CrossFit and Cornbelly's

We met Katrina at her box bright and early for a CrossFit workout. Ireland is quite at home in a gym since she goes so often with me, and she knows how to be careful around the athletes and equipment. We arrived just as Katrina was finishing up, so Ireland hung out with her while I did the WOD. 

It was the most complicated WOD I've ever done:

5 min AMRAP of

5 Squat Cleans

5 Push Jerks

5 Box Jumps

7 min to establish 1RM of complex with

Power Clean

Hang Squat Clean

Push Jerk

21-15-9

Hand Release Push Ups

Dips

Max effort 800 meter run

In the middle of that run, I was pacing someone when it became painfully obvious I was in high altitude and there simply was not enough oxygen in the air for me. It was like I was breathing through a straw. However, it was really fun to see Katrina's box and meet some of her friends. I like being able to picture people in the places they frequent, ya know? 

This sign made me laugh. I was kind of hoping I'd see someone randomly doing Jumping Jacks near the front desk. We went to Kneaders for breakfast and hung out at Katrina's place for a while. Then we headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up for the day.

It was time to stop by The Sweet Tooth Fairy and nosh on some treats. They have such fun cupcakes there and just like her big sister, Ireland was excited to discover they had won Cupcake Wars! We finally looked up the episode when once we were home.

I love that place. It's the quintessential mother-daughter treat place and Ireland loved it just as much as Liesel had.

My parents were meeting Uncle Bruce at Cafe Rio so we crashed their lunch date for a bit. He has a really dry sense of humor and always makes me laugh. It's also fun to see my mom around her siblings because the similarities come out in such subtle ways- how they pronounce a certain word, the way they use their hands, even the inflections in their voice as they talk.

Lisa works just around the corner and she is an AMAZING nurse so I really wanted Ireland to see her at work, all dressed in her scrubs. We dropped off some treats and headed out for some mother-daughter time.

Originally, I had planned to take Ireland to Park City for a day, but the Alpine slides and coaster were closed for "shoulder season" as they prepare the slopes for skiing. I thought she might enjoy hiking Mount Timpanogos and seeing the caves, but that was closed too. Ireland mentioned she had never been on a roller coaster so I considered Lagoon but it's so dang expensive! That's when I found Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point and it just seemed perfect.

Throughout our trip, Ireland repeatedly asked, "Did you do this with Liesel?" "Are you going to do this with Brigitta?" I assured her our trip would have similar themes (like visiting BYU, going to The Sweet Tooth Fairy, attending the women's session of General Conference, etc.) but there would be things just she and I would do to make this trip special. That seemed incredibly important to her, and I that hit my mom heart pretty hard. I've always said Brigitta is the middlest of middle children but suddenly my focus swung around to Ireland. I mentally put a pin in that for the future.

 The corn maze was pretty spectacular, with a Greatest Showman theme. There were bridges and lookouts scattered throughout it so you could get your bearings. For the most part we knew where we had been and where we were headed...

...until we didn't!

 I had a lot of fun with that little girl of mine.

 She was having the time of her life.

Ireland did a few rides and much to my surprise, she absolutely loved the zipline! We are both apprehensive about heights and I've found myself completely frozen on a zipline platform, so naturally I thought she might have the same fears.

Nope, she had so much fun she actually went twice!

The corn beach was our favorite spot. Ireland dived right in, quite literally, and was happy as a clam playing in all those kernels of corn.

I tried to get a shot of Ireland throwing that bucket of kernels into the air but this is as close as we came. A mom next to me overheard and tried to get her girl to do the same thing and she also sprinkled a few on the ground like Ireland had. Oh well! Look how happy she is!

It just so happens the corner where I was sitting had a wicked cold wind blowing right onto me. The tent was nice and warm but everyone around me moved to avoid it so the only other open side was really crowded. I'm glad I wore my vest with awesome hoodie. I was nice and snug, even if I looked a little eccentric.

Around 5 PM, the whole place started to get pretty crowded and we'd seen and done everything we wanted to. We took a couple more photos on our way out and then navigated the insane traffic in the parking lot to our car.

Although our energy was flagging, I just had to say hi to my old mission companion who also lived in Boston when we did. Ireland played with her girl, Elise and Ireland later told me Elise is "really nice and really good at being evil." It was fun to catch up with Gaylynn. When we were companions, it never occurred to me that our daughters would one day play with each other... life is so funny.

Having been out and about all day, Ireland and I were ready to just chill in our hotel room and of course she was anxious to have another go at the pool. We'd been eating out all day so leftovers from The Bombay House sounded just perfect. Freaky Friday was on but Ireland fell asleep before it was over; she'd really worn herself out at Cornbelly's. It's a day we will both remember!

Grandparents and BYU

Ireland and I were fortunate to be in Utah at the same time as my parents. They'd been touring with their Model A and had reunions, family, and friends to see out in Utah as well. We all sneaked off to meet up for a hearty breakfast and oh how excited that little girl was to get her grandparents all to herself!

Ireland has a particularly special relationship with these two. We celebrated her 4th birthday with them in South Africa where they were serving their mission and is still very memorable for her. Whenever they visit, she will sneak into their room in the early morning and either snuggle with them for a couple of hours or just hang out with them. She always, always asks to drive in their car with them, which bothers her little sisters to no end because Ireland doesn't need a booster, so she usually gets to go.

My parents tell me Ireland reminds them a lot of me when I was a little girl. I, too, was extremely sensitive and tearful when life didn't swing my way. We've since learned the asthma has a lot to do with that. I talked to my mom about Ireland's breakdown in the security line at O'Hare. She reminded me of another visit to Utah- must have been for Whitney's wedding, when Ireland was 2. After landing, we all agreed to meet up at Cafe Rio. My mom said she remembers when Ireland spotted her walking in because she was standing on a chair and she became so excited she stomped her little feet... and then burst into tears. Mom said she thinks Ireland is just at a stage of life where tears are how she ultimately handles her big emotions- negative or positive. 

I am SO very grateful to have people who love and care about this little girl and can help give me perspective!

We all enjoyed a HUGE breakfast at Jim's which was filled with senior citizens. It was a bit of a dreary day so it was nice to feel warm and full. Ireland and I headed down to BYU so I could show off my alma mater.

Once we were on campus, we made a beeline for the library. I'd read online that they were giving away free chocolate milk from the Creamery and in my totally unbiased opinion, it's the best chocolate milk in the world! It's really rich and smooth, not grainy like other brands. Unfortunately they were giving out free chocolate milk... while supplies lasted. Any Cougar worth his salt will be on a giveaway like that in a heartbeat! Dozens of students waltzed past us with their chocolate milk in hand but we had just missed it. And by the way, when did they start allowing food in the library!?! I was written up once for having a bagel while I was printing off a paper and I want my name cleared.

The library had a display on Martin Luther's Ninety-five theses, which Ireland didn't find nearly as compelling as I. After some convincing, she at least let me skim all the information.

This was my contribution. Brent's would have been "Indulge Me a Moment"

I showed Ireland the Periodical Room and before we stepped inside I encouraged her to just glance at what the students were working on. I guaranteed her she would see all different subjects, and several students would have their scriptures out. That place is as silent as a tomb and the second we walked back out the door, Ireland gave out a big breath that I think she'd been holding the whole time, so as to not make any noise.

We headed to the Wilkinson Center to buy our chocolate milk and grab a mint brownie. As we sat and enjoyed those, I quizzed Ireland on which guys in the food court she thought were cute. From there we headed to the book store to do some shopping.

Some unexpected changes made this trip a little more expensive than we planned so I really tried to reel in my school pride. I couldn't pass up letting Ireland get a t-shirt though!

She was so excited about that shirt, she wanted to wear it right away. My brief stint as a janitor at the Wilk paid off as I led her to the nearest bathroom- the one that's never busy because no one seems to know it's there.

I showed Ireland where we attended church and where we had Ward Council where I met Brent. We headed over to our respective apartments and she could not stop looking at those mountains!

 Brent's apartment was kind of a hole to begin with, but I was shocked to see how downhill it had gone, even since seeing it with Liesel two years ago. There was a pile of trash right next to a dumpster and thanks to the rain it reeked.

Ireland couldn't stand to stay long because the smell was so bad. Brent mentioned the original owner had gotten sick and the people who took it over really just wanted to collect rent checks.

My apartment just down the street has aged a bit better. 

I couldn't help but take the opportunity to explain to Ireland this is why we emphasize saving as much as they can for college when they are young. Normally I would get a look that says, "I KNOW MOM" but this time she quietly contemplated the concept.

Another change to campus is they've built a pavilion for the Costa Rican stone ball. As a student I never knew what it was for and now it has it's own home, with a plaque stating that no one knows what it was for. Literally. Use unknown: perhaps an astronomical marker, a boundary marker, or a burial memorial stone.

The altitude was getting to us so we rested now and again as we walked through campus. It was nice to just people-watch and Ireland was surprised by how many students were in Sunday dress. I'd forgotten about that. I explained that lots of students work at the MTC where they have to dress like missionaries and others are in business school where they are expected to wear suits and dresses.

 We stopped by the Testing Center and I excitedly asked Ireland, "Can't you just FEEL the tension in the air?" She looked at me quizzically and said, "Can you?" There's a joke around campus that the Testing Center is the most spiritual place at BYU because more prayers are said there than anywhere else. We peeked through the doors at the rows and rows of students taking their exams. Man I'm glad that part of my life is over!

We made a quick stop at the Art Museum but unfortunately, the main exhibit was on Pulitzer Prize photographs. Lots of those are pretty grizzly so I handed Ireland my phone to play some games while I sped through the gallery. We were getting pretty exhausted so we decided to wrap up our day at BYU with some quick photos on the cougar. 

Even though we still weren't hungry, I'd been told to go to The Bombay House while we were in Utah and the Provo location is the best because that's where the owner, Daniel, works. Apparently he is referenced in a book called The Orphan Keeper, but you're not supposed to mention the book to him. I should probably read that one. Ireland ordered the chicken tikka masala and I asked for the Indian butter chicken.

I'm drooling thinking about that chicken. Again, we weren't particularly hungry but it was SO good I was licking it up! I took the opportunity to pull up one of those lists of questions a mother should ask her daughter. The one that struck me the most was "What does it feel like when I hug you?" Ireland answered simply, "Love".

I had posted some of our photos on Instagram and our babysitter from back when we lived in Iowa City messaged me. She's at BYU and since she was free, we just had to stop by and see her.

Amanda is a good egg and I trust her completely with my children. She saved me in so many ways during those hard years in Iowa City and our whole family will always love her. We didn't have long to talk but somehow got right to the nitty gritty. And Ireland didn't mind a few extra snuggles one, tiny bit.

It started sprinkling just as we left Provo and we hit a storm on the drive back to our hotel. As it cleared, we saw the most brilliant rainbow I've ever seen in my life. Ireland tried to get a video of it but it just doesn't do it justice. 

We spent the evening lounging in the pool and hot tub and watching some old episodes of Say Yes to the Dress. It was a grand ending to a grand day!

Midwest to the Crossroads of the West

My trip with Ireland to Utah started off with a bit of drama. At security, I was explaining to her the best order to place things on the conveyor belt and one of the TSA agents overheard and jumped in to give her advice as well. Irony of ironies, we were so caught up in our good advice, I completely forgot Ireland had a tablet in her backpack that she should have taken out. As we put on our shoes and waited for our carry-ons, one of the TSA agents held up her pink, polka-dotted backpack with the American Girl doll strapped on the back and gruffly asked if it was hers. She timidly replied in the affirmative and he said, "There's a tablet in here so I'm going to have to send it through again." 

Aye de mi! Ireland's face practically cracked in half and she turned bright red as she went right to stutter crying. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as I scrambled to tell her she wasn't in trouble, no one was mad at her, this happens all the time, etc. etc. I hugged her and stroked her hair but she could not stop crying. The same TSA agent became gentle as a puppy and asked if she'd feel better if she had her doll. She nodded through her tears and he unstrapped it from her backpack and handed it over. She made quite the scene there as everyone around us became aware of this little girl crying her heart out. I took her aside so she could have a moment to gather herself. 

Once Ireland was calm again, I asked her to show me which gate we were headed to and she said, "But Mom, what about my luggage?" I had been so focused on her backpack, I completely forgot about her suitcase, which was still sitting back at security. Ha! Despite my efforts, I was spectacularly failing to teach my girl how to be a savvy business traveler. In a way it was a good thing though because in a bin beside her luggage was someone's forgotten tablet. "See? People forget about those things ALL THE TIME!!!" Ireland gave me a weak smile. 

 With her doll and luggage in hand, Ireland was ready to head to our gate. 

Having just been to a Cubs game, I especially loved the W flags alongside the pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness. 

Once we were on the plane, we settled in for the long flight which ended up being even longer. Due to a line of storm cells, the pilots changed the flight plan to fly south to avoid them. We had to wait for the plane to get more fuel and then wait in a line for takeoff. Ireland's nerves settled and she even slept through the worst of the turbulence. Maybe it's been a while since I've flown, but the turbulence really bothered me, especially when it came on unannounced.

With all the drama, we hadn't grabbed anything to eat so we were highly anticipating the snacks. One lovely thing about Utah is there are fast food places open no matter the hour so we swung into a Taco Bell minutes after getting our rental car. My hand was inside the bag before the guy even finished handing it to me! Ireland and I had a shame meal- shoveling food into our mouths in the parking lot. There was shredded cheese all over the back seat of the rental car! Every time we headed out somewhere, it was a reminder of how hungry we were on that first night. It was early in the AM when we finally crashed in our hotel room, and oh how we crashed!!!

It was a long journey, but we made it.

Wrigley with Brigitta

When the opportunity to take in a Cubs game came up with one of our favorite families, Brent insisted that I go. Then it came down to deciding which of the girls should accompany me. My big trip to Utah with Ireland was just around the corner, and since it was a night game, there's no way Sydney could go the distance. So it was between Liesel (who had dance) and Brigitta. We pretty quickly settled on Brigitta, who definitely needed some cherishing.

It was so nice to take in a game!!! When we lived in Boston, Brent and I used to make it to Red Sox games a few times every season and I miss it so much. I tried to talk him into taking the girls to a game this past summer but he felt strongly they aren't old enough to truly appreciate it.

I was so excited to teach Brigitta the little bit I do know about baseball, but I think all that really sunk in is who the pitcher is. Brigitta was so dang happy to be there with me, she could hardly sit still! One of our old friends from Schaumburg posted on social media that he was at the game so Brent gave him our seat number and we got to reconnect. Small world!

We are big fans of Chicago-style hot dogs! Ketchup is so sweet and vinegary tasting, it really doesn't belong on top of a hot dog, but sliced tomatoes are just perfect. I kind of spoiled Brigitta with the ballpark food. We did nachos, giant pretzel, peanuts and of course, soft serve in a little helmet!

We had so much fun hanging out with the Larson's! They stayed all the way through the end of the game which made me SO happy! I know it was a school night, but if I'm gonna pay for a ticket, I'm sticking it through to the very end.

 And what a sweet ending it was! Cubs for the win!!!

Brigitta fell asleep on the way home and it was really, really late by the time we rolled into our driveway, even for me. I'm really glad I had the chance to spend some time with Brigitta watching a game I love so much. 

But for the record, we are still Red Sox fans ;)