Thankful

My children--safe, warm, and fed. Their biggest disappointment is a "no TV night." Their biggest worry is over whether they'll get an after dinner treat. They are young, loved, and still very much sheltered from all the scary, confusing, ugliness that exists in our world. Their worlds are giggles and kisses and cupcakes and rainbows. And for that I am thankful.  

Recent events both here and abroad make me disheartened and angry. May we learn that fighting hate with hate is never the answer. May we find room in our hearts for those who are suffering. May we drop our defensiveness and reach out with open minds to try to understand another's life perspective and experiences. 

May the world our children grow up in know more empathy than apathy and more respect for humanity in general. 

Today was a Good Day

Today was a good day. Nothing extraordinary happened. There were no celebrations. I  didn't achieve anything  special. The chores were left untouched. The "to do" list still needs to be done. But...

I had precious one-on-one time with Nick in the first snowfall of the season.

I had brunch with a group of women, whom I admire and respect. I don't see them often, but every time I do, I leave feeling better.

I built a snowman with my three favorite people in the world and warmed up with hot chocolate afterward.

I had alone time with Mark while the kids napped and instead of running over things we need to fix or buy or do, we just hung out and laughed and connected.

I napped.

I had my favorite pizza for dinner with my favorite beer.

Mark and I introduced the kids to The Lion King for movie  night.

We let the kids have ice cream AND popcorn.

I stayed in bed with Lainey until she fell asleep; there is nothing more comforting to me than one of my children cuddled next to me, sleeping soundly.

And now I'm back on the couch with a few moments to myself while Mark finishes putting Nick to bed.

Today was a good day.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Last Saturday, we decided to take the kids away from our every day circus to go see the real deal! We were accompanied by an extra guest, Mr. Roosevelt, the teddy bear from Lainey's preschool class. It was Lainey's turn to take him home for a weekend adventure. Great timing!

The kids really enjoyed the circus, but it was a bit too long for Nick to hang in his seat, so there was a lot of in-and-out with him during the second half. The biggest hits were the tigers, dancing dogs, and the guys on the trampolines. Personally, I'd say Ringling Bros. has some work to do, if they want to keep claiming "The Greatest Show on Earth," but it was definitely entertaining. Lainey's only disappointment was when a few clowns came right by our seats and sat down in front of us. Her reaction: (arms crossed, lip out)-- "Aaaaaw!!! They're just people dressed up as clowns!" (So, uh, yeah...Disney World should be really magical for her in March.)

She was impressed with the cotton candy, however. Nick didn't really care for it, much to Lainey's disbelief--"How can you not like this, Nicky?!" She ate 90% of the enormous bag herself (and then muscled in on Nick's consolation Dippin' Dots.) No surprise that she complained of a tummy ache towards the end.

All-in-all I'd say the outing was a grand success! It was my first time at Allstate Arena, and I think it will be our venue of choice for future events with the kids. Free parking and sooooo easy to get in and out. Sorry, United Center, you're far-and-away a better venue, but not as long as these kiddos are under 10. Allstate, we'll see you again on January 23 for Diney on Ice!!!

The best pic we could get...

Mr. Roosevelt liked the cotton candy
(Mark has on the camel hat that came with the cotton candy, if you're wondering what that thing is!)

Happy Halloween, Mateys!

We had some fine looking pirates at our house this Halloween. Once again, we Trick or Treated in less than desirable weather conditions. It was a particular bummer this year, because the weather was gorgeous on Friday and Sunday. But, whatcha’ gonna’ do? First world problems for sure. And at least the rain stopped while the kids were out begging our neighbors for candy.

We got off to a rocky start. Nick demanded I carry him as we were leaving the house. I obliged, but then forced him down to walk up to the first house. He got is candy turned around and reached for me again. I carried him a few steps and then told him, he was a big boy and needed to walk and put him down again. He walked almost all the way to the next house before reaching up for me again. I told him, “no,” and looked up at me with his big eyes and said, “But, Mommy my feet are wet.” I scooped him up and discovered that Mark had never put his shoes on under his boot pull-overs (which have no bottom). So, I was forcing the poor boy to walk on wet pavement in his socks. I should have laughed it off, but for some reason it got me really annoyed and Mark and I got into a “whose fault was it” exchange. In hindsight it’s funny, but it just wasn’t to me in the moment. However, in a happy ending, as soon as Nick had dry feet, he was all about the candy trail. He loved it! Mark said he probably would have walked the whole neighborhood, if he’d let him.

And I relay Nick’s experience from Mark’s account, because Elaine went to two houses and then refused to continue. Not sure what happened exactly. It could be our neighbor scared her when he came to the door in a black hood or maybe she let her shyness get to her and didn’t want to keep going up to houses…or most likely she just wanted to be difficult. She also refused to go visit our good friends a few blocks over and when they ended up coming to our house, she wouldn’t speak to them until the last three minutes of the visit.

We did end the night with some fun at our neighbor’s house, however. A few families got together and the adults had cocktails, while the kids ran around and played. I was worried Lainey wasn’t going to cooperate given her attitude to that point, but she had a great time and we had to force her to leave. 

As incentive to leave peacefully without causing a scene, we let her stay up extra late and watch a movie at home. (Bribery works and I embrace it wholly!) Letting her stay up until 10pm had the bonus effect of keeping her IN bed until 6am the next morning and avoiding the dreaded daylight savings sleep routine havoc. Nick still got up at 4:15am…doh!

Hope you all had a very Happy Halloween! Now on to Thanksgiving…

Didier Farms Does It Again!

The first time we headed out to Didier Farms, I was a little overwhelmed--I thought we were just going to a pumpkin farm, not a mini carnival. I wanted something simpler and all the rides kind of turned me off, but each year I love it a little more...and so do the kids. Of course, more things for them to do means more cash to shell out. Thank goodness Grandpa was along for the ride!

Sunday was perfect weather--warm and sunny. We got there on the early side, just before 10am, but it really never got busy, so there were no waits and plenty of room to move around. I'm happy to report that Lainey was all over the rides! After her fear of the carousel at the zoo and the dinky little rides at Chuck E. Cheese, I was worried Disney in March would be a bust. But, she tackled everything with gusto and even went down the giant slide by herself! She was a little out of control and freaked out the first time down, but she still ended with a smile. I wish I had taken a video, but this slide show captures it pretty well...

The second time, Mark asked if she wanted him to walk her up. She said, "no, I can do it myself," tucked the blanket under her arm and climbed the stairs like a woman on a mission. I got a little misty in the eyes over that--she looked so big and in charge of herself.

While I got a little choked up over my baby growing up, I damn near bawled over Nick's ride on the mini roller coaster. I was pretty clear in voicing my doubts that he was ready for this ride, but was told to "stop acting like that crazy woman," who was demanding her husband get their daughter, who looked a little OLDER than Nick, off the ride immediately. So, I caved to the peer (ahem, Mark)  pressure and let Nick ride with Lainey. Here's how that worked out...

Let's just say, sometimes a mom knows what's best. It was an excruciating minute watching him scream and cry as he went round and round again. It took everything in my power, not to charge the operator and demand he stop the ride. After what felt like an hour, the ride finally stopped and I rushed to scoop Nick up. He was sobbing and saying, "No dragon, no dragon! Don't like the dragon!"

Not shocker that Nick was done with the rides after that, so Dad and Sharon took the kids to the petting zoo, before it was time for lunch and donuts. We offered pony rides, but no takers, so Lainey hit the roller coaster one more time. She enjoyed it much more than her brother...

After that it was pumpkin picking time and then off to home! Another year, another success!!!

Happier times on the AGE APPROPRIATE dragon

Donuts are always a hit!

STRONG!!

Don't Forget the "I Love You"

Three generations of love

If there is only one life lesson I keep from my mom, it will be to never say goodbye without saying "I love you." Of course this only applies to people you actually love...it could be awkward to part ways with the 7/11 clerk this way. But, joking aside, be it your parent, child, partner, or good friend, if you love them, tell them and make it the last thing you say when you part. Sometimes it will be hard...you may be angry or tired or annoyed or just in a rush, but say it anyway. Because the thing is, you never know when it's going to be the last thing you say forever. 

Four years ago, "I love you," were the last three words I said to my mom. She and Dad were on their way to Chicago to visit, and she'd called to check-in. To be honest, I wasn't overly excited about the visit. I was newly back at work from maternity leave in a new position with a raging head cold and a three-month-old who was NOT sleeping through the night. All I wanted to do was curl up in bed for the weekend and sleep.  So, I was a little testy and a little curt in my exchange with her, but the conversation still ended with "I love you."  It wasn't the warmest delivery, but I said it. And knowing that those were the last words she heard me say has been immeasurably comforting to me.

So, say it, show it, make sure they know! None of us is promised a tomorrow or even a next five minutes, so don't assume you'll get another chance.

New Hair, New Skill, Old Love

Nick had quite the weekend. He got a new haircut and—drumroll please—he started using the potty! That’s right folks, our diaper days are numbered. Nick is off to a great start! I wasn’t sure how it was going to go at daycare yesterday, because he needed to wear pull-ups, and we had been let him run around bottoms-free or in his big boy undies all weekend. He didn’t have a perfect day, but he did pretty well. Lainey is keeping a close tally on his successes, so I can confidently update you that as of last night, he has peed in the potty 11 times. He’s been dry through the night for weeks now, so fingers crossed this whole thing is going to go fairly smoothly.

So, yay for Nick and his new achievement, but the biggest news of all is that Mommy is back in his good graces!!! He’s been all kisses, hugs, and snuggles and has even asked for me over Mark a few times. My heart is melting and my face hurts from smiling. Whatever I did to grievance Nick three months ago has finally been forgiven. Right now, this kid could get absolutely anything he wants from me—and I think he knows it. So glad to have my Little Buddy back!

Looking handsome with his new 'do

Taking his big boy undies for a sping and getting some support from big sis