This morning, I took the girls to the beach. And thought I’d show you the drive towards the lake, just so everyone (i.e., non-Chicagoans) can see how bizarre it is that there are miles of beach within a major metropolitan area. (Like- not off a highway, not a town over, just right there. In the city.) Pulled out of our alley and headed east on Montrose. It’s very quiet here at 9am- the drunks are sleepingit off and no one {Read More}
Chicago Is- Briefly- All Full O’ Summer.
May 1, 2013 By 4 Comments
For the uninitiated, this is what the first 80 degree day in Chicago looks like. To be fair, this is also what the first 68 degree day in Chicago looks like. (By 55 degrees, we’ve thrown winter coats into deep storage.) So yeah, it’s just as euphoric as it looks. Take that, nine months of winter!
California, A Wedding, And Some Stoked Little Girls.
April 15, 2013 By 2 Comments
Since I’m still very much so in the midst of California-vacationin’, here’s a sneak peek of the awesomeness that has been this week. For starters, I attended a wicked beautiful wedding of some college pals. The venue was on a gorgeous Southern California bluff overlooking the ocean where I kinda want to have my next wedding. (Take notes, Peej. If you’re lucky, it’ll be to you.) There was
3 Year Olds Have A Lot Of Ever-Changing Rules.
March 21, 2013 By 8 Comments
The Scene: Our kitchen table. Midday. (Nora -3- and Susannah -1- are sitting at the table and eating lunch, mostly without incident.) Nora: Mom, let’s play an imagination game. (Keely has a brief moment where she imagine all of the creative, Montessori-like professionals giving her a high-five.) Keely: Sure. What do you want to play?Nora: Let’s talk to each other. With our imaginations.Keely: That sounds awesome. Can I start? (Keely presses her fingers to her temples and grins at Nora. {Read More}
The Evolution Of A Day’s Outfit.
March 18, 2013 By 6 Comments
Night attire, obviously. Butterfly sundress, polka dot blouse, pink stretch pants, moose socks. Midmorning play clothes (chosen by 17 month-old): A perfectly acceptable cozy outfit, plus maroon tutu, plus bandanna, plus pink Red Sox cap. Post-nap ladybug dress over striped pants, with the addition of at least one glitter flip flop. Checking themselves out in the mirror- once Zuzu chose her own ladybug dress, obvie. Ladybugs with flip flops. “We should really see if someone’s outside, we look incredible.”
It’s The Quiet Ones You’ve Gotta Watch Out For.
February 20, 2013 By 6 Comments
I came upon this scene between the 3 and 1 year olds yesterday, in Susannah’s bedroom: Nora, facing her little sister (fiercely): What’s cooler than cool!?Susannah makes a big show of wrapping her arms around herself and shivering.Nora: No, Zu, you say “ice cold.”Susannah: Brr.Nora: What’s cooler than cool!?Susannah pauses, certain she’s got this one.Susannah: Brr.Nora: Ice cold! You say ‘ice cold!’Susannah shivers.Nora: That’s right. I shouldn’t be too surprised by how street these children are. After all, their mother {Read More}
Winter Games. (For An Hour.)
February 4, 2013 By 10 Comments
On Saturday, we took the girls sledding. In case you’re curious, here’s what sledding in Chicago looks like. Careful, it’s pretty extreme. First, you bundle your offspring within an inch oftheir lives. It’s cool, they love this part. There are zero chair lifts. But that’s fine, it’s goodfor them to learn how to walk at a 10 degree angle uphill. There will be snowflake eating. (A
