Happy new year! Happy same blog. Which is…good. “Same” can be comforting in a new year, especially in light of so much oh no oh no oh no whaaaat that pretty much defined 2017. Speaking of new years and definitions, I’ve chosen my word for 2018. (Because I’m saccharine and a hippie and a lemming.) Last year’s word, if you’ll recall, was a firm NO. (Which, come on, what good did I think would come out of that? Besides the {Read More}
Merry Everything (and see you in 2018)!
December 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Signing off for this year, pals. May the rest of December bring you: …The happiest holidays if you celebrate, and a peaceful end of 2017 if you don’t. (Heck, I wish everyone a peaceful end of 2017. BYE, 2017!) …Gluten-free treats that taste like normal people food. (Or, you know, awesome food for non-allergics if you’re non-allergic.) …Naps. I wish you many naps. …At least one moment over the next couple of weeks that makes you feel like a good member of society, {Read More}
Netflix #StreamTeam love, all year ’round
December 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As part of Netflix’s Stream Team, I get to deck the halls with the jingliest of streaming titles. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and five golden rings are entirely my own. (Especially if my husband’s been picking up what I’ve been laying down.) *** It’s been a year. Thankfully, Netflix has given me a year’s worth of streamy goodness for the brain and soul- practically a pear tree’s worth. On the first month of 2017, my Netflix gave {Read More}
Jasper. (Almost) Four. (Definitely) Wonderful.
December 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment
In mere days, my youngest guy- my youngest anyone– will turn four years old. He is my baby. The smallest in the family, sure, but also the one I let things…slide for. I admit it. I never understood it until I had a decided LAST in the family, but once we agreed that our family was complete, he firmly became our “baby.” (When P.J. and I started dated we spoke about having “at least five” hahahahahaha. That lasted until I was {Read More}
CPS students and ‘Hamilton’ on the stage where it happens
December 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Talk about your next-level field trips. On November 29th, students from 15 CPS high schools got to be in in the spotlight at the CIBC Theatre, where the wildly popular Hamilton has been playing in Chicago to downright frenzied acclaim. 1,900 students and teachers from 25 CPS schools were in attendance for the day celebrating the Hamilton Education Program, now in its second year, and proved to be a captive and supportive audience for their brave, creative, and vocal peers. Inspired by Hamilton and {Read More}
I shouldn’t be allowed in church at all (an allergic Advent story)
December 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Despite recent events, I generally consider myself a responsible human being and pretty good at things like functioning in society. When it comes to my kids, that is. As for me? Apparently I have all of the self-preservation of a blindfolded lemming. The other morning, we took the kids to church. At 7:45am. (It was the only early English-speaking mass and it’s literally less than a block north of our home, so it’s more doable than it seems on paper.) {Read More}
4 very specific ways Netflix saved my holiday season (so far)
December 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment
As a member of Netflix’s Stream Team, I love sharing the best of the streaming best each month- and this month, it may even restore a little of your fa la la. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and travel chargers are entirely my own. The craziness of the holidays is upon us, friends. (Heck, it’s always upon us, but now it’s wearing a little jingle bell.) Even if you’re staying in town- even if you’ve finished your shopping by {Read More}
“You’ll Want to Play With These, Too” Holiday Gift Guide & Book Giveaway!
December 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Usually I let my kids do the fun stuff; the reviewing, the taste-testing, and the experiencing. Not today. I’ve gotta tell you- as soon as these gems arrived on my front porch, I knew that not only were these the kind of toys I wanted to play with, but that this season seemed to be ushering in a renewed love of free play with never-ending options. How awesome is that? (Disclosure: Although I’ve been compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and toys {Read More}
