Chicago Auto Show

For Valentine's Day this year I took the day off work, we put Chase in daycare and Brian and I headed to the city for the auto show. We have wanted to do that for years and had to get it in before we moved! While we were there Brian picked out his next car (ha!):

(He has wanted one of these Porches forever and he hated me for this but I just HAD to take his picture in it.)

My favorite part of the show was seeing all the concept cars. Here are a couple faves but you can see them all in our Photo Album.

NIU Shooting

I'm sure you have all heard by now about the shooting at Northern Illinois University yesterday. That's where Brian goes to school and has taught the last few semesters. I just want everyone to know he is OK. It hits close to home but he's fine.

I have the hardest time with these things because I just don't GET them. And I get so scared about the "you just never know" aspect of it all. I get afraid for myself and more importantly, for my family. But I guess you just have to let what's out of your hands be out of your hands.

MAN, that's hard.

Dancin' Fool

Chase and I attend a weekly Music Together class. It was recommended to me by a music teacher and at first I said, "Isn't he too young?" but the class is for kids from birth to age 5. We went to a free demo class to see what it was all about and Chase loved it so much I just couldn't help but sign us up for the 10-week session. So every Saturday morning Chase and I bond over music with other parents and their kids. It's really fun!

Of course dads are welcome, too. After our first class I called Brian to tell him all about it and he said, "You know what? That sounds pretty cool. I might like to come with you guys one time." I was like, "Oh, that would be so great! We would have so much fun! Are you serious?!?" to which he responded, "Uhhhh... NO!!!!"

What a poop.

Anyway, Chase's favorite part of the class is when they bring out the big bin of instruments. All the kids get to choose an instrument and jam along to a song (he is never a happy camper when he has to put his instrument away). At our last class it came time for this part and the teacher asked an older kid to get the instruments. Chase watched the kid walk across the room and as soon as the boy pulled the bin out of the closet my son yelled, "WHOAH!!!!" I almost peed my pants. That's my boy!

Anyway, they give you 2 CD's when you sign up of all the music used in the class and we play them at home and in the car for fun sometimes. Here's a little clip of him dancing to one of his favorite tunes at home:

Music Together is a national company with classes all over the place, so if you think your kid would love it as much as mine does, you can find a class near you on their website at www.musictogether.com.

Well, That Was Easy!

We sold our house today. Well, I guess technically we have a contract pending but we had our first and only showing this morning and they made an offer tonight. Our house went on the market THURSDAY, remember?? It has been 5 days. Unbelievable. If all goes according to plan we will be closing April 25th, so we'll be homeless for a few weeks but I guess that's better than having 2 homes (a.k.a. 2 mortgages)!

It's funny because when we bought this house it had been on the market for one day when we made an offer, and I remember our realtor saying that the wife of the couple who owned it was freaking out we made an offer so fast because they didn't have anywhere to move yet. I remember thinking, "That poor woman!" But now here I am! Must be the house.

Anyway, we are counting our lucky stars, with the market being the way it is today. Here's to hoping it all goes off without a hitch! Cross your fingers for us!

Z z z z z z z . . . .

I was busy deleting photos from my digital camera tonight when I saw this out of the corner of my eye. I guess someone was tired!

Peter Alsop is My Hero

To all you parents, teachers and other caregivers out there: If you haven't checked out Peter Alsop yet... DO IT.

When I was little I had his album "Wa'd'ya Wanna Do?" It was a copy of a tape someone made for my mom and I played that tape CONSTANTLY and sang all the songs... all the time (I'm sure I drove my mom nuts). Anyway, Mom was cleaning out her attic a little while back and found the tape. I was SO excited to have it back but then sadly realized I didn't have a tape player to play it on! I went online to see if somehow, some way I could find a CD of it and was thrilled to find he had a website with tons more albums and other products (DVD's, song books, etc.) to purchase!

I ordered my CD, got it super fast and have been playing it constantly since. Chase loves the music and I have to admit I play it in my car on commutes when Chase isn't with me because I still remember all the words and it puts me in a great mood.

The wonderful thing about Peter Alsop's songs is that besides being fun, they teach great lessons. Without going into detail I can tell you that Peter's music made an incredible impact on my life as a kid, and still does today when I revisit it. Peter Alsop taught me invaluable lessons through his music, and I'm so excited to find he has more products because Chase will be getting lots of them throughout the years.

Peter is an educational psychologist who writes songs for kids AND adults. You can learn more about him and order products, etc. on his website at www.peteralsop.com (and if you click on "Peter's Tunes" you can listen to sound clips of some of his music). If you are looking for great songs that teach great lessons and are sick of cheesy Barney tunes, definitely check him out. It just may change your child's life, like I believe it changed mine.

Fun With Books and Snow

I've been kind of slack in the photo department lately but over the past couple days we've had more excuses to take pictures.

Thursday night we had a huge snowstorm here and Chase LOVED it. I took him outside when I got home from work to play in it for a couple minutes. He wasn't so sure about touching it and really didn't love sitting in it, but he couldn't get enough of the big fluffy flakes flying into his face (say that five times fast)!

(ESKIMO KISSES!!)

Then today my mom called asking for some photos for an article she is writing on reading with kids, so we did a little photo shoot today. Chase really does love reading this much!

Photos of both our fun with snow and books are now in our Photo Album. Enjoy!