Her

Just her and I this morning.  I love being able to hear everything she has to say.

Niece or Nephew?

Skyping with Aunt and Uncle.  Sharing news of our baby cousin.

We know!  But are going to wait until Josh and Jen make it public.  On Friday night, Mimi came over with five balloons to be popped simultaneously.  It rained confetti...but not telling if it was pink or blue.  So excited to be an aunt again!

South Side Exploration

Admiring some of the building art in Pilsen.

Entering into Osaka Japanese Gardens

Running underneath LSD to 57th Street Beach

Echo...echo...echo



Too bright!

Hanging out at the Pier

I've had chilaquiles on the brain for the last two months.  My poor family had to indulge me this morning as we headed to Pilsen's landmark restaurant, Nueva Leon.  Thankfully we have such early birds for kids that we made it before the morning rush.  After filling our bellies with eggs, tortillas, beans, rice and fresh limeade we waded past a line of at least forty hungry diners waiting for a seat.  A few minutes south of Pilsen and we landed ourselves in the Osaka Japanese Gardens for a little exploration. 

Watching as the horses entered into the arena.

Ella and her horse, Bella

Vivian and Nick

My friend Karin invited us to go horseback riding with her this afternoon.  She showed up with her very smart looking riding hat and boots and we showed up with our bandanas.  The red sequin cowgirl hats were thankfully left in the car.  Ella and Viv loved their one hour lesson/trail ride.

Happy Grandparent's Day!

These kids couldn't be any luckier.

I Would Hike 1,000 Miles and I Would Hike 10,000 More...

This morning I woke a few minutes early to sneak downstairs and wrap Jerry's gift.  I've had the big Zappos box sitting in our bedroom for the last few weeks.  Not the most romantic gesture as it has been in plain sight, blocking our path to the nightstand since it's arrival.  Ella, hearing the wrapping paper crumple, woke up and shuffled down the stairs.  Out typical morning rituals ensue.  Showers, teeth, hair and coaxing Vivian into clothing.  I felt bad acting as Jerry' human alarm clock from the bathroom.  "We have to leave in twenty minutes!"...is not the best way to wake up, even when said in the kindest, gentlest tone.  Especially when it's our ten year anniversary.  I thought to myself, today deserves so much more.  We convened in the kitchen.  Jerry had planned a breakfast of chocolate croissants.  Flowers and a beautiful card were positioned thoughtfully on the table.  Jerry opened his gifts of new hiking boots and a sturdy rain coat as the girls shuffled through the wrapping paper.  I read his card, the words so perfectly crafted.  Tears were briefly shed and just as quickly wiped away as we had a kindergartner that needed to get to school.  This is exactly where we need to be right now.  You, Jerry, are exactly who I want to be with.  

p.s. You posted pictures of us on Facebook late last night.  I especially loved the photo of us in Santorini watching the sunset on our honeymoon.  The following picture is us ten years later in Kalispell hiking in the sunset.  Comparing the two, I see today a more aware, more seasoned couple, but the foundational elements of what makes us "us" are still so clear to me.  You are a great catch.                

Blech!

Another dinner that got the kids disapproval rating!  A clear winner in my book.  Also a great way to get rid of all of our tomatoes that threaten to rot in our garden.  Seriously, we could feed half of Sicily with our harvest.  So here goes...
Spaghetti in Garlic Gravy with Herbs and Lemon Marinated Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients:
500 grams spaghetti (cooked al dente)
1 pound chicken breast fillets (sliced into 1 inch chunks)
For the chicken marinade:
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ a lemon
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to sauté the marinated chicken)
-  Add all the marinade ingredients into the chicken and marinade for 20 minutes (if making this dish in pronto) or over night (if making this dish the next day… much better).
-  Saute the marinated chicken in extra virgin olive oil until cooked (about 4-5 minutes) then set aside.
For the garlic gravy:
½ stick unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, finely minced
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup parsley, chopped (to sprinkle/finish the pasta)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups whole cherry tomatoes
-  Place sauté pan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil.
-  Saute garlic until fragrant and soft.
-  Add the flour and cook for a minute.
-  Add chicken stock and simmer gravy until thickened then add the chopped basil.
-  Season with salt and pepper.
-  Add the sauteed chicken in the gravy then toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce.
-  Add the cherry tomatoes and finish the dish with the chopped parsley, basil and grated parmesan cheese.
Makes 5-6 servings or 20 servings if my kids are the ones choking this down.  Seriously, these poor kids...I don't know how they manage to survive around here. 

With seven days of kindergarten behind us, Ella is slowly adjusting to the idea that yes, we go to school Monday through Friday, with generally no exceptions.  I have yet to break it to her that this will go on through 2035, assuming she goes to medical school or 2034 for law school.  I guess we'll give her the option.  She is taking Spanish class twice weekly and has a full hour of art!  She marches home, her hand in mine, reciting the pledge of allegiance in earnest, interpreting it as a kindergartner does.  I try to stifle a giggle.  Other parents introduce themselves to me, letting me know that Ella's name has come up at their dinnertime conversations...thankfully, in a way that makes us proud.  Phew.  She just received a good behavior award today, one she's been gunning for since day one.  I congratulate her with a hug and a hand squeeze but assure her that everyone has less than perfect days, days where she may not be lauded and she will be loved no matter what.  Her drive for good behavior is both a relief and a concern.  Jerry and I are also slowly adjusting to life with a kindergartner.  Mornings start much earlier as we have to fit in breakfast and two separate drop offs.  It is important to me that the girls not feel rushed.  We are trying hard to navigate the 10 Gazillion emails being sent to our inbox daily.  Correspondence from the Spanish teacher, the two classroom teachers, the principal, the PTO and the super-intendant.  I feel way too informed.  We are also trying to manage the daily task of making school lunches.  Ugh, I never thought I would face a task with such dread.  Costco has taken over our pantry.  We've stepped up the brown bag lunch thanks to expert advice on how to keep a hot dog warm using a thermos (thanks Mandy!).  Who knows, next week we may take it to the next level and pack a duck confit salad with a crock of tapenade.  We really need to be on our game because word is, Giada Delaurentis is making an appearance at our school in the coming months.  No joke, it's part of the author's program.   And even though so much of life seems to be falling through the cracks right now, I'm happy to say that love notes get slipped into her lunch bag daily.  It's been great seeing how far I can challenge her with reading, knowing that as she eats her Sunbutter sandwich she is eagerly trying to sound out my messages.
In other exciting news, Viv is rocking the preschool scene.  Her cubby has been full of birthday party invites.  She announces her presence with the clomp, clomp, clomp of dress-up heels (where did she get this?) and is learning how to perfect the letter "V".  Her artwork is controlled and thoughtful.  Dresses are a requisite, that is if we want our mornings to remain pleasant.  Both knees are skinned but she doesn't slow down.  Rascal is a word that comes to mind when I think of Vivian right now.  Her smile and carefully parceled out affections cancel out any hard feelings lately.  She knows just when to deliver the best hugs and kisses. 
Despite moving the alarm clock up thirty minutes in the mornings and the transition to new routines and new expectations, it's been great watching the girls take these next steps.