Bittersweet

George, my first baby ever, photographed here and here, is moving away. He is taking his sisters and wonderful parents to live in Oklahoma where they won't have to endure our Chicago winters, where they will have space to run and roam, and where they will be close to family and best friends. And while it makes sense, and I am happy for them, they will sure be missed around here.

We scheduled a photo shoot before the movers empty the house to chronicle life right now, and capture a few memories of Evanston so they can one day look back and marvel at the wacky year they spent here.

It seems most appropriate to start with Lucy, the big sister extraordinaire. Lucy fits the first born stereotype, responsible, practical, looks after her charges with sweet, attentive, authority. She is quite serious in her endeavors and could almost be described as intellectual, if she weren't 4. But she's not all business, there's plenty of room for pleasure.

And then there's Alice. Who MOVES. She keeps Mom and Lucy running all. day. long. She's goofy, quirky, playful, silly, spunky, spontaneous. The kind of sister those kids will love having, even though she'll make them a bit crazy at times with her big ideas and gregarious personality.


And then there's my George. Still as sweet and gentle and wise. This baby just has my heart.



We attempted to get a picture of the family of 5 all together which was comic genius. Alice just would not sit or stand still, she was on the go constantly. There just wasn't any way to get them all on the same page at the same time. But look at this gem. What is it do you suppose Alice needs George to know here?

It was a day full of spring color and pink cheeks and blue eyes and vibrant gorgeousness. But there were a few that were just begging for black and white. I'll send you off with those. And we'll be sending this rockin' family off in just one week. But thanks to the internet the world is smaller now. And while they will no longer be right down the street, they won't be far from our hearts.

Bittersweet indeed.

The Brothers K

Sometime in the 90's, maybe even as many as 15 years ago I was living in New York City. I was on my way to work one morning, emerging from the subway onto one of Manhattan's busiest corners (34th & 7th), when who should I randomly run into but David, who had been one of my best friends in high school. Turns out he was on his way to work too. A coffee date later that day gave us ample time to catch up and make plans to get together with the now spouses. When I think of all we've shared both in high school and since that fateful day, I have to believe there was nothing random about it. It was one of the nicest gifts the Universe has ever presented me.

Here's David now, all grown up and handsome (well, OK, he was in high school too, but age seems to really agree with him). And with him is his precious family. Wife Erin, sons Graham and Noah.
Noah is the babycakes, the new toy. So he gets all the cooing and pumpkin pie attention. He is ridiculously cute in person. His parents refer to him as charming and cheerful. I must say I totally agree. He was sick while he was here and contrary to any other kid I've met, especially any 13 month old, it was as if he didn't even notice.

Erin is everything I ever expected of her as a mother. She is one of the most empathetic, naturally caring people I've ever met. Plus she's thoughtful, wise, and brilliant. So it was no surprise at all to see her so lovingly in action with her kids. What I love about this picture is how open and joyful she is. That pretty well sums up how she is with her kids.

And I must admit that, to me, David is one of the most amazing fathers. He so enthusiastically enjoys his children and his family and being a Dad. He shares with them his curiosity and creativity, his humor and good sense. He is undaunted by the tasks of parenting and seems to be energized by time with the kids. It's truly inspiring. It is obvious that fatherhood is the most important thing in the world to him. His devotion to his kids is nothing short of sacred.


Big brother Graham is almost too wonderful to describe. Pensive, silly, sweet, loving, smart, sensitive, kind. He is very into space right now. And by "very into" I mean at age 5 he knows way more about space and planets and stars and comets and such than I do. Which is why I love this picture. His brain is always working, not just thinking but also dreaming. Can't you just see the wonder?

He also has his rough and tumble, adventurous side. He and my son found these amazing climbing trees at the park. Graham didn't think twice about scaling them to amazing heights. He's long and lean, all limbs. I love how they're all folded up in this tree.



Quite naturally he is a wonderful brother to Noah. And Noah pays him much attention.

They have always been great friends to us and we love them dearly. It is such a joy to meet their children, such an eclectic blend of all that is wonderful in each of their parents. These last two show you everything you need to know about the fine family they are.

Ma Cherie Amour

This is my cousin Cherie. She's always laughing and smiling. Her spirit overflows with sunshine and laughter. Don't get me wrong. She is a woman of great wisdom, substance, and takes her life and her job as a Mama very seriously. But what shows is her joy, her joie de vivre!


She has two girls Pretty Paige (born the night of my first date with my Mikie D.) who is a freshman in high school and dreaming of her sweet sixteen. And Beautiful Blythe is slogging her way through Middle School. Her son Kyle (not pictured) is graduating from high school this year and is a baseball superstar. He's just as handsome as the girls are beautiful. Cherie made herself some pretty babies!

She's a great Mom. She LOVES and ADORES her kids and they know it. She's patient, understanding, empathetic, nurturing, engaged. But she's also fun and funny, always making them laugh, diffusing tension and teen angst with humor. Theirs is one SILLY household!


This is Pretty Paige. Paige is outgoing, boisterous, confident, protective. If you mess with her she will mess with you back. She's a tough cookie but not at all hard.


And Beautiful Blythe. Blythe truly is sugar and spice and everything nice. And lucky for me she's incredibly patient when it comes to people, especially cousins, who just can't keep their hands out of her hair. Oh, the hair!


And this is David. He's new. He's her fiancee. They are recently engaged and very much in love as is evidenced here. He adores her which she deserves. He's charming, kind, gentle and devoted to her in every way. It's nice to see.


Today just happens to be Cherie's birthday. And I'm filled with excitement at this new chapter in her life and all the blessings that are currently coming her way.


Bon anniversaire ma Cherie! Love you always.

Easter Chicks

It's Easter and what better way to bring in the joy of spring than with my favorite little chicks. No strangers to Clark Street, these sisters just might be my favorite models.


First we have Livi. She is a natural in front of the camera. What amazes me when I look at the pictures of her is how much she engages the lens. It's something that takes a certain amount of confidence and inner spark, imagination and fantasy, honesty and openness.



She has wisdom and maturity way beyond her years. She's what I'd call an old soul. She hasn't really learned anything yet, she pretty much has known it all since she was a baby. She did everything first in our playgroup and often way ahead of schedule.

Ceci on the other hand seems to be discovering this world almost for the first time. And she loves it!
She's at that sweet age of 2. Everything that comes out of her mouth is adorable. She's gaining her stride, making her likes and dislikes known, coming into herself. She's playful, fiesty, charming, spunky.



Adorable on their own, but heart stoppingly sweet together. Not only do they make an attractive pair. I mean, come on, look at them! So cute you could eat them with a spoon!

But their dynamic is one of genuine affection, understanding, and adoration.

I love this picture for the fierceness with which Livi loves her sister. And the safety Ceci feels in her big sisters arms.

I'm just crazy for these little chicks.

Just call him James.....James Bond

Meet C & J with their "pony" James. James Bond that is. I put "pony" in quotes because technically, in the equine world, he is indeed a pony. But, to me, he's a horse. I mean look at him - he's a horse right? No, he's not. He's a pony. C & J know the difference. They take their riding very seriously, and it's clearly important to be accurate.

This is J, she rides first. She's been riding for about a year. Here she is with her instructor (trainer? coach? this whole world is new and fascinating to me - I don't yet have all the lingo). J is studious, determined and focused when she rides. She has perfect form and a natural grace on top of a horse, err, pony. She's downright elegant when she rides, you'd never know she's only 5.

Plus she's cute as a button. I mean come on, look at those dimples!


She has a relationship with her pony that is mature, intimate, passionate, intuitive. She can tell you what James likes and what he doesn't like. And I believe her. It's quite mystical, very romantic, and profoundly sweet.

C, on the other hand, is more cowboy than Prince. He has tremendous confidence when he rides. Not that J doesn't, she dances, he swaggers. His form is not technically perfect but he rides with such gusto and enthusiasm it doesn't really matter. He's got a certain style, a certain panache.


He too has bonded with his horse and loves to give him treats and take care of him. And it goes without saying that James is so gentle and protective of his young charges. C is in my son's class at school and I have to admit as a Mom I'm so impressed with these children. Both of my kids are afraid of dogs. And I can't get my 6 year old to ride a bike. Not only do C & J have NO FEAR when it comes to this animal. It's obvious they have a real devotion to both the sport and to James himself. I think passion at any age is remarkable. And on these two kids it's palpable and a joy to witness.


Happy Trails!