And So The Rivalry Begins...

This arrived on my door step yesterday...

 It's for Lila...from her sweet Mimi & Paka. Trying to win over her loyalty to the Dawgs with cuteness:)

And so the rivalry begins...

I'm glad we only have to really do it for 1 week:)

My Friend, Jane Ellis

“How long have you known Jane Ellis?”

This is a question I’ve been answering since Jane Ellis & I left our hometown years ago.

“Since birth” is the short answer I typically give. To which the question asker sometimes looks at me like I’m crazy. Given that most people that ask did not grow up in a small town, “since birth” means something different to them. Like maybe ever since Kindergarten, or 3rd grade, or middle school.

But really people, “since birth” is the most accurate I can get it. You see, even though Jane Ellis is 8 months younger than me, I have never known life without her in it.

As my “since birth” friend prepares to move across the pond on a great adventure, I’ve been reflecting on our friendship and everything it means to me past and present. A few stories came to mind...

This is us, circa the middle school years, when we went through United Methodist confirmation class together. I was technically supposed to go through it the year before, but sat out and waited on JE to catch up. I was so glad I did – it was a great class, with a great pastor, and a wonderful friend. I promise this scarf was sooooo IN at the time.

Jane Ellis and I took dance from the same teacher for many years. We were only in the same group a couple of times. One of these times was in junior high, when we were the “Jacks” of Hit the Road Jack. I think it was the most fun I ever had dancing. I’m glad I did it all those years, but I was never a natural dancer. I left that to JE. And she left those swim meets to meJ It’s funny, but we often tried to make our worlds rotate the same, but found that our talents were just different.

 

As you know, my family canoes. Which meant until I was old enough to have a say so, I canoed. Jane Ellis was nice enough to accompany me from time to time. And thank goodness this meant I got to accompany her family on non-sleeping-on-the-ground vacations.

Jane Ellis & I went through Rush (or to be politically correct “recruitment”) at Mizzou together. This is us with Jeanette Babb Brown on Bid Day 1996. Jeanette & Jane Ellis were both Kappa Kappa Gamma legacies and everyone just knew I would choose Kappa too. Ya know “because Jane Ellis & I always did the same thing.” I chose Delta Gamma and we each got to have our own sorority experience.

We are so much alike and so much different. We’ve definitely got the ying and yang thing goin on. And it makes me smile often. Even to this day, she’ll say “Ab, you would be so proud of me, I made my list and I’m checking things off. I am being SO organized,” or “Ab, I’ve really been listening and paying attention lately, you would be so proud of me. I even remembered that person's name!” (She always teases me that I remember everyone's name. That's why we make a good team.) I love that she wants me to be proud of her. Truth is, plain and simple, I’ve been proud of who she was every day of her life. And I’m proud to be her friend.

We each have our own roads, yet our roads still manage to meet after all of these years. We’ll just add a big overpass to this part of our lives. I will miss the security of knowing she is a few miles away from me, but am so proud of both Jane Ellis and Robbie for choosing this adventure for their family. I for one, can’t wait to hear them talk Southeast Missouri with an English accent.

Jane Ellis recently summed up our relationship in just a few words.

Timeless. Effortless. Classic.

The words are so true they bring tears to my eyes.

Cheerio for now, my dear Jane Ellis.

I love you. Ab

Apple Picking in August

Hard to believe we are picking apples in August, but the spring & summer have been so warm that they are ready a little early. We took advantage of the breezy morning to head out to Eckerts in Belleville, IL to pick some Golden Delicious apples.

Nate was happy to go - mostly because he remembers making carmel apples in years past.

Lila is generally happy to go just about anywhere. She especially liked the wagon ride you take out to the orchards. Although I had to hold her down for most of the ride.

Nate is trying so hard, again, to get a picture. Almost too hard:)

Lila helped herself to a few apples. I had to really watch which ones she was picking up. She was attracted to the rotten ones. I hope that's not foreshadowing!

Nate is so sweet to her, really. She's the one that pushes him away most often. I hope she'll let him protect her one day:)

I wanted her to go hug him, but she wasn't having it. So I told her to go poke him. Off she went like lightning. Thankfully he thought it was funny.

They were champion apple pickers. I have more apples than I know what to do with...just today we made caramel apples and an apple crisp. Guess I'll be searching for more apple recipes tonight.

This was the MOM - QUIT TAKING MY PICTURE look.

If I were a professional, I wouldn't have gotten the leaf right on her mouth. But I still think she's cute. Wearing her strawberry dress to go pick apples. If I would have purchased an apple dress, we would never have made it to apple picking this year. So we made due with strawberries. I think it worked.

The Zoo Today

I find it unreal and embarassing how few times we have been to Grant's Farm & the Zoo this summer. It has just been too dang hot most of the time to take the kids trompsing on concrete. Because of this, we had not yet been to see the new sea lion exhibit at the Zoo. So when it was only going to be a mere 93 today, I decided we would brave it. I heard the lines have been really long, but we got there early and didn't have to wait too long.

Nate was so helpful and excited to be there. He gets more handsome every day.

Nate tried really hard to get a picture for me with Lila. However, she never cooperated. I appreciated his efforts though.

He loved the sea lions swimming over him! Very super impressed.

Lila was not super impressed and said "Yiya NOT yike it" no less than 487 times in the 5 minutes we were in there.

She liked the cave viewing better.

Be still my heart. She is so precious. I got this outfit at the end of the summer and it is 24 months. I just couldn't pass it up. So when she is not at school these days, she is wearing it. I love it so much and she probably will be too big for it next summer.

We stopped for a snack, and while I was waiting on them to bake my super pretzel, I looked over to find this. I'm tellin ya. They were so good today.

Looking for the gorillas. Which Lila was hoping we would not find. She's so funny - will hang from the highest bar at the playground by herself, but is scared of some of the animals that are behind glass. Funny girl.

Again, Nate was trying so hard to get a picture. And was being so sweet to his sometimes-not-so-sweet sister.

Y'all. I saved the best for last. I LOVE these pictures. This iguana was like a puppy with Nate - pawing at the glass and swimming frantically when Nate would put his hand out. So sweet.

It doesn't get any better than this!!

Great day. Absolutely 100% fabulous.

First Day of First Grade

Today was Nate's First Day of First Grade.

I'll save the "How did this happen? Where has the time gone? Is my baby really this big?"

But just know I thought it. A Lot.

My sweet boy before school this morning.

 And then about to dig in to his surprise Jilly's Peanut Butter cupcake after dinner to celebrate the big day.

Since we loop in Maplewood, it didn't really feel like the first day. I was a little nervous this morning. Oh. Wait. This is not about me. Nate wasn't nervous at all and jumped right out of the car. He was completely un-fazed by the first day.

When I picked him up, it was like a continuation of last year instead of it being a totally new beginning. For a master worrier, I have to say I got a reprieve today. Oh wait, it's not about me:)

The Unlikely Canoe-ist

Jane Ellis & I happened to be in Charleston at the same time last weekend. Since I'm already missing her, we took advantage of the time we could have together and she & Janie brought the boys out to the Corse house. Since my parents and crew were getting ready for a canoe trip the next day, all of the canoes were out at their house. Peter hopped out of the car and said, "Mom! Are they camping here?"

I quickly replied, "Why yes, Peter, life is kind of like camping here:)"

The boys ran around for a bit and then Peter rushed up to JE and said, "Mom, I want to go canoeing today." JE started to reply that it wasn't in the plan and I thought to myself...it could be in the plan for today. We have water, we have a canoe, and of course the unlikely canoe-ist.

So JE & I piled the boys up on the gator and off we went to Hamil's house.

We all had a GREAT time. The boys loved every minute of it. I loved every minute of it. Even Nate loved it and he could do this any time he wanted to when we are there. At one point, I had Charlie, Peter, George and Nate in the boat and I wasn't nervous at all. I guess canoeing is like riding a bike.



 Charlie even got in the back and steered for a bit. And I sat on the bottom of the grass covered canoe in front of him. That is love, I tell ya.

I'm so thankful for this pond. And these boys. And that this pond let me soak up some more time with these boys.

Dallas

Y'all. I love me some Dallas. I was so so very excited when I saw TNT was bringing it back 2012 style. It was only a matter of time, right??

Dallas way back in the day holds great memories for me. We didn't watch it at my house, but Jane Ellis's family were religious Dallas watchers. So I made sure to be at her house a lot of Friday nights. I can still hear Mr. Reggie saying to us "Y'all want some corn?" And we'd sit on their sun porch, eat popcorn and watch Dallas.

And then when Jane Ellis and I lived together at Mizzou back in the day, we would watch the re-runs in our dorm room, eat popcorn, and drink Diet Coke. I think it was on every week night then? So we were able to cover a lot of ground quickly and probably get a few of the jokes we didn't get when we were younger.

I mean who can resist Dallas? Where Christopher, son of Bobby & Pam, is married to Rebecca, who really isn't Rebecca, but instead the daughter of the Ewing nemesis, Cliff Barnes (Pam's brother), posing as Rebecca to bring down the Ewings once and for all. Now that would make cousin married to cousin, unless you remember that Christopher is adopted:)

The season finale was last night and I can't wait for it to start back up in January!

Chicago

It's crazy to me that I have not spent more time in Chicago. I grew up within driving distance (not a short driving distance, but doable) and then since we've been in St. Louis, it is only 5 hours away. We took Nate last winter to LegoLand but didn't get to spend much time outside because it was still winter there in March.

So we decided to plan a long weekend in the summer to experience all Chicago has to offer. And of course, we were ecstatic that our good friends, the Pooleys wanted to join us. To enhance the experience for all involved (including Lila), we decided to leave Lila with my parents. She had fun, we had fun, it's a win-win.

We started out at the Children's Museum on Navy Pier. I haven't been to that many children's museums but I can tell you I was impressed. So many fun things for kids to do and see. Here are the 3 stooges, Nate, Quinn & Sullivan. 

We had not been there very long when a nice lady came up and asked if we wanted free tickets to Petit Chef. I knew Nate would like anything with the word chef in it, so I snatched up 7. They were making fruit suishi and had a real live chef to teach the kids.

I'm not sure why I look so sleepy here. But it is what it is and I couldn't not include this precious picture of me & Quinn. And yes, I wear this shirt almost every day. It's my favorite. I love it. Hamil & Sarah got it for me for my birthday at this great place in Cape called Philanthropy (also one in Franklin, TN).

My little chef!

After making fruit suishi, we headed further into the museum to explore. This is Nate & Quinn behind the shadow wall.

And here they are in the grocery store doing a check-out for Sullivan.

My boys!

The next day we went to the Museum of Science & Industry. I'm not sure who liked all the science more...the kids or the husbands. I'm thinking Scott & Ryan.

The sweet 1st graders!

Oh my stars. She is so cute. And reminds me of what I hope Lila will be when she is 3:)

In the weather zone, simulating what a tsunami would look like I think?

The building that the museum is in is from the World's Fair - the only one left I believe (or at least that's what Scott told me).

On the way home from the museum, we stopped off in Wrigleyville which was only 1 stop away from ours on the "L."  The Cubs were not in town, but there was an event down there, so there were still some Cubs fans milling around. Not sure how I feel about them. Oh wait, I'm pretty sure I know.

I'm not sure where Nate saw this whole sunglasses on your hat thing, but he was so into it on Sunday.



The three amigos at the ball game. If you look closely, they all have their key chains on their ears. 

Our little family, minus the Lulee Bell of course. 

I so enjoyed catching up with Audra. It's a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to have met them in Nashville 11 years ago!

It was only about 83 at the game, but we were sitting in the noon sun and it was HOT. Audra & I took the kids inside for an ice cream break. 

While the boys stayed out in the sun... 

Then Audra got the great idea to move the kids up in the shade. Man. They were different kids once we got up there!

Everyone looks a little sun baked and tired in these pictures. That's cuz we were.

The Pooleys! 

And 3 of the Boyles... 

After the game, we made our way back to Navy Pier to take the Architecture tour around the city. It was FABULOUS! I highly recommend it.  The kids even listened and enjoyed the hour cruise. 

  

  

Cruising...

After the cruise, we let the kids ride the ferris wheel. Oh wait, none of them would ride it. 

So they rode the carousel instead!

It was a wonderful weekend in a great city, with great friends. We can't wait for our next adventure!

Photo credit goes to Audra - I forgot my camera. I know, shocking.