Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Bubbles Academy. Even though I’ve been compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and euphoric children are entirely my own. *** Chicago parents of teensy Littles: I know you know Bubbles Academy (that 14k square foot marvel located in Chi’s Near North ‘hood). I’ve been taking kids there since before I was married. That’s right, I’ve had a longer relationship with them than with P.J. I’ve long extolled their clean, safe, happier-than-happy play spaces and {Read More}
First Father’s Day without him, a.k.a. Hiding out in the records.
June 22, 2015 By 3 Comments
Possessions are not people. They do not have the power to physically, truly, replace a person nor bring him back nor make things good again. And keeping every object that someone you loved once loved is not a sustainable, good, or fair practice for any party involved. I know this. I’ve told myself this. I remind myself that I know that I told myself this. That said, I own a goodly portion of my Dad’s record collection. Like, hundreds. And {Read More}
A Year and a Half. Totally Cool.
June 18, 2015 By 6 Comments
Dear Jasper, 18 months tomorrow. A year and then half a year. You are my last baby to be quantified in monthly terms. 6 months, 9 months, 14.5 months- obnoxious terminology for the parents who just cannot bear the idea of rounding up. “Almost 1.” “Almost 2.” “Almost leaving for college across the country to study ornithology which, really, is just a fancy name for birdwatching and can’t you do that here at home, Jasper?!” Stuff like that. And I’m {Read More}
Bowling, Books & Brains, Oh My!
June 17, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Remember how I’ve been taking a break from the Wednesday round-up for the past few months? (If you don’t remember, just nod and smile. We’ll both believe what we both believe.) WELL. There’s just so much fun stuff going down this summer in Chicago- so here’s a good start: A Smattering of Things Your Kids Want To Go Do You know that sound your kids’ brains make as they looooose their haaaaard-eaaaaarned knowledge(eee)? Brain drain is real, folks. Luckily, so {Read More}
Empathizing With Odie (and the #StreamTeam).
June 16, 2015 By 2 Comments
As part of Netflix’s #StreamTeam, I’m pretty much the happiest when I get to give you a heads-up on the newest in their streaming lineup. Or in this case, the oldest. Shall we revisit the Way Back Machine? (Disclaimer: I’m compensated, sure, but all thoughts, opinions, and ecstatic memories are entirely my own.) *** Sometimes I feel like Netflix just gets where I’m at in my summer. How else could they know that I’m at the point of “vacation” where {Read More}
Screen-Free Sunday, aka P.J. Wants Me To Just Stoppit.
June 15, 2015 By 2 Comments
First things firstly, congrats to Katie R. for winning the most recent giveaway of Expecting: A Year of Fixing Up & Breaking Down! (Watch your mailbox for it- it’ll be marvy! Also, how awesome is mail mail? <—Awesome.) In other news, my friend Sara had the brilliant idea to institute Screen-Free Sundays starting this weekend. Since we had each just had a beer, this Saturday night proclamation didn’t seem too lofty a goal. (“Yeah, let’s make it every day! And {Read More}
Selfies, 2k For Your Community & Huggies’ #UltraHug.
June 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Friends, Huggies is giving communities the chance to do something great.
7 Years of Lollygag Blog- and a Giveaway!
June 11, 2015 By 11 Comments
Today, my blog is a seven year-old! That’s right, my blog can now read Encyclopedia Browns and Choose Your Own Adventures while still retaining the not-quite-a-tween-yet sweetness that I can cling to for just a tad longer. To celebrate, we could’ve gone to Chuck E. Cheese’s, but no- I’m giving away a copy of my book, Expecting: A Year of Fixing Up and Breaking Down. (Less cleanup and sugar crashing involved. You’re welcome.) But first, a quick look back {Read More}
