Boston...

So Troy and I are back from our QUICK trip to Boston. We were crazy busy and accomplished everything on our list!!! Most importantly we found our apartment! It is about 1/2 a mile from my school in South Boston (Southie). It is a bi-level cute place. I finally get a dishwasher, a washer and dryer in-house, and central AC and heat! The kitchen is all granite and the 2 bathrooms are marble! I'm very amazed at it. The kids will share a room again, but it's huge! All of their furniture AND toys will fit. We have a parking spot right outside my kitchen for quick grocery hauling! We found this with the help of our Realtor for the low price of...$2200 a month!!! I know what you're thinking but seriously folks this is a steal in Boston!! Our first Realtor said she couldn't put us anything for under $3400 a month. So...now that I can walk to work, we need to find a nanny so Troy can drive to work. Otherwise he could ride the "T" with 3 transfers and a ferry across the river to Navy Yard! What a trip!!! Pictures are on the way!!

Michigan...

Moving around as a child I never had a "hometown". My extended family's homes became my home base. As a child my mom, sister and I would make the summer pilgrimage to Michigan to visit with mom's family. I have always counted down the days until those visits! I loved going "home", particularly my Grandparents' house. I can "hear" the back porch door click shut, the distinct smell of the kitchen (gas stove), the warmth of the living room, and the best yet...the calm that washes over me when I see my grandpa's blue leather chair! These visits have become something more for me. Yes, I get the opportunity to spend precious time with my family, but for me it is a place to feel a real connection with my mom. I see her at the dinning room table laughing, eating watermelon while I play on the tire swing, reading a book in the living room. I see her pictures everywhere, hear her voice in my grandmother's and see her eyes when I look into my grandpa's face.

This visit has given me more strength. As my cousin and I watched our children "play" together, it takes me back to the days when we were the little ones and our mothers sat and loved us. We are now the parents who sit and love our children. It has been so special to be surrounded by people who love me. I will take all of their love and use it to get me through the next move. Once again I will move across the country away from them all, but soon my children will experience the summer pilgrimage to Michigan.

Papa's Visit

My dad has been able to make the trip to Chicago one last time. The kids ADORE my father! They want to be in his lap and do everything that he does. This is our last visit in Chicago and will meet again in Boston! So, we did the fun stuff!! Our day consisted of fun at the park and then lunch a Super Dawgs (a famous Chicago hot dog stand). We had so much fun playing and eating fun food. It was a hard goodbye. Dad left early in the morning while we were asleep. Brenden (as I was told) sat in the window and waved until he couldn't see Papa any more. He's still carrying around the pocket change dad gave him...three days later!

Having my dad come and visit has made our family bond even stronger. When my mom passed, my dad has been fortunate enough to come visit us twice a month for the past 3 years. It has been a life saver for me and a pleasure for my children. I will miss our monthly visits more than I can express. See you on Skype Dad!

Boston Update

It has been a very hectic couple of weeks and it only gets crazier!!! I have been packing as much as I can during nap time but it just never ends!! Troy and I head to Boston on the 22nd to scope out the town sans children! I'm looking forward to some time to reconnect with Troy before the actual move in August. When??? Not really sure of an actual date. It depends on our housing situation! We'll let you know when it all happens!!

Independence Day Celebration!

Sitting down to write this makes me think of the 2 different stories I could tell. They are very different from each other! Two different sides of the city of Chicago. I decided to tell the "good" one.

Troy and I took the kids to Grant Park for the fireworks display on the 3rd (Chicago has to be different). The Taste of Chicago was also going on so we decided to take our dinner with us. We took the train down. Annie loved it! She continually asked, "Where's the train going?" and "Cool mommy!" Brenden was constantly talking about all that he was seeing. He correctly identified the Hancock Building and its spires as well as the Serious (Sears) Tower. When we finally got there we wandered around and took in all the glorious sights and smells. There was a great number of police men and women much to Brenden's delight! He even got to sit on a police ATV!! The officer graciously allowed him to climb up, put on his helmet and smiled for the camera!

When the fireworks went off, Annie promptly climbed into the stroller and pulled down the shade so she could not see anything! Very cute! Brenden was in heaven! He kinda drifted off at the end but did his best! Then we and millions of others made a bee line for the "L". We waited in line to be let onto the platform and then waited for the train. Once on, we watched Brenden fall asleep standing up! Our night was over when we made it home around midnight. Amazing journey!

I will miss Chicago!!

Summer Farewell

Brenden and I decided to throw a summer celebration last weekend as a way to say good-bye to his friends after school was out. We chose invitations, passed them out to his classmates, and bought ice cream and Popsicles. It was kind of a huge class play date at the local water park. About a dozen kids and parents showed up for a fun filled afternoon! It was great!! The kids ran through the sprinkler park, threw water balloons, and chowed down on sugary yummy goodness. I wish I got more pictures! We will miss all of his friends!