Dates with our Boys

H likes to hang out with Brian. C tends to want to be around me. But yesterday, Brian and C had a little Dad-Son date (he did have to be bribed with gum to get him out of the house). H has been playing soccer on Sundays, and I think C might be a just a little bit jealous. He's been talking about getting some new kicks (I will admit, he is wearing hand-me-downs from H that are very worn) -- and wanted indoor soccer shoes. So off they went to Chicago Soccer. He got the shoes. Brian also let him pick out a jersey and shorts (he chose Deutschland). Then, they were trying to figure out where to go eat, and no joke, C asked him to stop at the Chicago Brauhaus. That's my boy! While they were on their little adventure, H and I visited the Oak Park Conservatory. It's only a five minute walk from our house, but we really don't go enough. Such a great little place. The bottom line is though, all had a wonderful time -- and we really need to make more time for little "dates" like these.

Super Bowl

I've never really been into football. I like the concept, but I honestly don't totally understand it. However, living in a house full of boys, it was bound to happen. They are really into it. H in particular. He and Brian would watch it almost every Sunday and Monday night, and he was really looking forward to the Super Bowl this year. We decided to just lay low and watch it at home. H & C were rooting for the Colts. Brian and I for the Saints. We pigged out on Super Bowl food, and had some friendly betting going on (I think H owes my dad a quarter, and thanks to a fourth quarter win by New Orleans, Brian and I may have pulled ahead by $2 each -- they were creaming us before that). Congrats Saints!

Polaroid Scarves

I totally dig these. Polaroid inspired scarves by Phillipe Roucou. (via Poppytalk)

Critter!

I noticed these little critter prints in our back yard today. Kind of looks like these, doesn't it?
That's a raccoon. My friend and I were having wine on our porch a couple years ago and it was like "The Aattack of the Giant Raccoon Families." Seriously, we saw a little raccoon couple dart across the street. About 20 minutes later, an entire family was spotted scampering along the sidewalk. So yeah. I kind of think that's a raccoon who's been visiting our back yard. Gross.

Sunday

Brian's gearing up to watch the Super Bowl with the boys this Sunday. H has been really into football this year. It's kind of weird. (Ok, not really, but I grew up with a sister and we could have really cared less about the sport). C is not quite there yet with his attention span. Here's a conversation Brian just had with him:

B. C, are you going to watch the Super Bowl with me Sunday?
C. No.
B. But there will be a picnic upstairs, with chicken wings.
C. No. (Pause) Ok, but only if I can have a sharp knife.

(NOTE: he's been using a knife forever at dinner. He may be behind in speech, but the kid has always been a whiz at utensil usage. We've moved on to steak knives, when appropriate. It makes cutting a breeze -- I think he's obsessed.)

World Map

I've been searching for a world map for our guest room for awhile. This modern version by "These are Things" might just be the perfect one. (via Design*Sponge).

Arroz Con Leche

I don't know what it is, but I've been craving this dessert like crazy. I made it twice in a week, and it's taken all the restraint I have to hold myself back from making it again and again. It's that good. I used the Arroz Con Leche recipe from Cannelle et Vanille. The first time, I followed the recipe exactly, and found it was a bit runny for my taste. The next time, I doubled the quantity of rice, and it was too thick. I think I've got it figured out now -- but I really do need to test it to make sure. We've had it with graham crackers on crumbled on top, as well as ginger snaps and vanilla wafers. I bet it would be great simmered with fresh vanilla beans. And it's good warm or cold. It does take some tender loving care (lots of stirring), but I'm a big fan of a simple delicious dessert like this.

Art by C: Reindeer

What I Have To Put Up With....

Let me tell you a story. The year was 1988, and I was an exchange student in Germany. My host family took me on a ski trip to the Italian Alps. I confidently said I knew how to ski. But really my experience consisted mainly of visiting a land fill. (I didn't know any better, really.) There I was, on top on the mountain. MOUNTAIN, people. Not land fill. And right on the other side was a cliff. A cliff ... on the mountain. I did what most people would do. I stood on top and cried. And I slid down on my bottom. And my host family decided pretty much on the spot to put me in ski school for a week. Well, if I do say so myself, by the end of that week, I wasn't half bad. When I came back from my year abroad, I was in college. I didn't get a lot of chances to go skiing. And then, my junior year, I decided to switch over to snowboarding. So I snowboarded for about ten years (a lot more than the years spent on skies). Then we bought a house. And got married. And had kids. And we just didn't hit the slopes very much. So last year, I decided to switch back over to skies. My body is thanking me for that (although, I'm tempted to bring out the board just once more to try it out again -- I really love it), but here's the point. I'm not a very confident skier. I can get down pretty much any hill. But I'm not very daring. This is a little video of me. I'm the one in the middle of the hill cautiously contemplating my next move. And the rest is what I have to put up with pretty much on a daily basis. You feel sorry for me, don't you.

Ski Weekend

We went to Wisconsin this weekend to take the boys skiing at Cascade. They were so excited. They spent the morning in ski school. We went a couple times last year, and figured they could use a refresher. H did really great. According to C's "report card" from class, he did good too. But each time we spied on him, he was doing something more like this:

He'd seriously wait like this until an instructor walked by and picked him up.
By having the boys in ski school, Brian and I had some time to ourselves to test out our new skis (our Christmas present to each other). They were awesome!
After ski school, we took the boys on some of the other runs (besides only the magic carpet area and bunny hill).
H wanted me to take some pictures to show his teacher.
This one's just for her. He specifically asked for me to take this one to show her what the hills look like.
H was confident going down by himself. In fact, Brian took him alone on the last run, and was a bit nervous because he was going so fast. H said he was in control. But he did have a big crash on the bottom. C still needed a bit of support.
Overall, both did really well. We put in a full day, and can't wait to go again in a few weeks.

Pretty Pathetic

Art by C: Lovely Bones

Here's an oldie but goodie that just made it's way to our home. A skeleton made by C. I adore the noodles popping out of the eyes for pupils. And the mouth. And the jumbled alphabet noodles. And of course, the bow on top of it's head. Clearly, it's a girl skeleton. That C sure digs the ladies.

Rear View Mirror

On our way up to Milwaukee this weekend. C snuggling his blanket and sucking his thumb. I wonder how long it will last. He says until he's ten. We'll see.

Tour: The Iron Horse Hotel

Since we were going to be out and about in Milwaukee until the wee hours of the night on Saturday, and had the baby shower on Sunday morning, Brian and I decided to stay The Iron Horse Hotel. What a treat. It's in an old warehouse building close to downtown (and near the Harley-Davidson Museum). Rooms were spacious and quiet. The interior was comfortable and interesting. The staff was really friendly. The restaurants and bar looked great. We didn't get to try them out, but it seemed to be a happening spot. That's a picture of the lobby above. And the library below. (The books were pretty good too).

And the work out room. We just peeked in. To say we were there.
Here's a view from the second level.And now, on to the room. Not too shabby, right? And that bed! Let me just tell you, C-O-M-F-O-R-T-A-B-L-E. I don't think I've ever slept better. Of course, it could be the fact that we didn't have at least one of the boys coming in during the night.Finally, the bathroom (which you can partially see thanks to the see-through-ish shower), and the entry way.Oh, and pooches are welcome at The Iron Horse too. Storm was in the kennel. I'm sure he had more fun, of course. But there was the cutest Bracco Italiano hanging out in the lobby when we left. Visiting Milwaukee? Here's a great place to stay.