Vacation All I Ever Wanted...

We recently returned to life as we know it after a four-day break to Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. I cannot overstate how much I had looked forward to this trip. My need to get away was not so much driven by my job, but more the need to escape of the daily grind and general scurry and hurry of life with kids. Mark and I made a promise not to rush anything on this trip and just be lazy. Aside from a schedules boat ride, we stuck to it and just let the days fall where they may. We threw out all rules around bedtimes and nutrition, too. The kids were super helpful in making me stick to this one...every time I wavered on handing over yet another treat, I would hear small, but firm voices saying, "You said 'no rules on vacation!'"--and the ice cream or the donut or the cookie would be promptly handed over.

We stayed at a condo building that only had four units, and we were fortunate to share the space with really great people. The unit above us was empty, so our space was really quiet. A retiree, who owned a unit, was staying next to us and she was a great source of info--and a grandmother, so loved having the kids around and didn't mind their enthusiasm (a.k.a. LOUDNESS). The fourth unit was occupied by really great family with an 8-year-old girl, Lulu, whom Lainey totally hit it off with. Their son, Sam, was 11, so Nick lost out on a playmate again. Womp. Womp.

Lulu!

We ran into some residual weather from Harvey, but luckily the really big storms hit during the night. And when it did rain during the day, we just kept swimming in the pool--the kids thought that was awesome! Truly, I think those kids would have stayed in the pool from sun up to sun down, if we'd let them. Two little fishies! Nick enjoyed playing in the sand, but wanted nothing to do with the ocean. One taste of salt water and "his whole day was spoiled!" Lainey didn't love her first introduction to salt water either, but she adjusted quickly and really took to the waves.

Swimming in the rain

As deep as he would go

King of the Sand

Catching waves

The one activity we ventured out for (other than eating) was a dolphin tour boat ride. We kind of struck out on the dolphin viewing (one played for a bit right as we headed out, but we didn't get a good view from our spot on the boat), but Lainey still had a lot of fun on the boat. Nick did not--he was a grumpy, grumpy boy.

Grumpy Gus and the gals

At least someone had fun...

As much as I would have loved to stay a few more days, I think we hit it exactly right on timing. Mark and Nick's skin had definitely had enough of the beach, delicate little flowers that they are, and Lainey's hair was turning to straw from the salt water and chlorine. I still took the full week off and used Thursday and Friday to knock out chores and various appointments for the kids, so we can head into Labor Day weekend with nothing to do, but chill and have fun. So long summer--you were fast and furious, but oh so fabulous!

Farewell Florida...until next time...

The Little Buddy Blues

There are a lot of perks that come with being the baby of the family (I should know), and Nick definitely reaps those rewards. But, sometimes being the little brother can really stink. Like when your older sister doesn’t want you tagging along with her friends anymore.

My heart broke for Nick last night. Lainey’s friend stopped by to ask Lainey over to play. Nick and Lainey were in the basement playing together when I called down. An excited voice shouted back, “I want to go to Vika’s!” Unfortunately, it was Nick’s. Ugh.

Even though I told him he had to stay with me, he still scrambled up the stairs and hurried to untangle his inside-out socks. His face was set in earnest concentration that turned to panic as Lainey slipped quickly into her crocs and bounced out the door. I was hoping Lainey and Vika would escape down the block quickly, but Lainey stopped to get her bike from the garage, giving Nick enough time to get his shoes on and outside. He chased them down the driveway and half way up the block before finally conceding they were leaving him behind. Then he collapsed on the sidewalk crying.

I scooped him up, carried him inside, gave him a cookie, and let him watch TV. You know, the basic prescription for any broken heart.

This isn’t the first run-in we’ve had this summer with trying to separate Nick from Lainey. Unfortunately, while Lainey has several playmate options within arm’s reach, Nick does not.  So, when she runs off, there’s no one to easily bring to Nick. I think (hope) that will change when he starts school next fall, but for now he’s just left behind. And while often the other parents/playmates are happy to have Nick tag along, Lainey isn’t always down with that. And that’s okay. She needs to have her space and her time without Nick running at her heels. I’m just thankful that Nick’s a kid who could stand to eat a few more cookies…because I think there will be a lot more condolence sweets headed his way.

Hang in there, Little Buddy! Your day will come…

Kitchen Glory

The kitchen is DONE! Well, in truth, it’s been done for about 3 weeks, BUT they just finalized a few

minor punch list items yesterday, so I’m not that delinquent with this post.

Now, I understand that there are people in this world facing real struggle, but let me tell you, surviving those 10 weeks (yes, TEN WEEKS) without a kitchen was brutal for this pampered little snowflake. I almost wept with joy the day our contractor said I could start using the sink and dishwasher again.

While I never would have guessed it, the sink is my most beloved feature of the new kitchen—even more than my French-door, bottom freezer refrigerator—and I love that gorgeous piece of stainless steel. But, the sink, oh the sink, in all of it’s deep, full-sized glory is making cooking prep and clean-up so much easier! It can dump dirty dishes as I go, keeping my counters clear for other prep, and still have plenty of sink room to use the hanging colander or just simply washing my hands. And after the cooking is done, all of my pots, pans, and cookie sheets fully fit for soaking and cleaning. No more washing half of a casserole dish and then flipping to do the other half. Game. Changer.  

I also now have a double-oven, more cabinet space, and gray ceramic tile floors. Why a special call-out to the floors, you ask? Because they are no longer covered in white linoleum that even Cinderella’s mice armed with pure bleach and hopped up on Adderall couldn’t make look clean. Gray ceramic, on the other hand, hides all. (Subsequently, white socks are now banned from my house.)

Our new counter-height table gets delivered tomorrow—hurray, hurray—which just leaves us to find stools and window treatments! Then we can officially check the kitchen off our home renovation list. It’s been four years in the making, but worth the wait!

This photo doesn't give the sink the glory it deserves

Don't mind if I do bake things at two different temperatures

Hey there, coffee nook--thanks for freeing up precious counter real estate

One Tooth Down...

After three LONG months of wiggling, Lainey finally lost her first tooth on Wednesday. As her impatience grew with the tooth's slow progress in freeing itself, Lainey took to eating whole apples and--WHAM!--it was out within two days.

When we first found out the tooth was a bit loose, I asked Lainey how much cash she thought the Tooth Fairy would cough up for it and she said "two dollars." I thought that was reasonable, but so much time lapsed that I forgot about the conversation. So, on Wednesday, I mentioned that the Tooth Fairy would be bringing her a dollar that night, she said, "Oh. Just a dollar?," with just a hint of disappointment in her voice, but she didn't argue. When I was talking to Mark, I remembered the "two dollar" conversation and we decided to pony up. She was VERY excited to see the extra cash in the morning.

She has another loose tooth in the works (actually, this tooth was loose before the one she lost), so looks like Lainey will have another cash windfall soon!

I think she's adorable with one less tooth!

Today We Beached

After weeks of hustle, bustle and timetables and deadlines, we found ourselves free to be lazy and carefree. And so, with bellies full of pancakes and bacon, today we beached! And it was a perfect three hours, complete with a money of a parking spot. The high winds made exciting waves on our usually tame Lake Michigan and the giant nine-foot waves from Saturday made huge, pond-sized puddles filled with clear, warm water all across the beach. We swam, snacked, and built sand castles. I read my Times with the rolling sound of waves behind me. I unclenched and let the warm sun on my back melt me. Tomorrow's Monday promises to be difficult, as so many Mondays are, but today, we beached!

My girl and me

Sandcastle king

Biggest puddle ever!

To the Working Parents

Today was a tough one. Sometimes balancing work and parenting can just tear you to pieces. There's never a good time for an injured or sick child, but there are definitely horrible times. Times where you have debates in your head that you never though you'd have. I know some will argue differently, but it's not always black and white on who comes first. So, today I delivered at work and ended the day where I wanted to be all along--with Lainey's head in my lap. And I just have to let go of how I got from Point A to Point B and accept that no one got my best today. Sometimes good enough has to be enough--even if it feels shitty. But, I'm thankful for supportive bosses. And for forgiving children. And for Friday. And for the wine Mark brought home.

So, tonight, here's to the working parents who...

• miss the big meeting to attend the choir program
• miss the big game to attend the important conference
• dose ibuprofen and hope daycare doesn't detect a fever until after the presentation
• force someone to cover, so they can care for a wheezy child
• debate with their partner of who has the more important work day
• cry in the bathroom because they screamed at their kids during the stress of running late
• laugh as they leave daycare, because their kid's tantrum is someone else's problem now
• love leading the project team more than coaching little league
• give up the promotion, so they can have more flexible hours
• volunteer for every evening or weekend child-related activity, because they feel guilty they aren't there at pick-up every day
• ignore deep sighs from co-workers, because they have to go pick-up their child
• turn away from the disappointed face, because they can't go on the field trip
• work to support their families
• work to fuel their souls

And to all the other dilemmas and tensions and missteps as you try to do what's best. To the wins and the losses. To the pride and the guilt and the gratification and the frustration. Whether you're drinking away a bad day or celebrating one of the goods--cheers!

CRAZY Days of Summer!

Evidently there is such a thing as “lazy days of summer,” but not at the Branderson household this year. We’re going full force with CRAZY days of summer. Weddings, birthday parties, BBQs, Sox game, 4^th of July celebrations, high school reunion, and Pitchfork Music Fest…we have been WORKING it! Add a kitchen renovation that is still underway and various weeknight commitments and this lady has had zero time or energy to do anything extra, let along blog. So, you get the montage, quick hits email to cover the major happenings over the past few weeks.

SOX GAME

Our awesome neighbors hooked us up to free tickets to a Sox game on July 2. We had great seats and the kids got to see a home run ball hit right to our section. They were on the jumbotron AND the TV broadcast. (I was off getting the Dippin’ Dots and missed the action. #momlife)  It was a pretty hot day, so we only made it about two hours into the game before calling it quits, but we still had a blast! Thanks to the Stantons for thinking of us and their generosity in sharing the tickets!

 

 

FOURTH OF JULY

We saw some pretty great fireworks in Park Ridge on Monday night and then took part in our neighborhood festivities on the 4^th. Lainey wasn’t sure she wanted to walk with the Wildwood group in the parade, because she wanted to “get all the candy” that would be thrown. But, she had a last-minute change of heart and ended up scoring a sweet ride with her friend Lucas. Adorable!

 

20-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

I was not planning on heading to Ohio to take part in my 20-year high school reunion, but decided it would be a good chance to visit with my favorite ladies who still live in the heart of it all. It was a quick trip—in Saturday morning, out Sunday morning—but, I got some great one-on-one time with Meredith and Amanda. The reunion itself was fine, but I don’t think I need to go to another. As Mer said, “it was fun for about a hot minute.”

However, I have zero regrets, because I reunited with someone very dear to me that, for a plethora of reasons and a complicated story that is not mine to tell, I had not seen for almost nine years. The amazing thing about people that you share a certain bond with is that no matter the time or circumstance that separated you, you can fall right back in pace as if only days have passed. I’m looking forward to seeing her again when she comes to Chicago for the marathon in October.

 

PITCHFORK

A big thank you to Dad and Sharon for making the trip to Chicago to stay with the kids, so Mark and I could enjoy our annual Pitchfork Music Fest and a kid-free night downtown. The weather was perfect and the sound was great! We had to skip out on a leisurely brunch the next day to shuttle the kids to a birthday party, but we still got a quiet night’s sleep and late wake-up, so no complaints!

 

 

Things slow down a bit over the next few weekends, so I’m hoping to get back to posting regularly.