Wisconsin

The other weekend was spent immersed in family.  I was extremely bummed that Jordan couldn't go with us to Madison to celebrate Nic 
graduating with his MFA and Grant's belated birthday (brotherly birthday), but he has been really busy and didn't have any days to take off.  Anyway, my mom and dad picked me up Friday and we rode out together.  Upon our arrival Grant met us at the hotel where we changed out of our comfies and primped up a little for the night.  We went and sat outside and enjoyed an appetizer and few drinks prior to the ceremony.  Then off to the Kohl's center to watch him do the walk.  It was fun to see him take a deep breath and know that he was done and his hard work had paid off.  However, I will say looking back on it, the whole concept of a graduation ceremony is kind of bizarre.  After the ceremony we shot a few pictures outside the art lofts and then met up with a few of Nic's friends for a fabulous dinner at a seafood restaurant called, The Tempest.  Dinner and dessert were wrapped up around 11:30 so we decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel.  

Grant and I were sharing a room and lets just say when forced into tight quarters with your siblings again and sharing a bathroom, somethings just don't change. (Gross! Seriously? Hurry Up? What are you doing?)

The next day Grant and my Dad went for a bike ride on the capital city loop while my Mom, Nic and I took it easy.  Nic is very good at finding a way to pass the day in relaxation.  We made salads at the Co-op and took them down along the lake where we sat on a bench to appreciate the nice weather and our salads and sodas.  Conversation was easy for the three of us and other than the ants crawling into my salad to steal a nibble the food was wonderful.  We then trekked back up the hill to a park that is very near Nic's humble abode.  We spent an hour or so playing Frisbee.  Which I am sure to anyone else was comical to watch. Nic is consistently good, I am hit or miss, and my mom received the hustle award at the end of it.  So you can let your mind imagine.  While we were playing frisbee Nic mentioned that the thrift store nearby had a great children's book section.  So of course I was intrigued and we decided to venture that way.  This store was better than the scholastic warehouse sale.  I felt like I really was in Librarians R US and most of the books were marked at 99 cents. Jackpot!  So I easily found quite a few books to add to my classroom library and Nic found a few he wanted as well.  

That evening we returned to the hotel to celebrate Grant's birthday with snacks and drinks by the pool while he opened a couple of gifts.  We again enjoyed some conversation and nursing our sore frisbee throwing muscles in the hot tub.  When we returned to our hotel rooms to get ready for dinner we haphazardly found all three of us "kids" gathered around one of my best purchases at the thrift store. Yes there were three adult children racing through an I Spy book to see who could find the stupid clothespin first!  I think we owe our parents a thank you for not allowing us to have cable, because we can truly appreciate  things like the thrill of finding that STUPID clothespin.  We went out for a late dinner and ended the night at a tavern with an exhilarating game of darts.  Before heading out the next day we enjoyed a delicious brunch at Lazy Jane's.  

On the drive home, which was so windy I thought our car was going to grow a pair of wings, I couldn't help but to feel blessed.  I had just spent some wonderful time with my family that I love so much.  My family has physically spread out over the years and we don't get the opportunity to all be together very often, but I know we try to make the most of it when we do.  I am lucky to have this amazing support system even if our contact is often by phone.  Plus I didn't have to be sad to leave behind my family because I was heading home to my wonderful husband.  I know it is dorky, but I still miss him even if it is just for a night or two when we are apart.  And of course I was sure that Teddy would be happy to welcome me home again!