Ugh. Winter. We are now halfway through February and officially OVER the cold and ice and dreary skies. Dainty snowflakes fluttering from the sky are no longer charming, even to seasoned Chicagoans like us. With all of us stuck in the house, I desperately (frantically?) look for any opportunity to make a memory, pass the […]

Brrrr. This morning, Chicago officially hit -24 degrees. Today’s high is -10 degrees and that was already reached at midnight. We’re warm enough in our house, but the outside air is actually deadly. It is so cold that the door handle INSIDE our house looks like this: The kids are home from school for at […]

Last week during a chilly walk home from school, Ben informed me that today would be the shared birthday for two of his little stuffed animals, Cubby and Beary. His adorable declaration reminded me of a similar celebration Vivian requested more than four years ago: a Hello Kitty Birthday. His request was earnest and enthusiastic so […]

Last week Chris took the bigs (Evie and Mack) to a Jingle Ball concert hosted by a local radio station. He loaded up the car with their friends, watched five pop acts sing their one hit wonders, and returned home close to midnight. On a school night! It was a special memory for them to […]

November in Chicago. The month starts and the clouds roll in and the temperatures drop. We’re still early enough in the season where I find the weather to be somewhat delightful and oddly charming: cozy socks, cuddly blankets, hot tea. Hygge to the max!! Last month the kids and I carved pumpkins in the courtyard […]

With six kids, I carry constant guilt because they are always forced to make sacrifices on behalf of their siblings. Many times throughout the day, I have at least two kids needing my time and attention, and I wish so bad I could give them each exactly what they need exactly when they need it. Some […]

This was the first official weekend of fall, and here in Chicago, the weather could not have been more glorious. Clear blue skies, warm sun, temperatures in the high 60s and 70s. Chris thought it would be a fine time to take the kids on our annual apple orchard outing to County Line Orchards, and […]

Earlier this summer our first born turned 10. 10. A decade. To celebrate this special milestone Chris and I took her to New Orleans. Just the three of us. The original three, as we sometimes say when the other kids aren’t around. The hardest part of the trip? Finding childcare for Mack, Vivian, Ben, Elinor […]

When I was growing up, my dad put on an annual Easter egg hunt for my four siblings and me. He numbered the eggs we dyed with our mom, and then he numbered king size candy bars so every egg matched with a candy bar. After the hunt, we traded in our collected eggs for […]

Yesterday was the day. The day we wait for all winter long. The day when we all know that spring is not far off! It was the kind of day that is chilly in the shade but too hot for a coat in the sun. The kind of day when the birds can’t help but […]