Back to school, Back to school

You hear that? Yeah, that groaning sound that seems to be coming from everywhere. You know what it is? I do. It's the sound of millions of kids realizing that school is back. Lucky for me, my kids love school. 

So yeah, the kids started school this week. This year, and pretty much until Olivia starts high school, the girls are going to the same school. It's great to see them get so excited for school, I have a feeling they are always going to enjoy going. They started Monday but due to half days and one gym day today was the first day both girls wore their uniforms. Of course that had to be my picture for today. How could you not want to see such cuteness? So girls....Allons-Y, to school!!!

Wizard World - Part 7

So today is my last day of posting Wizard World pictures. I hope you had fun seeing some of the sights from this years Wizard World, I really had a blast. I don't know why I missed so many years but now I know I can't stay away for too long. Going back was like going home again. While things had changed so much was familiar and that was the best part of the weekend.

One of the huge parts and my favorite part of Wizard World was hanging out with Trevor and Ana. We have been friends since high school but it had been many many moons since I had seen them. So hanging out with them was extra fun, even better was the fact that it felt like we didn't even miss a beat. We just picked up were we left off and all was good. I have to make a point of hanging out with these guys more often.

That's me in the middle with TrevBot and Ana

I got the chance, briefly, to say hi to another good friend Mr. Michael. Even though I couldn't hang out with Mike longer I'm happy to have seen him. While it's not been as many moons since I've seen Mike it's been long enough. Again, I have to make sure I make a point of seeing Mike and his family. They were to important a part of my life to not have around.

Me and Mike! Ahhh, don't shoot!

That was the best part of Wizard World for me. I got to see people who were all a huge part of my life and for whatever reason I haven't kept in touch with like I should have. I hope by next Wizard World I will have changed that.

Wizard World - Part 6

Ok, back to Wizard World. I'm pretty much done but I hope you guys enjoyed the pictures so far. There will be one more post with Wizard World pictures probably tomorrow. Those pictures will be my favorite things from Wizard World.

Oh hey, it's the DeLorean. Hmmm, I'm not sure this one can get up to 88 mph or generate 1.21 gigawatts of power.

Quick Sonic, there's some gold rings over there!

Oh Yeah, that's one pimp transformer you got there....literally.

SQUIRTLE!!

Holy Batman...Batman, so much wrongness here.

I love you Zoidberg

Mall Trip!

Both of my boys needed new shoes so Sunday we got everyone into the minivan and hit the mall. I know you're saying to yourself right now how do I get that much excitement in my life? Well it's easy. Have a kid....then another...and another....and another, then get a minivan. Done, instant excitement. So yeah, they needed shoes. Mall Trip!

We got the shoes quick. Way quicker than we had anticipated so we got the kids some ice cream and hung out by the fountain. We stopped in Too Cool and got my oldest boy a Pikachu doll. He doesn't have one and has been walking around saying Pika Pika Pikachu all week so I kinda think he needed it. It was a nice little trip on a lazy Sunday.











6th Annual Cubs vs Sox Crosstown Classic Whiffle Ball Game

Every year for the last six years at some point during the summer my family gets together to play a whiffle ball game. Being in Chicago the rules are simple. Cubs fans against Sox fans, win at all costs. Ok, maybe it's a bit more friendly than that but each side really really wants to win.

Yesterday we got together for this years game. The Cubs quickly got on top but the Sox put the pressure on and jumped way ahead. It looked like this years game was going to be a blow out but the Cubs showed some moxie scoring 5 runs in the 9th inning to make a game of it. Final score was Sox 11 Cubs 9.

If you didn't know already I'm a Cubs fan so I was playing on the losing side this year. Really, no fun. Actually it was tons of fun and I did manage to be perfect at the plate getting a hit every time I batted. That as well as some nifty pitching earned me the title of Cubs MVP this year.

The managers going through the rules.

The first pitch and swing of the game.

My daughter running home.

My brother in law, the Sox MVP. He killed us!

So these were some pictures from the game. If you read this and say "Wow, that sounds like fun. I should do that." I highly encourage you to try and make it happen. It really is fun and I look forward to it every year.

Oh great shiny McDonald's, you let me down...

Ok, so I want to rant about something that is so not important it's not even worth the space on this blog. Knowing this, will it stop me from ranting? Oh hell no!

I went out with my parents last night shopping for clothes and shoes for my girls. It was awesome they took the girls out. My girls were happy and felt special so win all around.

After shopping we went to the McDonald's to get some food. It was late so we opted for something quick. I was excited though because we were going to the McDonald's in Oak Brook, IL. Why is this important? Because that's where McDonald's corporate headquarters is located as well as Hamburger U. I've always heard that this McD's should be the best one but oh was that not true.

The guy taking our order was the first McD's fail. His shirt was half tucked in, he looked horrible. Then he opened his mouth. I could barely understand half of what he said because he mumbled everything. But not to worry, he made it clear he wasn't happy. From the starring at us while we were looking at the menu and saying "Uhhhh, I can take your order....If you know what you want." Ok, it really was the way he said it. You know, while looking at us like we just told him he was going to be working there for the rest of his life. Oh yeah, maybe it was the slamming down the cups on the tray. Yup, everything he did screamed I'm pissed because I'm here right now.

Then I ate my food. I worked at a McDonald's in high school. I know how it goes. Clearly my burger was sitting out for a while....a really long while. I know, I know they make them fresh, right? Well, sometimes the answer is no. My bun was hard, a large piece broke off. That's how dry it was. The burger look plastic, that's how dried out it was.

So why didn't I complain at that time? Ever eat with a 6 and 4 year old before? You don't have time to go up to the counter and start a war with McDonald's over a bad burger. You eat quick and get more ketchup for the kids. But still, I wanted to vent. Doesn't get me anything, makes me feel better though. Will McDonald's care about my silly little blog? No, but they should. The bright shiny beacon of McDonald's located by corporate offices and Hamburger U should be better. That McD's should be the gold standard for all McD's but it wasn't and it wasn't even close and that's a shame.

Wizard World - Part 5

I'm not sure how many more days of Wizard World picture I have. I do know I have some more for today so that's good.

Alice in Wonderland, right? They were not as cool as I think they thought they were.

Eeeeeeeeeee, Sailor Moon! I used to love Sailor Moon. My favorite was Lita, Sailor Jupiter.

There was this Futurama Lego set up that was fantastic. The pictures don't do it justice.

Oh hey, look what I found. Mothra!

See the guy in the red jacket? Yeah, we called him Mr. Sexy Pants.