my random ramblingsan infrequent (and these days, mostly Mira related…) blog

out early to pick up the cake, more flowers, and breakfast. presents in the morning, gymnastics in the afternoon, then an early sushi dinner to celebrate Лена’s birthday.

Mira tried to get us up super early, but managed to get her back in bed and sleeping until 7:00 or so. nothing compares to the joy of being 6 and opening presents. picked up Chinese for lunner. great day.

ballet in the morning, picked up some carrot cake from Magnolia and doughnuts from Krispy Kreme on the way home. started unpacking, but still a lot more to go. yearly attempt to make Christmas cookies, but once again, turned into unrecognizable blobs in the oven…

over to 900 N Michigan after school to see santa. went surprisingly fast, then a quick stop at the Water Tower before heading to dinner at Benihana. swung by the new Starbucks before coming home, and i must say, despite all of the hoopla, it’s an impressive spot.

ballet in the morning, then back home to help Mira with her homework. dinner with the fam at Лена’s favorite spot.

tree was delivered on Monday. finally got the lights on, then decorated it with Mira after school.

early afternoon drive with Mira to the theater to meet Alexa and Michael at Frozen 2. movie was ok, but still feeling rough from yesterday’s stomach bug. back home, then dropped Mira to gymnastics while we enjoyed a new spot in Chinatown for dinner. picked up Лена late from the studio.

slow morning, but ended up meeting up with Alexa and Michael for a late light breakfast at Chicago Waffles. pro tip: avoid the turkey sausage. walked back home and hung out for an hour or so before they were off to meet with his family, and we got ready for dinner at Maggiano’s. great dinner and a lot of fun, but wasn’t feeling so great by the end of it. back home and off to Target for a little Black Friday shopping. stomach bug hit me before bed and was no doubt caused by the sausage. sick all night and the entire next day.

morning ballet in the Loop, then quickly home. off to the O’hare international terminal to pick up Лена’s parents, who’ll be staying with us through Christmas. quick trip over to Ann’s after we got home, then dinner with the family around the dinning room table.

early gymnastics practice, and got pulled in after class to see Mira’s mill circles. out to Lincoln Park in the afternoon for ballet. lots of shopping in the evening, then more prepping and cleaning.