  The birds are beginning their morning songs, and the fresh air pours into our home when I crack the windows.  Yesterday was hot and sunny, but this morning brings gray skies and a cool breeze.

Now we find ourselves enjoying the calm before....well, we don't quite know yet.  Our house has been on the market for a few weeks now, and will hopefully sell soon.  The rain is falling outside, but shows promise of letting-up soon.  Maybe a quick run is in my near future?

The agenda for this soggy Sunday remains fairly open, although some solid points remain to be addressed.  Being lazy these past couple days is something I am savoring.  With school now over, it is time to reset my sights on my new position as an assistant principal.  My contract states July first as the start date, but I am already getting started by attending workshops and such this week.  I am excited to begin this new chapter, and want to get as much information as possible leading up to the start of the new school year.

It was strange and sad to close my room down at my old school on Friday.  To stand in the center of my room, completely cleaned-out and ready for the next teacher, was overwhelming and brought a rush of emotions.  I took the time to scan the entire room and think about all of the moments and smiles and laughter that has filled every cubic inch of the place.  Closing the door and not having a key to return back was something that hit me hard.  I will always have a special place in my heart for Hadley.

Walking out, getting lots of hugs and encouraging words, everyone has been so supportive.  I took one last look around the parking lot, and hit the road, leaving my old home behind.  Now I am ready to begin the next chapter, and I am also looking forward to a little down time with my family in between training sessions and workshops.  It is an exciting time in my life, and I am fortunate to have the past and the present and the future aligned at the moment, giving me a clear view of where I am in life.

More to come, but for now...I am enjoying the calm before whatever is next in life.

-a