Grandparents Day

It was a special day for us.
We visited Mary Seat of Wisdom school to meet both Roger and Luke's teachers and tour their classrooms.

We were served breakfast in the gym by the 7th and 8th graders.
Next was a mass where we were surrounded by love from all the children. They sang a hymn blessing all us grandparents. It was really special.

We first stopped in Luke's class. He has the same kindergarten teacher as Roger. Roger also got to see what Luke was up to. He gave his old teacher a shout out.

Roger was very excited to show us the new 3D printers the school has in the lab room, but the door was locked and all we got was a peak through the windows. He had plenty to share about it though.

In Rogers class, Luke got to see what Roger was up too.

Mike and I both found his teacher to be the quite type, but Bryan tells us his reading and math skills have soared.
Of course we had to make a stop in the library. Roger asked the librarian (just like the last 2 years) if he could join the reading club.
"No, you have to be in 4th grade."
"Well, then can I check out this book?" (A Boxcar Kids book he hasn't read yet)
"No, Each of the classrooms thru 3rd grade have their own libraries."
"Well, that doesn't seem fare. Yours are better."
That got a chuckle out of her. He did have a point.

Both boys are learning and growing.
Roger is really rocking second grade.
Luke was Very nervous about leaving his daycare/school and going to place where he didn't know any body and any of the rules. His only complaint is he can't eat whenever he wants too.

Walk for Luke

Again this year Mike and I joined the crowds to walk the 5K for Comers Children's Hospital. We do it in support of Luke's Dr. and his team - Team Robo Kids.
It was a perfect morning for a walk. Turns out it was warmer in Chicago than Elgin and I was a tad bit overdressed but removed my earmuff, scarf and unzipped and I was good to go.
This University of Chicago campus is beautiful and the surrounding homes.

Mike and I did cut over on a side street and cut a few blocks off the race, but we made up for it just walking back and forth from the car. Anyway that is what I'm telling myself.

The teddy bear was back for his annual checkup. Luke tended to just his ear, but Owen had to do the full exam. Blood pressure and all - ending with a flu shot.

We ended the day with a short trip to Owen's birthday party to give him his presents. He was having 8 kids (and their parents) over to his house for a party - We didn't stay for that part.
He told me he wanted a puppy for his birthday. We got him 6, along with a dog house, dog bed and a dog quilt.
We put our ideas together and came up with this. The roof opens up and there is cubbies inside for all the dogs to sleep in. He loved it.

Owen and his Dog House

Happy Birthday Owen!

Sweeper

I grew up with oaks trees in our yard. I loved to rake the leaves into piles and play in them. We would line them up into a floor plan and pretend it was a house, complete with bedrooms, living rooms and a kitchen where we would burn leaves using a magnify glass.
(Being a daughter of a firefighter I sure liked to play with fire as I sit here with a fire in the fireplace).

I don't remember the acorns. I'm pretty sure there was some, but I just don't remember them being a problem.
Living out here with 8 oak tress the acorns are everywhere. Lots of acorns. Mike would always stay on top of them by raking regularly. Though raking is a good exercise - not for people with a bad back.

Then I remembered the yellow sweeper that Dad would walk around the backyard - and if we were lucky we could help push. Dummy me thought it was to pick up all the leaves. Now I'm thinking it was for the acorns too.
Mike and I go over to the Farm n Fleet store to check their sweepers. We run into my cousin Bob who offered his sweeper to us to try before we spend the money on one.
Well as soon as Mike hooked it to my tractor and I made a few passes in the yard I told him to "Go Get Me One!"
Which he did.

My new sweeper

 This thing is crazy good. It not only picks up acorns but all the little sticks too. I sweep the yard before I mow so I can keep the grass clippings in the lawn. This takes me obviously twice as long to do the yard work, but so worth it.

A fraction of the acorns

I can't wait to see how this thing does when the leaves finally fall.

Dells

We spent a weekend with the Flory family up at the Great Wolf Lodge in WI.

 We had a separate suite that was attached to their condo and it worked out perfect. Evert time I turned around Owen was in our side trying to dial and talk on the phone. I didn't get the fascination  until Bryan filled me in. They have never seen a house phone before.

Half wall between livingroom and beds

It was the first trip for the boys to a water slide park, which was great because we practically had the place to ourselves. There was no waiting in lines (which at one point I wish there was - climbing all those stairs and then rushing right down to go back up was challenging).

Roger on the tamer Tube ride

Owen with daddy crusin down the lazy river

Luke was a Master at the lilly pads

After a hour or so at the slide park for the younger ones I walked around and discovered the wave pool area. That was all she wrote for Owen. Every time that wolf would howl for the waves to start he would go running head first into the waves.. He had no fear. He laughed so much.

Just 11 other people in the pool with us

There was racing down slides.
At one point Roger asks me and Mary if we wanted to go down the Hollow Tornado - He had just gone on it with Mike and Bryan.  Now I told myself I wasn't going to volunteer to go on any fast rides, but damn I couldn't say no to my Grandson. I honestly thought I could of died. Mary and I screamed and were both shaking when done. Needles to say that was Rogers last trip down it. Mom put her foot down and told him no more till he gets bigger. Thank the Lord Luke was too small yet. So Scary!!!
When he asked me if I wanted to race down the rapid ride I thought oh hell ya. Game on. The finish was Roger, Luke, Mary then me. I got stuck at the top. But I did go the furthest.

Luke looking back at me making sure I was OK

Owen getting dumped on

Wherever there was water flowing Owen was under it. He would stand under this until the bucket emptied then he would run over to get under that.

After a pizza delivered dinner we head on down to the arcade. They might as well call this a casino for Kids. You really have no idea how much money is going into the games until the card runs out.
But they were having fun.

Space Invaders

The boys went to bed pretty easy that night with a promise of doing it all again tomorrow.

We hit the park when it opened.
We took a break for lunch at Buffalo Phils right across the parking lot. Sharen (who has been up there many times) recommended it. It was also a huge hit. Again I'm pretty sure we were having so much fun, because it was off peak season and there was no waiting and no crowds.
Food coming in on the train. Roger and Luke unloaded.

Yes, Owens appetizer was a plate of ketchup

They also had a HUGE arcade/kiddie casino and we spent time there.

They boys watched a movie during rest period and then it was on with the wet suits and back to the water slides.

I'm not sure who was having the most fun. My first guess would be Mike for sure, but we all agreed that it's a do over. I was just so happy to spend time away with the family.