Setting the Stage

We met Uncle Stuart at the Chicago Conservatory at Lincoln Park Zoo!

My mom is visiting from Alaska this week.  It is spring break.  It is a very peaceful time in our house.  There is so much to show my mom.  The girls are so delighted to be playing and having laughs with their "Attle" (their nickname for her) and getting to know her more because we don't get to visit too often.

A snack before going into the zoo on this grey morning.

I have been making an extra effort to step back and enjoy these moments and really watch as they interact.  I take great satisfaction in providing the stage on which they all can play and be a family.  That, to me, is one of the great responsibilities of being a parent:  setting the stage for your family to be a family and grow and learn and laugh and be free.

Audrey and a dwarf crocodile.

Initially, I was excited to show off our new home to my mom, and take pride in our dwelling.  Now, I am starting to realize that it is more about showing my mom that she has really taught me how to live independently and provide for my own family.  THAT is what I look forward to doing when the rest of my family visits in the future.  I am proud to show them that THEY have helped me become a person who is capable of making good decisions and growing into a parent and a provider.  I want to show them that I have created a home that infuses a lot of the things I learned from them.

Getting framed at the conservatory!

So the stage is now set, and the rain is threatening outside, but that will not stop us from having fun and creating more memories together as a family.  Yes, we work hard to live in this house.  Yes, we are stressed at times and step on toes.  Yes, there are a lot of pressures in the world all around us and we have to be adults and providers....but we are also actors on the stage we perceive.  And we are writing our scripts and selecting our props as we move through each page of our life.  I know that I need to practice my lines and work on my movement and think about my actions and nail my auditions in life, but I will also try to remember that it is all an art....this living....this being....it is all something that we craft over time and we are the only ones who can direct ourselves from scene to scene.  So now I await for my costars for the day to awake and decide what part of the stage to light up and play upon today.

Classic:  Sitting on the hippos!

And scene.

-a

Audrey and pygmy hippo statue.

Uncle Stuart and Violet.  Two jokers!

Staying hydrated on our visit with Uncle Stuart!

Here in the conservatory, we see a wild Violet.

Audrey being coy.

Violet being a little sweetie.

Our new tradition with Uncle Stuart:  Molly's Cupcakes!

Violet and Daddy, and her blue tongue.

The girls and Shakespeare.  

Attle and the girls and the cat and dog watch a movie and relax after our long walks at the Zoo.

Taco Tuesday when Attle arrives in Chicago!

The girls helping me get everything needed for smores in our backyard!

Audrey's new art and design desk.

First fire pit fire in the backyard!

Violet, smores, and two rubber chickens.  

Attle reading around the fire while they roast marshmallows.

Violet

Phoebe.

7am

A panoramic picture of our park.  Phones are getting fancy!

Swinging in the sun!

It is seven o'clock in the morning exactly as I being to type.  Spring Break us upon us, and the day awaits..fresh with possibilities.  Mostly there will be cleaning and playing today, as my mother visits tomorrow for a few days. I am excited to show-off the new house and to just have time for her to play with her granddaughters.

I bought this plug-n-play Pac Man game at the store.  Best impulse purchase in a while.  We have spent a few hours playing as a family.  Everyone has their favorite games.

This morning, though, I started the day with a nice workout at the gym.  It has been a good change in life-style these past five weeks, meeting my friend at the gym and getting a good work-out in before the rest of the day tumbles down upon us.  Too many evenings have I gotten home and finally admitted defeat and skipped running because I was just burned-out from life and kids and work.  So the mornings, while not always easy to get-up initially, have really proven wonderful and motivational!  There is something about working hard before the sun rises that gets me fired-up!  While I won't be on any posters next for a Mr. Universe contest, I am feeling much healthier, stronger, and more confident.  I have also noticed more competence in my running, and a stronger core to carry my legs throughout the run.  I am hopeful that these work-outs will be a major positive factor in the New York Marathon at the end of the year!  One day at a time, though, right?

The girls are learning how to call "I got next!" and other gamer etiquette.

Once cup of coffee down and the sun is now above the horizon.  Birds chirp outside, pulling the interest of the cat enough to rouse her from sleep and move lazily to the window and imagine what if class had not been invented.  The dog, however, is still refusing to move from her bed and continues to snooze with the girls.

Even mommy got-in on the gaming action!

Pac-Violet

The morning is my favorite time of day because it is still open.  A fresh page.  It is very rewarding to look back on a filled day, with many accomplishments.  However, the morning is where I like to imagine the possibilities and work on building my future.  Also, coffee is wonderful.  So now it is time to get moving and work on getting this house cleaned before my mom arrives tomorrow.  Or maybe a second cup of coffee is in order while I read through one more chapter of this book about the New York Marathon?  Decisions, decisions, decisions.

-a

Always excited to get a running package of body glide, shorts, and underwear!  Half marathon soon!!!

Spring has Sprung

Spencer Holtz.  The newest cousin!

This weekend we returned to South Bend and enjoyed a couple days of Grandma's hospitality!  Dixie played non-stop with the girls while Ann grilled-up a storm!  It was nice to see our newest cousin, Spencer.  Many naps were had!

Grandma Flesher and Violet.  What a team!

Now we are home and Monday is beginning to fade into the night.  The fire in the fireplace is purring almost as loud as the old cat sitting next to it.  Our spaghetti dinner is a nice memory of an hour ago, and bedtime stories are our immediate future.

Kim, Spencer, and Audrey with her toothless gap!

There are only a few days until spring break, and we are all looking forward to taking a few days to rest and play and have some fun and just be a family.  While Kim is still working, it is an entirely different household when I am off of work and the girls are with me all day.  We usually find a few adventures, and I am happy to have warmer days (hopefully) where we can just go outside and get our ya-yas out!

Violet.  She likes to party.

The spring around here has sprung and the weather outside is glorious.  As spring break unfolds out in front of us, the birds have started chirping again and the possibilities outside seem limitless.  For now, the runs outside are an awesome treat and I am looking forward to several upcoming half marathons and the ultimate build-up to the New York Marathon at the end of this year.  Let us enjoy the day that is given to us, however:  today.

Cousins:  Audrey and Spencer.

Cousins: Violet, Audrey, and Penny.  

Cousins:  Audrey and Penny.

I recently impulse purchased a plug-n-play Pac Man game.  I am enjoying introducing it to my kids.  It is important to know history!

Audrey interrupts nap time with Daddy and Spencer.

Spencer snoozing with Audrey.

Audrey during the egg hunt.

Violet during the egg hunt.

Maija waiting for a treat.

Two tired kiddos on the way back from Indiana.

This large hawk was just perched at the top of this tree when I pulled into a parking lot.  It just is amazing to me what nature can do.

Violet outside attempting to jump rope!

Violet rocking the hood and building the tower during the car oil change!

These two could watch car washes all day.

Just one more dad?  Violet hast to pick two books as her reward from the bookstore.  Look at those puppy eyes!

Walking the dog.  Audrey and Phoebe.

Daddy and Violet on a bike ride to start spring break!

Swinging in the sun!  Violet.

Laser Tag Kids!  Today we attended a birthday party at a laser tag place.  Audrey and Violet have never been to one, but they LOVED it!  

Laser Ladies!

Audrey right before she zapped me.

Violet:  aka Tiny Terminator.

The laser tag guy had a pretty sweet collection of Star Wars toys and gear!

Right before we entered and their lives were changed forever!

Not shocked that this was her favorite game!

Dog in the sun.  Phoebe loves laying out on the grass in a warm sun spot!