UnitedHealthcare’s campaign is about stepping up for better healthcare with tools and resources designed to help people meet their health goals (www.timetostepup.com). They’re holding live, free events in Chicago this week through Sunday, October 6. They’ll have a video booth to share a story of how your or someone you know has stepped up to […]
Archives for 2013
Brick-or-Treat at Legoland Discovery Center
October 3, 2013 By
WHAT: A ghoulishly good time is brewing at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago during the month-long Brick-or-Treat Halloween extravaganza. The fang-tastic festivities take place everyday, October 5-31, and are perfect for little ghouls and goblins. Activities include: Trick-or-treat for LEGO® bricks that, when all are collected, create a special Halloween-themed model (free while supplies last) Dare […]
Cre8tive Art Launch Event With Art Mobb & Microsoft Giveaway
October 2, 2013 By
This is last minute but sounds like a fun event! (Information & prizes provided by Microsoft) Who: Art Mobb (Mike Farhat & Chris Hoyle) What: Prepare to be dazzled in-store with celebrity artists Art Mobb (Mike Farhat and Chris Hoyle) as they unveil and premier their latest original Plexiglas piece and create their unique style of […]
Harvest Fest at Santa’s Village AZoosment Park 2013
September 28, 2013 By
It’s the season for fall festivals and Santa’s Village AZoosment Park’s Harvest Fest opened today! Below is information about Harvest Fest. For more details see my full post about Santa’s Village AZoosment Park. Dates: Weekends and Columbus Day, September 28 through October 27, 2013 Hours: 11:00 am-6:00 pm most days. Open 10:00 am-2:00 pm Thursday […]
Fall Festival Returns to Donley’s Wild West Town
September 27, 2013 By
The Fall Festival at Donley’s Wild West Town kicks off on September 28 and runs through October 27. Fall Festival puts a spin on the average pumpkin patch, offering a variety of Halloween festivities including spooky train rides, entertaining attractions and a pumpkin painting contest. In addition to the regular rides and activities offered at […]
Museum Day Live! – Free Museum Admission September 28, 2013
September 23, 2013 By
The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC is free everyday, but on September 28, 2013 museums across the country will be honoring the Smithsonian by offering free admission. Museum Day Live! is an event hosted by the Smithsonian Museum every year and participating museums will be offering two free tickets per household. The tickets are valid […]
VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Playset Review and Giveaway
September 22, 2013 By
Now that Cooper’s in school all day Dexter and Campbell have lost their playmate. Both of them spent more time playing with Cooper than each other, so they’re starting to develop a better relationship now. Campbell’s too young for the things Dexter is usually playing with – LEGOs, playdough, etc – so I […]
Mud Masterpieces at the Kohl Children’s Museum – Giveaway!
September 21, 2013 By
I’m always looking for new and exciting things to do with the kids. Sure, we have our old favorites, but sometimes you want to try something new and interesting. SpotOn.it is a great way to find events and activities near you that fit into your schedule. One of the events you can learn about right […]
Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic
September 15, 2013 By
Website: Disney On Ice Location: United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago The United Center can be reached by public transportation by taking the Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown line to Madison, and then taking the 20 bus west. Phone: United Center – 312-455-4500 Ticketmaster – 800-745-3000 Dates and hours: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 – Sunday, September […]
Sweet Home Chicago #LoveThisCity #MC
September 12, 2013 By
I was born and raised in Chicago. I grew up with a “fronchroom”, and chased friends through gangways and alleys, and I know you’re not supposed to order a hot dog with ketchup (but I do it anyway because that’s how I like them). I #LoveThisCity because it’s my home, but it’s so much […]
Mother’s & More of McHenry Kidstuff Resale Event – September 14, 2013
September 11, 2013 By
The McHenry County chapter of Mothers & More is holding it’s semi-annual Kidstuff Resale this Saturday. Details on the sale are below. Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013 Time: 8:00 am – Noon Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1023 McHenry Avenue, Crystal Lake Cost: $1 admission or a non-perishable food item to be donated […]
Walmart Family Mobile: Best Wireless to Keep Me Connected
September 9, 2013 By
Back to school time! For me this means it’s time to find the best wireless plan to keep me connected with my kids and family. #Cbias gave me an opportunity to try out WalMart Family Mobile. When Cooper was born I left my job to be a stay-at-home mom, and I’m with my kids constantly. […]
Disney On Ice Invites Chicago-Area Fans to Help Feed Hungry Neighbors
September 7, 2013 By
I received information about this event and wanted to share: In support of this year’s National Day of Service and Remembrance, Disney On Ice is inviting Chicago-area fans to help feed their hungry neighbors with donations to the city’s Marillac Food Pantry. Disney On Ice stars will be accepting non-perishable food donations from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, […]
New Autism Family Center Serves Chicago’s North Shore
September 6, 2013 By
In my previous life (before kids), I was a lawyer and I worked representing abused, neglected, and dependent children. Most of my job was ensure that my clients received all the services they needed, and since a lot of my clients had special needs there were a lot of services to be coordinated – physical, […]
Goldfish Swim School Grand Openings
September 5, 2013 By
Goldfish Swim School, which offers swim lessons for children as young as 4 months, just opened two new locations in the Chicago area and to celebrate they’re having two Grand Opening Events: Goldfish Swim School St. Charles Grand Opening Event When: Saturday, September 7, 2013 from 2:30–6:30 p.m. Where: 3455 Legacy Blvd. St. Charles, IL […]
Pleygo – LEGO Rental Subscription Service
September 4, 2013 By
I’m really excited about this. My boys (I’m including John) LOVE LEGOs. We have a bajillion sets, but you can never have enough LEGOs. We’re getting an opportunity to try out Pleygo and I know they’ll be thrilled. And I can’t wait to post later to tell you about our experience. Wondering what Pleygo […]
The Children’s Place: The Place for Back to School
September 4, 2013 By
I’m one of those nerdy people who gets all excited about back-to-school shopping. I love the displays of notebooks waiting to be filled, pens & markers full of fresh ink, and cute backpacks and lunch bags. And school clothes! As much as I love summer, the displays of jeans and long pants and bulky fall […]
Chicago Recipe Giardiniera Sausages – Review and Giveaway
August 28, 2013 By
Chicago-style hot dogs are legendary and giardiniera is a favorite topping of many Chicagoans. Johnsonville combined giardiniera with smoked sausage to make Chicago Recipe Giardiniera Sausages and offer to let us try some, so Toddling Dad is taking over: Toddling Dad Here. Toddling mom recently asked me to try Johnsonville Chicago Recipe Giardiniera Sausages. I have […]
Meijer’s Back-to-School Photo Sweepstakes
August 27, 2013 By
I love trying to imagine what my kids will be like when they’re grown. I wonder what characteristics, interests, and personality quirks will fade away and which ones will stick with them into adulthood. Every day I see the things they do and wonder if that’s a hint to what they’ll be. Maybe Dexter will […]
Puritan’s Pride Summer Essentials – Review, Promo Code, & Giveaway
August 27, 2013 By
School may have started, but summer is not over yet! I tested out some great summer essentials recently from Puritan’s Pride. Here’s some information from the Puritan’s Pride website: Puritan’s Pride (www.puritan.com) was founded over 40 years ago with a health and wellness mission that focused on making the finest quality nutritional supplements available at the […]
SpotOn.it: Enhance Your Family Calendar
August 23, 2013 By
When Cooper was a baby and toddler, before Dexter and Campbell came along, I spent a lot of time at home with him. I wasn’t used to being home on weekdays and I was new to the whole mommy thing and I had a hard time finding stuff to do and places to go. I […]
Magic Moves Electronic Wand by Educational Insights (Review)
August 22, 2013 By
Cooper started full-day kindergarten recently and that made me worry about Dexter. Cooper is his constant playmate – they play with Legos, they race around the yard (and in the house despite my constant reminders not to run in the house), and they make up silly games that only they understand. I was concerned that […]
Skydeck Chicago (with Giveaway!)
August 20, 2013 By
Website: Skydeck Chicago Location: Willis Tower (still the Sears Tower to me), 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago Phone: 877-SKYDECK Hours: Open 365 days a year. April-September 9:00 am-10:00 pm October-March 10:00 am-8:00 pm Last entry 30 minutes prior to close. Admission: $18/adult (12 & up), $12/child (3-11) FastPass $40/person (VIP access to elevators) Tickets can […]
Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips Deliver #GiantFlavor
August 17, 2013 By
I recently had a chance to test out the new Green Giant™ Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chip – Garden Ranch and Green Giant Multigrain Sweet Potato Chip – Barbecue. Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips won’t replace vegetables, but they’re tasty and a nice choice if I’m offering my kids a little treat. We brought some of the […]
What Makes You Smile? Floss & Brush Review & Giveaway
August 17, 2013 By
There are a lot of things that make me smile lately. I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend and three fun little boys; I like where we live and the our day-to-day lives; we have a fantastic family and amazing friends. These photos are not very good; they’re dark or blurry […]
Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years of Magic – Activities & Giveaway
August 15, 2013 By
I posted earlier about Disney On Ice celebrating 100 Years of Magic in Chicago next month (see the post for all the detail about the show!) and now I’ve got some fun stuff to share! Click to download a Disney coloring page and Mickey and Minnie Ears! I also have tickets to give away! Enter below. Winner will […]
Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic in Chicago
August 15, 2013 By
Disney On Ice is returning to Chicago next month and they’re celebrating 100 years! Where: The United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago When: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 – Sunday, September 15, 2013 Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7:00 pm Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7:00 pm Friday, Sept 13 at 7:00 pm Saturday, Sept 14 at 11:30 […]
Cissna Park’s Old Settlers
August 14, 2013 By
This one’s a bit of the beaten path but if you’re thinking to yourself, Hmm… I’d like to take a bit of a road trip for some small town family fun, then this is it! Other things of interest on your way or in the area: The Heartland Spa in Gilman, Exploration Station Children’s Museum in Bourbonnais, […]
Back-to-School Physicals with Walgreens Healthcare Clinic
August 12, 2013 By
My 5-year-old, Cooper, is starting kindergarten this year so we got him his school physical recently with our regular pediatrician, but I forgot that Dexter, who’s starting preschool, would need one too. It’s already August and school starts soon so I knew it would be difficult to get an appointment for Dexter. Then I heard […]
Santa’s Village AZoosment Park Giveaway – 2013
August 8, 2013 By
Enter to win a family pass, good for up to 4 people, for Santa’s Village AZoosment Park! There will be two winners and the passes are good until the end of the 2013 season in October. Want more information about Santa’s Village AZoosment Park? See my 2011, 2012, and 2013 posts about our experiences. a […]
