Breakin' in the Deck

Tonight we had dinner at the Elsmo Four. A quarter of the Four is sitting next to Chris---Mel. It was a "come over and enjoy our deck that is almost finished" party. It was fantastic!

We had Asian, potluck style. Asian food is a take-out thing for my family. Needless to say, I was a little intimidated at first because it was Asian and Mel is a chef. Anywho, I stepped out of my comfort zone and made a curry noodle with vegetables and shrimp and shitake mushroom potstickers with soy sauce. I DID IT! All of the food was delicious. Now that I have a couple of dishes under my belt I will definitely continue.



Here's Emma, M's future babysitter. She got her taste of sitting last night. All of the kids including Emma curled up on the couches with popcorn in the living room and watched Sleeping Beauty (the older boys were not too pleased with this selection).



This was a really fun night. What summer nights are meant for. Thanks, Mel, for welcoming us into your beautiful home. BTW, I don't consider you are a stalker (inside joke) but a wonderful friend--intense and all!

A Summer Stroll

After dinner we decided to take a stroll to Hole In The Wall --an OP institution--for a little custard ice cream treat. Much to our delight M decided to venture out of her pink world by ordering a butterscotch dipped cone (vs cherry). The cherry one looks disgusting! We all enjoyed our treat but I think M enjoyed being outside at dark equally as much. Her bedtime is 8 so she is rarely sees the dark. While walking home she was so excited to see the stars---albeit only 2. After watching the stars for a while she all of a sudden stopped and looked up at me with the most serious look and said "Mom, the stars are following us!! Why are they following us?!" I assured her that was okay so she calmed down. Adorable!

Oh, and M has caught on to the spelling game that Chris and I play...you know the one that all parents play when they don't want the little ones to know what they are saying. I asked Chris if she needed a b-a-t-h. M said "Mom, what did you say? Did you ask if I needed a bath?" So smart!!

C turns 4!

One of M's good friends C turned 4 today. He had a train themed party and PIZZA. The cake was from Oak Park Bakery. It was also a chance for the adults to hang out. Fun!

Happy Birthday to the C-Man!!

Another first....

This has been a busy week for M. This morning Chris took her to her FIRST ballet class. Parents aren't allowed to stay with the kids during the class so M was a little hesitant at first when it came time for Chris to leave the classroom. But M quickly jumped in and had a blast. Chris was able to peek through the door once in a while and each time she was running around or seemingly following directions or practicing the poses.

Here's one of the instructors showing M how to put on her shoes correctly.

Here's M engaged by the instructor and the book that the instructor was reading to the kids!

Playtime and Ravinia

Tonight was playtime for us and M. We dropped off M at Haj and Tom’s house for a playdate with C. Then the four of us trekked out to Ravinia to hear Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang and meet another couple, Kara and Rob. It’s a long way from OP but well worth the effort. It’s just so beautiful out there.


We haven't been to Ravinia in a few years. I feel like this time we did it right---with the chairs, blanket, table for food, candles, wine glasses (these were acrylic but looked real…really!). No candelabras though, oh well. Conversations ranged from Obama (that happens a lot these days) to People magazine smut to "back in the day when we were dating". We had a feast and a fantastic time!

C and M played until they dropped. While we were at the park Haj got a text from the babysitter saying that C and M “insisted” on sleeping together. We had a few jokes about that text…all of which Chris was very uncomfortable with:-)) Check out the two angels……so SWEET!!

A first for M

Today we continued M's firsts. It was her first day at gymnastics. And as I suspected she absolutely loved it. Chris said that she especially liked the floor routine padded mats and was a wiz at somersaults and log rolls. Ready for next week!

Kiddieland

M's good friend P turned 5 this week. Her party was at Kiddieland---a small amusement park close to home. It was picture perfect weather and the girls had a wonderful time. They held strong for four straight hours with only one real break----pizza and fries!! After Kiddieland we all met the birthday girl back at her house for some birthday cake.

A Friend Filled Day

Today we started our day by heading out to Oak Brook for a bike race. This was Chris' first bike race. He was very excited about the experience and a chance to test out his sprinting game. But, unfortunately, today wasn't his day. He was caught in a wreck (he's fine, he didn't actually fall....) early in the race and couldn't get back to the pack so the racing officials pulled him. It was still a great experience for him.

At the race, we ran into an old neighbor Harry and his son H from our condo days in the City. Harry and Chris used to do a lot of bike training together so it was really nice to catch up with him.

Later that night we had some friends over for a BBQ. Brian and Ang and the boys got back from vacation only a few hours ago so they joined us. Also, we hadn't seen Amanda and John in a while so they ventured out of the City. And more cupcakes...yummy.

Pre-cupcakes--

Post-cupcakes--the hill billy shot (ties in nicely with Brian's hill billy beard!)

M is wild about Brian (and who wouldn't be, right Ang!). She already knows how to give him the cute little eyes that would make anyone melt (which is really disturbing to us!). Brian was trying to cuddle with H on the couch last night and M would have none of that. She had to hop up next to him for some cuddle time. Too cute!

Cupcakes

Each night before bed we have been reading Pinkalicious. This book is about a little girl who makes PINK cupcakes with her mom. She eats so many of the PINK cupcakes that she turns PINK (even her tears are PINK). The little girl loves being PINK and calls herself pinkerbelle! Eventually she is turned back to normal after eating a boat load of green veggies. Needless to say, M can't get enough of the story and already knows the story by heart (we've only been reading it for a couple of weeks). Thanks Mom Mom!

Well, M decided that she wanted to make cupcakes today. I let her have control of the electric mixer....can you tell?

Charsha, Charsha, Charsha

I was recently asked by "lame-o" a/k/a Uncle Mike why I hadn't posted our visit with Charsha last week. To which I replied, "That's a very good question, lame-o." I forgot to take pictures which caused me to forget to blog....I'm too young to be THIS scattered. SORRY CHARSHA!!


Charsha---who's this you say? It's Charlie and Marsha from Portland whose names have been smushed together, hence the nickname "Charsha". Charsha and their little guy E were in town for a few weeks and stopped by our neck of the woods for visit last Tuesday. After some chatting about recent books read, debating politics and culture and-- less not forget --having a couple of aperitifs, we left the kids with a babysitter and headed to Maya del Sol for a much needed couples only dinner. We had a fabulous time reminiscing about our Mexico trip that we all took together a couple of years ago (along with Uncle Mike and Aunt Melissa) and planning our next adventure. We are like peas in a pod--- Charlie and I ordered the same entree (Cochinita Pibil---Muy Caliente!) and Chris and Marsha order the same entree (Arepa del Ropa Vieja). The food was amazing and you can't beat the company. We love hanging out with Charsha!!


Now that I reflect upon my memory loss (is that even possible?), perhaps it's attributable to the Mike's Hard Limeade from earlier that night! Yeah, I know it sounds girlie, but it's refreshing. I promise...try it!

Big Mike and Ms Alice

We've been meaning to do this for some time now.....have M's daycare providers over for dinner. M has been in their care for a couple of years now and she absolutely loves them. Big Mike this Ms Alice that. When I told her that they were coming to HER house for dinner she started jumping up and down and was super excited. She said that she was going to show them HER room and basement (she shows everyone who enters our house, whether they like it or not, so consider yourself forewarned!).

We decided to keep is simple but yummy. We had southwestern turkey burgers and corn salsa. I elected to buy a ready- made dessert as there is a little bit of history with my desserts at daycare. Once I made some cupcakes for a party that turned out not to be eatable. Well, to be fair to myself, the cupcakes themselves were OK but the icing.....let's just say that we want the kids to keep their teeth for a while rather than crack them on icing. Dunno what happened!!

Brunch in the City

Guess who took this picture of the four of us.....yep Miss M.---with absolutely no help!

We met a friend Allison for brunch this morning at M.henry in Andersonville. We sat in the back patio. It was such a cute and relaxing atmosphere...very stylish. As soon as you walk through the doors to the patio you are greeted with a gorgeous pot waterfall and luscious plants and flowers. I had the bacon wrapped baked eggs with polenta and mixed greens and Chris had the lemon brioche french toast. Both were exceptional. I will definitely return!

Allison recently got engaged so we were meeting her man for the first time. For all of those who are suspicious of those online dating sites....they are a product of eharmony. They have actually sent in a tape to eharmony telling their story. I keep you posted if they are called in for a spot.

Lazy Summer Day

M and I continued our girl time today. Chris had another triathlon---this time in Michigan. He finished second in his age group again! Way to go! M and I slept late waking up at 8 then headed out for a couple of errands. Chris was jealous of our sleeping in. I told him it was the extra cuddling with her mommy ---she slept with me last night. It was really, really nice. M missed her daddy asking about Chris a few times that night and as soon as she woke up she asked for him. Of course, she would not admit this to Chris when he got home. She's a bit stubborn....like mother like daughter!



M had an impromptu playdate with the two girls that live next door to us. They played, played, played...then had a picnic on the front porch. We had carrots and hummus, blueberries and butterfly ham-n-cheese sandwiches. The sandwiches were a HIT!

Girls Night Out

Tonight M and I had some girl time. M has been extra sweet this week so she earned a little something special. We've been doing a sticker reward system for the last few weeks and so far it's working. We don't normally give her anything for receiving the stickers (other than the stickers which seem to make her really happy) but she had been extra good. I took her to a local toy store and let her pick out a toy. Again, she was awesome...no whining , she listened to me and kept the toy under the dollar amount that I drilled into her head before we entered the store. Shooooo! If only I could bottle this up!

Then, we ate at the noodle restaurant across the street with her pink puppy. I forgot her kid's chopsticks so she had to use the ones at the restaurant. M snapped this shot of me with pink puppy. Not bad.

Small World

While visiting the Chianti region of Italy a few years ago Chris and I took a break from the wine tastings and headed out to San Gimignano. This ancient city is rustic and simply spectacular. There are two things that stand out for me from this trip. I had wild boar for the first time (excellent) and there was an awesome jewelry shop (they also have a store in Siena). This jewelry shop was off the beaten path, very quaint and had unique, hand-made jewelry. Yeah, I got a little spend happy. I bought myself a few items but mostly some gifts for the girls. One of the items that I LOVED was a ring with an amber gemstone.

Fast forward a couple of years later. We lived in a condo in Rogers Park at the time but were moving soon. During our house closing our condo was broken into and, yep, they did it!! They took all of my jewelry (some other stuff too) but I was really upset about the jewelry, especially this particular ring. How was I ever going to replace that?

OK, I know you are thinking. Why is she blabbing on about this jewelry shop in Italy? I have two points. First, Chris surprised me with a replacement ring from this jewelry shop a few months ago. (Yeah, he’s a keeper!) A couple of our good friends happened to be in Italy in the same area and picked it up for Chris. Chris had talked with the owner of the shop several times so as soon as the couple walked into the store and announced that they are from the US and are looking for a special ring, the guy know exactly who they were there for. He said, “Oh, yes, Chris F." Really amazing! The other point is that they recently started a website. It still needs a little work but I’m so excited! I've added it to my Favorite Sites. They have some really cool stuff so check it out.

Garlic

Our family loves to cook (and EAT for that matter)! Both Chris and I have a lot of memories from our childhood in the kitchen with our families. I was reminded of this while reading a friend's blog the other day--thanks, Mel. Making fried apple/peach pies and canning plum jelly with my Mom in the Summer or making chick'n dumplins' with my Mom in the Winter or baking coconut cake or cooking mustard greens or biscuits with my Grandmother. I only wish the biscuit gene rubbed off on me! Chris had the Italian thing going on....homemade pastas and "gravy" with his MomMom and Aunt Bella and chicken cutlets with his Mom. Needless to say, having M participate in the kitchen is very important to us. We got her started really early. And, believe it or not, her first "job" was to learn how to crack eggs. For a 3 year old she's pretty darn good at it. Now her thing is to peel onions or garlic. She especially loves peeling garlic. I think because she gets to smash the garlic afterwards and chop with her own knife. She helped make a frittata tonight. Check out her smashing.

And he's off...

Another weekend, another triathlon. Today started really early for the family. We left home at 5:30 (yep, AM) for a road trip to Naperville. Is it August? It sure didn't feel like it this morning...more like early October. We had to break out long pants and light weight jackets! But it turned out to be a really nice day. Chris had another awesome race. He finished 13th overall (of over 2,000) and 2nd in his age group.

We had a little scare though. Coming into transition from his bike leg Chris must have gotten slightly confused thinking he was in the X games. He flew over the front of the bike turning a somersault but jumped up immediately. I thought that he would be embarrassed but not....he said it was pretty cool and he hoped the photographers got it on film....have I said that he's nuts before:-)) Amazing though he only had a couple of cuts and obviously it didn't hurt his time. Next one is this coming Saturday.

A Morning at the OP Farmer's Market

Farmer's Markets....love them! This morning we treated ourselves to a quiet morning of a lazy bicycle ride to the market. This is our version of a cornucopia. I was inspired by the beautiful veggies that we bought so for dinner we had vegetable hoe cakes. Delicious!

Pancakes and More

M and Chris had a special father/daughter day today. First, they had a breakfast date at a cute little diner in Berwyn--pancakes, eggs, bacon...the works! We are definitely a breakfast family....love it any time of day.

Then they took the big train (the Metra) out to the Children's Museum in Naperville. M was so excited. M sees the Metra all of the time but this was her first time riding the big train.

Sad news to report though--- M's baby Corolle (who is her favorite baby this month) was lost during this trip. Oh well.....she has plenty of babies!