Graduation? Is that you I see in the distance?!

Somehow this last year and a half has dragged out and flown by at the same time.  In 9 days (9!!) I will be walking across that stage to pick up that empty diploma holder.  The end of this semester has been strangely calm, which feels very anti-climactic.  One of my courses finished in February, one never had a final and then the last week of class was cancelled, one is only a paper, and then there is my research... The data analysis alone will probably take all summer and my faculty advisor has already told me graduation is not the cut off, which is nice because I am strangely not ready to go... just yet.  While I will not missing hiking up to the fourth floor numerous times a day, I will miss this view (if you squint really hard, or I used a better camera, you would be able to see the Sear's Tower).

Sorting data is not so bad from up here!

This semester has been a doozy for sickness.  W has been sick every month with a high fever and cold, ear infection, bronchitis, or some combination of the 3.  Those preschool germs were rough.  I am hoping that since he is also almost done for the year, it will mean the end of antibiotics and doctor's visits.

When we were not writing papers or visiting the pharmacy, we did manage to have a few outings.  We got in the habit of stopping at the park on the way home from school during those two weeks in March with sun and no snow.  

We also went to the kids expo in Tinley Park for the first time.  While mostly geared to get parents to buy things, like windows or a time share, they had 3 inflatables and a train kids could ride, in addition to the free stickers and snacks.  Three guesses what W wanted to do...

W's love of science experiments is still going strong, and thanks to the library's monthly little science explorers, W has a new appreciation for microscopes and binoculars.  

Spring (no) break for W lasted for 14 days.  There are only so many places we can go when it is still bitter, in my opinion, cold outside.  The one beautiful 70+ degree day, we tried to go to the zoo, but so did everyone else and after waiting for over 45 minutes just to turn into the parking lot I had to improvise.  Insert train restaurant... problem solved.

Easter brought eggs: coloring, hunting, refusing to pack away (the plastic ones).  We had a lovely Easter brunch with my dad's family and then a lovely Easter dinner with my mom's.  I was so busy eating, I forgot to take photos.  

He took it very seriously.

Mariano's Easter Madness.
He's in there somewhere.

Did not make it to the mall this year, Sriracha Bunny it is.

The rest of spring break I tried to think of creative things for us to do.  Between hunting down sitters for when I was in class and still having assignments to complete, we managed to make "ice cream," grow a dinosaur (Thank you, Aunt Rita and family!) which W thought was pretty cool, eventually we made it to the zoo, and then there was the real ice cream (Thank you, Plush Horse, if you have never been, GO!).

Made with only bananas and strawberries.
Enter their contest Here (!) for a trip to the Caribbean!

The excitement was overwhelming.
1st zoo trip of the year.

I think W was missing school because he was even doing my homework.  He went back for one week and then was out sick, AGAIN, for a full week.  I really cannot wait for summer. 

My philosophy professor would be so proud!

That about sums up everything we have been up to since the start of the new year.  I made a charming 2014 video, but it was not until after everything had rendered that I realized no where can you post, email, or upload (besides youtube and I cannot remember by username or password) a video longer than 5 minutes.  Better luck next year. 

Hope everyone is doing well!

Special shoutout to this little lady, who is celebrating her fourth birthday today!  Have a fabulous day, darling!  I cannot wait until I can give you a long overdue hug.  Missing your sunshine!

Throwing it back to almost a year ago!

Why Pan For Gold When You Can Dig?

One of the many gifts this year from Christmas and W's birthday was a gold mining kit.  It comes with all the necessary tools and your little one gets to chisel away (with a plastic chisel) for hours.  No, really hours.  W was at the kitchen table for over two hours.  He did the first half hour to 45 minutes or so completely on his own before asking for help.  After all his hard work, he was covered in dust and had found 3 pieces of gold and that was only the first half of the kit.  We saved the other half of the block for another day.  This was a really great way to expand W's hobby.  It was great to watch him work towards a goal and he was so proud of himself when he successfully dug out the gold nuggets.

Check out this kit or the Edu-Science brand.  They have a dinosaur fossil dig, gem mining (up next... who's shocked?), Junior Chef, and more with a focus on educational and experimental toys.  Refine your child's hand eye coordination and fine motor skills with something that will keep them busy for hours.  

Where A Million Diamonds Shine

When we were cleaning out things from my Grandma's old condo, W found a wooden box that had carvings that were gold plated and commandeered it.  It become the first treasure box.  It has held coins, rocks, gems, and light up pretend diamonds.  It continues to holds gems that he has mined since his desire to become a jewel miner really flourished.  So when it came time to pick a birthday theme this year, it was pretty unanimous... Jewel Mining!  

I did what most mom's currently do when faced with planning a birthday party... I stalked Pinterest looking for any and all ideas to recreate.  Strangely, there is not a whole category devoted to jewel mining... I am not sure why not?  Minecraft, on the other hand, is big these days.  Despite sharing the word mine, it was not really what W or I had in mind.  I pulled together a few items from pins that I could only really describe as "Pottery Barn Snow White."  This was the result:

Cake courtesy of Robbyn via Creative Cakes Bakery
There is no better bakery in my opinion!

Complete with light up gem and chocolate gold coins.

Get it?! 

I found these lanterns at IKEA for under 6 dollars.
(They are good for indoor or outdoor use and perfectly hold one apple.)

After last's year, failed attempt at a balloon arch, I was beside myself
when I found out that Command actually makes a balloon hanger
just for this purpose.  They are indeed damage free! Good thing, or
I would be in the midst of a serious wallpaper removal project.

We had a great turn out.  Almost all of Little Man's honorary aunts were in attendance.  Tyler's mom got sick the day before the party so they were unable to make it, but Tyler's Aunt and Uncle made the journey.

From the photos, it would appear that I threw a kid's party for a bunch of adults... While that is somewhat true, most of the party decor and ideas stemmed from W's hopes.  I debated inviting some of the kids that he goes to school with particularly the ones he considers his "best friends."  Little Man has made a great deal of friends at school this year.  In fact, his teacher's tell me routinely that "everyone loves him."  We have managed a good amount of playdates, but I did not graduate to full on kids party.  I am not sure I am ready for 20 + little ones running amock.  

My good friend and her boys came but had to leave a little early... something about a bull's game to celebrate her husband's birthday.  Happy (belated) Birthday to the both of you, by the way.

 You would think with only 4 kids at the party, one of which being my own, that I would manage to get a photo of each one of them or all of them together, but nope.

I think one of W's favorite moments would be when he received his hand crafted treasure chest complete with lock, key, and GOLD COINS!  He now spends a great deal of time hiding the treasure chest around the house and storing the key in separate locations.  He makes treasure maps and everything.  Last week, he even resorted to hiding his locked chest in a box and then sealing the box for extra security.  Thank you so much Uncle Bruce for making this for him!  He loves it and is eagerly awaiting the chance to come dig up your lawn for more treasure!

I know I say it every year and numerous times in between, but I cannot believe how fast he is growing up.  As a 4 year old, W is up to a lot.

- He has become very interested in science: exploding volcanoes, mining kits, and he got a starter science experiment kit that lets him get used to different measurements and weights and volume.  (All of which came from Tyler's aunt and uncle.  He loves them!  Thank you!)

- W still loves math and is exploring adding and subtracting.  

- He now does his homework with me, which may just be the cutest thing.  Sometimes doing his homework consists of an actual structured worksheet and sometimes it is just a drawing, but I am so proud to see him excited about learning. 

- He officially made muffins all on his own (video coming eventually).  He enjoys cooking and baking, but has decided that Papa should cook dinner forever even if we are on vacation.  (Papa is not as excited.)

- He is an avid train enthusiast.  He must own about 5 different sets of wooden tracks, along with a motorized track, 3 lego trains, and a mega block train set.  He no longer puts together tracks, but whole villages.  (We still have 3 unopened track sets.  Shhh... do not tell him.  We are well on our way to having our own transcontinental railway.)

- He cannot resist the urge to jump in a puddle or snow bank.

- He sings "You Are My Sunshine" and my heart melts.

- Everyday he makes a new friend at school (or promotes a new friend to best friend for the day) and tells me about how they became friends.

- Whenever someone gives him money, he tells them he is saving it for college.

-  He very much so would like a cat for a pet.  Santa brought him a pretend pet kitty.  He turns kitty on about once a week, plays with him for about 20 minutes, turns him off and then puts him in my room and says it is my turn to take care of him.   I think we will wait awhile before bringing a pet into our lives.

- He says, "I just love you so." (My heart... all the feels.)

- There are so many more things, I am sure, but my favorite may be that even as he grows up and no longer fits snuggled inside my arms, his head always fits just perfectly on my shoulder when he gives me a great big hug.

I am so proud of you, Little Man.  You are growing up so quickly and continue to amaze me everyday at your strength, curiosity, and love.  I love you so much and I will try my best everyday to be the best mom I can be for you.

Happy 4th Birthday!

How Can You Tell I Am Back In School?

Well, for starters, I have not posted anything since last year.  Yikes!  A lot is happening and it seems time is just flying.  I mean, what happened to January?  This year has been a hustle and bustle from day one.  So many birthdays and parties that all deserve their own post.  I will carve out time to create a Little Man's birthday post, because the world needs photos of his cake, if nothing else!

We were also out of commission for about two weeks with W getting sick.  It turns out when your little one is sick and snuggling with you every moment possible, it is very hard to avoid the germs.  So just as he was feeling better, it was my turn to be bed ridden.  School was unforgiving and I have been playing catch up every since.

School is going very well otherwise.   I feel like for a long time, I was spouting all these plans I had, and now... they are coming into fruition.  My research is officially underway.  It was approved and not only that, I am getting course credit.  They are clearing out a little office for me as I type.

Also, the big news of this week.  I found out that I was accepted to Loyola!  Grad school here I come.  I will be completing a Master of Jurisprudence in Child Law and Policy!  It has been a long road, but all that hard work is paying off!  I am so excited for this journey!

Those are the current highlights!  We have still been crafting and baking and mining for gold.  (All things I took photographic proof of, but failed to upload...  How convenient would it be if my DSLR camera would sync to the mac?!  Someone should be working on that technology).

Hope everyone is doing well and staying warm!

Here are a few iPhone and Instagram gems to hold you over until I manage to upload, organize, edit, and publish some of our other photos.

Silly photos tend to elicit more willing participants.

I did finally regain feeling in my toes... 4 hours later!

The only way he will ever consume spinach or kale.

Frozen on Ice = MAGIC

Thanks to the recent snowfall,
we are not sure where the basket or shovel are...
Somewhere in the yard, I assume.

All acceptance letters should come with streamers and confetti!

A Little Christmas Cheer

It has been a year since I became the owner of a Mac and I finally opened that iMovie app.  I am still not quite sure exactly how it all works, but I managed to compile a little bit of our Christmas festivities.

Enjoy!

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

It seems hard to believe that Christmas is over already, but the presents are opened and the visitors have left.  We had a quiet day at home today.  I think today was the first day that there was not an outing or planned activity.  We stayed home and opened up all our treasures.  W received a lot of games this year.  Today alone, he must have played Don't Break the Ice about 20 times.  I tried to start the putting away process, but it is a bit of a lost cause at this point.  I think I may need to do a toy storage overhaul, so instead... I dressed up in my new Olivia Pope knock off clothing line and sipped some coffee.  It will get handled another day.  I hope everyone had a great holiday!

I just love a good bow tie

Rudolph, is that you?

Santa made a stop at Christmas Eve

Matching Jammies

Crafty Santa

Reading us Zoom Zoom Zoom, I'm off to the Moon