Posts Tagged ‘chicago winter

Oven S’mores

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 […]


Keeping Busy through the Cold

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 […]


Winter Wear Inventory

Winter in our household can be a challenge. With so many people comes SO MUCH winter gear. Hats, mittens, coats, snowpants, boots…multiply all those things by 8 people (plus an extra back up set for the inevitable lost items) and we have a LOT of stuff. Fortunately, we are really good about using hand-me-downs. As […]


The Kind of Day!

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 […]


Memories at The Music Box

I’m feeling a little anxious about Christmas. With six kids in a Chicago townhouse, we just don’t have any more room for any more stuff. I really do try to keep the gifts thoughtful and at a minimum, but even minimum x 6 = a lot. I hate that so much of this time of […]


The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party at Chicago Children’s Theatre

The Christmas season is upon us. I’m so grateful for this time every year. It is nice to wind down after a busy year with the people we love most. Chris and I make gentle efforts to really enjoy all the hustle and bustle our city has to offer – there certainly is no shortage of […]


Winter Craft Project

Winter is here. All summer and fall we play in the courtyard with our neighbors well into the evening, but now that the cold and dark have settled in we’re all stuck inside more than we’d like. While I miss the familiar summer charms of cicadas and chirping birds and rosy dusks, the charm of tucking […]


Homemade Minestrone Soup

Nothing lasts forever. I think we finally bid adieu to mild, almost summer-like weather. Last week Chicago saw temps in the 70s(!!), but this past weekend the cold settled in. We had a wee dusting of snow that didn’t stick, and we can see our breath while chatting outdoors. Brrrrrr… In recognition of the winter […]


Junie B. Jones at the Emerald City Theatre

Living in the city with six kids comes with its fair share of urban struggles. Top of my complaint list is parking – too-small spaces, expensive street spots, validation required for shopping. It is so annoying. But, despite all the hassles city living with kids is awesome. The pleasantries far, far outweigh the frustrations. For […]


Passing the Time (When We’re Not Right on Time)

Last Sunday Chris had to work all day. He used to work every day of every weekend, so now his occasional day in the office really doesn’t bother me. Of course we miss him and of course we’d rather have him home on a Sunday, but we live in the middle of a huge city; […]