Sunday Wanderings

This is her "serious face".  Ha!  This kid cracks me up!!!

The morning began at the crack of dawn, as I woke to see the sun rise before my morning run...then I fell back asleep for two more hours.  It was glorious.  Then I awoke again...ready to conquer my eleven mile run.  I crept downstairs to have a cup of coffee and a quick snack.  As the first sip reached my lips, a little voice said, "Good morning, Daddy."  I turned to see Audrey standing in the kitchen.  A minute later, Violet was downstairs on the couch, and my running yielded to breakfast duty.  As the girls munched on pancakes and fruit bowls, I made a purple monster smoothie and finished my coffee.  I read a little on my single person couch, which I have christened the Dad Pad.  With the girls fed and Kim now awake and in the living room, I strapped-on my running gear and head out the door.  The heat and sun greet me as I hit start on my watch and get moving.  The temperature rises to about 80 degrees by the time I finish my eighth mile.  I stop at the house, refill my water bottle, change shirts, and hit the road again for my last three miles.  The clouds are out and a gentle breeze is very welcomed as I finish up the eleventh mile and then lay in my front yard in the shade for a few minutes.

Phoebe takes a rest after running around the back yard.  She is the best dog!

After a shower, I take the girls swimming at the YMCA and we enjoy being little sharks for a while.  Audrey is relentless on the water slides and Violet is just a little water drop rocking out all over the place.  Their energy is infectious and I cannot help but imagine how wonderful and fluid they will be in the water as they continue to practice and discover the talents their mother has passed-down to them.  After shark attacks had lost their appeal, and slides were slid, we dried-off and drove to Barnes and Nobel, where Audrey acquired the newest Harry Potter novel.  I am proud of her for taking-on that series independently.  I am on book four, and she is on the fifth.  I enjoy our conversations about it, and will savor each chapter moving forward.

This summer Audrey has really taken to roasting marshmallows.  She has yet to perfect her craft, but on nice nights like this, what a great hobby to have!  

We perused books for a while, and violet also made a purchase of a Lego story.   We made our way to the cafe and ordered some cookies and strolled back to the car.  We listened to some tunes and sung along while the clouds passed overhead and we made our way home.  Once home, we snacked and found our ways to our respective "nap spots".  While I didn't really sleep, I dozed and scratched the dog.  Audrey crept in and we read for a while, and now we sit here, ready to emerge from our rest time and decide what to do with the rest of our afternoon.  Laundry and dishes always await, and a dog walk seems in order when it cools a little more.  Maybe some water and a movie?  Whatever we do, it will be calm and we will do it as a family.  That is what makes today so nice...just being together.

Violet watching the sunset on the back patio.  Life is good.

Rolling Thunder

   

Daddy and his girls.  Snuggle lumps on a Saturday morning.

The thunder is rolling in as I sit here on the couch with Violet.  She has a fever at the moment and has been out-of-commission all day.  We have managed to get a bit done today despite being one Orelove down, including groceries, exercise, vacuuming, and cleaning with some laundry here and there.  

Now it is quiet, as Audrey and Kim are out shopping for back-to-school items and getting some salad to bring home.  Violet sits watching me type, the Tylenol must be kicking-in again.  Poor kiddo.  And the thunder rolls on.

Making cookies with Audrey.

There is something about the storm approaching that either scares or delights people.  I fall into the latter category.  Thunder is comforting, and reminds me that I am small and not in control of things.  I know that sounds counter intuitive, but there is something nice about being reminded that I am not the center of any universe, let alone the one I am currently in.  There is a storm coming, and I can't control that.  I have to accept that life can't be controlled.  Sometimes I forget that lesson and it is important to be reminded of it.  My work in education is constantly teaching me that there are so many things that are variables outside of the realm of control.  It teaches me that I must always plan, and look at the things that are in my power to alter.  I try to look at facts, see who I can communicate with, and then make the best decisions I can that will help the most people.

Violet, a monster, and Daddy.  

There are times in life when I am scared by the thunder.  The difficult decisions.  The not knowing what will happen next.  Facing new situations that don't have immediate answers.  Life is full of thunder and storms, but I do my best to prepare for them, and the thing about storms is this:  They come whether you want them to, or not.  I doubt there are too many situations in life where a person is hoping for a difficult situation and then gets one.  I was not wishing for a storm right now, yet here it is.  So I clean, watch a movie, get the dishes done, fold some laundry, make some cookies, read, nap, exercise, play with the girls...the things in life that help me get through.  

And now the thunder rolls past.  I can still hear it, but the worst is over.  I look out my window to see a fierce pink sunset on the horizon.  We have made it through the storm, only to find ourselves in a position to savor the most beautiful part of the day.

-a

Rainy Morning Sunday

Who ya gonna call?  The ORELOVE GIRLS!

 It has been a nice week at home, although we remain busy!  After our trip to Michigan, we had a nice weekend with friends and their families visiting...and we were pretty much back into the routine of things.  I have been working every day, starting to look into the 2016/17 school year, as well as begin our summer school academy.  So that has been a lot of fun, and good to begin returning to the mindset of daily academics and planning.

This last week, I have enjoyed time with my daughters.  We work-up on Friday, and decided to go to the matinee of the new Ghostbusters film.  We absolutely love the original, and the new one wasn't great...but it  wasn't completely bad, either.  Something to have fun with...then forget.  However, it is nice to see a fun female cast and have another movie under our belts at our new favorite theater, Hollywood Palms.  We can order food during the movie, so the girls love some fries and onion rings, and I am a fan of a pina colada to savor during the flick!

I got a rare chance to go out to see some friends play and listen to some great music on a Friday night!  IT was nice hanging with old teacher buddies and sharing in some laughs.  It reminded me of how important is is to take a little time for self every now and then!  I woke-up the next morning and watched Bob Ross on TV.  The girls really enjoy watching him paint and just talk.  He is so mellow!  I believe that if the world watched one episode a day, there would be no more war!  He is that calm and peaceful!

Our family took a trip to the zoo Saturday around noon, and we had a few hours of zipping around seeing the animals and sections we wanted to see.  IT is always fun to just enjoy our time together and not be in a hurry at the zoo.  The weather was great, and the girls got to see their favorites, including feeding the parakeets and brushing the goats.

Later that evening, we took-in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Plainfield Fest in our little downtown.  The girls had a lot of fun on the rides, although Violet was a bit apprehensive  on her first go-around with the Dragon Wagon...but her big sister, Audrey, was there to share in the screams.  After that, they jumped from one ride to the next and even got a few games in, too.  We all enjoyed some salty fries and hot dogs at the end of the night, and then zipped home for a late night bedtime!

So now we are all sitting in our living room, reading and coloring and blogging as the early morning thunder storm cell pushes through our area.  We have tickets for the Kane County Cougars baseball game at 1pm...but we wait with hope that the skies clear before it is time to depart.  The laundry is going and the dishwasher is humming in the kitchen.  We are having breakfast and doing "our own things" as the raindrops tap outside on the window.  Blue skies are off in the distance...hopefully heading our way.  A long run is also calling my name...motivation will grab me soon!  For now, it is nice to sit in the relative peacefulness of our living room and take-in our time as a family.

-a

Violet and Daddy at the Ghostbusters movie.  

Audrey is excited to order Lord of the Onion Rings and see Ghostbusters.

Do you like Pina Coladas?

Out on the town with my friends, Ann Marie and Rick!

Saturday morning snuggles!

At the zoo, brushing the goats.

Girls and parakeets.  

Audrey and the emu.  

Violet as a raccoon.  

Buffalo Gals.

Watching the brown bear take a dip.

Audrey on the carousel.  

Violet and daddy and the ostrich.

Plainfield Fest 2016:  Rocking the Dragon Wagon.

Orelove girls ready for takeoff.

Audrey and daddy on the bumper cars.

Audrey behind the wheel!

Violet fishing!

Violet fishing!

Enjoying late night salty treats!

The girls and their prizes!  It was a good night!

Life snapshot

Time has been slipping quickly through our fingers.  So much happening yet no time to review and reflect on it.  Today we are taking an easy Saturday, with friends visiting with their kids.  Tonight another family arrives, and we will have a total of 9 children running around, which will be a blast.  The last few weeks have seen an end to my school year, the beginnings of summer school, and a little time to take some deep breaths.  I am just now beginning to reflect on the last year of my new job as assistant principal, and I am also looking forward to the next year!  Running is beginning to happen on a more and more regular basis, as the beginnings of my training plan for the New York Marathon is happening.  My legs are resisting, but the miles are slowly adding up.  I hope to find my routine and get in the running groove sooner than later.  Just keep running, I guess.  Instead of a lengthy post this time around, I am uploading the pictures that I have taken over the last few weeks.  They mainly cover my sister, Eden, visiting and our recent family trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  My favorite thing on that trip was our visit on the 4th of July to the Dark Sky Park, where there was minimal light pollution and we just stared off into the universe at all of the stars for over an hour, just talking and laying in the sand, being a family.  It was what I consider a complete moment in my life.  Below are many other wonderful snapshot moments from the happenings and ongoings of the Orelove Family:

Aunt Eden and the girls pose at the movie theater before seeing Finding Dorie.  

Eden and Uncle Stuart at the 3-D T-Rex movie at the Field Museum.

Violet at her first Sox game!  

Our seats were first row in left center field!  

Ninja Violet.  Radical, man!

White Fence Farm fried chicken for a family gathering.

Audrey and cousin Spencer.

At LegoLand:  E=MC Booger

At LegoLand:  The Blues Brothers do the Jailhouse Rock.  My personal favorite thing at this place.

At LegoLand:  The Bean

At LegoLand:  Indiana Jones

At LegoLand:  Tiger

At LegoLand:  Hippo

At LegoLand:  Star Wars

At LegoLand:  Violet and Darth Vader.  He is her hero!  

At LegoLand:  Lion!

At LegoLand:  Everything is awesome!

At LegoLand:  Violet helps make a Lego in the factory tour.

At LegoLand:  Audrey with Hagrid and Harry Potter.

At LegoLand:  The giant giraffe that greets you at the enterance.  

Somewhere over the rainbow:  The girls enjoy their first visit to our new favorite theater, Hollywood Palms!  The decor is amazing!  

Violet hanging in Chicago before we go to the Field Museum.

At the Field Museum with Aunt Eden!

Group photo when we meet-up with Uncle Stuart.  

We always visit Bushman the gorilla.  This one is for you, Dad!

3-D T-Rex Movie.  Eden and Violet.

While waiting for the 3-D T-Rex movie, Violet tried on a few pairs of glasses.

We immediately went to see Sue after the movie!  The girls were pumped.  They pretended to be T-Rex for several days afterwards!

Violet riding in Africa!

Violet napping in ancient Egypt.  

The girls and Uncle Stuart.  We love this guy!  

Breakfast in the backyard.

Audrey walking Phoebe at the Renwick Bird Preserve.  Taking a rest in the shade.

Violet was too hot to walk....after 2 minutes.

Playing in the back yard on the new play set with Aunt Eden!

Brookfield Zoo with Aunt Eden!  

Kangaroo!

The girls love these photo ops.  

Walking through African forest 

Pygmy Hippo!   

Going ape at the zoo!

Getting Loony!

Vulture wings!

Violet and frog.

Brushing the goats.

Feeding the budgies!

Violet loves this Red Panda statue.

Finishing the day on the carousel!  

Roasting smores in the back yard with our friends!

Violet showing me the importance of the slap watch.

Audrey, smore, backyard = bliss.

Violet and I walked around the pond during the 4th of July party.  

Boating at party on the pond.  Violet is the co-captain.

Breakfast selfie in Mackinaw City.  

Throwing rocks on Mackinaw Island.

My ladies.

Sisters on Mackinaw Island.  A beautiful day.

Phoebe enjoying the shade.  She loved this trip and really felt like part of the family on this trip.  I want to take her on another big road trip sometime!

Windy ride on the ferry back to the mainland!

One of many beaches on our trip through Michigan.

Girls at the Cherry Festival and carnival in Traverse City.

Violet pumped that she meets the minimum height qualifications!  

Audrey loves cherries.  So she was at home during the Cherry Festival!

This was the last picture I took on our Michigan trip.  It is in the morning in Traverse City before we hit the road to return home.  It makes me feel peaceful!