I'm a Pomme Frites Fan

It was a gloomy, rainy weekend in the OP but we did manage to get out of the house a bit for some cycling and soccer practice.

We even visited the new (well, new to us) Chicago’s French Market which has been on my list of things to do for a while. The market is touted as an authentic French market with local artisans and purveyors. There were specialty vendors with fresh bread, meats, cheeses, chocolates, crepes..... However, as much as it pains me to say this, I was disappointed. I guess my expectations were just too high (although I've never been to a French market so I don't really know what I based my expectations on).  Given the French nature, I was really looking forward to an authentic French crepe but this was my biggest disappointment---they were just OK. I've had better crepes at Rooster in St. Louis (for all I know perhaps these weren't authentic crepes but they were awesome nonetheless....so much so that I ate there twice during a weekend stay!). On the bright side though, the espresso was excellent and the homemade french fries with truffle mayo…..delicious! So all in all it wasn’t a total bust, but I don’t think I will make another special trip to the City to go to this market. That said, if I were a commuter using this train station (the market is located in a train station) or worked close by, I think this place would be a perfect quick lunch spot or place to stop by for some fresh veggies for dinner.

ARose seemed to have a good time though.....

And M made a new friend at the shoe store and became instant best friends. We are even planning a play date. I think adults could take a lesson from kids in this respect!

Sweet Wheels

OK! I am now officially nervous about my first triathlon. I just realized it is only 8 weeks away! Crazy! Seriously, where did the time go? It sounded like a good idea when I signed up for this darn thing a few months ago. Now…..I’d better step up my game big time.


With this deadline in mind, yesterday I got on my bike for the first time in almost 2 years for a serious ride. By myself.  No little ones. No hubby.  I rode 9 miles on Salt Creek Trail and it felt FANTASTIC! My legs were full of lactic acid from mile 1 onward but that was OK (I know sad…but remember I had not been on a bike in almost 2 years so I’m going to cut myself a little slack). Even though it was slightly painful at times, the ride was peaceful nonetheless. That must say something about how much time I get to myself these days, right? I really think I could get into this bike riding thing. Let’s not get crazy, not the 70+ milers that Chris and his posse put in but I believe I could work up to some respectable miles.

Now if I could just swim for 20 continuous minutes that would give me a little boost!

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can……choo choo!

Our New Fence!

Just Kickin'

Today was another gorgeous day  and M's first day of soccer.  A couple of days ago we told her that we signed her up for soccer and that classes start on Saturday.  At first she was a little scared but soon became super excited and began counting down the days.  She woke up this morning and has apparently been thinking about what to wear today.  What girl wouldn't prepare for this big day.  She HAD to wear her watermelon shorts and matching watermelon shirt with long socks because as she said "That's what soccer players wear, Mom."  Well, turns out she had a blast and was surprisingly coordinated! She ran like never before.  So much so that she asked (yes, asked) to take an afternoon nap. 

I couldn't resist including a picture of this cutie pie!  Not long before he will be joining his big bro on the field.

Then we capped off the day with our first trip of the season to the local ice cream shop.  Many more delicious trips to come!
 

Easter Images

It's Official

Today we registered M for kindergarten!!!

The experience was better than expected (except that Chris and M were almost hit by a car that lost control and landed on the sidewalk just behind them!).  She’s is more than ready in all aspects. She’s practically bursting at the seams with excitement. She can hardly wait to walk each morning to the BIG KID school. It is pretty much a daily question---“When do I start school?” Her parents, on the other hand, not so much! I have conflicting emotions. I am so proud and happy for her but at the same time I’m selfishly really sad. Over the weekend while getting all of the documents together in preparation for the registration, Chris and I had our first tear fest about this whole thing. Our little baby is no longer a little baby. It’s like we were sucker punched in the gut. Wow, you can’t prepare for that. I realize that we aren’t alone in this and, of course, we’ll get through this just like the rest of the parents out there. I guess I just didn’t expect to be this emotional about KINDERGARTEN.

Ready or not, here we go…moving on to the next phase! It’s going to be an amazing and fun year for her.

The Easter Egg Wreath

This is how M and I spent our morning ...making an Easter egg wreath for the front door.   Yes, a couple of the eggs have faces.  I'm not sure whether to be disturbed or pleased with M's creativity.  She does know that eggs don't have faces, right :-)  Even with the strange faces (or maybe bacause of them ) I still think this is one of the most adorable wreaths I've ever seen.  It's a keeper!

HAPPY EASTER!

Breathing Treatments

Well, we spent this gorgeous afternoon at the doctors office.  M has had a cough for the last couple of weeks and last night she had a coughing fit during the night and began wheezing.  She's had little spells of wheezing throughout her life but nothing serious.  She's OK.  Her respiratory rate was a little higher than the docs wanted to see and they could hear her wheezing so she got a breathing treatment.  The last breathing treatment she had was when she was 6 months old.  That day she had 3 treatments in a row and was then sent to the hospital.  Today, it was one and we were out!  She's already feeling better but you wouldn't know this by looking at her during the treatment.  Poor thing! 

Since we were downtown we finally had a chance to try Xoco.  We were NOT disappointed.  It was absolutely delicious.  Tortas and soup, what's the big deal, right!  Wrong.  This little place packs a big punch and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a real taste of Mexican food.  Yummy!