Ben’s new favorite thing to do when no one is looking…
Toilet Stuffing
Taking the entire roll of toilet paper and stuffing down the toilet, clogging it completely.
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Category Archives: Daily Fun
Snoring & Behavioral Problems
We recently visited the dentist for Jack and Ben’s 6 month cleaning and check up.
Adam was worried about Jack’s upper teeth. He has already lost his bottom front teeth and we assumed his top front teeth would be next. However, he has been complaining about the tooth next to his front tooth, which for some reason has gone askew.
The front teeth look so small now. We weren’t sure if it was because he grinds his teeth at night or just the mere fact of him growing bigger makes the teeth seem small by comparison.
After the X-Ray, here is what we found…
X-Ray of Jack's Teeth - March 22, 2012
Jack’s front permanent teeth are so big they are knocking out four baby teeth. Those choppers are going to be massive.
The dentist noticed that Jack was breathing through his mouth. She also took note that he was a teeth grinder. She asked if he had a bed wetting problem. (Yes, most nights). Did he snore? Sometimes, not much. Did he sleep walk? Well, there was that incident where we found him peeing on Adam’s shoes…
In the end we answered ‘yes’ to about half of the questions in her survey about snoring tied to kids’ risk of behavioral problems. Apparently Children’s hospital sends kids to our dentist to widen their mouths. This helps the children breath better at night and hence helps with their behavioral problems during the day.
I don’t think Jack is a candidate for this. I wouldn’t say he’s an angel most days, but I think most of the naughty stuff he does is pretty normal boy stuff. But it did freak me out for an afternoon until Adam came home and talked me down.
Pin ItKindergarden
Although we live in a district with a school that people are applying to get into, instead of just registering, we also applied to the maximum amount of magnet schools that we could for Jack.
For Chicago Public Schools, that number is 20 schools. Our neighborhood school is good, but it’s not the best as far as rankings go. Why not try to get into a school with as high a ranking as possible?
Today, after much anticipation, our letters arrived today.
As I mentioned in my previous post about Chicago School Magnet Applications, the latest ruling on magnet schools states that if you have a sibling in that school you are guaranteed to get in. Of the remaining seats after siblings, 40% will be admitted based on proximity – within 1.5 miles of the school. The final seats are chosen also by lottery but broken into 4 different socio-economic groups. The tiers are complicated, based on a number of things including family education and income.
We were able to apply to 3 magnet schools with high ratings that were within proximity. We were very happy to see Jack was accepted to one of them and wait listed at a fairly low number for another. This paves the way for our other kids, who will be guaranteed a spot at the same school.
So, the verdict is out. We are not moving to the suburbs. We are raising city kids.
Wow. Major life decision solved today.
Pin ItPregnancy Update – 32 Weeks
Having twins has challenged everything that I believed in as a mother.
When I first had children, I read every book to decide what kind of mother I should be. In the end, I was much more of a naturalist then a scheduler. I believed in baby wearing. I used cloth diapers. I had a hard time letting either kid ‘cry it out’. And I breast fed exclusively, both kids for a year.
With one kid it was quite easy, in fact easier than using formula. We were never apart. So I had a great way to carry the milk without worrying about temperature or supply. I used the Bebe Au Lait Breast Nursing Cover where ever I went. With Ben, I learned how to breast feed him while on the run with Jack in my Ergo Baby Carrier.
But breast feeding twins exclusively for a year? And run after two other kids at the same time?
Peanuts for Sale!
After much internet research I’ve learned that there is no way to breast feed twins discreetly in public. Which leaves my choices to blatant breast feeding, not feeding simultaneously, or confining myself to the house.
I couldn’t stomach the thought of punishing my older kids by keeping them at home during the summer or having someone else get to go out and have all the fun with them while I sat at home missing it.
Enter San Diego Bebe Twin. This massive contraption is the only solution I’ve found to breast feed twins in public.
At Adam’s request, I am currently researching twin baby carriers. So far everything looks pretty awkward and/or painful.
Pin ItThe Soup Box
A few weeks ago Adam’s good friend Jamie came to visit us for dinner. He brought with him some soup from his restaurant, The Soup Box.
Adam has been friends with Jamie for a while, before I arrived on the scene. He’s one of those guys who has the winning combination of good fortune and hard work. When I first met him, he had just been voted one of Chicago’s “10 Most Eligible Bachelors”, no doubt a bit of good fortune. He also had just completed the Florida Ironman is a short 11 hours and 48 minutes. Nothing but hard work in that result.
I tried the soups back when I first arrived in Chicago and didn’t think about them again until they were sitting in front of me the other night, warm and delicious, with a hunk of crusty, chewy bread to sop them up.
They were much better than I remembered. Enough for me to have cravings for them again after our free stock pile was gone. And, as a bonus, they have started serving grilled cheese as well, which makes it a much more kid friendly establishment.
I’m not sure how much was luck and how much was hard work to make this concept a success, but whatever the combination, it is a huge success. They are now back on my radar. I like how they have gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options too. The next time you are craving soup, you gotta check this place out!
Pin ItJonquil Park
This winter has felt a lot more like summer. We’ve had record temperatures all month. This past weekend we hit temperatures in the 80°s both days.
As such, we’ve hit a string of parks in the past week. I’m amazed that this blog is almost a year old and I haven’t written about hardly any of them.
But don’t worry readers, we have a summer of fun planned!
Lately it seems like a better kind of park to bring Jack to now that he’s 5 is one with a bit of open space to ride bikes, or scooters, or bring a few balls.
Adam Chasing Katherine as She Runs the Bases
My excessive husband decided to bring all of those things and more to the park on Sunday. I think the mini-van with all it’s trunk space is enabling him.
I must admit all the props made for a very fun morning, not just for Jack but for the handful of other kids who flocked to Adam’s elaborate set up and boyish enthusiasm.
Jonquil Playlot Park is a huge park with lots of fun things to do. There are three play structures, swings, a water element in the summer, picnic benches and ample green space both inside the fenced in playground and surrounding it. There is a huge grassy area just outside of the playground with baseball field and a game table area.
As my friend Hedy pointed out last week, I’m missing a critical piece of information when I blog about these parks – the map. Thanks for the advice Hedy! I’m very happy for the feedback! And here is the map…
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Fresh Picks for the Week (Mar 14)
Fresh Picks March 14
Two heads of butter lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, crimini mushrooms, 2 zucchini, collards, spinach arrived on my doorstep this afternoon.
I was excited to see cauliflower, as my friend Jennie just told me that her husband loves it steamed and mashed with avocado. I tried it. Absolutely delicious. And so easy to do.
Carrots are the only vegetable in our house that EVERYONE eats. Normally all I have to do is steam them, sometimes I add a bit of butter and salt for flavor. Those will go no problem.
Zucchini is going into Paula Deen’s Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. I usually cut the white flour in half and replace it with whole wheat pastry flour. I also cut out 1/2 cup of the sugar. Saves me two mornings of figuring out what to serve for breakfast.
Crimini mushrooms and spinach will be sauteed with a little garlic and added to dinner tonight. I bought grass fed beef sirloin steaks. Mmmmm.
The collards are going into my favorite vegan recipe, Hottie Black Eyed Peas, which I mentioned a few weeks ago but never got a chance to make. The black eyed peas are still in the cupboard.
Wow, that only leaves two heads of butter lettuce. This is actually Adam’s favorite kind of lettuce. And since the weather has been so warm I’m pretty sure I can serve it twice without complaint. I had an amazing salad for lunch today at the gym, a Mediterranean chopped salad that I want to recreate. Salami, Asiago and provolone cheese, roasted red pepper, tomato, chopped roasted turkey, chick peas, artichoke hearts, grilled portobello mushrooms and lettuce with an oregano vinaigrette.
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Pregnancy Update – 31 Weeks
31 Weeks
Last week I dreamed we had the babies. It all happened so fast that I went to the hospital and gave birth before I could inform Adam. Then they released me and I was standing in front of the hospital with a kid in each arm calling Adam to pick me up. Over the phone he was upset because we didn’t even have the car seats yet.
The next morning I told Adam about the dream. His first question was, “What was the sex of the babies?”
“Two boys,” I replied.
When Adam heard he said, “Oh no!”
When we were pregnant with Jack, Adam guessed it was a girl. I dreamed it was a boy.
When we were pregnant with Ben, Adam guessed it was a girl. I dreamed it was a boy.
Now Adam is guessing it’s a girl and a boy. And I just had a dream that it’s two boys.
It’s quite possible that every time, regardless of gender, I dream I’m having boys. Or a could have some sort of intuition. I guess only time will tell!
Oddly, the next day, the car seats that Adam had been pushing me to buy online arrived on our doorstep. So I know at least that part of the dream isn’t coming true!
Pin ItSouth Lakeview Park
South Lakeview Park
Also called the “Blue Playground”, this is another little gem introduced to me by my friend Jennifer that I never would have found without her. She does have an advantage – her husband works for the park district!
Chicago is so great about keeping their parks clean and new. This park has the new soft surface (as oppose to the older wood chip ground cover) so critical for parents with kids who are at the age where they put everything in their mouth.
Picnic Lunch with the Camerons and Bornsteins
There are three different play structures, two swing sets, a couple of picnic tables, a gazebo and some park benches. Also a basketball net for older kids, or a place for younger kids to bring things like bikes and scooters. There is also a big, long maze-like hedge that Jack and Ben love to run in.
No bathrooms, but plenty of free parking.
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