A challenge we had last week was that our refrigerator went out (Happy Bday to me!). At first, I was slightly excited because I have been yearning for a bigger fridge…what were we thinking 7 years ago? Oh yeah, one extra kid later and growing kids…you can’t really imagine what that means in so many ways.

ANYWAY, we shopped around and were stunned with how expensive they are and did not want to go in debt. With school tuition for our 3 kids still an issue we are stretched to say the least. Nathan checked out Craigslist- found a perfectly suitable and larger fridge and we paid cash…I admit, I moped. But, I’m not one to mope for long given that I am a pretty fortunate person to live where I do and have a healthy family…(Happy Birthday to me!). So, one of the lessons of “growing up” and “growing wiser” was to cancel our hotel reservations in Chicago so we could feel at peace with not going into further debt. So this post is to show that you can still have fun and get a new/used refrigerator at the same time!

We took the express train into the city and listened to one of my favorite programs on NPR. It was fun sitting side by side enjoying a great story sans kids. This story was what we thoroughly enjoyed and found relatively familiar!

We basically spent the day prioritizing food and art. Once we arrived, we took a cab to XOCO (Rick Bayless’ new place). We arrived just as they were closing for breakfast and only were serving coffee, cocoa and pastries. Hardly a problem. We sat in the cafe and enjoyed churros, coffee, and I had the Aztec Cocoa. We learned that they roast and process the cacao beans on site which gave the cocoa an extremely fruity and wonderful taste! I was in heaven, really.

Nathan was a good diabetic and ordered a lovely salad. I was the birthday girl and ordered whatever I wanted without a care…

Check out this torta… Chicken, pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapenos, and cilantro crema.

I was sad once lunch was over. We hustled to Michigan Ave. and paid homage to the Apple store and dreamt of an iPhone and Nano. We checked out The Gap and were blown away with the sales. I bought 2 skirts (I’m good, but not that good) for about $6 a piece…man alive! Nathan and I both agreed we are terrible shoppers and bore easily.

It was time to head on over to the Art Institute and visit the Modern Wing. We couldn’t resist an obligatory “couple shot” with the river behind. And, what are we looking at? A nice passerby asking if we want her to take the photo. We let her, but like this shot best! Can you believe we have known each other over half our life? We were 18 and now- ahem.

The Modern Wing is GORGEOUS. So different from the older part of the Art Institute and basically all windows. They have a great area of studios for families and it’s free- you don’t even have to pay admission to create art. I love that and it’s totally accessible for all.

We decided to eat early and good thing. The place we went to was on the previous night’s news and quickly filled up once we were seated. The food was so GOOD and we will go back for sure (shaved brussel sprouts with pecorino, salted/roasted beats with goat cheese and pistachios, milk braised pork shoulder, chicken kebobs with tzatziki and a great bottle of wine…Happy Bday to me).

After dinner, we dashed to a cab and we were off to the train station making an earlier train. It was lovely to arrive home with no kids to have to tuck in (sure, we missed them) and watch a movie and be totally “Nathan and Carol” and not “Poppy and Mama”.

Thanks for reading a pretty long winded account of my birthday. Should I mention that on my actual birthday my sister had a nice lunch for me at work (I share a bday with another cook, and do you know how many other people are born on the 15th? A LOT) and my mom and sister hosted a wonderful dinner…we grilled burgers in the dead of winter. LOVED IT.

So- yep, I had a nice time and we saved some money…imagine!

I love summer.

What/Who was missing? Ellie! She’s in Wisconsin for camp- oh well, we’ll have to go back for another “day away”.

Oh-the bike I have to ride (one of many-it’s a sickness, I mean hobby Nathan has!) is a Schwinn Breeze. The exact model my grandparents had for us when we would visit them for 3 weeks in the summer. I love it and hope to get a fun basket that will definitely top the “cute bike look”. Any suggestions as to where I can find one?

So, yes- we celebrated! I am proud of Nathan and I…marriage is not easy, but we both strive to make our partnership strong, full of love and forgiveness.

Here are some shots of the evening. Unfortunately it was dark by the time dinner was out, but I can assure you it all was breathtaking!

Happy weekend!

Happy Weekend.

I didn’t realize Ellie will soon be, what the marketers say, a tween. Check out the article and listen to the story as well. I didn’t realize that the audio story would be completely different.

It’s pretty sobering.

So what sort of music do you let your kids listen to OR once they hit the “tween” stage what will you allow?

Thankfully we don’t have cable and even allow our kids to buy character products. But our children are still being bombarded with feeling they should be discontent. Especially when they go to friends’ houses and see all their toy junk. I think we are one of those families that most marketers would label as a loss cause.

Anyway, I hope this will be interesting to those that have kids, nieces and nephews or just a perspective on the “consumer world”.

The only thing really missing was Penelope. She stayed with my sister and brother-in-law. They did a great job and pass with flying colors. Soon, they will have their own little one to swoon over, but until then, Penny loves their attention.

By the way, all of these shots were taken the evening we arrived and had a nice dinner and bon fire. Summer time feelings were everywhere!