just be ...

The Garden.

This year I am trying my green thumb at gardening.  Gardening fruits (well, melon) and veggies.  This the progress so far.

Week One

Week One + Half

Week Two

Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

Well, really this post is about why whenever I make a recipe and take a picture of it, it never turns out like this ... the picture, that is.  I suppose if I had the time and the tools, I could be posting pictures like this.

via

But alas, I work full-time.  Right now when we get home its light for oh, about 10 minutes.  Hopefully Spring is coming soon.  We are suffering bad here.  Bad.  Tried to kill some of that cabin fever by heading over to the Jungle Safari at the rec center.  It worked.  We will go back this weekend, if the weather doesnt do what it says it will - 40 degrees!!!  Holy Moly we are going outside! 

Storytime.

I've always had a love for libraries.  I clearly recall the Windsor Public Library, where I would spend many of summer days there, where I had my CPR/babysitting class and of course the racks and racks of books.  When spending time with my dad we would go to his local library.  Again, loved it.  So it doesnt come as a surprise that I make time in our schedule to visit our library.  The boys love going.

They recently went thru a renovation and have put quite a bit of money into making it a better facility and more welcoming to the community.  Even when it was in poor shape, out of date, I still loved it.  

Every Tuesday night we meet up with Ms. Lori and the Pajama Jam story time.  

Yet Another Snow Day.

We've had more than our share of snow this winter.  Yesterday I was kind of done with it.  But then I got home, I got the boys in their snow suits and I just dealt with it.  It is what it is.  I live in Chicago.  Its winter.  Its February.  I should expect nothing less, and I dont.  (just dont get me started on the traffic on these types of days...grr.)

notice how tall it is, the mailbox is just about covered

a rare occasion.

Its not often that I take a half way decent picture, and with my boys.  Yesterday at the school's Valentine party, this one was snapped.  

aannnd...we're back.

Whew!

I had to really feel the desire to blog again.  And I am glad I took the break.  I was able to really decide what it was I wanted to do with this space and how would it work with my busy schedule.

So here it is ... simple, easy, very time-friendly.

Love the new layout??

Valentine's Day 2014.

Boys' school valentines.

Theo

Max

Valentine's Day Party.

I have Mom bring the boys up to school for their special events, if they aren't at school.  Valentine's Day parties always seem to be on a Thursday.  So again, this year they arrived and had some fun, only after about 25 minutes of coercing.  I think its the fact they come to school on their 'days off' that throws them off.  

those who juice box together, stay together - arani, ayden + max

my love

v-day preschool selfie

miss ashley rocks

my love

the class was working on this all week.  max added, 'um like the way you love your mommy'.

the Next Family.

I am part of a group of Single Mothers who write for this site, the Next Family.  It’s a site for the modern family – you know singles, gays, city dwellers, etc. 

A few years back I was entertaining the idea of writing.  Writing more, writing to an audience other than family and friends.  I found this site at the time were looking for volunteer writers.  I submitted some of my pieces and my blog and they asked me to join their team.  I was honored.

It was a rough go at first, then I found out I was pregnant with Theo and that was rough altogether.  So a few months back the editor asked me again if I would be interested.  I set a very low expectation and you know what its been working.  I am loving it.  Maybe in a few months I can increase my activity.  We’ll see.

I would love for you to check out my monthly postings.  One just posted about Sleep Trainingand all the wonderful things of getting a three-year-old to sleep.  Please check it out!