The Accidental Boilermaker

 I ran a half marathon today and I had a personal best! I ran a 9:35 pace and finished in 2:05:38. It was cold and windy and rainy - not really ideal running conditions.  My first few miles were fast for me (sub 9:30 pace) and this is usually a problem because I don’t train fast. I can run a couple miles fast, but I don’t do that for long. But I today I managed to keep up that pace until about mile 11.  After that, I didn’t have a whole lot left in the tank but I finished. I was also surprised with my race because I really didn’t feel like I trained or prepared very well. Life is busy and it’s sometimes hard to get runs in.  After quick double checking it was really a PR, I got to ring the bell. My dad took the picture since he was at the race too. He did the 10k. 

 It’s the first round of playoffs for the Komets and we decided to go to game 2 for fun. We invited some friends to join us and we had a great evening even though the Komets lost and are now down 0-2 in series.  Evelyn, Jameson and Miles had a blast. I think it was fun for them to be at the game with a friend. Miles’ little brother Chauncey did great too even though it was way past his bedtime. Jameson was really into the game and cheering for the Komets despite at first not wanting to even come and then booing when the Komets got their first goal. 

We had a relaxing Easter. We went to the 7:30 service and it was sunny, but cold. Jameson did not want to wear his church clothes which I understand, but we were only asking him to wear jeans and a short sleeved button up shirt. To his credit, he did get dressed with I think only one threat, but he was not happy.  Once we got to church he was fine and both kids sat through the service with no issues.  We came home and I convinced Evelyn and Jameson to take a quick picture outside. But it was cold so we took more pictures inside. We had brunch and Evelyn and Jameson played. They helped Nate in the garage while I hid Easter eggs outside. When Evelyn and Jameson went out for their egg hunt they ran around so fast I couldn’t hardly get a picture of them. 

 We went to the botanical gardens to see the Easter bunny today. It was a fun way to get out of the house. There weren’t as many activities as in years past, but it also didn’t feel as crowded.  We did a craft, planted a plant, petted some soft animals and saw the Bunny.  For most of the rest of the day, Evelyn and Jameson played with all the little cheap toys they brought home from the gardens. We did end up outside before dinner and then church. 

 Sunday we drove to Ouabache State Park to enjoy finally some nice weather. Our first stop was the fire tower. I wouldn’t say I am afraid of heights but climbing the tower made me very anxious. We didn’t linger very long at the top.  Next we headed off to find the bison. Ouabache has a 20 acre wildlife preserve where the bison live.  We picked a 3 mile hike but didn’t realize how muddy the trail would be. Three miles is a bit too long for rain boots but thankfully Evelyn and Jameson wore their old gym shoes. For the really big muddy parts, which there were lots, we picked and carried them across. But after a while Jameson just wanted to run through the mud and get dirty. Which was fine because he was having fun. He was even more muddy than this by the time we made it back to the car. One last spring break hurrah, we stopped at Zesto’s for ice cream.

 On Thursday we drove to Chicago for a Blackhawks hockey game.  When my dad bought the tickets we didn’t know this would happen, but Marian Hossa, who played for the Blackhawks but left hockey a few years ago due to a medial issue, signed a one day contract on Thursday with the Hawks so he could officially retire from hockey as a Blackhawk.  It was really neat especially since the jersey my dad has is Marian Hossa’s. And we all got a pennant!  Evelyn and Jameson got new t-shirts for the game. Jameson’s favorite team is the Tampa Bay Lightening.  Evelyn got Jonathan Toews just like Nathan.  Katherine and Tom arrived right before the national anthem. Unfortunately, the Hawks didn’t look amazing and they lost to the Seattle Kraken but we all still had a really fun time.  We spent the night with Kate and Tom. Friday morning, they both had work to do, so we walked to a bakery about a mile from the apartment for breakfast.  The only downside was it star...

 Everyone left on Wednesday. Mimi left first as she has the longest drive. Oma, Grandpa, Meredith, Jeremy and Hans left after lunch. But Harper, Willow and Violet came over in the morning. Sarah’s mom had been in the hospital and she needed childcare help over the break. It was a full house but everyone was happy to be together. We did lots of play doh and perler beads and board games.  I was quite tired by the time the girls got picked up.

 Tuesday the weather was much nicer. We were able to go to the park after lunch. Jameson and I biked there while everyone else drove. We brought the balance bike so Hans could ride around more if he wanted since he loves to bike   Evelyn tried a few different times to read to Hans.  We went back outside before dinner to shoot some hoops and blow some bubbles.  And we managed to sneak in some family pictures before more rain arrived. Once the kids were asleep we stayed up to watch Dune. 

 Mimi was first person to arrive on Sunday. She, Evelyn and Jameson got right to work baking a cake.  Then Oma, Grandpa, Meredith, Jeremy, and Hans showed up. Everyone was very excited. Monday morning was raining but the afternoon was nice enough for a bike ride.  Hans really liked the piano. He also had fun playing with all our “big trucks.”  He can’t quite say Evelyn yet, but he would constantly ask for JJ or Jamis. Once at the table he did say Eva. He would get super excited to see Penny and she was overall very tolerant of him.  Monday evening the library had a family fun night with crafts and in the children’s area a life size candy land game. Everyone got to make a pinwheel, a sun catcher and a painting. 

 It’s spring break! Our first round of guests came on Friday - Amanda, Isaac, and Joshua. On Saturday we went went to Metea for a nice hike. The kids climbed a big tree, found a red backed salamander, played in a tee pee and ran down a big hill. Sunday morning we went to the donut bar and the kids got to customize their own donut. Then we went to the wooden playground in Leo for some outside fun before lunch. Then it was time for the boys and Amanda to drive home and time for me to get ready for the next round of guests.