Graduation? Is that you I see in the distance?!

Somehow this last year and a half has dragged out and flown by at the same time.  In 9 days (9!!) I will be walking across that stage to pick up that empty diploma holder.  The end of this semester has been strangely calm, which feels very anti-climactic.  One of my courses finished in February, one never had a final and then the last week of class was cancelled, one is only a paper, and then there is my research... The data analysis alone will probably take all summer and my faculty advisor has already told me graduation is not the cut off, which is nice because I am strangely not ready to go... just yet.  While I will not missing hiking up to the fourth floor numerous times a day, I will miss this view (if you squint really hard, or I used a better camera, you would be able to see the Sear's Tower).

Sorting data is not so bad from up here!

This semester has been a doozy for sickness.  W has been sick every month with a high fever and cold, ear infection, bronchitis, or some combination of the 3.  Those preschool germs were rough.  I am hoping that since he is also almost done for the year, it will mean the end of antibiotics and doctor's visits.

When we were not writing papers or visiting the pharmacy, we did manage to have a few outings.  We got in the habit of stopping at the park on the way home from school during those two weeks in March with sun and no snow.  

We also went to the kids expo in Tinley Park for the first time.  While mostly geared to get parents to buy things, like windows or a time share, they had 3 inflatables and a train kids could ride, in addition to the free stickers and snacks.  Three guesses what W wanted to do...

W's love of science experiments is still going strong, and thanks to the library's monthly little science explorers, W has a new appreciation for microscopes and binoculars.  

Spring (no) break for W lasted for 14 days.  There are only so many places we can go when it is still bitter, in my opinion, cold outside.  The one beautiful 70+ degree day, we tried to go to the zoo, but so did everyone else and after waiting for over 45 minutes just to turn into the parking lot I had to improvise.  Insert train restaurant... problem solved.

Easter brought eggs: coloring, hunting, refusing to pack away (the plastic ones).  We had a lovely Easter brunch with my dad's family and then a lovely Easter dinner with my mom's.  I was so busy eating, I forgot to take photos.  

He took it very seriously.

Mariano's Easter Madness.
He's in there somewhere.

Did not make it to the mall this year, Sriracha Bunny it is.

The rest of spring break I tried to think of creative things for us to do.  Between hunting down sitters for when I was in class and still having assignments to complete, we managed to make "ice cream," grow a dinosaur (Thank you, Aunt Rita and family!) which W thought was pretty cool, eventually we made it to the zoo, and then there was the real ice cream (Thank you, Plush Horse, if you have never been, GO!).

Made with only bananas and strawberries.
Enter their contest Here (!) for a trip to the Caribbean!

The excitement was overwhelming.
1st zoo trip of the year.

I think W was missing school because he was even doing my homework.  He went back for one week and then was out sick, AGAIN, for a full week.  I really cannot wait for summer. 

My philosophy professor would be so proud!

That about sums up everything we have been up to since the start of the new year.  I made a charming 2014 video, but it was not until after everything had rendered that I realized no where can you post, email, or upload (besides youtube and I cannot remember by username or password) a video longer than 5 minutes.  Better luck next year. 

Hope everyone is doing well!

Special shoutout to this little lady, who is celebrating her fourth birthday today!  Have a fabulous day, darling!  I cannot wait until I can give you a long overdue hug.  Missing your sunshine!

Throwing it back to almost a year ago!