Backyard hunt with Oliver and Luke

Peeps smores

Jelly bean high is starting to wear off.

See above

Chicks race chicks.

More paper bag fashion.

 

The other weekend we found our way to the Arboretum to learn about maple tapping and syrup production.  While Ella may not have been thrilled on the actual science behind the process (she rolled in the snow during the park ranger's lecture) she was certainly thrilled with sampling the result.  With Ella's emerging interest in trying new things, she even drank some tree sap with us.  Afterwards, her Mimi watched in awe as she ate the both of us under the table at the pancake breakfast.  Interestingly we learned that it takes forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.  Another take away from this experience....Mrs. Butterworth will never look the same.        

Riding the Rails



We chucked the car keys and grabbed the Metra to meet Lolo and Lola this week.  It certainly beats the traffic on 290 and after spending most of my work days in the car I'd rather let someone else drive.  The kids were glued to the windows as they watched the landscapes change from Maywood through Elmhurst and then to Glen Ellyn.  The girls smile and present their tickets, strangers offer their hands as I wrestle the stroller down the steps.  We lunch at Toot Toots and the girls are treated to cupcakes for dessert.  On our way out, Lola fishes through her pockets for spare change.  Ella and Viv excitedly twirl the knob of the quarter machines and catch plastic domes holding new rubber balls.  It was certainly their kind of day.  We've made plans for meeting up at other eateries off the train stop.  Marianella's is a definite as soon as temps allow for patio dining.    

Works of Art

Self Portrait

Viv - A meditation on color and being two.

Here Ella licks part of the blender after making cookies with Jer.  Completely unrelated to the post because that's how I do things these days.

Perhaps it's the inevitable free fall from the holiday high or just winter settling into my brain, but I have gotten out of the habit of writing.  Too often this month the couch and horrible television have beckoned and my will to write falls into the cushions like loose change.  To be fair, we've had our share of late nights at work (Sarah), travel for business (Jerry) and a recent round of illnesses (mainly Viv).  The driveway has had to be shoveled and noses needed to be wiped.  But I'm itching to write about something, anything with substance.  So I'll wait for it to come.   Until then, I'm surrendering myself to the boring list of mental credits that play in my mind whenever I have a quiet moment: Library fines, upcoming dentist appointments, parent teacher conferences and worries about whether or not my kids were sent to school with proper outerwear.  It is amazing how much mental real estate can be absorbed with such minutia.  Hoping to clear up some space soon.  Keeping my eyes and ears open for inspiration.