Don't question the answer.

A new feeling is in the air when one is wearing a t-shirt rather than winter jacket. Such has. Even the day with a trip to the Navy Pier Children's Museum in downtown Chicago. With sunny skies and a warm breeze, this Sunday has been a pleasant one. Our bellies are now full of sinful pizza leftovers from last night, and Violet is taking her bath time while I tap out this post on my phone.

There have been no real revelations as of late. Life does not present me with deep questions and soul searching currently. I am simply enjoying the act of being and the current routine of life. Work is great, with only a handful of weeks until summer break. My family from Arizona and Washington, DC are visiting early next month, and my wife and children are healthy and thriving. Why ask the big questions when all the small answers are right here in front of me?

We have enjoyed three museums in three weeks, starting with the Indianapolis Children's Museum, then the Museum of Science and Industry with cousins from Olympia, Washington, and now Navy Pier this week. The pictures today are courtesy of my iPhone, and will lack the true definition and artistry that my wife's photos bring to this blog. The pictures this week include ones with Uncle Stuart, Cousin Lisa, the entire Orelove/Turlove/Rainwater/Greenspon family contingent on the old car at MSI, and burger night at the Orelove house.

Sometimes you just don't need to ask questions when you have the answers.

Tomorrow is for Fools

Violet meditating in wicker chair.

A nice weekend  in Indianapolis.  We drove down on Friday morning and have had a couple enjoyable days with family and friends.  The girls have been entertained by baby Penelope and the excitement in the Holtz household.  It is nice to get out of town now and then to just visit and enjoy life outside of your bubble.  Last week we were in South Bend, and it was nice to just relax and savor the time with family there.  Next week we will get a chance to hang with West Coast cousins from Washington as the Turloves come to town!  Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks from the artist known as Kim.

Violet doing the dishes at Granny's house.

Sisters reading.

Audrey reading.

Chihuli Glass Tower at Indianapolis Children's Museum

Sisters on motorcycles.   

Hanging with dad.

Audrey....no bull!

Audrey in Egypt.

Audrey in the Nile!

Violet rocking out!

Violet.

Aunt Beth, Penelope, and Violet.

Kisses!!!

Violet being goofy.

Slow My Roll

Time is moving more and more quickly. The spring is trying to break through, while winter remains stubborn and continues to pelt us with flurries and the occasional inch or two of actual snow. However, people are eternally optimistic and the first signs of clothing other than winter coats and boots are starting to show as we gain daylight.

The girls are in constant motion, and I find myself thanking Google on an almost daily basis for activity ideas and easy recipes. Like the weather, I remain optimistic that both will accept vegetables as part of their nightly meal. Perhaps this summer I will invent chocolate milk infused with kale and spinach?!?

Audrey is beginning to read a little and write her name a lot. I now understand how difficult it is to help a child comprehend her fluency. She is developing a love for all things horses and princesses, as many four year old girls do, but she maintains a healthy fascination with zombies, bugs, and boogers. We love watching movies together, and also talking about what words mean and how to watch the world around us.

Violet is interested in anything that can open and close. Yesterday she put her entire pile of folded laundry into the sock drawer. At first I was miffed, but then I was happy that she at least put things away rather than took them out. She loves taking little things from her big sister that she knows will drive her absolutely bonkers. Needless to say, Violet is the spicy to Audrey's sweet.

Kim is doing well in her work, having received an excellent review from her superiors. It is nice to see her recognized for her hard work and dedication to her company. It was this job that originally brought us out to Plainfield in the first place. Kim's photography and PhotoShop editing continues to impress all eyes it passes before.

The end of the school year is in sight, and this spring break will be the last reprieve before the last, long two months of academics. If all goes well, I will earn tenure, which is a minor accomplishment, but one that I will take pride in. The summer will pose much work in terms of. We academic standards being adopted in public schools a cross the nation. Besides being a father and husband, marathon training is now the thing that consumes my time. I am excited to run a marathon in my home state with friends this summer. It is motivation for when I am tired knowing there are good friends training in Alaskan winter conditions for the same marathon.

The little pictures in front of us enthrall me. Every step and burst of laughter from my children are individual miracles. There are some challenges, as in every life, but I decided a long time ago to focus on the amazing. I know the little pictures will come together to form a big picture, but I, myself, am too close to make it out just yet.

Snow falling

So apparently I jinxed my last post by mentioning sunny days and spring so much. Today school has been canceled and I am sitting in my living room watching layer upon layer of the white stuff fall outside. Violet is down for a llong nap and Audrey is playing happily on the floor while watching Scooby Doo. The house is clean, the dog has been walked, my papers have been graded. It is nice to just sit and be and let it all happen. Last night I managed to get a 10 mile run in before flurries hit. I haven't run that distance since the marathon. It was a feeling of thankfulness that pulsed through me with each stride, happy my knee is strong enough to carry the load again. The marathon in June will be a massive effort, but continued miles and strengthening will hopefully ensure a strong run. There is something serene about running at night, letting the stresses of the day fall to the wayside. No one else around and only the passing cars to remind me that I am not alone out in the cold. Each mile makes me feel stronger, yet I also count down the distance until I can return home to my family. These are the things I think about today as the snow falls. Perhaps a nap...

Marching Forward

Violet and hat

As the calendar turns a new page, our little family is starting to look forward to the spring weather.  Although there have been some recent setbacks with several inches of snow and ice falling, the prospects of blue skies and rising temperatures has managed to lift spirits and get us excited about being outside and moving again.

Audrey waking up

This weekend we are in South Bend with some quality grandma time, and also getting a chance to see our newest niece, Penny.  It is comfortable here, with big couches and lots of laughter to fill the days.  It has been snowing and cold, so I haven't gotten out to do my long run yet, or is it the bowl of chocolate chip cookies that anchors me firmly inside?

Violet waking up

Audrey and I are officially booked for Alaska this summer.  We will travel to Anchorage, where I will run in the Mayor's Marathon.  Then we will fly to Juneau and ferry to Haines to spend a few days with my mom before returning to Juneau and enjoying some time in my hometown.  All this before returning to Chicago via Seattle.  This will be a fantastic adventure and reminds me of times when my dad took me on trips at this age.

The hair

Audrey and cousin Penelope

 Violet is busy as ever with seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for getting into drawers and boxes.  Her smile and laugh is contagious and her big brown eyes melt me every time.  I am definitely in for a spin as these two girls get older.  For now, though, we enjoy living in the moment.  The snow flurries have ceased for the moment, and the blue skies are making a brief appearance.  More to come as Alaska approaches, the marathon nears, and our little family finds itself more out in the open as the weather warms.

Cousins:  Audrey, Penelope, and Violet

Taking a bath

Sisters:  Audrey and Violet

Penelope and Violet

A Day Off

Sisters

Violet is asleep for her mid-morning nap.  I am enjoying a quiet couple hours with a host of small chores on this peaceful President's Day.  Depositing checks, cleaning, grading papers, some lesson planing....all small, simple things.  These are the things I enjoy doing when I have the time, yet seem nearly overwhelming when crowded with too many at once.

Dixie, Penelope, and Violet

A warmth, though barely detectable, has crept into the air and the sun has found its way into our skies the past several days, making moods rise and energy soar.  Having lived in Alaska, and now the Midwest, I understand winter and darkness, and my appreciation for longer stretches of light each day continue to grow as I get older.

Audrey upside-down!

My knee is nearly healed (hopefully), and I have begun training again for my half marathon next month.  With clear skies, more exercise, and a house full of crazy girls, spring finally feels like it's on the way!  Soon we will resume our daily long walks with the dog and more time at the park and zoo!

The family on the couch.

Daddy and Audrey waiting for ice cream.

Audrey giving Violet some ice cream

Nose kiss!!!

Audrey with cake and ice cream.  This is serious business.

Snow baby Violet

-a

It is Good

Making chocolate chip cookies is an enjoyable activity.  It is good.  Working with Audrey while Violet looks on, it is important to wash our hands first to make sure we don't get any germs into the cookies.  Then Audrey sets the oven temperature in preparation for baking the cookies.  Even though they won't go into the oven for a while, it is important to think ahead.  Next, we must collect the necessary ingredients and tools for the baking that lies ahead.  Butter, flour, sugar, vanilla, chips, cups, and bowls all crowd the counter within minutes.  We read the directions and add the ingredients, carefully practicing our measuring and pouring so just the right amount of things get put in.  It is very important to put the correct things in at just the right time, otherwise your cookies might not be very good.  Audrey locks the mixer down and begins combining the creamed ingredients and the dry, and soon a sweet aroma is rising from the silver bowl in front of us.  She wipes her hands on her pink apron and watches as the mixer mesmerizes us both with its infinite rotation.  We clean as we go, putting away ingredients and materials when we are finished with them, so we don't leave ourselves with a messy kitchen once we have finished the cookies.  Now that the dough is ready, Audrey scoops it out, spoonful by spoonful, dropping the chunky lumps onto the fresh silver baking tray.
We sing along to the bluegrass tunes or Chicago blues melodies on the CD player as we slide the full tray into the oven.  Audrey helps me put the rest of the dough into a plastic bag and we freeze the rest for another day when cookies will be a wonderful treat at a moment's notice.  We play and sing and dance and laugh together while the cookies bake, and finally we take them out, let the cool, and enjoy our oatmeal chocolate-chip creations with a cup of cold milk.  The cookies will be gone in a couple days, being eaten as snacks and treats between meals.  However, making the cookies, well that will stay with us for much longer.  And that is good.  Cookies are good.

-a