Single elimination today, another early start.

Avery’s Omni team came in 9th in their division.

Grab a taxi, head to the airport. Thank you Air Traffic Controllers for coming to work today.

Our flight arrived in Sacramento at about 7p. Super fun trip!

Every morning was an early start. The boys had to arrive by 7:10, first game at 8:00.

The team always has to ref a game before they can leave which means someone stand in opposite corners with a red flag to call a ball in or out. Later, while Avery went with his friends to Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, Thais Carson and I went to the Field Museum.

The exhibit halls were to the left and right of the main hall on two levels.

at the McCormick Place – a huge convention center. Saturday was day 1 of the tournament.

Teams from all over the US were there. 14 and under played in the Skyline Ballroom with 14 courts. Two other huge ballrooms also held games. There were a total of 92 courts, 2000+ players ages 12-18.

After dinner at Beatrix, we went for a walk – no slow-walkers in this group!

A five-story, 35,000 sq ft, Starbucks.

A visit to the Nike and Lego stores, then ride-share back to the hotel.

Cold morning!

After breakfast at Goddess and the Baker, we walked along the riverwalk to the starting point of an architectural boat tour.

The Wrigley building:

Next stop: Millennium Park. The Bean:

Looking up from under The Bean:

A sculptural bridge across a busy wide street

to a huge “Play Garden.”

Early dinner at Giordano’s known for their (serves 2-3) deep-dish pizza!

Should say “serves 6”.

Thais, Avery, Carson and I arrived late afternoon – just in time for rush hour traffic. What could be a 15-minute drive from O’hare to the hotel turned out to be over one hour. The taxi driver was quite knowledgeable and shared a lot of facts and information about Chicago.

Dinner at Ramen-San.

The second playoff game for Christian Brothers against the Yuba City Honkers.

They won! Next game is Thursday.

Regarding the candles, imagine there’s a big one in the tens place plus four ones (skinny candles). In first grade math, that’s 14. (Auntie Holly/candle buyer thought this was birthday #13 – lol). Brooklyn, Leo, Avery, Sophia, Carson

Rita/Lala, Holly, Brooklyn, Avery, Leo, Sophia, Carson, Lenin, Thais, me:

Time to go home, but a few guys stayed to play poker:

Tuesday. I drove out to Justin’s in the morning.

He set up everything for me (yay), brought out the wagon, baskets and rakes.

I raked just three trees and filled the drying rack above.

Wednesday. Minimum days all week at St Ignatius. Perfect. I picked up the boys and we drove out to Justin’s. First stop, the pigs. Getting quite big .. you know what that means, right?

On to walnut gathering. We scooped all the walnuts from the drying rack into 3 grocery bags, these would go home with Avery and Carson. Time to rake.

Drying rack refilled.

Back at home, Avery and Carson continued the drying process on smaller racks.

Friday. Another bagging then gathering trip, but this time, I was carefully observed.

Friday evening at St Patrick’s Academy. Avery is #14.

One of the things Avery’s good at is rushing the quarterback and grabbing the flag before he can throw.

I really liked this field. No grandstands or seating of any kind, so you are able to stand near the sideline and have a great view.

Sunday afternoon at Jesuit. The championship game against Presentation. St Ignatius won!

The regular season of volleyball has come to an end. Playoffs are next.