it's my girls' world

Usually every year ON my birthday, I like to do a little currently- sort of like a state of the nation but in my case a state of the soul sort of catch up. However, I've been so busy with family being around (the last four left today) that I didn't get a chance to until now- the day after... here we go though!!

Currently....

thanking | God for such a wonderful family, such great health and bountiful blessings as I turn 40!

Yay for six years of blogging! 979 posts later, I'm still chugging along with all my randomness. Here are a few of my musings from the past 6 years. 

1- I've changed and so did my blog. 

What started off as a way to document all the little random cute things that my girls did is now more of a platform for me. Yes there are still updates about my family and our adventures but I don't always go into the minutiae of our daily life as I feel like not all of my girls' stories are mine to tell. My style of writing has changed also.  My posts are less but longer, though I still have those long run on sentences :-)

2- You get what you give! 

If I phone in my post and quickly do it- the content will speak for itself. The posts I've spent the most time on, chosen the best pictures and carefully curated have garnered the most attention. Also, the posts I enjoy most with tips and tricks, favourite things, travel and party planning stuff always seem to garner the most attention and reads as well. 

3- It's not a money making thing for me

And it never will be. Yeah, I get some commission from some affiliate links, product and sponsorship money, but for the most part, it's totally a labour of love and friendship and way of keeping in touch.

4- I'm doing it for me and my family.

I love it  and I will keep on keeping on. My children and family living far away love it too. It does get a little weird sometimes with some other family and friends. Like I know I have some family members who read my blog religiously but will not deign to say anything about it to us. #ownitpeople. 

5- My pictures are better than 6 years ago.

So is my iPhone! I have a good camera but haven't taken it out in years.

5- My blog friends are real friends!

Not everyone will love this little space of mine and I'm okay with it. To be honest though, blogland has been such a lovely welcoming space for me and I could count the less than positive comments I've received on a couple fingers but I've garnered many thousands of positive comments . I have  a small but loyal following of wonderful, kind, empowering friends. I cherish all those encouraging comments. 

Cheers to you, my friends!

Thank you so much for coming back friends! Here's hoping for many posts ahead. 

 The adults also entertained themselves.

Happy Weekend, friends! After a weekend filled with skiing lessons, an at home make your own pizza night, prep for NINE visitors next week, lots of hygge and bucketfuls of laundry, I figured a little recap of our Chicago trip last week was long overdue.

We went to visit D's brother and his family there and we all had the best time! We spend lots of quality time playing, chatting, cooking, sightseeing, eating, sleeping and starting off 2019 just right!

We left 3 am on the 2nd of Jan. I'm starting to like early morning driving when the kids can still get some rest and so can D, I listen to my podcasts and then as the sun starts to rise, we switch out and he does the rest of driving. That way we got there really early (10:30 am) and the kids were able to almost have the whole day to play. We took it easy for the rest of the Wednesday. We did some grocery shopping, D got a massage and we cooked a couple yummy meals.

The next day, I hit up Target bright and early in the am while the rest of the house slowly got ready because #priorities. 

We went into downtown Chicago and the Water Tower Place for a little American Girl fun. That's a whole 'nother post of fun and excitement! Very appropriately timed, I was reading Michelle Obama's Becoming at that time and I was even more excited to see Chicago.

We then headed to the bar at the John Hancock Centre for drinks and a view of the city.  

After this, we drove around the city to check out the city by night before heading to Catch 35 for some excellent seafood. I had the sea bass and I'm still thinking about it!

On the Friday, after I got a wonderful early morning massage, we headed to Top Golf. If you have a TOp GOlf in your area and you haven't been yet friends, GO! And this is from a non golfer! Golf games, fun food and drinks (their cauliflower pizza was sooooo good) and climate controlled bays. It was a good time and we spent a few hours there.

 Injectable donut holes--- yes please!

We then headed to the mall for a few hours and I had to get the Chicago Mix Popcorn from Garretts' and shop for shoes for my birthday!

Then it was dinner at another wonderful joint, Eddie Merlot's. Another delicious meal.

Their flambeed desserts are their specialty and our table had two of them!

ON Saturday, it was more low key but just as fun. My brother and sister in law taught us how to play Monopoly Deal and we are obsessed! It was another beautiful sunny day so we headed out to the Independence Grove Forest Preserve for some fresh air and park time.

We went home, I did laundry, my in laws made some delicious fresh fish and huge Red Alaskan crab legs for dinner and we played Deal before turning in. 

It was the best start to the New Year and we came back ready to face school and January. Special thanks to my in laws for hosting us and showing us a most wonderful time!