Disclosure: My kids are ridiculously lucky to try all of this stuff for free. Although my activities around Chicago are compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and impressively flexible children are entirely my own. *** Want to see what those monkeys of mine have been up to for the past two weeks? (Here’s a recap for folks just tuning in now; don’t worry, the only plot twist that could possibly confuse you would be the moment that I jumped in the pool. Which {Read More}
Splashing and splitzing around Chicago: Weeks 1 & 2
February 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: My kids are lucky li’l ducks to be offered so many complimentary classes. But although I’m being compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and snoring offspring are entirely my own. *** That trio of mine enjoys staying supremely active. (And I enjoy letting them out crazy amounts of excess afternoon energy; it’s a little bit like letting a bit of steam eke out of a very full, very shouty teapot.) And thanks to Goldfish Swim School and Design Dance- our two {Read More}
Having “the talk” with the #StreamTeam
January 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a member of Netflix’s Stream Team, I share tidbits about the streamiest best in programming each month; even though I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and gaps in parental duty are entirely my own. (Unless some of the gaps can be attributed to P.J.) *** The Talk Having “the talk” has been a rite of passage (for sweaty-palmed parents) since the beginning of time; and guess what? Their offspring probably know every single thing they’re being awkwardly told, and could {Read More}
An interview with two experienced Pearachuters.
July 18, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a Pearachute Ambassador, it’s my business to tell you all about the classes, activities, sports, and play times in the greater Chicagoland area. (And business is GOOD.) Although I’m being compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and children with sand in their ears(?!) are entirely my own. ***FYI, stay with me ’til the bottom for new locales and crazy-new prices!*** *** Sure, you’ve all heard me go on (and on and on) about how great Pearachute is as a flexible {Read More}
Pearachute digs your summer groove.
June 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a Pearachute ambassador, I sometimes question my good fortune to be able to share our favorite Chicagoland adventures, all using this simple yet brilliant app. Although I’m being compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and sun-freckled children are entirely my own. *** Oh, friends. TGISummerVacationFinallyFinallyFINALLY. I am so massively in love with lazy(ish) mornings spent reading in our jammies, quiet hours building sand castles at the beach (pre-lunch crowd), and lounge-y afternoons spent poking around backyards, the parks, and corners of our {Read More}
Yanking out the teeth. (A love story.)
June 23, 2016 By Leave a Comment
I remember my Dad yanking out my teeth. That sounds horrible in the re-telling, doesn’t it? He didn’t whip out the pliers or anything but, after two hours of hearing me hem n’ haw about how loose my tooth was or how gross it was feeling, he’d nod in my direction and ask to have a look. By the time I’d opened my mouth to reply, he’d reached in, twisted the (impossibly tiny) sucker, and thwacked it into the palm {Read More}
New Pearachute deals, just in time for summer (camp)!
May 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a Pearachute ambassador, I’m happier than a kid with a new box of sidewalk chalk to share our Chicagoland adventures with this marvelous activity-tastic app. Although I’m being compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and introverted children are entirely my own. *** Hey, it’s totally almost summer! (Get back to your desk- I said almost.) Thinking about camps and classes for your little ones? You are so not alone. And the good folks at Pearachute have you covered with new {Read More}
The Joffrey’s “Cinderella” is a fanciful must-see.
May 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Nora loves ballet. Nora loves to twirl around our house in front of an imaginary audience, choreograph moves to the “ballet” (classical) radio station, and- for that one session at the Chicago Park District- take an actual ballet class. But up until last week, the only “real” ballet she’d ever seen was The Joffrey’s Nutcracker (for three years in a row which, admittedly, is an unbelievably beautiful show). I was curious to see how she’d respond to a ballet she {Read More}
