Mr. Serious had a work conference in Chicago that overlapped with the county’s fall break, so we decided to head to the Windy City together.

Once we arrived, we all realized we needed a couple more layers of clothing, so we got those on and ventured over to Soldier Field and then further on to Lake Michigan. It started off overcast, but the sun came out and warmed us a little.

The Lake was quite rough and true to the city’s name, it was quite windy.

You can even see the waves crashing on the boardwalk. (Is it called that? Not even sure, but that’s what I’m going with).

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and got on the “L” for a ride to Second City. After using public transportation all around New York City, it felt like the city was empty with how few people were on the train.

We grabbed tickets to the $10 show with a smaller stage and setting at Second City where we saw a stand up comedian and a long form improv show. We all agreed it was “worth $10!”

The next day was a city day that started out at Cloud Gate and Millenium Park.

We got family pictures reflecting into “The Bean” (which I’ve read the artist dislikes it being called that, but few people know it by its true name Cloud Gate.)

It is so reflective that you can’t even tell from far away that it has water spots on it. We didn’t even realize they were visible until we looked at the pictures. It really is a cool piece of art.

Then we wandered around some more and found the playground. As it turns out, the kids love a playground and love a fast slide! We found quite a few all over the city. The slides were all metal which you don’t tend to find in Georgia! Nor have we ever seen a whale’s mouth we could get into.

After many runs on the slides and climbing all the things, we went to check out the nearby Chicago Cultural Center.

We didn’t last too long as everybody was getting a bit hungry, but we saw competitions and planning for the city for the next 25 years (very innovative ideas) and The Tiffany Dome with gorgeous stained glass.

After lunch and some legs-up-rest at the hotel, we went back out after dinner for our Architectural Tour via boat along the rivers.

It was definitely the right call to do the tour at night to see the buildings all lit up. But, we also didn’t bring enough warm jackets! There was some shivering that happened.

The next day was a girls day as Mr. Serious’ conference officially started. We decided this would be the day we explored the Obama Presidential Center and Library. It turns out this trip required an actual train ride (the kids were very excited to be on the double decker train).

It’s hard to capture how impressive the Presidential Center is. And there really isn’t anything tall around it.

We didn’t know we’d be taking the trip when tickets went on sale for September, so we weren’t able to secure tickets to see the entire center. However, there is a lot to see without tickets. When we asked where we should enter without tickets, a nice gentleman told us to go to the ticket counter and see if there were any free Sky Room tickets available. It turns out, if you get there early, there are likely some available. This got us access to the Sky Room on the 8th floor. A quick huge elevator ride up and we could see Lake Michigan from one side of the building.

And from two other sides, you could see the rest of the gardens and outdoor space of the Presidential Center as well as the words that adorned the top of the building.

In the Sky Room is the Sky of Hope which is hand stamped words from President Obama’s speech for the 50th anniversary of the Selma marches. There was a QR code on the wall with a 5 minute audio recording about Sky of Hope that we found interesting and listened to while we were in the Sky Room.

We were also able to see some of the art work in the building (and hit the cafeteria for some lunch) without admission. I wish we would have had another person take a picture for us as the glare from the opposing window really takes away from this piece of art, but go see it in person! It’s made of a lot of pictures from the lives of the Obama family.

That evening, the conference allowed us to attend an event at Starbucks Reserve Roastery which was 4 stories of Starbucks and the biggest in the world. We rode escalators to the top floor to the event and didn’t get to explore much. But we couldn’t miss a chance at the fun photo opportunity.

They had very tasty snacks, mixed drinks and espresso martinis and even had non-alcoholic decaf espresso martinis! It was very different and tasty.

If you don’t get a picture, were you even there?

After, we grabbed a car and went to another show at Second City called Pandemonium. The title was perfectly appropriate and the show was wildly hilarious.

We all went to bed way too late for our 3:30am wake up. Very last minute I decided to change the flight for the girls and me so we would be able to make it to the oldest kiddo’s race later that day. The girls and I went back and forth on if we should drive straight to the race city, or drive home, have a nap and then head out. We landed on home and a nap and then made the 2 hour drive to her race.

It was good to see her and see her doing what she loves with her team!

After the race, we drove the 2 hours home, with a quick drive through dinner stop, ate and all went straight to bed!

We all need a vacation from our vacation!

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Chicago Fall Break | Mommy and Me Monday | 878th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

Between band, cross country and school, the kids all have quite full schedules. Dinner is shifted later and later and sleeping in is a luxury.

We take time to slow down when we can. Sometimes that means self-care with an ice bath after challenging workouts.

B got out and E and B had a dance choreography session and I was able to spectate. Which meant I accidentally stayed in that ice bath for 20 minutes. It took me a while to warm back up.

The oldest didn’t have a race this weekend and was able to drive home while the rest of us went to watch (and coach) B’s race. It was quite challenging and very hill, but our kids stepped up and won big!

We stopped and grabbed lunch on the way home where I realized I didn’t grab a race picture of B and me…so post-race it is!

Before the oldest headed back to school (these 24 hour trips are fast, but she has allotted with her practice schedule) we squeezed in a family lunch out. Hibachi and sushi is a win for everybody!

She was back off to school when we got home and the month continues on!

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Ice Bath and Lunches | Mommy and Me Monday | 877th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

Labor Day weekend I realized that we were all free Monday. That is a very rare occurrence. I reached out to the oldest to make sure she was also free, and she was after practice. So I asked if we could come for a visit and have brunch and hang out.

I think she might have even been excited when she said yes!

We went to her place and scooped up her and her boyfriend and headed to brunch…where we had to wait a little bit. Thankfully, there were also a couple shops open so we got to wonder around and look at fun but way out of my “willing to spend” price range of clothing.

Then we were able to grab some brunch.

We had a nice time brunching together and then spent some time at the pool which was a nice way to wrap up Labor Day weekend.

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Brunch with the college kid and family | Mommy and Me Monday | 876th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

It would be funny to say that we don’t eat out a lot — and really funny that we don’t eat out for lunch and then show you two times that we did. But, here we are.

N had a before and after school meeting, but no marching band. And she can scoot from school after her third block a little earlier on this same day because of a required study session time. She sent me a note and asked if I wanted to lunch with her. While she did invite me…I did end up paying.

Her morning meeting didn’t go as planned, but there were smiles by the end of lunch.

Saturday, Mr. Serious headed to the oldests’ college race so the rest of us went to watch/coach B’s race. It was a bit of a longer drive then we are used to and after standing in the sun for over an hour and baking and dripping with sweat, we knew we needed to get some sustenance before the drive home. If there’s a Willy’s, these kids want to go.

After lunch, it was time to make the trek home. Once home, we all lounged around because the sun had defeated us. I’m extra thankful for the extra day this weekend.

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Girls Who Lunch | Mommy and Me Monday | 875th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

For E’s birthday, much much earlier this year, we got her concert tickets to see Solya (one of her favorite artists) over the summer. Perfect timing. It didn’t interfere with school or band.

Then Solya got sick and had to reschedule. So we waited for the new date to come out. Thankfully, it was a Wednesday evening…which meant no interference with marching band practice. Of course, it was a late school night for her and her friend.

Her present included 3 tickets, one for herself, one for a friend to bring and one for a parent to bring because these kids needs chauffeurs and chaperones.

We snapped a parking garage picture before she was too excited/distracted to get a picture.

We got pictures inside with her and her friend before the concert, too. And I think between her and her friend there’s a good chance she filled up a full phone memory.

E and her friend got into the edge of the crowd and I found a spot in the back and made friends with other parents that were also chauffeur/chaperones.

It was a pretty chill concert which I was thankful for and I think we were home by 11. Of course, we would have preferred a summer date, but this one worked out pretty well and E gets to check off her first concert from her list.

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post E’s First Concert | Mommy and Me Monday | 874th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

We’ve only got one off to college but sometimes with all of these extra activities it feels like there are less and less of them home.

Friday night was the first football game and band performance for N and E. Mr. Serious and I went to the game and watched the first half and the band performance and then scooted out. When did the student section throwing baby powder up in the air become a thing?

B went to bed because she was going to be up early for a run but Mr. Serious and I waited up for our band kids to get home. The cats seemed to love the quiet house and both demanded pets at the same time (Zoey has almost camouflaged herself in the blanket).

Maybe we should call this Mommy (waiting on the) and Me (kids) Monday!

If I’m quick in the mornings, I can sometimes get a hug and goodbye before the N and E are out the door. This is the extend of pictures N would allow in the morning.

She gets to come home for lunch and her last class because it’s a dual enrollment math class. I called her name and she looked over and snap…there she is!

This photo a week with these kids is sometimes so easy and I have several to select from. Other times I have to ask and almost beg to get one. I guess kids will always keep us on our toes.

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Parenting with Kids with Extra-Curriculars | Mommy and Me Monday | 873rd ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

It’s very different this year having only one cross country runner at home and also being a coach on her team. Plus, one older sister at college and the other two later at school for band camp, B and I spend a lot of time together.

Sometimes, it’s post practice and waiting for everybody else to get home for a much later family dinner. Taking pictures while we wait helps pass the time.

Then this weekend, it was time for the first middle school race. The last 5 years, Mr. Serious and I have had to divide and conquer for races because the high school and middle school were at two different locations most of the time. But not this time! The middle two had an all day band camp, so it was just the three of us at the race.

I’ve been notoriously bad at getting a picture at the race, but remembered this time on the walk in!

It was so incredibly hot and humid with sweat literally dripping down us (and I wasn’t even running), but our kids did so well with the team even taking home a trophy! B ran on the varsity team and was very close to her overall PR and still beat her current year time trial time! I’m excited to see where this season takes us. And, soon enough, I’ll be at football games and marching band competitions!

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post First Cross Country Race of 2026 | Mommy and Me Monday | 872nd ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

I’m not a huge fan of a Monday start, but here we are. The first week of school has already come and gone. We’ve got a 2nd year in college (who starts next week), a 12th grader (ack!), a 9th grader and 7th grader. And they still let me take their pictures with their signs.

My stairsteps are no longer stairsteps.

I had to get in one, too!

Mr. Serious’ birthday was nestled right in the week. With marching band practices, middle school cross country practices and all other things school, we’ve definitely had to adjust how we dinner and how we do our evenings. But we made sure to celebrate Mr. Serious…it was just with a pre-purchased (yay for thinking ahead) Costco cake.

And a bonus picture from B’s weekend run and my bike ride. She had a great time trial earlier in the week!

Week one down! Lots more to go!

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post First Day of School and Mr. Serious’ Birthday | Mommy and Me Monday | 871st ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

It was the week before school started and we were all feeling it a bit. Besides running and band camp, there hadn’t been a ton of back to school preparations (I did go buy school supplies and I’m sure we’ll need more).

So this week we did some back to school clothes shopping. The girls had done some closet and dresser overhauling over the summer and it seems like everybody grew this year. N decided to do some shopping with a friend. The rest of us decided to see what we could find thrifting. What’s old is new again and stays out of the landfill! We found some good things and came out spending a lot less than I had planned.

The oldest actually didn’t get anything which is a shock to all of us! But, it was also her week to move into her college apartment. And she had been preparing for that pretty much all summer.

When we arrived, they were still working on cleaning the apartment and there are renovations still happening so there was a lot of working around that. But, she’s mostly moved in (her bathroom is still in the works).

And this is literally the only picture I took of her apartment and the move in. The second time moving her was a little easier than the first. But, it’s still weird that she’s not here all the time again!

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Back to School Ready | Mommy and me Monday | 870th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.

Last week, N and E had their full week of band camp with themed dress up days every day. One day was twin day.

And it was pretty dang cute when they came into the kitchen matching and I asked if they planned it (not knowing it was twin day). They had decided to twin together with each other instead of friends.

It was also one of my days I signed up to chaperone/serve dinner. When I was getting ready in the afternoon, it dawned on me that I also had the same green shirt (and some dark blue shorts), so I put on my “twin” outfit and it became triplet day.

I had guessed who would notice first and it was N…as I predicted. But they both did notice and also claimed I didn’t embarrass them! Whew!

One week until school starts! It’s been a slow fast summer!

What did you do this week?

GET IN THE PICTURE WITH YOUR KIDS! Who cares what you look like? Who cares how you appear? Who cares what you are wearing? JUST DO IT! Come share your picture on the Facebook thread or use #MommyAndMeMonday!

It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids. Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friend’s husband.

The post Twin Day Turned Triplet Day | Mommy and Me Monday | 869th ed appeared first on Really, Are You Serious?.