Travel plans

When Jason and I originally started talking about taking a trip to Spain, we thought we'd go in the Spring. We ended up pushing the date back to Summer, so now it feels like we've been planning this trip forever! I haven't been out of country since Jason and I went to Ireland in 2006, so it has probably been a good thing that I've had so much time to prepare. We went back and forth a bit about where we wanted to go in Spain (the country is huge), but settled on Granada, Madrid, and Barcelona. On the way home, we'll have a 24-hour layover in Dublin, so we can go out in style.

I've been flipping through guidebooks and think I have a pretty good idea of the major stuff I want to do in each city (I'm keeping the list of must-dos short so we have plenty of time just to wander around and eat). Jason booked our hotels and we've planned out how we're getting from city to city (bus, train, car). I've been brushing up on my Spanish using the Duolingo app on my phone (una mesa para dos, por favor). And of course, I've been thinking about what I'm going to wear.

My mom sent me a link to a website called Travel Fashion Girl that basically tells you exactly what to bring to look cute and fit all your stuff in a carry on. Here's the recommended "Essentials" 10-piece packing list that is supposed to get you through 2 weeks anywhere:

And here's my interpretation (sticking to a mostly white, blue, black, and gray color palette):

Maggie's Summer Travel Wardrobe

Not pictured: my go with everything white cardigan, gym shoes, bathing suit, and other travel necessities

I maaaay throw in another dress, but am really trying to stick to the list and travel light. My Athleta shirts are supposed to be "unstinkable" so in theory, I should be able to re-wear them without washing. But if I do need to rinse out a few things in the sink, most of this stuff is pretty light and should dry fast.

Less than two weeks to go!

El Ideas

For my birthday dinner / our May date night, Jason and I went down to the Douglas Park area (a little out of our standard radius) for a 13-course, prix fixe, BYO dinner at El Ideas. 

The idea behind the restaurant is "non-pretentious fine dining." The location is definitely non-pretentious :) It feels like it's kind of in the middle of nowhere, but our Uber ride from Evanston didn't end up being too expensive. The restaurant itself is small, with only 24 seats total, so you almost feel like you're at a big dinner party. And just like a dinner party, guests are encouraged to walk around, talk to each other, and watch the food prep and plating.  

Susie and Sean went last year and loved it and I've also started hearing it come up a lot recently in foodie conversations. Does it deliver on the hype? Yes! The food is as beautiful as it is interesting and delicious and the culinary team is laid-back and approachable. It was a really fun way to spend 3 hours. We brought a sparkling rose and a delicious Two Mountain Lemberger, both purchased from my favorite Evanston wine store, the Wine Goddess.

We weren't stuffed after the meal (courses are small), but we were satisfied and happy. I took pictures of everything, but here are a few of the highlights...

First course...no forks.

Squid course

A play on french fries and ice cream (soooo good!)

Onion, many many ways

First time trying antelope. It was wonderful!

Many reasons to celebrate

These last couple of weeks have been so nice. George Terry was baptized on Saturday. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and although George wailed through most of the baptism (especially during the outfit change), he was back to his adorable happy self the next day at the park.

George and B

Three squirrels

Three squirrels...in action

And then I turned 35 today. 35! I feel so much older and wiser :) Molly was so excited about my birthday, it ended up being more of an event than I was expecting. Check out my loot and happy grin:

Game of Thrones T-shirt...my favorite show :)

Personalized mugs and homemade lemon cake from Jason and Molly

The last bit of good news is that the Sus has a new job that more than cuts her commute in half. Can't go wrong there! Congratulations to Susie! New jobs are fun :)

What's new with Molls?

I have no doubt things will be different in a week, but here's how things stand with Molly as of Thursday, May 14, 2015.

• Favorite color: Green. Pink is out, green is in.
• Favorite song: Either "Sugar" by Maroon 5 (we like to sing the high parts) or "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction (though this one is not on the radio as much). Although Molly still loves the Disney Pandora station, I can tell she feels SO grown up singing along to cheesy pop music on 93.9 and 101.9. 
• Favorite movie: Star Wars: A New Hope. She's not just trying to please her daddy...Molly is really into it. She's learning all the characters, and also asking tons of questions that I can't always answer. 
• Favorite food: She's such a typical kid...pizza, fruit, PB&J. For dessert, I think she prefers candy over chocolate, especially Dum-Dums lollipops.
• Favorite activity: Gymnastics. For sure. It's really the only class she's taken so far that she has loved. I am looking forward to the end of ice skating and soccer so we can either take a break or get her back into gymnastics again.
• Favorite toy: Good old Barbie. Sales may be down, but as far as Molls is concerned, Barbie is still #1.

Here's our girl. Sweet as can be:

Fake smile central

Warming up

The weather is getting warmer and we're finding ourselves outside again. It's glorious!

The air is warm, but Lake Michigan is still chilly

James and Molly walking back from the park

Coach Maggie. I had to fill in for Jason last Sun...it was a lot of work!