Housekeeping

::: This weekend was unfortunately a very sad one for our family. Joel's cousin was tragically killed in a snowmobile accident at the young age of 32. We got the call on Wednesday morning and instantly the week changed. It rocked Joel's entire family, and while we came together and celebrated his well lived and loved life - it was difficult. The service on Sunday was nothing short of beautiful and gut wrenching, and to be honest, we are still digesting the new reality. 

Since there is never any eloquent way to really move on from such loss - I'm just going to....with a truly broken heart. 

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::: Over the weekend - right before most of Joel's family arrived - we had tickets to see Disney on Ice. We weren't sure how Drew would do for the entire show, but honestly, she did fantastic. The first half of the show kept her entire attention - and Leo was truly in awe the entire time. We packed plenty of goldfish for the second half and left right after the Frozen performance, and had such a fun, special morning. 

We had friends at the same show, so before we drove home, we met them for pizza and beer which was a perfect way to cap off the fun event.

::: So last week - thanks to a few readers suggestions! - I convinced my sisters to do a "Day in the Life". All three of us did actually - all of us, sadly, on Wednesday, but we have all of the pictures and now I just need to organize them into posts and have my sisters caption them. They both had a lot of fun with it - and they thought that next time we should do it on a weekend day to see how truly different our days are ;) 

::: If you live in Chicago - you know - but the weather has been crazy. We have gotten snow literally dumped on us for the last few days - and this upcoming week is supposed to be the coldest temperatures in years. It's only Monday, and I've already got cabin fever.

Thankfully we leave for Mexico in two weeks so the countdown is ON.

And I will now always be booking a trip to Mexico for February, because holy shit Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing. 

Weekend Recap

Ok - this is big. It's Sunday night, I'm level 11 tired, (it is only 7:30pm, but I'm weak), I'm already in bed, and I just had Joel bring up my computer so that I could actually get a weekend recap post up before 8am tomorrow morning! Making progress over here!!

I had a fantastic weekend - and I hope you did too. 

Friday night, we had book club at my neighbors house. Luckily, I was able to walk, because that night we got like 7 inches of snow. It was the perfect night to sit inside with a bunch of girlfriends, snacks, and red wine. 

I totally goofed up on taking any pictures of our night - I was too busy chatting and bringing my wine glass to my lips - but it was a really fun time. We had read When Life Gives You Lululemons which was a fun book to discuss with a bunch of suburban moms. 

Saturday morning, my mom and I took the train into the city to meet my sisters for a belated birthday celebration for my mom. 

We started the day off at Nordstrom, and shockingly, I found an amazing bathing suit, and we couldn't help but splurge on suits for the kids too for our upcoming trip.

After a little shopping, we headed to the Peninsula for High Tea. 

The Peninsula hotel in Chicago is one of my all time favorites - and their high tea is truly delightful.

We enjoyed our tea, snacks, champagne, talked, watched the snow fall....It was lovely.

 

 

We took our buzz over to Zara for a little more shopping and then found ourselves at Mastro's for a martini in their bar (which I love). 

After a drink, we went back to my sisters for a few minutes and then headed to Coast Sushi in Bucktown for dinner. 

We had a perfect light dinner, and my mom and I headed to my cousins house before we crawled into bed at 10! It was perfect! 

Sunday morning, my sister Hannah, cousin Amanda, and my girlfriend Mary (Hiiiiii!!!), met up for a sculpt class at CorePower. We got our butts handed to us, but it's one of my all time favorite workouts and I always try to fit it in when I'm in the city.

After quick showers, we prepped for brunch at Amanda's. Joel and the kids drove into the city and my girlfriend Sara and her fam came over too.

It was perfect. The kids played, ate, hung out, and then we loaded up the car by 1:30 and were home by 2:30.

My parents took Leo to their house for a few hours so that we could get our fussy little Drew home for a nap - and then we met over there for Sunday night dinner. We had a great, healthy dinner and got everyone home, cozy in bed, early - just the way I like it! 

Weekend Recap

We kicked off the Halloween week with non-stop activities starting bright and early on Friday morning.

After school on Friday, the library hosted a festive story time and then all of the dressed up kids "trick-or-treated" throughout the library.

 

 

 

 

It was pretty cute, but somewhat chaotic, and there were so many kids there, I felt like it was a little hot and crazy. My kids were breaking down quickly so I was excited to get them into the car to head home for lunch and baths .... but wouldn't ya know it ... my brand new car wouldn't start. 

Lonnnng story short, I got lucky, got it to start after 30 minutes, thought it was just a glitch, but it ended up happening again so the dealership has it currently. 

After naps on Friday, we met friends in downtown Crystal Lake for a little pizza party at Georgio's. All of the kids were given pizza dough to make their own pizzas with and the parents had beers and pizza - it was a blast. We ended up keeping the party going by taking all of the kids to one of our friends house, and stayed there until almost 10:30.

 

The big kids played so well - mainly with the Dads in the basement - and I put Drew to sleep in the pack and play and later transferred without an issue. *she is perfection! 

Saturday morning Joel and I got runs in before we took the kids over to our communities Truck or Treat. 

The weather was perfect, so we walked through the area and then went with my parents out for lunch too. 

 

 

While the kids napped - I prepped a dessert for our next party - and this was a MAJOR hit. I used this recipe, and it couldn't have been easier or more delicious. 

We had another family Halloween party - but we decided to keep Drew back at home with Joel. It had been a busy weekend and Joel and Drew were coughing so I didn't want to risk anything.  The party was a ton of fun but since this was for a friend who is a little older, so lots of the kids had masks on and Leo was honestly scared out of his mind. 

They did a big parade and pinata, and Leo wanted NOTHING to do with it, so I snapped this lonely pic of me and my nervous guy! He warmed up eventually but I don't think Halloween is his favorite holiday. 

Sunday was a pretty slow day. We had plans to bring in all of the outdoor furniture, but it rained and everyone seemed a little grouchy (likely due to over stimulation?), so I escaped for a mani/pedi while Joel and the kids built forts, did my meal planning, and ordered groceries. 

We ended the rainy day with a family dinner over at my parents which was nice to get out of the house for a bit too. 

And more fun to follow this week I'm sure! 

Weekend Recap

Joel was gone almost the entire week at a work conference, so I was VERY happy to see him and Friday arrive! 

Friday night I was at a neighbors for book club. We read The Woman Who Smashed Codes. It's not a book I loved, but it was fun to catch up with friends over snacks and wine, and I didn't get home until after midnight! 

Saturday morning, I knew the only way I would have a productive day was to get in a good workout, so Joel and the kids and I went for my longest run to date - and I actually could have done more but Drew was ready for a nap. 

 

Joel's dad came over around lunch time to watch the kids for a few hours so Joel and I could get the second coat of paint on the basement. The paint looks decent downstairs, the lighting is a little dark - but its way better than the cement walls.

I've been pintrest stalking all weekend of how to make it a little more cozy down there without full blown finishing it.

 

We have to add dry wall to a few spots, and it's our goal to get that done this winter. I think this year Joel and his dad are also going to try and build a storage closet for wine and some shelves for me. Next winter I think we will spray paint the ceiling and slowly add furniture and a ping pong table down there. This is how it is looking after one coat - but I'll try and take some "finished" pictures and get them up here. 

Saturday afternoon once the kids were up from naps we went to a friends for a little fall party. The kids painted pumpkins and then spent the rest of the time in the basement. 

We ended up putting Drew down in a pack and play for a little while so that we could enjoy our pizza and drinks, and we all had the best time. When we left, all four of the big kids had to help wake little Drewbie up.

Sunday I was hurting (again!!), but tried to burn it off by cleaning everything in the basement. We wiped all of the surfaces, vacuumed and mopped. Leo even got in on the action. 

After baths for everyone, I ordered groceries, planned out the week a bit, and then went to my parents house for the Bears game and dinner. 

We had a great weekend of balancing some house tasks and having too much fun, so I'm ready for a slow day today - and an early bedtime ;)