August 20, 2011

Back to School!

Hard to believe, but school has started again!  Ian started 8th grade on Thursday - his last year of middle school!  He has a big year ahead with high school registration, Confirmation class at church and 8th grade graduation.  He was not very enthusiastic about going back to school, but he said that he had a good first day.


Ian is wearing a new shirt and new jeans.  And I am happy to report that we both survived the back to school shopping experience!



Continuing the tradition I started last year, here is a video of Ian after his first day.


Lila started 4 year old preschool on Friday and was SO excited!  All day Thursday she kept saying, "I am SO excited to start school tomorrow.  I can't WAIT to go to school.  I can't wait to learn new things!"  Friday morning she was up and ready to go.  When we went outside for pictures Cara looked at me like I was nuts that I didn't want her in the picture and then went and stood by Lila anyway.  Here she is trying not to be left out.


Lila with her backpack and first day of school dress.


 At school with her nametag.  Right after this she said, "Okay Mommy you can go now."


And then she sat down and started playing.


Here's Lila's first day of school interview.

August 18, 2011

August

The first part of August has managed to fly by without me posting any blog updates.  We have all been busy and trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer!  Hard to believe that we are going back to school already!

As soon as VBS ended I left for a girls weekend in Nashville with three friends.   I had so much fun!  I pretty much didn't eat or sleep while I was there, but it was worth it.  I loved Nashville and would move there in a second if I was single and child-free.  We sat by the pool and went shopping, but mostly we went honky-tonk bar hopping.


While I was gone, Chris was home with the girls and took them on a trip to the zoo.  Here they are watching the dolphins go by.


Lila with the tiger 

 and with her favorite animal, the buffalo.


On Saturday night a friend of ours from law school got married.  It was a beautiful wedding with the ceremony in a basilica and the reception at the Chicago Symphony Center.  Here we are with Jim and Jasna on the balcony of the symphony center.



I turned in early though and stayed in a hotel in the city because the next day I ran my first ever Half Marathon.  I ran the Rock n Roll Half which was a fantastic race.  There are local live bands all along the course which helps keep your feet moving.  Plus, the race was very well run and extremely organized.  Chris brought the kids in to the city to watch the race.  I was able to see them at mile 7 and then again at the finish.  Here's Ian with the skyline in the background.

My friend, Lora, and I after the race

My finish time was 2:17 which was slower than I wanted, but I am focusing on the fact that I ran 13.1 miles and crossed the finish line.  But I'm already thinking about my next Half so I can beat my time!