Brunchin' with Bloggers

Last Sunday started out like most of my Sundays (and all days really). I awoke at 6:00 a.m. to adorable little faces demanding breakfast and Calliou. I fed my kids croissants and bacon (it was Sunday, after all). I did two loads of laundry, made three beds, dressed four bodies, and then we went for a walk to the park.

Then things got interesting. Around 10:45 I hopped into a cab and headed down to Michigan Avenue for a moms-only event hosted by the lovely and gracious Cindy Fey and Kim Moldofsky, two fellow bloggers from the Chicago Moms Blog.

While taking in a lake view from the 26th floor or a beautiful building, we sipped mimosas and nibbled on really delicious food. Pastoral provided amazing sandwiches and artisan cheeses (were I not trying to impress people, I wold have stood by the cheese tray the entire time). Jane Addam's Hull House was kind enough to provide pickled and preserved items from their kitchen. And then cheesecake from Eli's on top of it all.

We talked blogs, kids, and new opportunities. A few brave ladies read their work for the group.

The whole thing was utterly delightful. I can't wait to do it again.

My Last Post for Being Savvy: Chicago

Sometimes you just know when it is time to move on to other things. You know that feeling, right?

After posting for Being Savvy: Chicago for over a year, I was starting to get that feeling.

This is my last post. Now moving on . . .

Play Ball

It is baseball season around here. When I am watering my garden or weeding, I am frequently chided for standing in the "baseball field."

Brendan hits the ball off the tee and rounds imaginary bases three or four times while shouting, "Mom, cheer for me!"

Dad is met at the door in the evening with the same daily plea: "Play baseball with us!" He gladly obliges.

We watch Cubs games together all squished on our couch. Both Ellie and Brendan have fascinating insights and commentary. Ellie proudly points out the pitcher, batter, catcher and "vampire." Brendan constantly asks when the tv is going to show the dugout and the "ballpin."

Both of our sluggers had their first t-ball practice today. Just to be extra cute, they hugged while they waited in line for their next at bat.

And it is still May. We're just getting going.

Feeding My Flock

My thoughts on food and family and rejected zucchini muffins are up on the Chicago Moms Blog this rainy Saturday morning.

If you have a love/hate relationship with the never-ending process of feeding your flock, have a read.

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Maps are a great learning tool for kids -- and they are everywhere. Maps of your neighborhood. Maps of the world. Maps of your favorite museum.

In the June issue of Chicago Parent, I wrote a piece with some ideas for teaching little people how to use maps. Have a look and get inspired to teach your kiddos how to get from here to there.

There's Loving . . .

. . . and then there is over-loving.

Colin gets a lot of the latter type of "affection."

A Family of Finches

Although ours is a very urban life (looming skyscrapers, rumbling el trains, stinky alleys), we are lucky to have a healthy dose of the natural mixed in with our bus exhaust fumes.

The best example of this is the finch family living in our yard. Their nest went up about four weeks ago right outside the back door -- the back door that is always open -- with noisy children constantly in and out. Not exactly the most serene setting for bringing up baby finches. But our view has been spectacular. And the finches don't seem to mind the commotion.

After several days of constructing the nest, the mama and papa flitted about nervously. We waited to hear tell-tale chirp chirps. One morning, we found a dead baby still half in his egg on the ground. We talked about it and felt sad (especially Ellie who declared that she loved birds and never wanted to see anything bad happen to them). Dad cleaned it up.

A few days later, we saw two little yellow beaks poking up from the nest begging mama and papa for a bite to eat. Now, the two fledglings are about twelve days old. Mama and papa fly about tending to the needs of their two babes as we play or eat or garden. We watch them. They seem to be watching us.

The fledglings are looking eager. We anticipate a flying lesson this week.

(Updated: Twenty minutes after I posted this, we opened the back door to check out our feathered friends. We discovered that one of the fledglings was precariously perched on the edge of the nest. With wildly flapping wings, he dove out and despite my fears that he was going to crash head-first into our grill, slowly gained altitude and flew off. So kind of him to wait until we could all witness his first flight. )