Reading before bed is usually Daddy's job. Occasionally, though, he goes to play soccer or something, and it's my turn. On this night, Fiona insisted on "reading" to me, and she was her usually funny self doing it. Rowan played a very good apprentice and captured it for me.

Stunning sunset on our way home from Chicago.

I've spent a fair amount of time just like this on this trip. :)

Having grown up in such a small town, surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents...it's a very different experience for me having my only nephew (so far) live almost 5 hours away. We make an effort to see each other frequently, but I still miss having them closer. This visit was a nice chance to spend time with him without being distracted by having to take care of all of my own little ones. I had fun getting to know him a bit better, seeing what an incredibly active, funny little boy he is.

Home for the next few days. It's been 14 months since we had a vacation away from the kids. I plan to sleep well, eat well, read a lot, and run on the lakefront for the next few days.

Grandma's here! Some of the happiest words in the English language. You guys have all really lucked out in the grandparent department, getting four grandparents who adore you, pay attention to you, spoil you, and most importantly, spend time with you. You won't know until much later just how lucky that is, but you know right now that you love it.

Stripped beds, because lice has found its way back here. Poor Saoirse, she appears to be as irresistible to lice as she is to mosquitos. At least after last year we know the drill. We made our way immediately to Rapunzel's boutique, and luckily everyone else in the family passed the inspection. Treated and done. And a mountain of laundry done, just in time to turn over all the kids to Grandma Donna.