americanarama

in the last 3.5 years, david and i have been to zero concerts (can that be right?) and have together spent a night away from children once (which really doesn't count, because i was pregnant with james, so we weren't really "away" from children). i'm not complaining; we have made choices that are right for us. in the first few years of parenthood, those choices included staying very close to our little ones. however, we are ready to have a night or two away from the bedtime routines and night time wakings. we are ready to go to concerts and have a little adult fun. luckily, we have a small but dedicated group of loving family who keep requesting more time with the kids. last weekend, they got their wish, and we got ours.

the kids stayed with david's sister becky and her family in the chicago suburbs, while we went into the city for a night away, including a concert. the kids had a blast, becky and her family enjoyed their time with them, and we had an awesome time. it was perfect.

 while ramona and james climbed trees with their cousins,

we had lunch in the sunshine along the chicago river.

while they strolled the streets of glen ellyn,

we strolled into toyota park (the soccer stadium for the chicago fire) for the bob dylan/wilco/my morning jacket concert. some people call this "dad rock" or maybe even "grandad rock." the promoters want us all to call it by it's official name "americanarama." i think i'll just call it the best concert i've been to in over 3 years. while we found our seats, My Morning Jacket began singing songs i love, like i'm amazed. i was amazed, for sure.

while the kids ate all their dinner, were good listeners, did not fight, and went to bed on time without any resistance (not pictured) (seriously. they really were that good, apparently), we rocked out to wilco. when dylan took the stage, we tried to appreciate his legendary presence while trying so so sooo hard to decipher what he was saying. this review really nails it.

while the kids got up and got right down to the business of dress up and dancing with cousins,


 we woke up to a view of glass and steel, and laid in bed a bit longer than we get to at home. but then we got on the train, our hearts pounding with excitement to see those little kids again.

thank you mcfarlands, for an incredible weekend!