Since Maddie started school two years ago, we’ve loved spending a little time together after pickup- catching up on our days and enjoying an afternoon snack. For the last few years, it has been some of the most precious time for the two of us; or at least for me, as her mom. I get to learn about her day; to take her emotional temperature; to sense how she perceived the way she was treated and what she learned; what made her happy or sad or mad.

December is just around the corner, and that means we're ready for all the holiday cheers.

Typically, we host an annual Christmas party with our nearest and dearest. Most of the time, we stick to a beverage menu consisting heavily of reds- you can find my comprehensive list of reds for every budget here. But this year I wanted to spruce it up with a few seasonal cocktails from our local favorite, Lugano Wine Bar & Salumeria.

I’m happy to report that this past weekend, it finally felt like fall here in Connecticut. And the Matkovics were happy to welcome the crisp air with open arms.

Friday night Phil and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary with dinner at one of our favorite local spots, Lugano- followed by a fire pit and a bottle of wine and lots of laughs at home, just the two of us.

Ever since Maddie was just an itty bitty newborn, we've taken her to our local bakery for family breakfasts on lazy Saturday mornings. Its changed a bit since it first opened- its now a sit down, full service eatery with beer and wine, to boot- but Sweet Peas in Old Greenwich is still the cutest little coffee shop in town. And one of our very favorites to take our little.

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Brrrr! At the risk of sounding redundant: its cold. And if you're home with the littles like Yours Truly, then cabin fever may be setting in already. This past week I brought out all the stops to keep MM entertained indoors. We dined out at our favorite restaurants. We attended the best local drop-in classes. And we even enjoyed some of our favorite indoor activities at home- in the comfort of our PJs. 

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Christmas is in five days, and I really can't believe it. It's crazy how time flies the older you get- and times that by ten when you start to have a tiny tribe of your own. We've been hardcore about  Christmas activities this year, starting way back before Thanksgiving when we took a trip on the Polar Express in Essex, CT. Yes, this year we've covered a lot of holiday territory; and in case you're in need of a little last minute cheer, I've compiled a list of five {semi-local} things you still have time to do before the big day arrives:

Eat, sleep, beach, repeat.

That seems to be what our summers are made of around here- weather permitting, that is. And while most of this past week was spent indoors due to a few rain clouds, we are hoping to spend this last July weekend outside, enjoying our favorite local beach.

Being a stay at home mom, I'm always on the lookout for amazing activities to keep us busy during the day. Particularly in those winter months that keep us all cooped up inside. I had heard about Music Together from a friend of mine while I was still pregnant with MM; but the thought of classes for a baby I had yet to meet quickly went on the back burner.

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