mary mary commentary

It is VERY cold here. They have cancelled school for the last three days because of it. Right now it is a balmy -13˚ with wind chill of about -36˚. It did snow, but it is a little too chilly to go play in it. Everyone has been sick anyway, so we are just chillin' inside. Ella missed school last Friday, Charles this past Tuesday, Ibby has only been twice since Christmas break ended, and the baby has a hoarse little voice. So cute for da-da, but also a little bit sad. Since everyone has been ill, I wasn't being overly concerned about any particular person, but Ibby seemed the most tired, most pale, most pathetic overall so she won the honor of being the main guest for a rare doctor visit. Well, it turns out that she has pneumonia! No fever or other obvious symptom to give me a clue. That sneaky bug! A little Zithromax and she seems to be on the mend, whew!

Last Saturday we ran up to Chicago for a little lunch at American Girl Place. That was part of the little girls Christmas present. I wanted Ella to come with us as well, but she really didn't want to. Oh! I bemoan the fact that I never took her when she would have liked it. She does still like her doll, but a little too sophisticated to enjoy tiny food apparently. We had a really good time and I had to pack our day with a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry and a short stop at Ikea. I wouldn't want to waste the gas for only one event, but it always makes the day very long.

Matthew found out last week that he was given a Sabbatical for next year! Actually they put the letter in his box on Dec. 12, but he hadn't been to campus for a month. So we have been busily plotting what we will do with his time -- exciting adventures and world travels whilst also accomplishing all that he told the school he would. One thing I have always considered doing is going to Spain for the year and from there trotting to other scintillating spots. M was looking at a University there that has invented an interactive coffee table that has blocks on it with which many people can create music at once. Well, we walked into an exhibit at the Museum in Chicago and there was the table! A definite sign, wouldn't you say?

Here are some pics from our outing. Lucy is wearing the skirt she made in her sewing class. Isn't it cute? It is the twirl skirt I saw on Amy's blog.