Goodbye...For Now

If there's anyone still checking out my little ole blog, you've probably noticed that my posts have gotten fewer and fewer in between.

What can I say? Life.

Little Ricky is 2 1/2 and keeping me on my toes. Check out this recent shot of my cutie pie.

Macaroni Kid is busy, busy.

And occasionally I like to find time to do more than nod at my husband over the top of our laptops. So something had to give.

And unfortunately it's the blog.

But I love Ricky and Lucy. I love the relationships I formed with some of you. And I'm just not ready to call it quits for good.

So with the hopes that one day, SOME day, I'll have more time, let's just call A Modern Day Ricky and Lucy on an indefinite hiatus.

Until then, I'll try to stay caught up on your blogs and if you're in the Chicago area, you can still find me over at Mac Kid sharing all of the great family friendly activities, events, crafts and recipes for Windy City families.

Until we meet again.....

Review: Chevy Traverse

This?

Is what I normally drive.

This?

Is what I was lucky enough to drive for the last week.

Thanks to the kind folks at GM, I got to try out the Chevy Traverse for a week and Mama LIKES!

Not only is it GORGEOUS, but I loved having more room. Our biggest complaint with the ole Ford Focus is how small it is. When I bought it as a single, kid-free gal, it was perfect. But add a husband, a toddler, a car seat and a stroller to the mix and that car is PACKED. Forget road tripping in that car. Heck, forget going to the airport in that car. No way luggage is going in the trunk of the Focus once we put the stroller in.

But the Traverse had tons of room for strollers, luggage, groceries, etc.

The trunk space was a good size and you can put the 3rd row of seats down and have even more trunk space.

And there was plenty of room for other passengers. Yes, people can sit in the backseat of the Focus, but they are squished up against the car seat. The Traverse seats 7 (some models seat 8) and no one felt like their personal space was being invaded.

I also loved all the various compartments for storage throughout the car. As we were only in the car for a week, I didn't take full advantage of them. But if that car were mine, it would be great to have plenty of space for CD's, sunglasses, maps and more.

But who needs a map when you have this!

I was so excited to have the built in GPS. As I'm still learning our new neighborhood, it was fantastic to have the nice little lady in the GPS keeping me on track!

And that cute little screen also shows you what's behind you anytime you put the car in reverse! Awesome!

And now for my son's favorite part of the car.

The built in DVD player!

The first day we had the car, Little Ricky and I took the Traverse out for a spin. As we were stopped at a light, I was checking out the car, pushing buttons and down popped this screen. I couldn't really see what it was from the front seat so I said to my 2 year old "Buddy, is that a TV?" To which he excitedly replied "YES!"

We didn't have anything to play that 1st ride, but when we later headed out with a Thomas and Friends DVD, kiddo was THRILLED. Every few minutes he would shriek "Mommy! Daddy! Thomas the Train in red car!!!"

Yeah, we're gonna need one of those.

My only "negative" is that while we want more space, the Traverse is probably TOO big for us. Do I really need seating for 7 or 8? And in some of the tight Chicago parking lots and streets, I would break a sweat maneuvering that giant Traverse in and out. I did a little web surfing and saw that Chevy does have a smaller SUV, the Equinox, which would probably be more in keeping with my family's needs. But for folks with bigger families or who tote a lot of stuff on a regular basis, the Traverse would be ideal.

So, as you can see, I adored having this car for a week. The extra space was great, not having to bend over to get Little Ricky in and out of his car seat was heaven on my back and I loved having GPS and a DVD player built in. I felt thoroughly spoiled! Thank you, GM!

Disclosure: I was provided with a Chevy Traverse for a week to facilitate this review. But as always, all opinions are my own.

Whole Foods Back to School Campaign

I'm a snacker (Cheetos? Yes, please!) and I'm always on the search for healthy snacks for my family. So when Whole Foods came a-calling asking me to do a brief video about our favorite healthy snack, I jumped on it!

I was one of 7 Chicago mommy blogger/writers chosen for this project and I had a great time sharing my Amy's Homegrown pretzel/cranberry/raisin mix idea. Check out my video (and the other great Chicago mom ideas!) here. Hope this helps you pack your kid's lunches this year!

And while you're there don't forget to enter your email address in the Weekly Special Sign-up for a chance to win a $500 gift card to Whole Foods Market!

Disclosure: I was given a Whole Foods gift card and Sony Bloggie video camera for participating in Whole Foods Back-to-School initiative, but as always all opinions are my own.

This was originally posted on Macaroni Kid Chicago Loop.

Mommy & Me Monday: Mother's Day 2011

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?
Well, how behind am I to just now be posting my Mother's Day pix and recap? Oh well, better late than never.

Do you remember last Mother's Day when Ricky surprised me with the beautiful photo book?

Well, since then I've been dropping subtle hints that I wanted another one. (Okay, maybe saying "I expect one of these EVERY year on Mother's Day!" is not so subtle but whatever.)

And Ricky did not disappoint. Once again he made me a lovely book that brought out the "ugly cry."


Ricky and Little Ricky also spoiled me with a lovely Stella & Dot necklace, flowers and a yummy brunch at Elate.

Little Ricky loves the fun statues outside of Elate!

So glad to be his Mommy!

Happy (very!) belated Mother's Day to all you Mommies out there. Hope your day was filled with lots of love and at least a little bit of spoiling!

Mommy & Me Monday: Carnival

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

About a month ago we were out doing some birthday party shopping at Party City. Across the street we noticed a local high school was having a carnival as a fundraiser. After we stocked up on plates, napkins, party favors, etc we headed across the street and rode some of the kiddy rides. Little Ricky had a ball!

Riding the train with Mommy

Carousel--loved this one so much he rode it again and again!

The big slide with Daddy. I think I enjoyed this ride more than Little Ricky. Daddy kept getting stuck and Mommy laughed so hard she cried. :)

Mommy & Me Monday: Mommy's Birthday Boy

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Forgive another birthday post, but we have so many great shots from that day! (Thanks to our awesome photographer, Paige Baker from A Frame In Time!)

I do love that birthday boy!

Happy Birthday, Little Ricky!

On June 11, Little Ricky turned 2! (I have a 2 year old?!?!?! How is this possible?)

We started the day with a present, Kipper's Birthday. Little Ricky LOVES Kipper and was really excited to get this life-sized book all about his favorite little British dog!

Little Ricky also loves music, loves to dance and loves people, so we threw a dance party for him and some of his favorite little buddies!

Sparkly water bottles

Practicing his dance moves pre-party

A little floor work...

Once our guests arrived, everyone had a great time boogie-ing down...

Getting punked out with hair glitter...

(Okay, maybe the hair glitter wasn't such a hit!)

And temporary tattoos...

Making tambourines at the craft station....
And dancing in the dark to Beyonce's Single Ladies (Little Ricky's favorite song) while wearing finger lights....

(Thank you, Oprah, for the finger lights idea!)

And of course there was cake. Well, cake pops!

(They spelled out "Happy 2nd Birthday, "Little Ricky"!)


We did buy a little cake just for candle blowing purposes....


All of the kids tried to eat the cake pops like lollipops. So cute!

More cake pops, please!

Little Ricky loved socializing with his friends!

The cutest party guests EVER!

As the party wound down, we said goodbye to our guests....


And thanked them for coming with maracas, sand pails, bubbles, blow up microphones, noisemakers, stickers and autographed Super Stolie CD's!

Then it was time for the big present from Mommy & Daddy....

He sees it! What is it?????

A bike!!!

Once we pried him off the trike, it was time for more presents.

(No, those aren't all from Ricky and me. And yes, Little Ricky is spoiled rotten.)

Then we headed out for the inaugural ride around the neighborhood. Little Ricky was in heaven.

He loves the bike so much that he did not want to get off and his birthday ended with.....

the official birthday party melt-down!

From cake pops to finger lights, from friends to tattoos, from bikes to meltdowns, it was an awesome day!

Happy #2, Little Ricky!

Cake pops from The Cake Poppery
Little Ricky's 2 shirt from Happy Family
Most pictures (all the good ones!) by Paige Baker, A Frame in Time