May 2010

Free family fun at Wagner Farm

Posted in Go Play Outside | May 30, 2010

The girls and I ventured out to historic Wagner Farm (1510 Wagner Rd.) today in Glenview. It is a great place to spend a summer day. We started with a picnic lunch, then the kids had a great time looking at the animals (horses, cows and chickens).

They have a hands on farming museum, where you can pretend to milk a cow and collect eggs. The girls had a blast. We finished our trip with a couple scoops of ice cream. Delicious. Best of all, admission is free. The farm is pretty small, and offers limited food and beverage, so I recommend bringing a picnic.

They also have a very popular Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8am-12pm June 27 through October 10th which features live music.

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Hooray! It’s Farmers Market Season!

Posted in Go Shop | May 27, 2010

I love going to the Farmers Market with my girls. Last weekend we took our first trip of the season to The Green City Market in Lincoln Park. We did a bit of shopping, bought some berries and a smoothies, and then enjoyed the live music. It is the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning in Chicago, and en excellent way to shop local!

This year I plan to branch out and try a few of the other neighborhood markets including the one at Wicker Park. I would love to hear which ones are you favorites.

Following is a list of some of the other great farmers markets here in the city and their summer schedules. Most have started, but a few don’t start until June. For a complete list, visit www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us.

Wicker Park & Bucktown Farmers Market

Where – 1500 N. Damen Ave
When – Sundays June 6 through Oct. 24
Hours – 8am-2pm

Daley Plaza Farmers Market

Where – Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington)
When – Thursdays May 13 through Oct. 14
Hours – 7am-3pm

Lincoln Park Farmers Market

Where – Lincoln Park High School (Corner of Armitage Ave.and Orchard St.)
When – Saturdays from May 15-Oct. 30
Hours – 7am-1pm

Lincoln Square Evening Farmers Market

Where – Lincoln Square (Corner of Lincoln & Leland)
When – Every THursday from Jun 17 to Sept. 2
Hours – 4-8pm

Willis Tower Plaza Farmers Market

Where – Willis Tower (233 S. Wacker Dr.)
When – Thursdays from June 17 through Oct. 14
Hours – 7am-3pm

Uptown Farmers Market

Where – Weiss Memorial Hospital (4646 N. Marine Dr.)
When -Thursdays from June 24 through Oct. 7
Hours – 8am-1pm

Division Street Farmers Market

Where – On Division between State & Clark
When – Saturdays May 15 through Oct. 30
Hours – 7am-1pm

Northcenter Farmers Market

Where – Northcenter Town Square (4100 N. Damen)
When – Saturdays June 19 through Oct. 30
Hours – 7am-1pm

Southport Green Market

Where – Blaine School (1420 Grace St.)
When – Saturdays June 12 through Oct. 9
Hours – 8am-2pm

Beverly Farmers Market

Where – 9500 S. Longwood Dr.
When – Sundays May 16-Oct. 24
Hours – 7am-1pm

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I scream, you scream, we all scream for Margie’s Candies!

Posted in Go Eat | May 27, 2010

I don’t know how I have lived in the city for 6 years without visiting Margie’s Candies! Well I came to my senses yesterday, and visited their Montrose location. If you like home-made ice cream and hand-dipped candies, this is the place for you. They have been bringing smiles to Chicago’s kids and parents alike since 1921.

The portions are HUGE and the ice cream is DELICIOUS! In addition to a staggering selection of ice cream sundays, they also serve a small selection of salads and sandwiches. Honestly, with the size of their sundays, I say skip the sandwich and get a banana split for lunch. Doesn’t the banana negate some of the calories?

If you have a school aged kid, bring in their next report card. Margie’s gives a free scoop of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry if they get an A.

Two Chicago Locations:

North Center - 1813 W. Montrose Ave.
Original Bucktown location – 1960 N. Western Ave. (I hope to visit the original location this weekend)

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Go Green at Chicago’s Green Festival

Posted in Go Green, Go Play Inside | May 21, 2010

If you are interested in learning more about being green and green companies, check out the Chicago Green Festival this weekend.

In addition to the more than 350 green business attending, you’ll also enjoy great how-to workshops, a Fair Trade pavilion, a Green Home pavilion, an Organic Food and Gardening pavilion, a Community Action and Green Careers pavilion, a Sweet Spot Café, a Green Kid’s activities and delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine.

Green Kids Zone activities include crafts, sing along, animal show, yoga, storytime and more.

Where – Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
When – Sat., May 22 from 10am-7pm, Sun., May 23 from 11am-6pm
Cost – Adults $10, kids are FREE

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Check out Family Adventure Day this Saturday at Northerly Island!

Posted in Go Play Outside | May 20, 2010

This Saturday is suppose to be beautiful, so get outside and enjoy some good old fashion family fun at Family Adventure Days at Northerly Island. Your kids can learn to fish, build a fort, fly a kite or even make a painting with mud. Best of all, the entire event is FREE.

Where – Northerly Island (1400 S. Lynn White Dr.)
When – Saturday, May 22nd from 10am-3pm
Cost – FREE

Kids Activities Include:

Discover Illinois Wildlife: Kids will learn about the different wildlife that lives throughout this region.
Build a campfire: Kids will learn about fire safety, how to build a safe campfire, sing songs and enjoy marshmallows!
Mapping/ Geo-caching: Use a compass to follow a trail or a GPS device to uncover geo-cache locations on Northerly Island.
Discovery Hike: Kids and families can partake in a naturalist-led walk around Northerly Island starting every 15 minutes.
Mayor Daley’s Fish’n Kids Program: Free fishing instruction for kids 6 and up. Kids are guaranteed to catch a fish!
Fort Building: Kids will use found materials from the natural surroundings to build their own forts.
Land Art: Kids will use found materials from the natural surroundings, create their own artwork in nature and photograph it!
Earth Balloon: Learn about geography in the 20-foot tall earth balloon, presented by the Geographic Society of Chicago. Kids can enter inside and explore geography.
Fairy Houses: Do fairies really exist? If you build it, they will come. Kids use their imagination and create a fairy house from nature.
Frogs and Toads, Oh My!: Feel the difference between a frog, toad and a turtle with crazy educator David Stokes. Everyone will learn something new!
Mud Painting: Create your masterpiece from mud! Garfield Park Conservatory will help kids create a masterpiece using natural elements such as mud.
Kite flying: Kids and families can enjoy flying kites for free! Check out a kite and let them take to the skies. Wind dependant!
Pitch a Tent: Kids can learn how to properly put up a tent and explore a campsite with help from Inner City Outings.
Stars and Constellations: Inner City Outings helps kids learn about stars and constellations by arranging “stars” on the grass.

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Don’t miss Little Miss Ann and Mr. Singer at the Beat Kitchen

Posted in Go Play Outside | May 13, 2010

Do your kids like to bust a move?

Mine sure do, and there are two great family concerts coming up at the Beat Kitchen . Little Miss Ann and Mr. Singer are among the best kids musicians in Chicago, and both will be playing in May at the Beat Kitchen.

The Beat Kitchen is a great venue for kids concerts. Not only can you grab some yummy brunch before the show (kitchen opens at 11:30), but they also have a free craft sponsored by Unicoi Art Studio after the show.

Where – Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont)
When – Little Miss Ann on May 16th at noon & Mr. Singer on May 23rd at noon
Cost – $5 per person (you can buy advanced tickets, but we always just get them at the door)

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Ideas for Celebrating Mother’s Day in Chicago!

Posted in Holiday/Seasonal | May 5, 2010

As always, Chicago has lots to offer families looking for something fun to do this Mother’s Day. Here are a couple of the great ideas I’ve found. Enjoy!

Mother’s Day Craft Workshop at Pottery Barn Kids – Make colorful tissue-paper flowers for mom.

Where – Pottery Barn Kids (2111 N. Clybourn)
When – May 8 and May 9 from 2-4pm
Cost – FREE

Mother and Daughter Fun Flourish Day – Event includes hair up-do’s by Sweet & Sassy, crafts by Caravan Beads, tasty treats and photography by Shay Feeney Photography.

Where – Flourish Studio (3020 N. Lincoln)
When – May 8 at 10:30am
Cost – $20 per duo

Pre-Mother’s Day Bash – Booger’s concert and kids can make their own pizza.

Where – Reggies (2105 S. State St.)
When – May 8th at 3pm
Cost – $5 per person or $15 per family ($5 for make your own Pizza buffet)

14th Annual Celtic Fest - Includes a Mother’s Day limerick contest.

Where – Millennium Park Jay Pritzker Pavillion
When – May 8 and 9 from 11am-9pm
Cost – FREE

Mom’s Get In Free at the Shedd

Where – Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lakeshore Dr.)
When – May 9
Cost – FREE with another paid admission, must bring coupon.

Mother’s Day Out at Pump It Up

Where – Pump It Up (821 W. Eastman)
When – May 9 from 10-2pm
Cost – with chaperone $10, drop off $20 (includes lunch)
Registration required

Family Arts and Crafts Workshop – Event includes creative workshops for the whole family – mural painting, character illustrations, gift-making, family portraits, and more.

Where -Rumble Arts Center (3413 W. North Ave.)
When – May 8 from 11am-3pm
Cost – FREE

Decorate and Plant with Wonder Works – Decorate your own 6″ planter with a variety of different materials then fill it with your choice of flowers. This gift will last all summer long.

Where – Wonder Works (6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park)
When – May 7 from 11am-4pm
Cost – General admission +$5

Mother’s Day Brunch at Lambs Farm

Where – Lambs Farm Country Inn Restaurant (14245 W. Rockland Rd., Libertyville)
When – May 9 at 10am, noon and 2pm
Cost – $19.95 adults, $10.95 Children
Reservations required – 847.362.5050

Mother’s Day Odyssey Cruise – Mother’s Day brunch or dinner cruise

Where – Odyssey Cruise Navy Pier
When – May 9 at 9:30, 1:30 or 5:30
Cost – Early brunch $64.90, late brunch $69.90, dinner $79.90 (kids 1/2 price)
Reservations required – 866.305.2469

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All I want for Mother’s Day is…

Posted in Go Shop, Holiday/Seasonal | May 2, 2010

I was thinking to myself this morning about Mother’s Day, and how I wanted to spend the day. My girlfriend Ami, and fellow blogger, did a great post called Luxury Redefined. She talks about what we used to consider a luxury and what now, as mothers, we consider a luxury. This got me thinking about how I would love to spend Sunday with my family, but would also love to enjoy some of the “mommy” luxuries I long for…things like going to the bathroom by MYSELF, sleeping in past 7:15am, and call me crazy, but not wiping a tushy for an entire day. Now that would be a luxury!

In addition to a bit of me time, I would be lying if I said I did not want a gift. Call me materialistic, but I love getting gifts. They don’t have be extravagant, just thoughtful. My husband does not look at shopping as a hobby, so read on honey (and the rest of you hubbies out there)…here are a few hints.

Jewelry to remind you of your little one:

- Twinkle Twinkle Little One (3224 N. Damen) has a great selection of unique jewelry that will remind you of your little ones. Everything from a victorian edge ring and beautiful leather bracelet with your little ones face on them to a beautiful silver name tag necklaces.

- Bellybum Boutique (4347 N. Lincoln) carries ID Tag initial jewelry by local jewelry artist, Jules Schwanbeck; jules. jewelry. They have a sleek, modern feel to them.

- Custom Silhouette Jewelry – I found a couple of stores on Etsy that will make a custom charm out of your little ones silhouette. Lucky Me Beads does them in vintage brass and Stella and Hodge does them in Pewter. So precious!

Jewelry Just For You:

- Another friend of mine, Hadley Denny, is also a local jewelry artist. She makes beautiful, organic pieces designed with shells and semi precious stones in sterling and gold. Her work can be found at Elizabeth Grace (2438 N. Clark), or you can contact her directly at hadleymdenny@gmail.com.

Stroller Envy & Other Gifts For Mom’s On The Go:

- Last year my hubby gave me these amazing little speakers for my iPhone, iHome Rechargeable Mini Speaker. They are perfect to bring along to the beach or a picnic with my girls. Now we can have a dance party anywhere.

- The Today Show recently did a story on tricking out your stroller. Who knew you could pimp out your stroller? A few of these can be found at Giggle (2116 N. Halsted) including the Strollometer and Valet Stroller Clips, which I have and love.

Some of the Today Show’s other featured products included MyCyFi.com wireless iPhone speaker, Munchkin cup-holder and a super cool holder for you phone or Blackberry, TheTexthook.com.