May I have this dance?

Jeremy and I took Jack to his first-ever soccer class today. It was geared very much toward to the toddler set - lots of games that employed running, jumping and kicking the soccer ball. And....Jack was very much not into it when we first arrived. He refused to wear his team shirt and was generally overwhelmed by the large fieldhouse (six classes were running concurrently).  Jeremy comforted him as Jack broke down into tears - it was just too much. I intervened - probably at the wrong time - and Jack still wasn't having it.

Then the "coach" told the kids to line up on one side for a silly run. They were to run - as silly as possible - and then freeze when he said freeze. I jumped in again, giving Jeremy a break, and grabbed both of Jack's hands. He went from crying to uncontrollably giggling as we started our silly run/waltz around the field, hand-in-hand. He threw his head back and laughed with his whole body. When we had to freeze, I knelt down to him and he put his cheek next to mine and stood very still. Then we started our dance again, running and waving our arms. Later, I thought about how mortified Jack would have been of me, acting silly with him, if he was 8-10 years older, but today, I could do no wrong. After the run, something changed and he was into the class, actually listening to the coach and leaving Jeremy and me in the dust.

My son and I will do many dances in our life - literally and figuratively - as we try to figure each other out. I just hope at least a few are cheek-to-cheek.

Another new year, another apple cake

Sundown tonight marks Rosh Hashanah, or the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Since Jeremy is Jewish, we celebrate these holidays with gusto, especially the food.

Rosh Hashanah meals typically include apples and honey to symbolize a sweet new year. We have a lot of beginnings coming up this year, so we hope it's particularly sweet. Jack and I made an apple cake like last year. I love it because it's actually a recipe from my family and also fits perfectly with this holiday.

And here's a picture of my little helper; he's grown up a lot from last year:

Go here now

Here's my admission: I'm not really reviewing restaurants on this blog. Basically, I'm telling you when I find a good one. And I loved last night's place.

Jeremy and I rarely have a date night these days, so we gotta make it count. Province features New American food with South American and Spanish influences. It really feels like you're going out - a very modern, clean, white atmosphere with shocking pink accents hidden here and there. The room was bustling but it was easy to carry on a conversation.

This restaurant is a sign of the times. Its menu features local, sustainable ingredients and - in this economy - has a number of small plates and you can do a half-order on many of the entrees, making it fairly easy on the wallet.

This is serious grown-up food - melding together seasonal vegetables and spices, this restaurant did not disappoint. Our favorites were crab and fresh corn chowder with poblanos and fingerling potatoes; a 10-hour lamb with roasted eggplant, chorizo and cornbread stuffing; and an over-the-moon blueberry tart.

The wine list was varied and budget-friendly.  The staff was accommodating and street parking was plentiful. What are you waiting for???

Province
161 N. Jefferson St., Chicago