Happy Birthday, Maddie and Morgan

 Makai + Maddie

Makai + Melody

Makai has only been bowling one time before!

Morgan, Makai, Gus
Makai and two of his former teachers, Ms. Danielle + Ms. Lauren

Two birthdays, two cakes!

 Makai and his hapa crew! Carson, Makai, Gus, Ezra

 Makai + Carson
Brooklyn did not want Makai to leave!

Makai’s classmates, Maddie and Morgan, had 5th birthdays very close to one another, so their parents decided to throw a joint birthday party. Everyone wins – fewer parties for us to go to, im sure they cut the costs drastically. It was a fun party, too!

Black History Celebration

Every year at Makai’s school they have a Black History celebration. Since Makai’s class is the oldest, they did a whole song with hand motions and everything. It was really cute. They sang We Shall Overcome.

Happy 5th Birthday, Claudia

Such a cute party for Claudia! All the kids made Van Gogh-inspired canvas art. Starry Night, specifically. With the addition of a cat, since Claudia likes cats! This was our first drop off optional party, meaning the parents did not need to stay. I went to Ipsento for a while for a latte and avocado toast then came back when things were starting to wind down. Happy birthday, Claudia!

Happy Halloween, Ninja!

Between our old neighborhood, Logan Square, and our new neighborhood, Kilbourn Park, we went to so many Halloween celebrations! Makai also had a school party and on the night of Halloween his friend came over and we went trick or treating in the neighborhood! At least he got to wear his Ninja costume a ton!









Our local park, Kilbourn Park, had a celebration and parade. The weather was totally crappy, but Makai still had fun, and a ton of people still showed up. I think he would have had more fun if we’d have brought a friend or two. Also, the s’mores ran out RIGHT before we got one. Still, it was very fun and I appreciate all the effort the Park Advisory board went through to throw the party! One downside was that there was a ton of political presence at the event. I get that it’s a great way to reach out to the community, but also, Makai came home with more political fliers than candy! Who knows, maybe they were help pay for the party. In that case, ok then.

Back: Sloane, Evie, Violet, Kiyo, Colin, Makai, Carson, Gus, Leona, Maddie
Front: Morgan, Brooklyn, Ezra, Hudson, David, Sergio, Claudia, Melody, Freddie

At school, Makai and his friends had a Halloween parade and party. It’s always so cute to see his friends all dressed up!

The Logan Square Halloween Parade is always a favorite activity. We bumped into a lot of friends from our old neighborhood and both kids and teachers from Makai’s school. It was a lot of fun. This year, the parade started at Logan Square, as it has done every year except last year, when it started at Palmer Square.  Kelly, Neil and Alex, from our old building.

 We ran into my old friends Benji and Ella, who now have a son, Ethan.

 We hung out with Scout, Winter and Casseus. Scout used to go to Makai’s school but is now in kindergarten.

 Again, there was a phenomenal turn out for the event!

 Scout’s dad pulled a lot of the kids in a wagon.

 Brooklyn is Makai’s classmate!

 We found Brandon, who used to live in our building and used to be a classmate of Makai’s before he went to kindergarten.

 Loved these Daft Punk guys.

 Mucca Pazza!

As always, at the end of the parade, Lula’s handed out cookies to everyone!

After the Logan Square Halloween Parade we headed to Park and Field with Scout and her family, where they were having a lot of after-party activities and a kids buffet.

Saw this cool painting on the window as I walked by Brudders. I love this old fashioned style of decoration!

Some houses in our neighborhood went all out with Halloween decorations. Makes me wonder how it will be for Christmas!

 My coworker lives nearby and told us to get a lot of candy. Plus, we’re a new house on the block. I didn’t want to disappoint. That said, we had way too much candy! Dallas stayed home to pass it out while I took Makai trick or treating.

Gus and his family came over and went trick or treating around the neighborhood with us!

At work we had a Halloween potluck. I made a skull cake. We’ve got the pan, so Makai and I usually make it every year. This year I stepped it up by decorating dia de los muertos style!

Office Secret Santa Gift Exchange and Party

IMG_8764IMG_8767IMG_8768IMG_8769IMG_8770IMG_8765IMG_8771

This year Meenasha took over the coordination of the office secret santa gift exchange and party. It’s grown so much since our first exchange in 2012. SO fun! I was excited to participate, since I missed out last year when I was on maternity leave.

I got Ashley’s name and I don’t know her that well, so I did “drive bys” down her desk aisle to check out her desk and stalked her social media accounts online. I ended up getting her a Star Wars moleskin (based on her posting the new Star Wars movie teaser trailer and also posting something on Field Notes), a Japanese pen, a santa spatula (because she said online that she bakes) and an Intelligentsia gift card (because she had a mug on her desk). She said it was perfect and was really surprised!!

My secret santa, Laura, knew I like to take photos because we were on an office photography committee together a few years ago. She also guessed correctly that I don’t have much time to fiddle with my DSLR camera lately, so she got me a selfie remote for my iPhone and also a telephoto lens that attaches to my iPhone. Awesome. I’ve been having fun especially with the remote.

Jeremy got a Bears chip and dip set and guessed that I gave it to him… but come on! I don’t spend my money on Bears merchandise!! What a fun office event. Can’t wait til next year!