Where are you going, my little one?

Photography: Joshua Ford, Ford Photography

My mom used to sing to me the lullaby, "Turn Around," when I was little. If you're not familiar, I'll leave it to you to Google the lyrics (and then get weepy), but this song keeps running through my head these days when I look at Elaine. She is wobbling along that very fine line between "little girl" and just "girl," weaving from one side to the other, not quite sure where she wants to be. And it's magical and heartrending and all-around wonderfully bittersweet. I find myself awestruck at this small human we've created and are raising. And I'm drinking in every cuddle, bedtime story, hair wash, piggyback, handhold, butterfly kiss that I can before one-by-one she outgrows them. And yet, even as I try to hold tight to these moments, I can't deny the flicker of excitement to discover who she'll become in this next year and the year after and the years after that. Because I think she's going to be someone pretty remarkable.

Easter Bunny No More

After a busy few days taking advantage of Spring Break, we kept things very low key on Easter. Just an early morning egg hunt and baskets from the Easter Bunny. Well, Nick got a basket from the Easter Bunny. Lainey got a basket from us.

Saturday night during her bath, Lainey started interrogating me on the Easter Bunny. I tried to hedge, but by the way she questioned me and the smirk on her face, I knew the jig was up. So, I reminded her that Nick was only 5 and that her friends might still believe, so mum’s the word.

Mark and I were a little sad, just because it means she’s growing up. But, we both agree the Easter Bunny is a pretty dumb concept, and we could do without the whole charade. But, I don’t think Santa is going to survive another Christmas...and that’s gonna sting.

#staycation2018

Who needs beaches or mountains for spring break when you live in one of the best cities in the country? Mark and I took Thursday and Friday off work to do some home-turf exploring with the kids. Starting with the Adler Planetarium...

Welcome to the universe...

I had high hopes for the Adler, but I think it's better suited for older kids. It was a little too educational for our kiddos. You really do have to read the stuff on the wall to get the most out of the exhibits versus the Field or MSI where everything is just cool to look at or touch. There is a fun play area for younger kids, and Nick had a blast there, but you could get almost the same experience at one of the Children's Museum or playroom venue for a lot less dough. We didn't even get to take advantage of the Adler's gorgeous location along the lake, because it was super cold and windy. Womp, womp!

After the Adler we drove over to the West Loop to score free street parking and get a little pick-me-up treat at Do-Rite Donuts. As you can see from the picture, Nick really needed the pick-me-up. Luckily, the he got enough donut in him to spark a classic Nick sugar high to fuel the rest of the afternoon. 

Lainey asked if she could take his donut. We didn't let her. 

After donuts and coffee, we caught a cab over to the Courtyard to check-in for the night. We figured the kids would get a kick out of staying at a hotel and the Courtyard has a pool and some good rates. It also gave us a place to chill out in between adventures. And we got upgraded to a suite, so Mark and I were able to hang out after the kids went to sleep. Bonus!

After some hotel time, we jumped on the Red Line (a first for the kiddos) and headed to the Loop to grab dinner at Revival Food Hall (so much good food...so little stomach room) before heading over to the Art Institute. Thursday evenings are free for Chicago residents, so we had nothing to lose here. The kids did not naturally take to gazing at oil paintings, but the contemporary art perked them up (which was pretty much what we expected). The installation piece, "My Room is Another Fish Bowl" by Philippe Parreno, was a huge hit. The room is filled with mylar fish balloons with various levels of helium so they float a different heights. People are free to grab the balloons and toss them back in the air. Lots of kids having fun in there! 

After we dragged them away from the fish, Mark took Nick to check out the armor collection and I took Lainey to see the miniatures. I don't think I had ever looked at every single room in the miniature collection. I have now. And it was hot in that gallery. But, she was so adorable giving her commentary on each room that I didn't mind. 

After getting our culture on, we needed another treat before heading back to the hotel and the pool. Shake Shack to the rescue! Although we should have loaded up on hot chocolate instead of ice cream, because the pool was cold--not that the kids minded. We toughed it out...ah, a parent's love.

We thought the kids would sleep in on Friday, given our busy day (and the hotel blackout shades), but no dice. Both were up a little before 7am. But, the early birds get the breakfast seats at Wildberry. I was expecting the place to be all tourist hype with only so-so food, but it was pretty delicious. And it is right by Maggie Daley Park, the next stop on our Take Chicago Tour. We've been there several times before, but it is just such a cool place that gets better as the kids get older. And since we were there on the early side, it wasn't too crowded, so they had full access to all those amazing slides.

We wrapped up our fun at the park and went back to grab our bags and check-out of the hotel. A quick cab ride later, we were back at our car and zooming off to Brookfield Zoo. You can't go wrong with the zoo! Always a good time!

We topped off the fun with an early dinner at Piece. Man, oh man, I miss that pizza. Don't get me wrong, Pequod's is awesome, but Piece has my heart (and stomach)! Nom, nom, nom!

Perfect end to a busy few days!

And that's a wrap on our 2018 Spring Break Staycation! Maybe next year we'll venture out, but I'm pretty happy with how things landed this year! We 💓 Chicago!

Happy 5th, Nick!

Happy birthday to this energetic, inquisitive, charming-as-hell 5-year-old, who delivers the best one-liners with impeccable comedic timing. Nicholas, you are pure magic! We love you so!

A Wild Party!!!

The wildest bunch of all!!!

Nick had a wild 5th birthday party complete with his requested game of Pin the Claws on the Komodo Dragon and a parade of fun creatures! When I came up with the idea of doing a live animal show for his party, I was so excited; I couldn't think of a more perfect event for Nick. But, he was totally resistant to the idea. Mark had every confidence that he would love it, so we should book it anyway. And you know, what? He did love it! Turns out, it was the talk of the daycare on Monday!

We used a group call Animal Quest and they brought a great variety of critters including an African Pygmy Hedgehog, ferret, tortoise, monitor lizard, baby Burmese python, guinea pig (the biggest one I've ever seen!), Patagonian Cavy (look it up--a cousin to the guinea pig NOT the kangaroo BTW), Flemish giant rabbit , chinchilla, and a giant African bull frog. It was pretty awesome! Not just because of the animals, but because it also kept the kiddos fairly quiet and attentive for 45 minutes of the party. 

And boy did we need those 45 minutes of relative peace, because the wildest animals of the day were the kids! At one point Mark and I just left them all in the basement and said, "Let it go. Survival of the fittest now."

It was a great party to celebrate our Little Buddy's big milestone. I'm still in disbelief that he'll be five years old in just two days. Someone get the tissues...

The dragon turned out great...

...but, Nick totally missed the mark!
(But, had so much fun doing it!)

Baby Albino Burmese Python

Giant African Bull Frog

Monitor Lizard

Book Worm

I try really, really hard to let my kids be their own people and follow their own paths.When Lainey didn't take to dance, I shrugged and moved on. When she showed no interest in clothes or shopping, I sighed with relief (I loved shopping in my youth, but HATE it as an adult). But, if she'd hated reading, I think my soul would have been crushed.

Fortunately, she's turning out to be as big of a book worm as me. Of course we read every night, but she's also been reading in bed when she wakes up early (a delight for me in soooo many ways!)  and will read after breakfast if she has extra time. Friday morning, I caught her walking down the stairs while reading her book--not the safest choice, but it gave me a thrill to see her so enthralled. It's almost too much for me to take! So many books that I want to share with her rush through my mind; it's hard to pace myself. I get giddy imagining the future when we can swap book recommendations and talk through our favorite reads.

It will be fun to see if a particular genre or author calls to her. I remember in my late elementary/early middle school years I was an avid mystery and horror story reader. I think I had every R.L. Stein and Christopher Pike book ever written. In high school, I fell in love with Jane Austen and the Brontes. College brought me "she-does-no-wrong" Toni Morrison and an appreciation for Hemingway. 

I do hope she develops a love for the good stuff. I can't lie and say I wouldn't be disappointed if the only books on her shelf were pop fiction (which has its place, but...). But, that is a worry for another day. For now, my heart bursts with joy! Read on, dear Lainey, read on!

Surprise Breakfast!

Another special Saturday in the Brandi Books! The kids surprised us with a late wake-up (7:15 AM -- woohoo!) on Saturday along with a beautifully decorated living room and a delicious breakfast of peanut butter toast and a huge plate of Girl Scout cookies (well played, children, well played). Mark's was accompanied by a glass of grapefruit juice and mine with a glass of water--this probably touched my heart the most, because it showed they know the small details about us. Dad drinks juice in them mornings; mom doesn't. We are thankful they didn't attempt coffee, however.

I was very proud of Mark for not freaking out over the scotch tape the kids used to hang up the banner over the fireplace. He started for it, but managed to pull himself back. (And it all turned out fine! I replaced the scotch tape with painters tape once breakfast was over and the thrill of the moment had tempered).



It was such a sweet moment, I got a little teary. It's hard watching them grow up so fast, but it's also so fun and makes me so proud to see what great little humans they are turning out to be! Best breakfast I've ever had!

Decorations by Lainey!

 

TV trays out and breakfast is served!

Clearly we couldn't eat all of these on our own!

Mark may have gotten juice, but I got a clementine!