I haven’t really had anything “note worthy” to post about lately. We’ve had school, soccer practice, first Fall lacrosse practices, homework etc etc. Just the usual.  I was helping Logan with a school project tonight (he’s the “star student” next week and has to take in some pictures) and I noted that I’ve snapped various pictures with my phone over the past few weeks so…here are some “ordinary highlights”.

Over Labor Day weekend, Brian and I tackled a couple pretty big house projects including painting Brady and Aiden’s rooms. Brian also installed a chair rail in each. Logan hasn’t made up his mind yet regarding just what he’d like so…his room is still white. We also painted the downstairs powder room.

I love this Chicago canvas picture I scored at Home Goods a couple weeks ago. Never mind the mess on the table…that’s everything that belongs in the kitchen. I took this picture when we were having our backsplash installed and the countertops had to be bare.

Last week, we had the laundry room tiled (previously had laminate flooring). This is “in progress” before grout went in. After the tile was done, I painted the room a nice yellow…to make me happy while I do loads and loads of laundry :)

This is the backsplash in progress…glass subway tile in dark grey. I’m still getting used to it!

This is Aiden reading a book…of FICTION! He’s a good reader as long as the book is about crystals, rocks, gems or some sort of animal, but I finally turned him on to the series that got Logan rocking on reading…Captain Underpants. Yes…total boy humor, but he plowed through like 3 of these in under a week!

This is a pair of game soccer socks (as opposed to practice ones). I am banning red Gatorade from soccer bags henceforth.

Last weekend, Brian and I attended a couple different 40th birthday parties for friends. Friday night was local, Saturday night was in downtown Chicago. We grabbed a hotel room and then attended the home opener Bears game (a disappointing loss against Buffalo). Here are Brian’s Bears buddies. They used to take loads of tailgating pics back when none of them were married with kids…or even dating their wives! This is probably the first one that’s been taken in at least 5 seasons!

During the game, I did not sit with Brian. The “usuals” sat together while I sat with some other friends. It was a hot day with the sun beating down on the right sides of our faces. This guy in front of me was cracking me up. He stuck a bunch of coupons that they gave out at the game into his hat to shield his face from the sun. I texted this picture to Brian during the game and said, “I’m about 5 minutes away from borrowing a hat and doing this too!”

A slow, sad trudge out of the stadium post Bears loss. boo hoo. I texted this picture to Brian’s mom explaining why we might be late getting home. “Walk people – walk!”

Soccer math: Brady X Aiden = Logan

Very nice texts from the boys’ soccer coach

New “boom co” guns and costumes on some random night.

My facebook post from yesterday: “Met with 5 different landscape companies to get quotes and ideas on turning a bare backyard into patio & prettiness. Guess who won? The girl who actually drew representative soccer goals on the plan! Awesome! Brian needs grill space, but my babies need play space!”

our patio was supposed to get started last Thursday. However, rain delayed the project before ours so it’s getting underway tomorrow. They dropped off the pavers last Friday and it was an awesome weekend fort and climbing area.

A picture of Logan and Kona for his “star student” board.

Yesterday, the boys did, what I consider to be, a very very brave thing. They got on to a bus for the first time ever and went to a brand new school. I switched schools several times growing up and I know how intimidating those first few days and weeks can be. Luckily, I always had my sister.

Since we’ve lived in our new home for a couple of months now, their fellow bus-riders included many kids they’ve played with over the summer. I couldn’t believe how fast they dashed away from Brian and I after we did our “first day” pictures on the front porch. They barely waved good-bye as they hopped in line and on to the bus (Brian’s pictures are pretty fuzzy because he couldn’t get over to the stop fast enough).

We were able to drive over to the school, watch them come off the bus, and find their respective teacher’s line near the playground. Logan and Brady either already knew kids in their line or quickly started meeting new people. Aiden looked a bit shaken as he played with his backpack straps and, uncharacteristically, stood still and silent, taking in the scene around him. The teachers started making their way down each line, greeting the new kids in their class.

After the school boy scouts raised the flag, a very brave 5th grader sang the National Anthem, and we all said the Pledge of Allegiance, it was time to march in. I kissed Aiden & Brady and gave Logan a fist bump (which I was planning to do anyway even though Brian intercepted me on the way to his line and said, “don’t even THINK about kissing Logan!”)

I waited patiently all day in my quiet and clean-for-more-than-5-minutes house for them to get home. All the parents along our street stood outside and greeting our kids as they came off the bus in the afternoon. Thankfully, it was all smiles from my three. Phew!! I quizzed them on their days all evening. Despite the fact that they could provide very few actual details, they all said they had fun, liked their teachers and didn’t mind returning again today.

Brave, sweet boys.