Had Lucy's 7th birthday party last weekend, actually on her birthday. Made her a giant chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich for a cake. The kids pretty much just ate the ice cream. First time she had a bunch of kids from school over. Went over pretty well. I think she had fun. I'm definitely slacking on the picture taking though. Didn't really have it out. Having the SecuritySpy app on the Apple TV up and running with the basement camera worked out well with parents and kids, when they found out they were on the TV. Entertaining, that's for sure. Took advantage of Take Your Kids to Work day last Thursday, even though I took the day off. When I tried working with the kids in the office, I didn't really get to work much. So instead, just showed them my office, then got the wristbands for free access to the SkyDeck. Third year in a row, and well, didn't take any pictures of them this time. I've had a cough for a while, thought it was getting better, then came back after this weekend. I've been sleeping on the couch because the coughing keeps Tracy up. I thought it was the mucus in the sinus thing, and then I felt it loosen up and drop, and thought I was approaching the tail end, and then it went back up. Annoying. Not stopping me from biking through. Need to keep that up, even if it drops to 40° F like it did today. Started reading The Diamond Age, mostly because I forgot my AirPods in the gym locker. Reading it more for nanotech and culture details, seems pretty appropriate for now.

Got snipped a couple weeks ago. So haven't been biking to work and back. Do bike a little bit with the kids on the weekends though, and dropping off/picking up Jackson. But otherwise still taking it easy. Might start up again next week, since Bike the Drive is in a week. nuke and paved my iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad. Been having some issues, so figured it's time. Also decided to start going without a case again, although it seems like I'm just playing with fire. It's so slick. But it's so slick, and nice without a case. Feels so much smaller. I've even started using the iPad without a case too. Also feels so much smaller. My parents took the kids for the long weekend after the procedure, so I plowed through the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. Took me 5 or 6 days. Kind of floundering on what I should watch next. I do have a huge backlog of podcasts to work through.

Been thinking all week that the day was actually the next. So today, I thought was Friday. Also seems to be working in reverse. That yesterday was Thursday and not actually Wednesday. Either way, annoying. Decided to watch Alias from the beginning. Goes all the way back to 2001, before iPads and iPhones, so it's interesting. Also interesting to see the female empowerment that I must have not noticed or paid much attention too, but completely notice in this day and age. Also knowing the 5th season twist is interesting when watching from the beginning. Not to mention seeing Bradley Cooper in a supporting role on a TV show. Hoping the weather holds up for Bike the Drive on Sunday. At the same time, kinda hoping it rains because then I'll go out by myself without Tracy and the kids, and it would probably be pretty empty.

Did Bike the Drive on Sunday. Late start, so only got on at Addison at 8:30 and made it down to Grant Park by 9. Hung out there for a bit, and by the time we wanted to head back out, they had closed the drive off. Biked around afterwards, went to Floriole for breakfast and pastries, then a couple playgrounds, before getting caught in the only 20 minute downpour of the day. Got a nap in with Jackson. Friday night went to dinner at Maple & Ash with Tracy as a belated anniversary dinner (thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids). Then watched Logan at home, because the only available reservation was at 5, and we made it home while it was still light out. Saturday biked down to Pump It Up for Marcus's birthday party. Monday more biking, more playgrounds, and a trip to Oberweis.