Three Kids and a Dog: Spending Time w/ the Girls

She is so happy!

Austen has been away most of the summer doing college visits and soccer ID Camps so the girls and I have had some time to do the things that make them happy. One recent weekend while the boys were in Pittsburgh, the girls and I dropped them off at the airport, hit Starbucks and then headed to Oakbrook Mall for some back to school shopping. After they (Peyton) did some damage, we went home to take Sadie out and then settle in for the crepes from a local restaurant for dinner.

We had big plans on Saturday though. Hailey remembered that Barnes and Noble bookstores across the country were having special events to highlight a new book in a series that she reads - Warrior Cats - and she really wanted to go. Oakbrook was sold out so we drove 75 minutes one way to Rockford on Saturday so she could participate in this event. She was very happy when we arrived. They had games, raffle prizes and the new graphic novel as well as some free giveaways. Hailey was in her element.

I must say though she was probably the most "normal" looking person there. I never much was into those kind of fantasy books when I was a kid but Hailey loves them. Anyway, she ended up winning a Warrior Cat bag (like we need more bags!) and was thrilled with the event so it was worth the drive.

We headed home and after spending some time with Sadie we went to dinner at Jo Jo's shake shack where we got some delicious salads (really truly a great salad that rates up there with the best I've had) and Hailey got a cheeseburger and then we got two crazy good shakes. What a treat!

On Sunday, after grocery shopping and some sports (vball for Hailey), we picked up the guys at the airport and headed home. It was a good weekend filled with everything they both wanted to do.