Texas De Brazil Engagement Dinner

Last night, Bob and Mary (Matt's parents) treated both families to a delicious and fun dinner at Texas De Brazil. TDB is in the Brazilian- all you can eat of many different cuts of beef- steakhouse genre. Very fun concept. We had fun talking about Matt and Sally's engagement and the wedding plans. We also celebrated T's (Matt's brother Tim) 21st birthday. Afterward we went back to Bob and Mary's house for cordials, coffee and cookies. It is going to be a fun family to be related to and a very fun wedding if last night's festivities are any indication.

Rainbow Cone

We had Abbie and Nina over for a play date tonight and as always Jack and I had a great time (maybe even more fun than the girls?). Arne and Beth dropped them off around 5:30 and we didn't stop moving pretty much the entire time. Races in the backyard, crafts, splashing in the bathtub, and then a special trip to that legendary Chicago ice cream parlor, Rainbow Cone. Even the drive there was fun as we drove by Susie's office, the hospital where Arne, Dane and Kjell were born and where FarFar used to work and by the hospital where Jack was born. The girls love all the stories! It was a fun trip down memory lane and delicious ice cream as well.

Family Time

In the midst of all of the busi-ness of the last week, there has also been some lovely family time. We had dinner with Jack's side of the family on Mother's Day and then today we had brunch with my side. So much fun! There is nothing better than being with the fam(s).

Happy Mother's Day!

A week after Mother's Day

It's all good

After my last late night post Thursday into Friday, I am happy to say that all is well. Friday was a gorgeous day and my three year re-eval was completed (and the meeting went fine), and...my dryer is fixed!! I am so happy to report that Rich, my favorite appliance repairman, came out and was able to fix the dryer for $159. Considering this dryer is at least 15 years old (and probably closer to 20 years), I am thrilled. And while Rich was here, he also fixed the knob on my washer! I am soooo excited. You have no idea. I feel as though I have won the lottery because I can again choose which cycle (gentle, permanent press, etc) I want to use. For the last two years, the dial has been broken and I could only do the cycles in sequence. I had to wait to do delicates until that choice came up. It does not take much to make this girl happy.

Supremely busy week

Oh. My. Goodness. This has been one of those weeks that just had too much going on. It started out with a delightful Mother's Day weekend. Wayne came home Saturday night as he was not going to be available on Sunday because of Julie's graduation (M. Arch from the Art Institute of Chicago...yaaay, Julie!). The four of us (Jack, Wayne, Sally and I) had a fun evening together and went to a friend's graduation party. On Sunday, Jack and I went to church with Susie in the morning, then Sally, Jack and I met Jack's folks, Downtown Sue, Sue, Lauren and Brendan for an early dinner. Lots of good family time. And then the work week began...
I had four annual reviews on Tues, two today and I just finished writing up a three year re-eval for one of my Friday kiddos and it is after midnight. Throw in there Bunco last night (I won! Big Bunco Babe!), an early morning trip to the airport, and no working dryer since Saturday (the guy is coming out tomorrow after school)..haven't had time to hit the laundromat, so I have a huge pile of laundry to deal with.. plain old busy and I am not getting any younger. Good night!

Yaaay for Friday

The weather was feeling all springy yesterday. It was one of those beautiful sunny and cool days. Things are super busy at work, but we are winding down the year so it's a good kind of busy.
It was too nice of a night to just sit home. Sally was around because Matt was up in northern Wisconsin. Jack Sally and I decided to do a quick trip to The Reel Club for some fish and wine. So much fun. Delicious dinner, walk around the outdoor mall, home and asleep by 9:00. Pretty crazy lifestyle we lead!

Kids Say What's On Their Minds

I love working with kids. They are so honest. Two years ago I had a darling 5 year old fashionista in my speech class. She already had her own style at such a young age and often commented staff members' hair, nails, clothing... One day she asked me very sweetly, "Why you wear those boy shoes?" so, needless to say, every time I wear my Bass penny loafers, I smile and think of my fashion forward friend.