Happy 4th of July

I cannot believe we made it. It was hotter than hot today and we were pretty much outside since 9AM. We started off at the church parade. The kids decorated their bikes last night and by the time we walked to the start of the line up we all had sweat dripping off of us. The kids did their lap and were able to get a prize for participating. We left from there and came back home to finish making our food for lunch and to refill water bottles. We went to the Skokie parade and made it through almost all of it. We had a shady spot and there was a breeze. The kids got some candy and magnets and popsicles and snow cones. We went up to the church picnic. We lucked out and again found a shady spot. It was almost too hot to eat. The kids played hard and their faces were bright red. Lauren and Dean and the girls met us in time to do the races and games. Ellie and Abby won the balloon toss and Nick came in 4th in the race.

We left the picnic and went to Mom and Dad's for the combo 4th of July/Dad's 60th birthday party. UB came down from Baraboo and the GGs were there. Katherine and Evan were over from next door. Mom had a nice spread but the heat really limits how much food you can eat. The kids had fun running around and playing together and it was nice to visit. We came home for a little bit to pick up our blanket and refill water and then we were off to the fireworks. Skokie put on an awesome display and we were able to park relatively close. We came home and took quick showers and got the kids to sleep.

This week has just been way to hot for Chicagoland. Even when I we have watered the plants, they still look limp and unhappy. We were able to pick a couple more cucumbers for our lunch today - really like being bale to shop from the yard. Nick got a very cute haircut on Monday night. My cabinet for the back room is finally inside the house - still need to get the shelves in and the fabric mounted on the back but it is progress to have it in. Visualizing my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree