At the end of August, we experienced a solar eclipse! We live too far north to have been able to see a total eclipse; what we witnessed was a partial eclipse. The kids were excited and we got special glasses to be able to look at the eclipse without damaging our eyes. None of us really knew what to expect (I can't recall ever witnessing an eclipse before?). Honestly, it wasn't as monumental here in Chicagoland as I heard it was further down south, where the moon passed perfectly in front of the sun and created really neat images, and strange daytime darkness. The first photo below is what our sky looked like - it just got a bit dimmer outside, but the sun continued to shine. However, when I took a photo through the special glasses, you could see what was really happening much better!
On August 23, the kids returned to school! Cassie began 5th grade (middle school!), Gavin began 3rd grade, and Tyler started in Junior Kindergarten. It's always bittersweet; I miss being with the kids and I miss the laid-back, fun pace of summer - but it's also time to return to a nice routine (and learn some things too!).
To wrap up August, Erik and the boys joined Grandpa Brown for a Bears game! They played the Cleveland Browns (and unfortunately the Bears got clobbered!) - but it was such a fun experience for all of them to go to Soldier Field together. Grandpa Brown has been a season ticket holder since 1971! Fun to keep the tradition alive. Go Bears!
