The Mud Room

Next on my honey do list for the Fall is a MUD ROOM! Like most homes in Oak Park, our house is an oldie but goodie (100+ years old). One of the many, many appeals of Oak Park in my book. Generally speaking, these homes have sunrooms either in the front, back or both. We are lucky enough to have a sunroom in the back of our home which is just perfect for a mud room since the back door is our primary entry. This sunroom will maintain its sunny disposition and I believe will transform nicely. Throw up some lockers, hooks, new windows, make weather proof, new ceiling, light fixture, trim work……. It shouldn’t be a big deal, right?! Unfortunately, the price you pay for living with character is that you can find yourself with a little surprise here or there during renovations no matter the size of the renovation. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed. We’ll see how it goes soon enough. . Man, I can’t wait!!!!!!!! It will be nice not tripping over snow boots and jackets this Winter!

Here's my inspiration:

Cabrara Blog

Holly Mathis Interiors

Design*Sponge/Nina Gotlieb (love the light fixture)

Little Passports, A Global Adventure for Kids

With the invention of the internet, anything you could possibly need or want is only a few keystrokes away. No need to jump on your bicycle or in your car to get to the library to research a subject. Hop on the computer instead. I guess that convenience is good and bad depending on the situation. I myself am not a big fan of the library. It’s just not my thing. Thankfully, Chris, on the other hand, LOVES the library so my girls get to appreciate that experience (and they love it too, btw) and I get the benefit of having new books on my nightstand every few weeks and new movies to watch courtesy of Chris. I digress…the point of this post really has nothing to do with the library itself.


A few weeks ago I was picking a friend’s brain about birthday gifts for M’s upcoming birthday. M wanted an American Girl doll but I really couldn’t justify spending $100 on a doll not to mention all of the crap, I mean accessories, that comes along with the doll. Nevertheless, I was going to bite the bullet for M’s sake (remembering the time when I didn’t get that real Cabbage Patch doll that I wanted oh so bad….because everyone else had one…you know that kind of kids stuff). But then I learned of Little Passports-- a subscription-based monthly mailing that provides your little one with a unique way to learn about other countries and cultures through the fictional characters Sofia and Sam. The super cool thing for the kids though is that they receive something special in the mail each month from Sofia and Sam talking about their recent journey.

Last week, M received her first package. She was so excited!! It was a little suitcase with a world map, passport, stickers, activity sheet, postcard and introductive letter. Each month, for the next year, M will receive a new package from Sam and Sofia as they travel around the world. This is such a fun way for kids (and parents) to learn about geography, history, culture, and language. The online games are fun too but they are really designed for older kids that can read so she needs a little help. Her map is on her wall in her bedroom and she has studied it each night so far.

Ok, I’m not kidding myself. I realize that an American Girl doll is likely in my not too distant future. I’ve just found a really cool detour and bought myself some time before the big purchase.

Racine Triathlon

This weekend we were in Racine for a triathlon. Not just any triathlon mind you. Ironman 70.3. That’s 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile ride, 13.1 mile run people! (It goes completely without saying that this was NOT a race for me but for Chris.) This trip to Racine has become an annual event for us. Not just for the race itself but it is a great excuse to spend some time with our good friends Jim and Jes who live in Racine. They really are the most welcoming people I know. Each year they open their home to a bunch of strangers without any hesitation. They are the best! They even have their own private beach. We, of course, had to start a fire and roast some marshmallows Friday night in honor of M's birthday, right!

This year we had a couple of other friends—Leif and Brian—joining in the racing festivities. Yippee! We were able to meet up with Brian’s family for some pre-day race grub. And, Ed and Ti, et al, drove down from Sheboygan to offer support.

It was really fun to see everyone but I have to be honest here, it was HOT rather miserable towards the end. Even with sunscreen applied I got a sunburn. I was dreaming of the nice cool breeze of an air conditioner after about hour 3. And this is coming from someone who was simply sitting on her tush watching the race. (Ice cream from the ice cream man and seeing Craig Alexander--a pro and the winner--- up close helped in this regard though). I’ve been a spectator at these events for 10+ years now and I’ve never seen so much ice dropping out of every article of clothing---those poor racers. But they pushed through the pain. I can’t say I could or would have hung in there!

Chris must like it hot because he had a SPECTACULAR race. Especially given the fact that he was sick with a cold the entire week prior to the race and had just started antibiotics a couple of days ago. He finished top 6% in his age group with a sub 5 hour performance!!! Way to go stud boy!!

Happy Birthday M!!

I cannot believe that M turns 5 today and that she will be off to kindergarten in the Fall.  Wow!! 

To a truly amazing little girl!  We are lucky to have her.  When asked where she wanted to have lunch on her special day she picked (to no surprise!) the "tofu soup place" (a/k/a miso soup).  She loves that place.  It doesn't hurt that they have the bubble drinks that she likes so much :-)

Happy Birthday M.  Love you , love you, love you!!!!!!!

Family Images

We had an absolute blast last week with Aunt Connie and Uncle Paul in town....BBQ, fireworks, architectural boat tour, shopping downtown, Second City, FLW tour, late nights, lots of food.....

We also were able to hang out more with Stephen and Chada in their downtown apartment. 

(3D glasses...a look into the future ...hope not!!)

(Rocking out..I've gotta get this game.  Man, was it fun!)

And these are the incredible views from their building's rooftop deck.....rough, I know (well, it is a little rough for Stephen who doesn't like heights, go figure!).

Aunt Fran was also able to come to Chicago.  She treated us to a batch of MomMom's biscotti!!!!!!  Yum Yum!!

These were really great times.   Time with our families is something that we don't have enough of so we try to make the most of it when we have the opportunity.  This is what life is all about.  Thanks guys and miss you all already! XOXO

Girls Birthday Party Images

ARose Turns 1

Happy Birthday T-Roo!!!!!!!! 

To a most special little girl who is loved to pieces by all!    And, who could resist that gorgeous smile!

I love you to the moon and beyond, my sweet pea!
  

Happy 4th

(Yes, that's a light pole...didn't think through our spot on the lawn!)

Earlier in the day, we had family and friends over to celebrate the 4th.  In our newly completed (finally!) backyard I may add.  Uncle Paul and Aunt Connie are visiting us this week from NJ.  Stephen and Chada live in the City.  Nita and James are visiting from Philly.  Pettits.  Our backyard gets full sun in the afternoon so, man, was it hot!  The umbrella helped and then people lined up the chairs next to the garage to get a break from the heat.  Nothing a little sangria and/or pim's cocktail couldn't take care of though.  Fun!

Our neighbors have this ginomous water slide that the kids couldn't get enough of. 

The adults contemplating to take over the slide from the kids so that we could enjoy a dip!

And, of course, the food.  You can't really go without pork on the 4th.  Usually it's BBQ for me....hey, I'm a Sourthern girl.  But, today we took the Mexican way and had carnitas with shrimp.  Yummy!  Thank goodness for leftovers!