The Curl

I can't tell you how much I love this little curl. No haircuts for awhile.

Birds and Words

Want to check out some other projects I have been working on?

Read about how to turn your little one into a bird watcher in the April issue of Chicago Parent.

Or visit Parenting Squad for a laugh about my efforts to translate for my toddler!

Good Morning Sunshine!

For the past few weeks, Eleanor has climbed into our bed almost every night around 1:00 a.m.

The bad news: I wake up every morning with a sore back and neck because I get squished into the middle of the bed and can't move.

The good news: I wake up to her sweet face and her daily greeting, "Time to rise and shine, Mommy! What are we doing today?"

Why "Pump It Up" is Kind of a Nightmare and Other Things I Learned Yesterday

Yesterday morning in the midst of a lovely spring snow storm, I took my kids to Pump It Up for "open play."

We met up with a new friend and her sweet little guy -- who I think has a tiny crush on my daughter. :) Plus, I got to meet some of said new friend's other cute and nice friends. And we had a chance to talk about the latest mommy blog controversies, and whether or not to attend BlogHer this summer. Good times.

Oh, and it was fun to play with the kids. The kids, right, the kids.

Have you been to Pump It Up? I can't really say that I recommend going. It styles itself as "an inflatable fun zone" - which is true, I suppose. But it is also a "way-too-crowded zone." And a "so-loud-you-can-barely-hear-yourself-think-zone." And the lawyer in me (she still resides deep, deep within) found Pump It Up to be a "Good-God-why-did-I-sign-that-release-form-as-I-watch-my-child-bang-heads-with-several-other-kids-zone." Forty-five minutes was plenty of time at Pump It Up for me . . . for a lifetime.

We then headed over to the California Pizza Kitchen at North and Sheffield. For some reason, I haven't eaten here before -- which I think makes me the only Mom on the northside of Chicago who doesn't hang out here because the place was swarmed with kids and Moms -- in a good way. And the BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (with avocado please) was so delicious (definitely only order the half size). The kids had fun and behaved beautifully. More good times.

Once home, the kiddos napped for about six hours (the biggest upside to the frenzied visit to Pump It Up). We made challah in the afternoon (so fun). Then Daddy came home and made us risotto. It was while eating this risotto that I realized that I think I loathe asparagus. Until a few days ago, I thought I liked asparagus just fine. And it being spring and all, I thought we should be eating asparagus. So we had it roasted on Thursday night. And in risotto last night. And on both occasions, I found myself pushing it to the side of my plate -- which is unlike me. So no more asparagus, I've decided. I sound like Eleanor.

Finally, the team I picked to win the NCAA Championship game got eliminated in the first round -- thereby eliminating any interest I have in any of the hundreds of games to be played in the next few weeks. Sorry, honey.

Making Bread: Challah

With the help to two very able and hard-working assistants, I made traditional challah bread for the first time yesterday. (Many thanks to Rachel for the recipe!).

Here is the finished product. I wish I had made the braids tighter so the bread had better shape. But oh, does it taste good. I have been sneaking toasted and buttered slices all day. At this rate, it is unlikely to make it until brunch tomorrow!

We're Getting Ready for the Bunny!

Setting the scene for Sunday's Easter Egg Hunt.

A Good Read

Check this out if you have a few minutes (and imagine Brendan chanting "Mamack Mamama, Mamack Mamama" in the background).