Cubs Game
I have been a Chicago Cubs fan since I met my husband in 2007. I have always been a fan of baseball, but never really had loyalty to a specific team. After moving to Chicago to do my student teaching, I got to attend games at Wrigley Field, more and more frequently, to a point where I too was converted into a fan. My husband wasn't able to come with during this trip, but I was able to go to a game and enjoy the day with a few of my friends from college!! It was a beautiful day, and the Cubs came away with a W (not a usual occurrence - I like to think they won since I was in town)!!
Baby Shower
My friend Jen is pregnant with her first baby and due in August of this year!! I am so incredibly excited for her and the adventure that will be!! Her baby shower (the main reason for my trip) was on Saturday, and let me tell you - Madisyn Faith is SOO loved beyond belief!! Jen opened up a TON of gifts for her baby girl and had a hard time finding a place for everything!! We were all asked to guess when she was going to have Madisyn - I guessed August 2 (4 days before her due date)... we will see when she arrives!!
Family Visit
As it is with most people ( I imagine), I try and maximize my trips with as much as I possibly can so as to not make multiple trips and only spend what is necessary on airfare. While I was visiting my family, I was able to attend my church that I grew up going to (and see everywhere there), celebrate the ordination of an extraordinary woman who I have known since Junior High, visit with friends that still live in the area, help my aunt surprise my mother for her birthday (she flew in from Dallas to Chicago and then drove 2 hours to surprise her for the evening before heading back to Chicago for a conference), get 7 inches cut off my hair (I have a problem trusting people with cutting my hair and haven't gotten my hair cut by anyone else but Mary for 15 years!!), and was able to have lunch with a very good friend and her two children (one of which I met for the first time this trip)!! I was able to get sooo much accomplished in this trip and more!! Here is a picture after my haircut - while I am enjoying my (month late) Birthday Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Starbucks on this gloomy day in Central Illinois!!
The Best Part
My favorite part of my trip was getting to see my nephew!! He is six years old and just finished Kindergarten!! I love him to pieces and treasure every moment I have with him, because they are few and far between since I live so far away!!
He is participating in the Summer Reading Program (PAWS to Read) at the local library and we spent some quality time with books during my visit. One of my favorite things to do is read to children (even though I teach middle school)!! I shared some of my favorites with him, including a few poems by Shel Silverstein from Where the Sidewalk Ends. Here is his reaction from "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too." He absolutely loved it - and thought it was hysterical!!
We also enjoyed building with his Legos while watching Frozen (a favorite of both of ours) and hanging out in the living room watching Polar Express in 3D (just because it's June doesn't mean we can't immerse ourselves in the Christmas Spirit) - we also had a mini-photoshoot in our 3D glasses! I will miss him SOO much!!!
The Rest...
Tomorrow, I will leave my parents' house to head back up to Chicago on the train. I will be spending some more time with Jen and her husband (and ALLLL the new baby things - I'm sleeping in the nursery as long as there is room for me on the floor) before attending a wedding of another friend from college on Saturday evening. And finally will be flying back home to The Valley of the Sun on Sunday evening! So far it has been great and should be a pretty great ending of the trip as well!!
(Sorry for the lengthy post, so many great things happening and I have been SUPER busy since my last post!!) Enjoy!!
No comments:
Post a Comment