Normally, Chicagoans enjoy very fine autumn weather. It isn’t unusual for the kids to play in the sidewalk sprinkler well into October. But, this year, winter came in early November and hasn’t left. Last Monday the kids even had a very unexpected snow day from school. We were coming off a long week off for the […]

Christmas time. The time of the year when homes are cozy and warm, nights are quiet and peaceful, well-behaved children are wide-eyed and wonderful. Right. Right? Wrong. Earlier this month, as I have every year since Evie was born, I was stressing out with the expectations of what Christmas should be. Why did it seem […]

The holiday season is moving full speed ahead in our house. We set out Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving, and our GIANT Christmas tree is cheerfully sprinkling pine needles all over the floor. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. One new tradition I started this year is a family Advent […]

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we are ready to jump into the Christmas season. I am more tired that I’ve ever been in my life, but I’m willing to rally for the kids to make it a fun month for all of us. One of the easiest ways for me to share the cheer […]