back to school

Vacation is over! LOL! Chicago Public Schools started classes yesterday so we started back as well. Yesterday we had a light day, but it was a good day. We started the day by going to the big main library in the loop (Harold Washington Library)... the entire building of the library we used to go to in Plano would fit inside the Children's Library here. We had the entire place to ourselves. We were limited to only 5 books out at a time for the first 30 days after getting a library card. This was disappointing at first but after carrying our books around in my backpack for the next 3 hours I figured out that five books was just fine. After the library we headed up State Street to Marshall Fields for lunch (I refuse to call it Macy's... although after being there yesterday I just might get over that since it has lost that "Field's" feel to it since Macy's took over... anyway... that's a whole other post). Then we did some shopping at Old Navy before heading home. Alex was in a reading mood and read SIX books yesterday! Do you remember my lament a couple of months ago about how the boy wouldn't read... well... things have changed! :-)

Today we had a great school day. We got a lot accomplished. I have to admit that having Clara in the mix all of the time worries me a bit, but it might not be all that bad. I just need to come up with more stuff to keep her busy. This afternoon we braved the 30 degree temp and went to the park to play... needless to say, we had the park to ourselves. Exciting, huh?

I did scrap a page...

details here

Also... I've been looking desperately for a sporty comfy pair of shoes for all of the walking I do now. I've tried on several pairs, but I think these might be the ones...

I love Merrells.... I live in Merrell sandals every summer. I usually wear Dansko's during the winter but they just don't cut it for all of the walking I do. Hmmmm... should I click the "buy now" button???