Dad Leaves

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Nikki

The realization that this is the last day of summer vacation is that only thing that kept me from being in complete distress when my Dad left this morning.

He was so much help, and in the very best way.

Not only is he the lowest maintenance guest a person could host, (eating whatever is put in front of him, leaving less mess than he makes, not ever, not even once, asking to do anything for himself) but he also very unassumingly finds ways to help. Dishes were done, laundry was left upstairs folded and neat. The best thing he did was he put the kids first, even if it meant putting down the dish he was cleaning to pay attention to them.

I had a play date one afternoon. The woman sat upstairs gossiping, Dad was downstairs getting beat up by a cackle of kids.

Dad kept Jack and Ben in giggles at our rooftop lunch at the EBC

Even though he wasn’t wearing swim clothes, he still found humor in Aaron dumping this water all over him.

Curious Sam gets much closer to Dad’s computer than he would ever be allowed to mine!

For all the pictures I got of him with the kids, there were many more moments where he babysat while I did things with other kids or alone. School meet and greets, shopping, and date nights are a few things that come to mind.

His presence in the house made for a much more calm atmosphere. I found myself more relaxed, I worried less about pushing everyone to get out every day because I knew they could have a blast with their Grandfather anywhere.

Until next time Grandpa Devensky! We’ll miss you!

Pin It

Fresh Picks (July 31)

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Nikki

A few weeks ago we received Poblano Peppers, Celery, Cucumbers, Broccoli Raab, Red Potatoes, Slicing Tomatoes, Cauliflower and Yellow Chard.

I steamed the cauliflower right away and fed it to the twins. Once again I noticed when you at them right away they are delicious.

Poblano peppers were stuffed with a quinoa mixture and baked. Quinoa Stuffed Poblano Peppers. They were super spicy, but yummy.

Celery was used in turkey burgers, and tuna salad.

Cucumbers were made into an Asian Sesame Cucumber Salad.

Broccoli Raab and Yellow Chard were sauteed with garlic and dusted with parmesan and topped with lemon. At the same time I diced and roasted the red potatoes in olive oil, salt, and pepper and paired it together.

Finally the tomato was cut into up for lox and bagels.

Pin It

Broken Toe

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Nikki

I blame the late night with the girls the night before. I was up late, drinking too much wine. I was tired the next day.

But it could have been the fact that I was holding a baby in one hand while trying to take a cookie sheet out of the cabinet. I was off balance.

Whatever the reason, I very clumsily dropped a heavy cookie sheet on my toe Monday afternoon.

After two painful days, I got an X-Ray.

Broken toe. The Middle toe. I can’t believe I’m back in the boot. Again!

Pin It

Dad’s Visit So Far

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Nikki

My father told me once that the saddest part of separating from my mother was the fact that he didn’t live in the same house as us anymore. He said that all the really funny stuff, the bonding moments, happen when you are just sitting around your house hanging out. One moment nothing much is happening and the next thing you know you find yourself in a full on uncontrollable giggle.

My father is the master of hanging out. He can come over and hang out. He’s not worried about what we are doing next or asking questions about what’s for dinner. He just gets in there. Any chance he gets he’ll start messing around with the kids, goofing off until they are in that elusive state of the uncontrollable giggle. He can do it with all my kids and any age. It’s really quite a gift.

Dad drew a picture of Jack

Yesterday I realized I trapped him in our house for 2 days watching various kids while I went out, sometimes with other kids and sometimes not, to do whatever I wanted or needed to. He didn’t even notice.

Adam and I are not like this. We feel the need to have activities and fun things planned every day. So, Dad’s visit is taking on a mix of both.

At the Beach

At Highland Park Aqua Park

Dad is planning on staying long enough to shore me up until school starts, thank goodness. Next week before school starts I’ll need all the help I can get.

Pin It

Brandy Leaves

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Nikki

Turns out Brandy’s visit benefitted me in a way I never thought about. It became a bit of a vacation for me as well.

Yesterday I spent the better part of the day kid free, shopping with Brandy. I did not manage to take any pictures for the blog, shame on me, but I’m hoping Brandy will send me her’s to help you all with some visuals.

We hit all the stores that I’ve heard 16 year olds would love, American Apparel, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and H & M.

Turns out it’s not just for 16 year olds. I spent more than Brandy on clothes yesterday!

I also learned lots about today’s youth. Did you know they sell records again? With today’s popular music? And that plaid is in again? Or did it ever go out? And that you can buy a very trendy top for the same price as a sandwich? How is it possible that clothes are so cheap nowadays?

After a morning of shopping we hit one of my favorite sandwich shops from my days in Hong Kong, Pret A Manger and took it over to Millennium Park. Brandy saw Cloud Gate AKA “The Bean” and Crown Fountain, two towers that have images of faces that change every 15 minutes. Right before the faces change, they spit water from their mouths.

We had a laugh about how we’ll never understand modern art. Can you imagine the approval process from the city? “So let me get this right, you want to make a giant bean, and you want to make two fountains of faces spitting water?”

Brandy was even approached to be in a documentary, called Outfit.

Later, we put some of the kids to sleep and left the others with Grandpa to put to sleep. Brandy, Adam and I went over to the East Bank Club for another thing I’ve been wanting to go for ages. We kayaked from the Club over to Navy Pier to see the fireworks.

There were a ton of kayaking companies all doing the same thing. It was really cool being on the river, seeing all the buildings. I noticed it seems like it doesn’t matter where you are in the states, boating is the same everywhere, full of a bunch of drunks!

Luckily the river is quite wide. It’s definitely an unusual way to tour the city. I would do it again. Perhaps to take visitors to, our a cool date night with your husband.

Pin It

More Victims

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Nikki

Hahahaha. HAHAHAHA. That’s my maniacal laughter people.

My father showed up today. He was instantly hit with the full romper room.

So far he seems okay. But I think he’s lucky this time. With Brandy here to soften the blow, he does not have to dive in full blast.

We decided to brave dinner out at a sit down sushi/chinese/thai place. We actually had one adult per kid, how bad could it be?

There were a few rough patches. Neither twin would sit in the high chairs, then when we finally got some rice for them, Sam threw it straight into Brandy’s water glass. But other than that, it went reasonable well. The glass of Sauvignon Blanc helped.

Tonight I could tell the kids are very happy with all the extra family members around, and with all this help, so are we.

Pin It

Brandy Arrives

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Nikki

My next victim has arrived. My niece, Brandy, showed up last night to help out for the week.

With each new helper, I’m not sure how the dynamic in the house will shift. Some kids like some visitors more than others. Some people come to help and they do a lot of house work, some play with the kids, some want to cook. All of it is helpful. There is so much to do around here, every little bit helps.

I wasn’t sure which kids would attach to Brandy, but it turns out, it’s pretty much all of them (Aaron is still being a Mama’s boy, but I think that will change when he gets more comfortable). They are fighting over her already like, well, like she’s the only girl in a roomful of boys.

Pin It

Guess What Costco is Selling?

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Nikki

I realize it’s around three months early, but we’ve been waiting for this moment since last halloween.

Costco sells these superhero costumes for $15 a pop. The ones we bought last year the kids wear all the time at home, I was kicking myself I didn’t get more!

Sam thinks it hilarious to get a push from Superman.

Superheros know you must hold hands to cross the street.

Pin It

A Shower for Virginia

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Nikki

This weekend I was invited to attend a wedding shower. It was almost 2 hours drive away, in Williams Bay, WI.

When I first received the invited, the thought of driving 2 hours with kids was daunting. And the thought of leaving Adam for 7 or 8 hours with 4 kids so I could attend was even worse.

I was invited to this shower because the groom is Adam’s good friend. After almost convincing myself it would be too hard, we received a very thoughtful note from Brian, the groom, letting us know how much he wanted us there but how much he understood if we couldn’t make it.

Which made me realize that we just HAD to go. That we were ending the season in our lives when we attended weddings of our friends. They are some of the happiest, most important times in your friends lives and if you really consider yourself a friend, you do whatever you can to witness it.

We started to research where to stay. There is no way the twins could handle 2 two hour drives in one day. We found out they have a kid friendly place in the Grand Geneva, Timber Ridge Resort. We could rent a room that fit six and get free water passes. We were sold.

It was time to test out our touring mini van for its first road trip!

It was very nice. The ride. Extra cup holders and the DVD player were key. It wasn’t perfect, there was about 45 minutes of crying between three out of our four kids, with no one kid crying at the same time as another.

As Adam was dropping me off at the shower and about to watch all four kids by himself, he did mention how he would definitely need a drink that evening. That was BEFORE he was saddled with all four out of the safety of our own home for 3 hours.

I, on the other hand, enjoyed a lovely afternoon of yummy food and great conversation. Here is Virginia with all the swag…

Brian came back to open presents. I love this picture of them because it really shows what they are all about. They are so in tuned to each other. Very considerate and kind with their words and actions. They are always chatting, and the connection between them is like a strong magnet. It’s beautiful to watch.

The shower was held at Brian’s Dad and Stepmother’s house. For a city girl, this sort of al fresco lunch was a real treat.

Afterwards we skipped the invite for Italian Beef and hit the water park.

It was seriously hard watching all four kids. Sam played nicely in one place, but Aaron was all over the place, running straight into the water with no fear of drowning. I spent a lot of time with both kids in my arms. It was quite a workout. We got a lot of comments like, “Wow you have your hands full”. Literally!

And to add to the stress, Adam took turns taking the older boys down the big slide. When it was Ben’s turn, Jack was quite helpful. When it was Jack’s turn, Ben would pull a runner every time. Running after him in a slippery water park with a twin under each arm, yelling his name while he completely ignored me was crazy. The things we do for our kids!

Still it was a lot of fun, and watching the joy on the kids faces was all worth it. I especially liked the part of the vacation where the kids went to bed and Adam and I were finally able to have that drink.

I’d definitely go back, and for longer. They had a ton of other kids activities that we didn’t try like lego building, t-shirt painting, and movies. They also had an arcade and board game rentals.

Pin It

First Words

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Nikki

I’ve been holding off on this blog post.

Because I was so hoping that Aaron would be the first to speak.

He showed such promise, babbling first and more often. I really wanted Aaron to do something, anything before Sam.

One day I started saying “Hi” to the babies. Not just any “Hi”. It was a high pitched, long and drawn out, “Hiiiiiieeee”

Sam repeated it. I rationalized he was not actually talking, he didn’t know what he was saying and sometimes he answered us and sometimes he didn’t but he never said “Hi” on his own so it wasn’t really a word, just mimicking.

Then there was more mimicking from Sam. I waited, hoping I could distort reality and hear Aaron speak first.

But this week, something that could not be construed as mimicking popped out of Sam’s mouth.

Every day he tries on any shoes that are around the house. I’ve seen him in Jack’s shoes, Ben’s shoes, Adam’s shoes and my shoes. It is quite clear that he can say the word shoe and identify what a shoe is.

So it is with big joy, and also big unease for Aaron’s ego, that I announce Sam’s first word, “Shoes”. His pronunciation, “Shz”.

Pin It

The Calisoffs

Mindful Drivel of a Chicago Mom.

Dad Leaves

Fresh Picks (July 31)

Broken Toe

Dad’s Visit So Far

Brandy Leaves

More Victims

Brandy Arrives

Guess What Costco is Selling?

A Shower for Virginia

First Words