Welcome to the Four Non-Linear Days of Fun Events and Giveaways and Yes, Even Some Alcohol Too, Day Two! No, I still haven’t chosen a better name. So, a Chicagoland Santa visit is in the works, friends? You can’t put too much thought into this. If it’s not the right Santa- a really good Santa- your child will most likely be traumatized forever. (Don’t confuse that with your child crying in the photo. Because that most likely will happen anyhow. {Read More}
Suzy defeats bedtime with the #StreamTeam and #5MoreMinutes.
November 24, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Disclaimer: As a member of Netflix’s #StreamTeam, I get to wax poetic about everything Netflix-related, curated, and marvelous. This month’s theme is #5MoreMinutes, and we’re all laughing about the myriad of ways our kids Just. Won’t. Go. To. Bed. (Netflix’s idea? Let them watch a “whole” show, especially if that show is one of Netflix and DreamWorks Animation’s Dinotrux 5 Minute Favorites.What a kind parent you are.) As always, all thoughts, opinions, and- sigh- nutso children are entirely my own. *** {Read More}
Puzzles, grief & yelling at screens.
November 23, 2015 By 3 Comments
My Dad and I used to collectively pull out our hair over puzzle games. We uttered angry, not-so-nice words at the computer screen while staring down images of Myst. We reveled in various games’ unlocked achievements, cascaded tiles, deciphered secret codes, and manipulated picture frames that somehow became castle keys. We had entire text conversations which consisted of “This level./I KNOW.” When my Dad first got sick, I sent him The Room, a stunning and immersive game- the kind that made {Read More}
Why (and how to) help refugees.
November 19, 2015 By 4 Comments
It’s hard to escape the images of stricken, suffering Syrian families awaiting safe passage to…well, anywhere, really. (12.2 million Syrians- 5.6 million of whom are children. Million.) And I get it: there are so many people facing so much awful right now, you might be having trouble processing who (or where) gets top billing in the brain game called grief/rage/anxiety/rinse/repeat. And that’s okay. That’s legit. What’s not legit, however, is sitting quietly by while innocent victims are denied basic human rights {Read More}
Upcoming holiday events and giveaway, DAY ONE!
November 18, 2015 By 1 Comment
Two weeks later, I’m happy to report…that I’m simply awful at taking a two-week blogging absence. (I even started thinking in quips and copy. It’s a sickness, I tell you.) However, I’m stoked to announce that there is SO MUCH AWESOMENESS to do and win and see for this upcoming season. Some stuff is Chicago-y type goodness, and some is nation-wide joy. (Today is entirely Chicago-centric, friends.) I’m gonna go ahead and call this series The Four Non-Linear Days of {Read More}
Peace out. (For a tiny bit, I swear.)
November 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
You may have noticed that I didn’t post yesterday. You may not have noticed that I didn’t post yesterday. (And to you I say- we all know what we all know, but I know that you need to know different things.) So! Happy November. October is- and was- a wonderful month, full of birthday DAYS and birthday parties (times three), Halloween parties (times two) and that pesky ol’ thing called Actual Trick or Treat. I am a great celebrator. But {Read More}
Six. (Like, years.)
October 29, 2015 By 3 Comments
Dear Nora, First off, happy birthday. You are six. You are six. I remember each moment of your arrival- and don’t tell me I don’t, morphine ain’t that great of a drug- because I wanted to meet you so badly. I panicked (and ate salt) throughout eleventy-nine months of a sitcom of a pregnancy (one of the more serious and “real” episodes, obvie). What if I had no idea how to be a Mom? Would I ever be able to {Read More}
Lille Huset & the greatest dollhouse party, ever.
October 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Today’s post is sponsored by Lille Huset, a gorgeous line of crafted and creative dollhouses that my kids will eventually get to play with by themselves. As soon as I let go of them. (Today is not that day.) That said, all thoughts, opinions, and perfectly decorated playhouses are entirely my own. *** When I was a little kid, I played with dollhouses. When I was a slightly older…kid…I played with dollhouses. Only by this time I was an expert {Read More}
