Sunday Fun Day - 3/24/19 - Lent, Swim "Graduation", Spring!, Garden Bed

Oh dear. I'm falling down on my renewed New Year's Resolution of blogging weekly! Darn it! Oh well, time to play some catch up!! Giddy up!

1. Lent
So it has become customary within Catholicism (and maybe Christianity more broadly? I can't really speak to anything other than how us crazy Catholics roll) to "give up" something during the 40 days of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. As I understand it - you take this period to make sacrifices (not of the fatted calf variety - this is not Biblical time for goodness' sake) to keep you connected to the sacrifices Jesus made to save the world. Whoosh. Heavy stuff, right? Side note- you more learned Catholics- please inform me of the "real" reasoning behind Lenten promises- as with so much of my life - I fear my understanding is at approximately the 3rd grade level!!!

Either way - I read an article written by a Jesuit priest a few years ago which encouraged "taking up" something for Lent, rather than  "giving up". Prior to reading the article, I would go without Diet Coke (as I said this was years ago when I was in the thick of that habit), chocolate, dessert, or meat. I have appreciated the "taking up" side of this coin much more - and I think, have become a better version of myself in the process. 

So this year, I decided to "take up" a kindness every day. Whether a random act of kindness or something that took more planning doesn't really matter, the goal is to do something thoughtful/helpful/useful/connecting/kind for a friend, family member, neighbor, or my community. So far I have done A LOT of litter pick up. It doesn't take any planning, but litter is (sadly) everywhere. Now that the snow & ice have melted, a whole winter's worth of litter has been revealed :( Lulu will sometimes get in on this one, which makes me quite glad. Also - some days I am the poop fairy. I try to look at these abandoned piles of dog shit without judging the dogs' owners - hoping that they forgot a bag or their dog pulled a fast one & pooped twice on 1 walk. I hate to admit I resent the dog poop more than general litter.....although it could be said that all litter is created equal! But poop. Ugh. More fun stuff has been baking treats, writing notes, sending all the good vibes I have to people going through hard times or great times. 

I'm really enjoying it so far this season. I think it makes me a happier person to do something positive for the world each day. I'm open to ideas and welcome them in fact! Send me an email or comment below if you have random (or not) acts of kindness suggestions!!

2. The Bug's Swim "Graduation" 

Test day in coat & boots

Test day in sweater & shoes

Whoosh! We started this 4 week session of swim lessons back at the start of February.......for reasons too many (& too boring) to list - we didn't finish until March 19!!! But, we are done for now! I love that we have committed to ISR for teaching Lulu to be safe in/around water, but the closest instructor works out of Lake Forest :( So it is an hour of round trip driving every day (M-F) for 10 minutes in the pool.

Congrats Bug!!

So I'm relieved to be done - and SO SO SO proud of our Bug for working so darn hard at learning to swim and practicing her float.  

Donut to celebrate!!

3. Spring!

In the span of 2 short weeks we went from this huge ice/snow pile at the water's edge

to this - no ice/snow on the beach at all! Still in snowsuit & hat - but it was only 8am :)

Owenn thinks this is the perfect season for swimming in Lake Michigan!

Its coming! Or is it here?? The calendar says it is here- I am not entirely convinced :) But it is certainly coming! As I type this, the birds are chirping outside - loudly, insistently, seem to be telling to me one of Lulu's fav lines from "Go Dog Go" by P.D. Eastman "Get up! It is day! Time to get going! Go dog go!" 

Thank goodness our trusty spring bulbs are popping up in each of our garden beds around the house. I'm excited for the bursts of color to come forth - purple & white alliums, brilliant yellow daffodils, tulips of several colors. The tiny bits of green forcing their way toward the sun are encouraging enough for now - but oh it will be lovely when the yard/garden start to be awash with color.

Spring means our 1st family bike ride of the year!!

4. DIY Raised Bed Garden

My DIY dream husband!!

Chris took a 10 week long woodworking class this winter and it has really reignited his interest in this hobby. I am beyond excited that he gave me an early Mother's Day gift of a handmade cedar raised bed garden for our backyard!! He was incredibly efficient at making it - I think was done with it in less than a day! I was also grateful to my brother & Dad for helping move the bed from its building location on the patio to its "final resting place" along our back fence. 

Finished product - in place!! My first little weeds are growing so fast!

I ordered seeds to start from The Seed Savers Exchange, I figure if nothing really works I can always buy seedlings (which is what I've done in the past). But I'm looking forward to the seed starting too. It feels exciting to try new things - lots of learning I have to do - but thankfully some family & friends are more experienced than I am in this regard - so hoping to glean some knowledge from them!!

So much possibility!

Friday Recap 8/31/18 - Road trip funnies, Skunked, Garden love, The Bug

I can't believe August is coming to a close. Most of my nieces and nephews are back to school, all of the neighborhood kiddos are, we've had a couple of cool nights (admittedly that was last week....but still) with the windows open, Lulu & I are starting to see leaves fall from trees- insane that it feels like Fall is around the corner.

1. Road trip funnies

The Fun Park

We drove to Columbus, OH for one of my college roommate's weddings last weekend. Road trips are always interesting - especially when they involve a 16 month old ;)

We drove from 7pm-2am on the way there. Somehow - more than once- we encountered stopped traffic on the highway. Just jammed traffic. Summer time is construction season & that'll do it I guess. You have to laugh about these things to avoid screaming!!

The Fun Park

On the way home we took it a little easier since Lulu would be awake for some of the drive. Or so we thought. Lulu was awake for almost the entire drive! We stopped at "the fun park" (I should've taken a photo of the sign - the playground was literally called "The Fun Park" it was awesome) to let Lulu run around & burn some energy & to break up the drive a bit. 

Corn field detour

We needed to get gas - so did that too. And then got on the highway going the wrong way. 10 miles to the next exit toward Columbus....10 miles after we got turned around.....and a detour through the cornfields because the overpass was demolished. Oh man. Tough wrong turn!! Very pretty detour though!







2. Getting skunked
Its funny now.........not so much Monday morning at 530 when Owenn & I were out running & it happened.

The funny part is really the fact that when Owenn did a 180 & pulled like a maniac the opposite direction we were going, I let him. Then I noticed what he was running for: (in the dark, without my glasses on) a small potted plant in the green space between the sidewalk & street. "Well," I think to myself "if Owenn wants to pee on a potted plant that is inexplicably in the greenway, so be it". You may have already guessed that it was not, in fact, a potted plant. It was a Goddamned skunk. Owenn chomped on it and was shaking it around, which is how I ended up with a drop of skunk spray in my MOUTH. Which again, funny now. Not funny as it happened. 

After 2 baths in hydrogen peroxide, baking soda & dish soap (followed by dog shampoo) & one treatment of this Nature's Miracle product (lent to us by our most FANTASTIC neighbors) - Owenn was back to smelling fresh a daisy. Or at least back to his eau de dead raccoon smell he always seems to rock. Not funny, but we were able to loan the Nature's Miracle product to different friends/neighbors later this week because their poor pup got skunked too :(

Keeping us on our toes Owenn is.

3. Garden love

Not sure what this plant is, but it is thriving & making me very happy by doing so! Anyone have any idea? Pretty sure I bought it at a native plant sale 2 summers ago........no clue what it is though!

4. This face

Almost always brings a smile to my face! 

Friday Recap 8/17/18 - Sunday Funday, early morning runs, garden love, only in Evanston,

We've had a bit of travel (to MD & WI) the past couple of weekends - so it was nice to be home for this past one. We are loving all that our neighborhood & city have to offer this time of year- we are trying to get out & enjoy it as often as possible!!

1. Sunday Funday
Sometimes on a Sunday you need to go to the beach, swim, play in the sand & frolic with the dog before 9am.

A perfect beach morning!

You need to ride bikes & eat ice cream for lunch.

The Bug is still a bit so so on ice cream.....maybe a cold headache??

Get this helmet OFF OF ME!!!!

You need to naked bike ride in the back yard.

Lettin' loose in the backyard

You need to load up picnic supplies to bike to the train to go on a date night with friends.

Chair, table, cooler, check check check!

Chair & picnic basket, check check!

We made it!

You need to pack it all in so as to maximize summer enjoyment! Summer Sunday funday at its finest!

2. Early morning runs

Owenn wasn't too impressed by the sun....

For whatever reason I've not been as committed to running (specifically) or exercise (generally) this summer. Silly, I know, given the perfection of the weather to be outdoors to work out! I am newly committed to getting some miles in each week & was rewarded with a cool, foggy, misty morning run. The sun had risen before I made it to the lake front, but it was lovely all the same.

3. Garden Love from the Bug

I love to grow the tiny bits of food in our few garden pots on the patio. 

It makes me quite happy. My heart becomes pretty much full to bursting when Lulu shows her obsession with eating the fruit we grow! She's been plucking & eating (!) the under ripe tiny little green strawberries.....which I can't imagine is healthful....it also means there are fewer fully ripened strawberries for her to eat :) 

We pulled the step stool out today so she could pick the tomatoes herself  - after we found 1 fully ripe strawberry - she was ready to eat all the green ones.........needed a distraction!!

4. Only in Evanston

Have no idea how the piano got onto the sand. Did this guy & his buddy drag it out there? Where did the piano come from? How does it stay in tune in the heat & humidity? 

So many questions - no answers. But we did really enjoy the show on our Tuesday evening walk!

Friday Round Up 8/10/18- Early morning beauty, tomato season, extra Lake time

Summer is still in full swing & we are trying to soak in all that it has to offer! We've seen leaves turning & falling already......which is giving me feelings of serious panic! Keep on keepin on summertime!!

1. Early Morning Beauty

I'd been meaning to go for an early morning kayak all summer & somehow it took me until August to get my act together. It was worth the wait & so darn pretty. I went on a weekday morning which is as quiet as can be up at the Lake. What a treat to have the Bug snuggled in her bed at the house with my parents both there so I could confidently leave & have a mini adventure all my own. Sometimes I feel myself fading to the background & the Bug being the main event of my life. I work actively to remember that I am not her & she is not me. We do our best when we each have our own lives - inexorably tied lives - but separate all the same. My morning kayak was just for me :)

2. Tomato Season

We picked them in the rain & couldn't wait to get 15 feet to the kitchen to eat them!

Happy with her haul

 Lulu is hilariously obsessed with our tomato plant. I am also obsessed with it  - so she has good taste ;) But in the same way she loved the strawberry plant when it was producing - she heads straight for the tomato plant when we are in the backyard to see if there are any to eat!! Its a messy affair & I adore it.

Notice the rivulets of tomato juice on her belly?!? Joyful tomatoes!

3. Extra Lake Time

BoBo with 3 of 5 granddaughters

Belated birthday boat ride for Lynn

Cousin park time

Lulu & Dad weren't really into this ;)

The Bug & Neva are 4.5 months apart - I hope they are so close as they grow up.

"Wuwu, you wanna go swimming??" ~Hennie

Sometimes everyone needs a quick boat nap

Marg & her girls stayed past my Mom's birthday by several days - so Lulu & I got a chance to spend some extra lake time with them & my parents. Such a treat to have weekdays up at the Lake - so chill, not busy, just really quite perfect. The only bad thing is, now that Marg & the girls are home again, it feels a little like summer is over :(


I'm running late on this post - summer schedule is a little loosey goosey! Short & sweet this week! Happy Monday, hope you have a tomato & sunrise filled week!

Friday Recap 8/3/18 - Kaner's Birthday, Beach Date, Solo Lake Time, Garden Love, "Motherhood in the age of Fear"

Well, it happened again, I should've known it would ;) We started celebrating my Mom's birthday weekend on Thursday last week......so my Friday post isn't happening until.....Wednesday......yikes. This might be my latest one yet!! Oh well, we are on a summer schedule over here! Without further ado:

1. Kaner's Birthday

Kane chose ice cream sandwiches for dessert - my SIL is a great baker & they were tremendous!

 I love being an aunt so much. I've been "aunting" for longer than I've been a mom & it is such a fun role to play. We had a great time celebrating our nephew Kane's birthday last week! Always nice to have a family birthday celebration - makes me think of being a kid myself in a warm, fuzzy, nostalgic kind of way. 

Happy Birthday little man, suddenly you aren't that little anymore! You are growing up by the minute it seems & getting funnier every day. We love you.

2. Beach Baby Date

I had plans to meet up with 3 of my Mom's Group friends at the beach, which is fun in of itself. Then 2 more Mom's Group moms showed up & it became a much bigger group! What fun to get together with so many smiling faces and so many great kiddos. I didn't take enough photos. Oops.

3. Solo Lake Time

Typically speaking, we spend "big" family time up at the lake. We pack as many as 15 humans into our house that felt perfectly sized for 5 of us when we were growing up! So when Lulu & I unexpectedly had a day & an night at the lake by ourselves, it wasn't half bad :) We were there during weekday time when things slow down immeasurably and the shared neighborhood space is totally empty. 

Lulu did a lot of rock throwing and rock playing while I soaked up as much quiet as I could. Funny how nice it can be to just be quiet. This coming from an avowed talkative extrovert ;) A good change indeed.

4. Garden Love

Our tiny harvest was gobbled up by our love bug in a minute flat! She didn't want me to take the picture!

Lulu is becoming my little garden gnome. Despite the fact that we have a total of 6 edible plants (& 4 of those are herbs), Lulu seems to really like our garden & being in it. Well, mostly eating from it. Yes, eating from our garden is the best part for Lulu! I hope in the coming years she wants to learn about how plants grow & help take care of our garden plants!

5. "Motherhood in the Age of Fear"
I shared this opinion piece on Facebook - but it bears sharing again. Here is what I said in my Facebook post: Kids need independence. Kids need the chance to play, explore, live bits of their lives without us watching. I felt sick to my stomach reading this article, but reassured by the practical advice offered. If confronted by the police: ask what law you’ve broken. Clearly & calmly ask if you are under arrest. If not, you are free to go. If a random stranger is confronting you by yelling or saying they will call the police, begin recording them & Clearly and calmly ask that they move away from you & stop harassing you & your child. We do NOT have the right to assume the worst. For goodness sakes; take a minute to watch what’s going on, assess the situation, be rational. Do not assume the worst & call 911 for something that might be perfectly innocuous. Calling 911 is not, in my most humble opinion the best way “just to be safe”. asking the kid if they’re ok, taking a minute to observe to see if things are ok are 2 ways of being safe that don’t have potentially lifelong consequences for the mom & kid in question. 
I would like to add that this was shared by one of my Mom's Group friends which makes me feel so much more comfortable in my style of parenting. I knew that I wasn't an outlier in our community, but man it is reassuring to have a tribe of people who feel the same way I do. The unfortunate reality (for me) is a low grade sense that I am constantly being judged by strangers for the choices I make in how I take care of the Bug on a day to day basis. It is a major bummer. I suppose it is the flip side of the "it takes a village" coin. I can't (we as parents can't) raise kids in a vacuum, by its nature taking care of kids & raising them is undertaken by more than just the kids' parents. Sometimes this backfires in ways outlined in this article and that makes me feel all sorts of negative feels.