October 29

'Twas another family day here in Wheaton; the boys all head back to California tomorrow, so it was the last for now. But it was a good one, I think.

We kicked things off by picking up Abby from her dorm and heading off to IHOP for brunch. Then the boys waited in the car while Abby and I ran through Walmart at warpish speed so I could buy a nail file (for nail-filing purposes). 

An executive decision was then made to go bowling (because even though we never bowl at home, something about Chicagoland screams "BOWLING MUST HAPPEN HERE!" for both Isaac and Brady), so Adam found an alley with a good rating and off we went. The requisite dodgy shoes aside, it was a fun experience filled with lots of laughs, a few slow-mo strikes, some gutter-balls, and plenty of Wight-brand competitive spirit. And one more little surprise: when I glanced up at the scoreboard for the next lane over, where the results still remained for the already-departed players, I saw that "Logan" had bowled a game. I didn't say anything aloud, but I silently rejoiced at the sight and all that it meant to me in that significant family moment: Logan was there with us, even if not in physical form.

Following a pit stop at Sonic for some liquid refreshment and a pair of cheeseburgers for our biggest burger fan, we ventured back to campus to pick up Abby's mail and visit the Wade Center; the latter houses C.S. Lewis' fabled wardrobe and other memorabilia from Tolkien, Sayers and other authors.

Then Abby wanted to get off campus again, so we went back to the hotel, where Isaac and Brady burned off some energy in the fitness room while my girl and I watched a few old episodes of "Silver Spoons" on TV. 

And then it was on to dinner at Culver's, which we universally enjoyed. (Brady wants to go back.) And dessert at the Rainbow Cone, where --since the boys won't be here for THE day-- we quietly sang happy birthday to our near-18-year old as she noshed on a very blue birthday cake ice cream cone.

We closed the day out with a few more minutes of fam-time in the lounge at Abby's dorm, where we finally met her roommate, Hannah, as she was passing through, and had a little time with another of her friends, Michaela. 

And now we're back in our hotel room, getting ready to turn in for the night. It was another good day, so I am thankful for the hours.