Chicago

Felt very proud of myself, getting from point a to b of the Chicago subway. Seeing almost all the most famous pictures at the art institute before the girls begged me to leave. And the to Millennium Park instead of the girls' vote for Navy Pier.

And everybody was happy.

My road to the art museum

Is full of compromise.

Made it

After a breakfast of muffins, Pepsi and Doritos, we made it. I am for sure parent of the year!

Chicago!

I'm blogging live today from Chicago. Where I'm taking the girls for their first day of summer break. On the train. By myself. Eekkk....

Cool

I recently got the girls these letter wall decals do they could write stuff on their walls. This is what carol wrote. I love this girl.

Happy Anniversary. For reals.

How the people of Pinterest see an 11th wedding anniversary. 

How the Normal Gardners see it.

Happy anniversary Steve. Now... go get some sleep.

Code sad

When a girl attends her first code blue, and that code is also her patient, and her preceptor happens to be at lunch and it sort of feels like the code is my, ummm, her fault even though it probably, almost definitely wasn't...

There's only one thing to do. Think about the kindergarten concert. Think about my awesome dog who is very badly behaved. Think about our upcoming day trip to Chicago to see the art museum. On the train!!!

Much better than thinking about tomorrow and that bad, stinky, mean ICU. Yes. Best not to think about that.

Learning about life

I screwed Carol over not once, but twice this weekend. First, I had the wrong time of her soccer match and she missed half the game. Then, I briefly told her about how kids from First Communion could wear their fancy outfits to church this Sunday. She said she didn't want to, and I didn't press her on it, but then those kids got to go the front of the church, got applause and helped crown Mary.

I felt really bad about both things.

To the soccer game issue, Carol was fine. It was like 85 degrees and I think she was secretly happy not to play a whole game.

To the second, I think she did feel a little bad. But she said, "Don't worry mom. I don't care. All they got was a better view of Mary."

This from a girl I scream at, like, twice a day for much lesser offenses. God love this girl, going out of her way to make me feel better when I screwed up.

Maybe I can learn a thing or two about being a good person from this lovely girl. Thanks Carol, for being the best kid ever.