Handprint Board: 8th Grade

 His latest 8th grade print. Only 4 more left!

It's really moving to see his hand move up the board, growing each year, as he gets smarter and older each time he makes his mark on the board. I try not to get emotional when I see it, but I don't always succeeed.

8th Grade: First Day

He wasn't really sure about 'picture time', but came around eventually.

goofball.

After he got home he wanted to check out what everyone was saying online.

One of our traditions is Diana and I getting breakfast after we drop off Ledger for his first day of school. With her working at school, that makes our time to get breakfast a bit shorter! As she finished getting ready, I dropped of the boy and picked up some quick Wendy's breakfast for us. We took a moment to talk about the big changes ahead but then had to chow down so she could make it to work on time! Me? Well, I went right to bed!

There I am, cute as ever!

Chicago: Millenium Park

 The kids playing in the water spray from the statues.

Ledger's first look at the Chicago bean. He was impressed!

Under the bean and close up, he thought it was really cool!

Had to get a silly picture under the bean, of course!

A cute couple picture in Millenium Park. That's why we came here, right?

The Bean!

We stumbled on a free concert- love that!

Ledger found a comfy spot on the grass!

So comfy!

We all joined in on the grass eventually!

Chicago: Art Museum

 Unsure what to expect, Ledger was mostly wanting to get out of the heat!

Ledger was impressed with the pointillism of Seurat's masterpiece!

He wanted to do the same crazy neck thing as the man in Picasso's painting. I think he nailed it!

Clearly Ledger's favorite piece of art in the whole museum! It's just an 8x10 canvas painted taupe. wow.

unsure of the whole 'art' thing, we investigated everything to try and understand it.

Ledger was pretty sure this artwork was a bit sus...

Chicago: Gino's East

 Sitting down at the new location, ready to try their world famous Chicago style pizza.

Delighted to snuggle up with my beautiful wife for a great lunch!

We got bread sticks because we were starving and were5n't sure we would survive long enough to wait the 35 minutes it takes to get the Chicago style pizza.

His first bite!

The three slices, in all their glory!

Chicago: Hotel and Goodbye

 We had a queen-sized bed with a view of the city, a pull-out bed for Ledger and everything- a great hotel room!

Ledge chilling on the couch that later turned into his bed for the night!

A view of the city from our hotel room.

Chillin' hard core.

Back at the room at the end of our day with the Chinese food we got.

Diana pleased as punch at her luxury stay!

Looking cute in front of the diamond artwork in the lobby.

Checking out the elevated train down the street from our hotel.

On the way out to our car the next day we stopped at a great Samali restaurant.

Random Ledge 120

Hanging out on the couch playing with his tablet. 

This is the first time I've been able to convince Ledger to go see a Marvel movie in the theater! Too bad it wasn't that great.

 

He got up early and was awake when I got home from work. Well, I guess that means we have to go out for breakfast!

Hanging out in the grass.

A surprisingly good movie we knew nothing about!

Checking his locker combo with Owen!

Lil' Jax gets tucked in for bed time!

Hanging out with Wiggins on an evening boat ride!

Wiggins 15

 Ha! He actually looks like he's smiling! The dog too!

What a cozy puppy!

Relaxing in his blue blanket with Mama.

Wiggy always hates when I go down in the basement on the weekend, but after Diana goes to bed, he reluctantly joins me at the side of the couch while I play on the computer at the table.

Hopping in the luggage so we are sure not to forget him!