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Well, I complained about not having snow last week, and someone must have heard me. My wish was more than granted with 19+ inches. Mother Nature doesn’t mess around. Although there are more than a few black dots that come with this much snow, I have to admit…it’s one big fat gold star for me this week. It’s beautiful. So much better to look at than the alternate black slush and mud that comes with a snowless Chicago winter. And when you have an enthusiastic 2-year-old and pup, it’s a lot of fun to play around in.

*Snow! (But now you can ease off, Mother Nature, OK? We have enough beauty to last a good long while.)

*Pilates. It keeps me sane, kicks my bum, relieves my tension and raises my spirits. I can’t give enough sparkling praise to Melissa and her studio, Mind Art Core. Melissa really, really knows what she’s talking about. Plus, she’s just a real hoot. I’ve never in my life looked forward to working out like I do twice a week when I attend her upbeat classes.

*Hide and Seek. It’s Ellie’s new favorite game. She loves being scared when Mike and I pop out at her. And some of her hiding places are absolutely priceless.

*Newborn Sessions. While I am so excited about all of the sessions I have on the books for the next several months…there is a very special place in my heart for the newborn sessions I have coming up.  Sincere, cuddly, beautiful, soft, once-in-a-lifetime family moments. The photos from these sessions radiate joy and happiness and dreams realized. Newborn sessions have always been my favorite to shoot. And they still are.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Eloise keeps asking to build a snowman. Kiddo, there’s nothing I would love more then to bundle you up and get some fresh air while playing around in the snow in our front yard or at the park. But, alas…no snow here this week. (Yes…I really am complaining about not having snow. Don’t hate me, New England friends.) So, we found other ways to keep busy this week.

*Playdate at Kohl’s Children’s Museum. My best Chicago mommy friend invited us to join her and her two little ones for a day of fun in Glenview. Eloise and I have been to the Children’s Museum downtown many, many times. We love it there. But it was great to change things up. The Kohl’s Children’s Museum is really a beautiful facility. I got a kick out of the mini Potbelly and Whole Foods (sorry Mike!) setups. Eloise loved playing in the music and water rooms. Not to mention there’s a Cosi on sight. Such a fun day.

*Tunes with Tim at Pickles Playroom. Eloise and I had just finished getting her hair cut at Pickles when Mr. Tim started playing a catchy tune on his guitar. All the kids flocked to him, clapping and dancing. Who knew every Monday at 11AM there was a dance party at Pickles Playroom? What a fun idea to chase away the winter blues. Watching Ellie bust a groove really put a smile on my face.

*Valentines by Eloise. My little artist is having a blast creating Valentine’s this year. Thank you Target $1 racks for the abundance of stickers, sparkles and puffs that we found earlier this week.

The biggest gold star of all is the fact that, as a working mom, I have the opportunity to spend time like this with my daughter. I realize that it’s a gift…and that it’s fleeting. It won’t be long before my schedule gets crazy once again and the work-life balancing act will be more challenging. Before she’ll outgrow mommy and Ellie time at children’s museums or play spaces. Before Eloise starts school. So I’ll grab onto this special time with both hands and enjoy every minute.

Have a good Friday, everyone!

Turmoil. That’s really the only word to describe my mental state most days. The road to happiness and healthiness is proving to be bumpy, twisty, erratic and arduous. But lately, through the strange mesh of tolerable and unbearable, we’ve seen a glimmer. It’s teeny-tiny. But it’s there. Hope.

In the spirit of fostering that glimmer, clutching it with both hands and not letting it get swallowed up by an abundance of melancholy and fear, I’m resolving to focus on the good moments that happen every week.

Exactly 4 years ago, Mike and I were apparently going through a rough time. I say “apparently” because, apparently, I have a selective memory and didn’t remember the beginning of 2011 as being all that bad. Compared to what we went through last year, it really wasn’t. But that’s the problem with hindsight. To be fair, at the time, it was a life crisis for us. Lots and lots of change…some really good, some seriously bad, most substantial…all at once. It was then that I started the Gold Star posts in an attempt to focus on the positive in my life in a time when those moments were definitely overshadowed by the negative. The name was an homage to my Dad. When he was a young boy in school, the nuns would give gold stars for accomplishments and black dots for misdemeanors.

In true Soares family tradition, black dots usually abound. But the hope is that by dedicating a small portion of each week to focusing on the gold stars, the black dots won’t seem as overwhelming. It worked once…so here it goes again.

*Eloise, for the following comment:  “I love strawberries. Daddy loves grapes. And Mommy loves pizza!” What can I say, she knows me well.

*The Newsroom. Brilliant. Brilliant. Wonderful. Brilliant.  Just discovered the series and Mike and I are hooked. Only half way through season one and pissed it only went three seasons. Best thing on TV since The West Wing.

*The power of a good haircut.

*Creative juices. They are flowing. My hair isn’t the only thing getting a make-over. Stay tuned.

*Catching a song on the radio that perfectly sums up your emotions: