Chicago Dogs

During the school year, the kindergartners had a reading challenge and the reward was a ticket to a local minor league baseball game with the Chicago Dogs. This past week, we cashed it in!

Hubby was able to come along with us, so it was a family outing. Turns out the Chicago Dogs are a fairly new team (established in 2018).. so this was a first for everyone in the family.

It was a hot, hot day. The big guy seemed to enjoy the experience but little guy was less interested in being there; baseball didn't capture his attention so much. However, he did enjoy the side-acts. There was a bubble-ball competition, some sumo wrestling and a duck race. Plus the mascots (large ketchup and mustard guys) were entertaining too.

So, we may not have lasted the whole time.. but it was still fun! Baseball on the tv is not so much fun, but being in the stadium is always a good time.

Baseball!

So, every June, Hubby and I go with his folks to see the White Sox play; it's their birthday present to him. This year our game happened this past weekend. It was extra special since it was Townshend's first baseball game!

It's actually something I got pretty excited about. In anticipation of this game day in June, I got us all White Sox shirts for Christmas. I'd been saving these shirts, just waiting for June (and actually had to buy a second one for Townshend 'cuz he grew bigger than I'd anticipated way back in December) so I was rather bummed when, on the morning of the game, the sky looked threatening and the forecast called for rain all afternoon and it looked like we might not go.

But, as the time for the first pitch drew nearer, the sky seemed to be clearing so we decided to chance it and head down to the south side. Happily for us, the storms stayed away and we enjoyed a very sunny and warm afternoon at the ballpark. Yay!

(though, he seemed underwhelmed.. slept through two of the four innings we were there)

More Summer Fun!

Since moving to Chicago (and coming around to enjoying sports) I've always thought it would be fabulous to go to a Sox vs. Cubs game. I really like watching baseball live, but I've always suspected that a cross-town rival game would be extra exciting. Today I finally was able to go to one; I was not disappointed :)

The weather was amazing and the Sox won! Who could ask for a better use of an afternoon?

Family and Birthdays and Fun! OH MY!

It's been a little busy over here in my quadrant of the world this past week, but it was a great way to kick off the summer :)

First, there was a wedding reception:

they were married in California back in March

and had a reception then, out there,

then they came here to visit us as well! Yay!!

Traditional wedding cake...

...Lithuanian cake with a side of Greek desserts. Represent!

Next, we had some birthday festivities:

Happy Happy Birthday!!

Finally, we had some good ol' fashioned summer fun:

And, in all of that, even Maggie got some (much needed) attention:


Good times good times :)

Outings and Baseball

Since graduating from college I have keenly missed my built-in summer vacations; three full months where the academic world stops and in the Fall, you start fresh once again. Working full-time doesn't really offer perks like that (unless you're a teacher I suppose, but even then there's PLENTY to be done during those summer months) Nope, generally once you get a real-live grown-up job, when you return from a wonderful and relaxing bit of time off (even though often you are paid for that time off) upon your return you are greeted by a pile of stuff that's just waiting for you to get back into it.

Not to say that working doesn't have its perks; there's that whole paycheck.. and financial stability that generally comes along with the hours spent doing whatever. And there's no homework. Plus, if you're really lucky, you might get to enjoy company outings from time to time. Happily, my place of work does not in anyway resemble that of the wonderful place known as Dunder Mifflin (yay for good work environments) and my company outings are actually pretty fun.

This year, they sent us to a Cub's game! Good times good times.

They sent us to game in style (well, at least it's not the El):
Hehe.. did you know that school buses have seat belts these days??
One of the ladies I work with is from Ireland and this was her very first time on a school bus. She seemed to find the whole thing very amusing.

Sadly, I look half asleep.. but it really was a pretty entertaining game (for a Cub's game)

In the 3rd inning, the Cub's scored 8 runs, including a Grand Slam. It was pretty impressive.
Here's a shot of the pitch that lead to the Grand Slam.
And in the end, that Cub's actually won! 11-4.. Naaaaaiiiiiiice.