Happy Halloween!

For the record, Drew was Perseus, the Greek demigod who slayed Medusa...he was not a Roman gladiator!

Happy Halloween!

875 North and 100 East

Today I had the pleasure of chaperoning a middle school field trip that was designed to help the kids read a map and find their way around the City of Chicago.  They were given a sheet of clues that included north-south and east-west coordinates using the Chicago numbering system, and then had to answer questions about a specific area, or take pictures of certain places.  It was fun and exhausting, and sometimes a bit challenging, trying to keep my group of five eighth grade girls focused on the task at hand.  They were all good sports and managed to answer more than 20 clues throughout the day.

We ended over by the Picasso, where I smiled when I saw the pond had been changed orange for Halloween.

It was such a fun day!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Since Erin was in first grade, she's had a very predictable pattern with respect to her hair styles.  She grows her hair out, she donates it to Locks of Love, she grows it out again.  Today she donated her hair for the fourth time.

Here's the before...

...during...

...and after

I love her new look, and I'm so proud of her for her generosity!

Thatcher's Golden Canopy

Every year about this time, I look forward to driving over to Thatcher Woods where Strikers soccer practice is held.  There's always a week in the fall where the drive thru the woods over to the open field is a gorgeous golden canopy.  Last week the leaves were just beginning to change, but hadn't quite made it to "golden canopy" status.  I was worried with winds in the 50 mph range a few days ago that perhaps all the leaves would be down already and I would have missed this glorious spectacle. This afternoon when I turned the corner, I was thrilled to see this:

If the sun is shining in the late afternoon when the golden canopy is at its peak, the colors are positively how-stopping.  Today was cold and cloudy and so the colors were a bit muted, but still worth noting.

Beautiful fall, I'm so glad you're here!

Attack of the Killer Tomato

At the 5 Ring Circus, the tomato in its natural state is one of the least-liked vegetables.  We're all fine if they're pureed or otherwise smashed almost beyond recognition, but whole tomatoes of any size?  Nada.  I don't buy 'em; I don't serve 'em.

So imagine everyone's surprise when I presented a salad at supper tonight that contained little baby grape tomatoes.  Shock.  Awe.  Gasp.  How could I?!

I explained that the salad was leftover from my volunteer extravaganza late last week, and no one was going to die from a few harmless tomatoes in the salad.  Baird stared me down, and promptly flicked a grape tomato off his salad plate, back into the serving bowl.  Gasp.  How could he?!

The kids quickly called him on his horrific table manners, and demanded that he retrieve the tomato and eat it.  He politely declined.  They called him on his double standard of making them eat whatever it is they take.  He dug in.  Suddenly, it was on like Donkey Kong as the kids tried everything they could think of to get Baird to eat the tomato.  Finally, he excused himself from the table and actually ran that tomato thru the garbage disposal in the kitchen.  The kids howled in protest as accusations of unjust tomato killing rang in the dining room.

Soon after, dinner was over and the table cleared.  Kelsey discreetly gathered up the remaining tomatoes and headed to our bedroom.  She took in the step stool.  She locked the door.  Really?  How could she?  Uh oh.  I had no idea what she was up to.  I thought there's no way this will end well.  She asked me to trust her.  Okay...

When Kelsey finished her project, she quietly returned the step stool to its spot in the back room and went to do her homework.  A few hours later, when Drew wandered into our room, he found tomatoes with angry faces drawn on them, hanging from the ceiling on strings.  There was a note on our bed.  He quickly yelled out, "Mom!  Dad!  Come quick!  You gotta see this!"

Baird read the note out loud for all of us to hear:  Mr. Shattuck, We regret to inform you that one of our own was found dead tonight.  This is unacceptable.  The garbage disposal is no place for us!  We demand a sincere apology.  Consider this your warning and know there will be consequences if we do not receive a remorseful reply.  Sincerely, the tomatoes of Oak Park.

By the time he was done reading, Baird was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.  It was hilarious.  Baird was a great sport and praised Kelsey for her creativity.  And he still won't eat a tomato.

A Decade of Drew

From this:

to this:

Ten years ago I went to the hospital in the morning, and Drew was born after 7pm that same day.  He was my longest and most difficult labor, but I wouldn't trade him for anything!  He brings a joy, energy and passion to our house that I can't imagine living without.  He's smart, funny, and wildly generous.  He'll talk to anyone who will listen.  Happy birthday to my Little Dude.  Thanks for making this past decade so wonderful!

Blood Letting

Erin and her friend wanted to visit a haunted house.  I told them I'd drive them and hang out, but there was no way I was going thru.  Haunted houses seriously creep me out.  The first one I ever went thru gave me nightmares for a week.  The second (and last) one...well, I still get shivvers just thinking about it.

Anyway, I drove the girls out to Melrose Park tonight so they could experience their first haunted house.  There were two lines:  a slow, cheap line, and an expensive, VIP-fast-track line.  The girls were being frugal and didn't want to spend the extra bucks just to ditch the line.  I thought this made good sense (pun intended) and waited in line with them.  All of a sudeen, out jumps this totally gross-looking guy who makes me an offer:  donate a pint of blood and get free VIP passes, allowing you to ditch the line.  I negotiated with him to let the girls go thru the haunted house on the VIP passes while I gave blood, and he agreed.

While the girls were being scared silly in the haunted house, I did some blood letting of my own in the blood mobile.  When the girls were done with their tour and I had finished donating, we headed back to the car in good spirits.  The girls were so appreciative that I'd been willing to donate so they could get the free VIP passes and skip the line.  They were excited about their first haunted house, and were having a blast telling me all about it.  The mood was lighthearted and festive as we got into the car...right up to the point an old hag got in the back seat with the girls!  When they let out a terrified scream, I assumed there was someone at the window.  I didn't realize that person had actually jumped into our car!  When I turned around to check on the girls, the old hag was quite literally right in my face.  And yes, I let out a very, very loud scream!  There's nothing like a good fright leading up to Halloween!

Double Dipping on the Volunteer Front

I must admit, I love everything about Irving School.  I love the dedication of the teachers.  I love our principal.  I love working side-by-side with good friends for a worthy cause.  Today I volunteered for two separate events at Irving:  the annual soup and chili luncheon for the staff, and the book fair.  Both events were run by good friends with whom I truly enjoy working, so even tho it made for a hectic day, I enjoyed double dipping on the volunteer front.

The day started off with Erin's parent-teacher conference at 7:30 this morning (she's doing really well, big surprise).  Then I dashed home to put the final touches on my potato soup with herbs for the annual soup and chili luncheon, took it over to the school, helped with set up, then bailed right as the teachers were coming in so I could take my shift helping with the Irving School book fair.  My shift with the book fair ended right about the time the teachers finished eating, so I hustled back upstairs to the teacher's lounge to help with clean up.

With all that running around, I neglected to grab my camera this morning as I left the house, but Mel caught these great shots with hers:

Working on the soup and chili luncheon reminds me yet again that many hands make light work.  Seven soups, four types of bread, a giant salad with two kinds of homemade dressing, and enough desserts to last the teachers well into the evening, make for a fabulous luncheon, don't you think?

As if all this wasn't enough, Drew's conference was this evening (he's doing well academically but needs to control his talking, big surprise), and afterwards we enjoyed a late, casual dinner with Hanns at the Ale House.

Crazy busy but crazy fun.  I wouldn't trade this for anything!

Breakfast with Mel:

yea, it tasted as good as it looks!  Thanks for the treat!

Color Canapy

This year more than most, the trees are turning color slowly, from the top down.  As I've walked around town, I've noticed many trees seem almost stuck in transition, with their tops tinted in bright fall colors while their bottoms cling stubbornly to their summer green hue.  Here's what that looks like in our back yard:

I have to admit that I feel this sense of urgency with respect to photographing the two large elms that grace the parkway in back of our house.  Even tho they are but a shadow of their former selves, they are still majestic, stretching higher than any of the other trees on Fillmore.  I know their days are numbered.  Really, I'm not a tree hugger, but I love these two old trees that frame the maple across the street with such grace and beauty.  I hope they live to see another fall, but just in case they don't, I'm chronicling their final walk thru the seasons.

State Run

This morning I got up bright and early in order to drive the cross country car pool down to Normal, IL, for the state cross country meet.  What a riot!  Yes, it's a little crazy to drive two-and-a-half hours in order to watch your child run for about 13 minutes, mostly thru a wooded area.  But this is State, and it's a huge honor just to be here.  These are my favorite pics from the day:

The runners had chips on their shoes so their times would be totally accurate.  Here's Erin showing off her chip:

Julian had 2 runners in the top 25, and the team placed 18th overall. Erin came in at 180. What impressed me more than their times and places, was their sense of comraderie. These kids really came together as a team, and have formed lasting friendships this season.

Congrats, J-Hawks, on a great season!

33 Never Looked So Good!

During the late summer and early fall, the world held its collective breath as a mine collapsed in Chile, trapping 33 workers.  Today the last of the 33 workers, plus those who went down into the mine to help rescue them, came up to the surface.
At a time when almost every news item is either dismal news about the economy or politicians slinging mud at each other, it's been heartwarming to watch this successful rescue unfold.


Thanks to the Chilean presidential press office for the photo

Three Great Things

This week I've had three great things happen to me:

*When I opened my copy of Pampered Chef's Consultant News, I found my picture on the page promoting the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer!

*I got to be live on Boston Radio this morning, chatting with Christopher Kimball from America's Test Kitchens!

*I got a letter in the mail from Hug the Moon, an Oak Park business focused on wellness, telling me I'd won a free one-hour message!

I can't even remember the last time I had so much good luck!  I think maybe I should play the lottery...

Hiking Among the Fall Colors

Since today was Columbus Day and the weather was just perfect, I decided to take the kids to one of my favorite hiking destinations in Illinois:  Starved Rock.  Here's a peek into our day:

Success at Sectionals

Julian's varsity girls have run strong all season.  Today they had such a strong showing at Sectionals, they are headed to State!  The happy girls can't wait for the trip to Normal next weekend.

Congratulations - you've earned it!

Fall Speaking Softly

I mentioned about a month ago that fall was beginning to whisper.  As I drove out to Iowa today, I noticed that fall has found its voice, and it is speaking softly.

While I thoroughly enjoy living the suburban Chicago life, there are times I really miss being in the country.  I miss sunsets.  I was reminded just how gorgeous they can be across a Midwest sky when I saw this sight:

It was such a beautiful sight, I paused and watched for several minutes as the sky danced between pink and purple before showing off a hint of orange and then finally fading to gray...magnificient!

East Side Gems

When the kids went back to school this fall, I set a goal to walk every street in Oak Park.  So far I've walked every street south of the expressway.  Today I "crossed the canyon" and began walking Austin north of the highway.

I must admit that seeing my village from a walking pace has made me notice things I never realized were around.  Usually when I'm on Austin Blvd., I'm speeding down the street in my minivan at 30 mph, and I'm not paying the least bit attention to the architecture that's flying by my windows.  I never realized the diversity in the buildings in a two-block stretch before today.

There's fancy classic:

There's fun (how can you not see a Mr. Potato Head face in this building?!)

Then there's classic with clean lines.

I can't wait to see what else I discover on my walks around Oak Park!

Four Square Continues

I mentioned before about the boys at Irving playing four square.  I'm so glad they've continued this before-school ritual and I must admit I'm completely fascinated by it.  This game is a study in the diversity of Oak Park.  Here's why:

*The players are different ages (students from second grade thru fifth grade participate)

*The game transcends gender (yea, there's girls who play, and they're pretty good)

*It's an integrated game (at a glance, it's easy to see at least four races represented)

*The game is self-governed by the players, and tough calls are handled by a simple vote (If you think Charlie's out, raise your hand...Charlie, majority rules, you're out!)

Honestly, this morning ritual at Irving is ripe for study by a sociologist in need of a thesis!

Hands on Homework

This afternoon, Drew had an extra credit project as part of his homework.  He needed to figure out how to hang a magnet and make it swing above four other magnets.  He worked hard on his idea...

and was thrilled when he got it to work!

All homework should be this fun and creative!

Catching a Break (or not)

Erin is one tough cookie, and she proved it on the soccer field yesterday.  She was fighting for a ball and she went down hard.  She rolled a bit and got right back up and kept playing.  Later in the game she took her regular rest break.  As she was standing on the sidelines, she said to her coach, "Katie, my wrist really hurts."  Her fingers, wrist and forearm were swollen.  One of the soccer dads, who is also a physician, took a look at Erin and said, "It's probably broken."  He was generous enough to take us to his clinic after the game and put a temporary splint on her arm.

We spent a big part of today on x-rays and follow-up, first the hospital:

And then at the doctor's office.

We're pretty sure Erin's wrist is not broken, but we need to wait for the radiologist's report at some point tomorrow before we know for sure.  In the meantime, Erin's got the go-ahead to run cross country and play soccer.   While her wrist is swollen and sore, she's thrilled she can continue to compete.  Did I mention how tough Erin is?

Empires and Jonagoreds and Ultra Golds, Oh, My!

We haven't been apple picking for a few years.  Kelsey mentioned, "Apple picking is one of those things I still like to do with the family."  Well, when your 15-year-old comes out with a statement like that, it's time to drop everything and oblige!

Today we went to Royal Oak Orchard near the Illinois-Wisconsin boarder. We managed to squeeze in a trip to this delightful, family-owned place in spite of soccer games, cross country meets, and saxophone lessons.  We had been thinking we might wait another few weeks, but the apples came early this year.  Several orchards have already been fully harvested.

The air was brisk and the wind was whipping thru the orchard, but there were plenty of apples.  We came home with a half bushel and a lot of good memories.

We found a cozy little supper club just off the main road and enjoyed a hearty meal.  Baird and I remarked to each other that the place reminded us of eating with his dad in the North Woods of Wisconsin back in the days when we were newlyweds.

Even tho the restaurant was nice and warm, we were so cold we kept our coats on.  Erin even borrowed Baird's cup of coffee to warm up her hands.  Then she shared the warmth with Kelsey.