Today is the last official day of vacation. We’re spending the day in Chicago with my dad. He’s pretty much got it planned out for us, which I’m ok with.
He knows that Micah is interested in trains so we’re going to be riding the elevated train and the subway. And doing some sight seeing. I’ve never ridden on either of those types of trains so I’m looking forward to it, too. Micah squealed.
We’re riding the Amtrak right now. Little Man is sitting next to me looking at his new Pokémon cards. He went with me yesterday to get some Magic the Gathering cards and we asked what cards would good for a kid his age. It was Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh. His cousin is starting to get into Pokémon so that’s what he picked. We all got starter sets and will learn together. Which is great for me because I love to play card games like that and TJ rarely plays. Now I’ll have Micah! I knew having a kid was a food choice.
Having fun on a hot day
We’re enjoying our week off. It’s just about halfway through and we’re all pretty relaxed and feeling good. Lots of family togetherness time. But not too much so that we’re ready to harm each other yet.
Sunday when I asked Micah what he wanted to do for the day - he gets to have first say since it’s his summer vacation and that’s how it should be – he asked that we set up his pool in the backyard. TJ went out to pick up a pool for Micah’s birthday party a couple years ago. I figured she’d come back with something a few feet wide that the kids could splash around in but nothing major. Well, I was wrong. She, instead, returned home with a pool that made me happy that we have a large backyard. But Micah loves it so I guess it’s all good. And it was on sale so, really, what was she supposed to do?
So it’s just a bit after 7am and I’m updating my phone and iPad and goofing off on the laptop while drinking coffee. The house is still completely quiet but it won’t last long. I’m going to enjoy it.
Micah going down the slide
I believe it was June of 1997 when TJ and I drove her Camry from Boise to Milwaukee for my little brother’s graduation. It was during that trip that TJ bought her Jeep Cherokee, Jenny. We name everything.
TJ did loads of research on the Jeep and found where we could get one in WI. She had a check in her wallet from our credit union and was ready to go off-road! We couldn’t find the exact model and color she wanted anywhere in Idaho or in any nearby towns in Oregon. But there was one in Racine. So that’s where we went.
Jenny has served us well for the past 13 years. But never as well as when she, very possibly, saved my wife’s life on Monday morning. If not her life, certainly saves her from serious injury.
Jenny belongs to the city now and will be scrapped soon but she’ll always hold a special place in our hearts.
