From Chicago with Love

During a particularly bleak January afternoon trying to tame the circus that is my life- I declared a state of emergency and quickly implemented evacuation plans.  My destination requirements- no kids, driving distance and a spare room for SLEEP and more SLEEP.  A quick scroll through my mental Rolodex left one obvious choice-Katherine!  My college roommate of three years currently living in Chicago. She's used to me sleeping in until 10 AM and refrains from small talk.  We quickly had additional co-conspirators, Brooke and Missy traveled from St. Louis and Milwaukee to join the party.

We started the afternoon with some shopping and massages, followed by drinks at a crazy underground speakeasy where charging $28 per drink is acceptable.  I'm not going to lie I loved it.  It's nice to feel fancy once in awhile.  Thankfully my friends keep me cool.  So cool that our party lasted until 6AM central time.  Literally 6am.  Between the hours of 4-6am my constant refrain went something like "this trip was supposed to be for sleep", while simultaneously dancing in a giant EDM club better suited for the Euro disco scene. Apparently we thought we were studying abroad.  

I should have known better.  When this group gets together rarely is sleep on the agenda.  Yet, as I drove home Sunday I was energized to tackle a new week with the little people.  Clearly I needed the laughter, conversation and newly purchased 4" red suede stilhettos just as desperately as I needed sleep.

These shoes will be perfectly paired with my Meijer brand work out pants during park play dates in Grand Haven.

You know it's a fun night when the only photo you have is a little grainy and dark.

Already thinking about when I can escape to sleep next.

Happy Valentine's Day 2014!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Our biggest plans are Fisher's preschool party tomorrow.  Can't you feel the romance?

I had elaborate plans for his classroom valentines . . .didn't happen.  Instead I marched down to the basement at 6pm to see what I could scrounge up.  Thankfully my paper inventory is still deeper than some paper stores.

I did have the foresight to order little heart blow up balls from Amazon earlier in the week.  A quick google came up with the phrase "Have a ball on Valentine's Day" and here you have it- 12 homemade 

Valentines. 

 Fisher painted the hearts before bed, I took care of the rest.  Far from my best crafting effort, but thankfully the preschool audience is forgiving.  In fact I'm CERTAIN the Walgreens purchased perforated Lightning McQueen cards someone will bring will be a much bigger hit.

We all know I do this stuff for myself anyways.  I'm just hoping no one else brings stickers. . .

Olympic Fever

It's that time of year again!  This house is excited for the Olympics.  We kicked off the events with an Olympic themed playgroup party complete with fruit in the color of the Olympic flag, popcorn flame torches, an international cheese plate, a podium in front of a giant American flag and a future Olympian cardboard cut out for photos.  Attendees dressed like athletes.  Gracie wore an Argentine soccer jersey while Fisher wore his pajamas.  Apparently one of the benefits of hosting a party is you don't need to get dressed.

Adding interest to these games are several local west Michigan athletes competing in everything from Luge to Hockey.  It reminds me I must take lots of pictures of Fisher attempting sports so he has something for his Olympic athlete montage.  Although the fact that his great grandpa was an Olympian wrestler already makes for an interesting back story for Bob Costas.  Thanks Grandpa Bob!