And we’re back in Chicago!

We had a 36 hour layover in SoCal. Which was nice because flying straight from Hawaii to Chicago feels like it would be a lot. Especially with a toddler.

It was also nice because it gave us a chance to have a small (early) birthday celebration for this almost-2-year-old.

WHAT?

I don’t know how this happened. But, yes, this kid is turning 2 in 10 days. And it shows. In the way “no” has become his new favorite word.

Ha.

He gifted us with 2 hours of sleep on our return flight. Ankur got to watch a movie and I got to start this book.

We landed and the weather outside wasn’t terrible! I mean, it wasn’t Hawaii or California, that’s for sure. But it was manageable and that’s how this whole week is gonna be. Springtime is HERE!!

When we got back to our apartment, we were greeted with the cutest surprise.

Henry and Emmett and their mama decorated our door with some “welcome back!” cards and balloons and streamers. It was honestly one of the sweetest, happiest things to come back home to.

We love them so much and we’re so lucky to have them! It makes me teary-eyed to think about them moving in June, but we know how fortunate we are to have crossed paths with them here.

We also picked up our packages that piled up while we were gone. And some lucky toddler got a fun little scooter to ride around the city.

His thoughtful Masi and Masu knew exactly the thing that he’s been obsessed with lately. He’s always trying to sneak in rides on other kids’ scooters at the park. And now he has his own!

We’re feeling the love and birthday celebrations all around. And we’re so grateful for it all.

Now we’re about to dive headfirst into work. Ankur is on a new (busier) rotation, working overnight this week and also this weekend. (He really had to earn his vacation, haha). And I’m back to work after Spring Break so it’s time to get through all these evaluations before the school year ends!

SO, it’s time for some coffee to get the day started. HAPPY MONDAY!