Hip - hip HOORAY!

Just a quick post to let you know that Keenan graduated from his BNAT (CNA) course at Oakton college tonight. He was also the student speaker. I/we are SO SO proud of Keenan and the new path he is on. His instructors that I met tonight just gushed with wonderful things about Keenan and what a great field of work Nursing will be for him. Now, he just has a couple of weeks to enjoy no school before he starts up again in the fall. 2 semesters of pre-req's and then nursing school. Congratulations Keenan we are so proud of you.

I will post pictures soon - we are still house sitting and I didn't bring along my camera cord to down load my pictures.

hope you are all enjoying the summer. I hope to make it to the beach at least once. Now that Miss M is done with camp (last day today - so sad) we might have more time to head over to
the great Lake Michigan.

Rethinking Chicago Winters

I have often said, I LOVE WINTER, I have, really, lot's of times, and not because I am trying to convince myself I love winter, but because I truly love winter. I love the snow, snowman, snowballs, snowflakes, blizzards, ice, cold, having to bundle up, hats, scarves, boots, gloves, mittens, sledding, skiing...then coming inside, fire's, hot chocolate, blankets, cuddles, being snowed in, watching the snow fall at night... but now after these snowstorms, and another one currently happening outside right now, really it's just too much! I am done. I want, no I need my body to defrost, I need a beach and some sun, ocean waves, sand between my toes, a pretty manicure, a good beach book, tropical drinks, tropical food, sleeping in late, snorkeling, watching Marlee in the water, Ava in the sand, Keenan on his board...

but instead, I am here, in the middle of a big ole' Chicago Winter...

My Front Yard
today, right now!

My Backyard playing with the girls
(this was after last weeks storm)

My Neighbors

But this, this is where I WANT to be, NEED to be!
My favorite little spot in Hawaii
Chinaman's Hat...

(I am off to go listen to Ava's sound machine - it makes the sound of ocean waves....)