I have a confession to make. I'm thinking about making a break for it. To a place where revving motorcycles don't interrupt my REM. To a place where there is a bit less broken glass at the playground. To a place where I can grocery shop with produce that has flavor and the aisles can actually accommodate the width of a stroller ... or two.

I probably should open up a bit more. My kids never really stood a chance for being little urban hipsters. I'm a suburban girl, my husband suburban too, both of us raised in Buffalo Grove with out parents still up that way. Each time I drive Eli to my parents' home, I find the surroundings more idyllic. I've even started to find charm in a strip mall. Like, how convenient, you can get Chinese carry out, your nails done, and new blinds all without leaving one parking lot.

Don't get me wrong, I see the appeal of the city, but for me, it's more the practical aspects like the short commute times (for some), the reasonable taxes, the proximity to friends and stuff to do. I don't have that "urban calling" where I find living in the city exhilarating. For claustrophobic me, the bustle of the city is a bit of a drawback, and my laziness craves to just open a door and let the little 'uns just cruise around in the yard.

Have you noticed I haven't mentioned school yet? Mostly that's because I can't imagine my Eli leaving me to go to school. But when the time comes, I don't entirely know what I'll be looking for. But if I had an awesome option that were free, then I'd be hard-pressed not to take it. And moving to the 'burbs affords me that option.

I should mention, when I referenced "thinking" about moving to the suburbs, I really mean I just got off the phone with my realtor who told me that my offer on a house in Northwest Evanston was rejected. So back to the drawing board for us, but Evanston or the surrounding area is where you'll likely find me writing from come the fall.

In the meantime, I'll just try to enjoy my last few months of living in a third-floor walk up at the intersection of two major streets, kitty-corner from a 5 a.m. bar and sharing an alley with a muffler repair shop.