Dupage Mamas

We've Moved!!

2009-08-08T00:21:00.003-05:00

We are SUPER EXCITED to tell everyone about the new look of Dupage Mamas!! We got a makeover courtesy of my fabulous hubby!

Come check out our new look!
WWW.DUPAGEMAMAS.COM

Please update your reader or any links to us with this address. All future posts will be at the new site and we don't want you to miss a thing!! As always, we welcome your feedback- what do you love, what do we need to add/change,... Let us know! We will soon be announcing some giveaways and contests especially for subscribers so be sure to get in on that action early! And tell your friends too!

We have loved having all of you on this new adventure so far... please continue to join us as we
Guide Our Kids through Our Community!!

WWW.DUPAGEMAMAS.COM

Winter Hats?- WPF

2009-08-07T07:36:00.005-05:00

My toddler wanted us all to wear hats yesterday. He picked out one for me (his winter hat) and for himself and for his brother. We played "Polar Bears" for most of the morning. And then we took off the hats and pretended to be sharks. :) I tried to capture the three of us with our hats on with my cell phone camera. It happens to be the only camera I have right now. Obviously, I am not that good at self-portraits with my cell phone. Maybe I should practice more. Or maybe I should just buy a new camera. We could call it my 1yr. old's birthday present (which is next week-Ahhhh!!!). Anyone have a good point-and-shoot they could recommend? I was thinking about getting a Nikon 'cuz I have had bad luck with Canons. (But it might just be me.) Any thoughts?

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

We would love to get some pictures from all of you. Please send us your own weird pictures. You know you got em'!!

Enjoying Summer- Dupage Links for August 6th

2009-08-06T06:05:00.001-05:00

The weekends of summer are quickly counting down. I don't know about you, but I feel like it took us so long to get into the swing of summer that now I want to cram as much fun in as I can before the weather turns cold again. And with all that is going on around us in the next few weeks, it seems I am not the only one trying to pack on the fun.

All night Garage Sale- Friday August 7th 9am through Saturday August 8th 4pm
Wheaton Drama Playhouse 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton
Admission is free. Come see what treasures may await... at 1am!! :)

Veggie Fest 2009- Saturday August 8th 11 am - 8 pm and Sunday August 9th 11 am - 7 pm
Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, 4S 175 Naperville-Wheaton Road, Naperville
This free event features cooking demos, over 100 food vendors, and health talks by medical professionals... all centered around eating vegetarian and making healthy lifestyle choices. There will also be events and games for kids, live music and a food drive collecting non-perishable vegetarian foods to be donated to the People's Resource Center. I was perusing the video and comments about the event last year. It seems pretty cool. Are there any vegetarian DupageMamas out there that want to check this out and take some pictures to share?

Poochapalooza- Sunday, August 9th 1pm-4pm
Spring Avenue Dog Park, 185 Spring Avenue, Glen Ellyn
Fun for your whole family, including your canine friends. There will be pet vendors and demonstrations and a performance by the Purina Incredible Dog Team. The cost is $5 per pooch and you can register at www.gepark.org. I am for sure taking my Beagle down for some puppy-fun. If nothing else, maybe he'll learn something from the highly trained Purina dogs. It can't hurt to try.

Children's Flea Market- Wednesday August 12th 10-11:30am
Geneva Public Library Youth Services Department
A place for kids to sell their unwanted toys and trinkets and browse other kids' unwanted treasures too. All items must sell for $1 or less. Visit www.geneva.lib.il.us for more info and to register. What a great idea!! Although, with my will-power I would leave with more toys than I came with.

League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn's Annual Wine and Cheese Event- Thursday August 13th 7pm
Hungry for some stimulating conversation and some free wine and cheese? This event is for you. The Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters is holding their annual new member's event. The focus of the evening is talking about ways you can get more involved in local and state politics and discussing current issues that affect us all. The event is free and open to the public but is held in a private home so send an e-mail to info@lwvge.org to find out the event details.

"Surviving the Recession" Workshops- Saturday August 15th 8:30am - 1:30pm
DuPage County Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton
Information about different programs in DuPage county that can help resolve issues regarding health care, employment, and food assistance. Also advice on how to avoid home foreclosure and stay afloat in these challenging financial times.

County Fair- Saturday August 29- Sunday August 30th
Kline Creek Farm County Farm Road Winfield
A recreation of an 1890's county fair, complete with a flea circus. :)

Also at Kline Creek Farm, don't forget their regular children's story hours and chore times for some classic summer fun.

Other great resources for Dupage summer fun:
Outdoor concerts, movies, and more at the Arboretum
A very extensive list of events around Dupage County courtesy of the DupageConvention and Visitors' Bureau

Wanna take your kids to a ballgame but don't want to drive? Check out the Pace Bus routes to Wrigley and U.S. Cellular Field.

And as always, be sure to check with your loal park district to see what summer fun they have planned for the next few weeks. Then just get out there are enjoy the last few weeks of summer with your family and your community!

Organic...or not?

2009-08-05T07:44:00.000-05:00

No sooner did I write this post about when to buy organic foods than I heard the shocking news: Organic food might not be any healthier than conventionally grown foods.

Ok, so I wasn't shocked. This isn't the first time that the label "organic" has been called into question. Its become such a popular term that everyone is looking to slap "organic" or "natural" stickers on their products, often without really meeting the standards the consumer is hoping or expecting.

I have a lot of questions though. For instance, the study suggests that the nutritional content is not higher in organic food than in conventionally grown food. That makes sense to me. But what about benefits that come from not having exposure to pesticides? Was that studied as well?

I've never been converted to the full organic lifestyle, though I do try to make that choice when it is affordable, convenient, and seems important to me. But intuitively, food grown without chemicals seems better to our entire eco-system than food with chemicals.

I'm not the only one with questions - an entire industry has been put on edge by the news. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more studies in the near future.

In the meantime, Organic gardening is all the rage this year, studies or no studies. After Michelle Obama planted an organic garden at the White House with her own hands, there was literally a run on organic seeds and plants at Garden Centers all over the world. Even the Queen of England started a garden at Buckingham palace, for the first time since World War II.

Now, my friends and I planted an organic garden this year as well, even before Michelle put her's into the ground. Who's to say that the Queen wasn't equally influenced by my garden?

Yeah, I guess not.

A Lucky Find- Hot Spot Hot Dogs

2009-08-04T06:26:00.001-05:00

Have you ever found a truly awesome place to eat or shop totally by accident? Whenever I find myself in that scenario, I always feel so proud of myself, like somehow my good taste helped me maneuver my way into a lucky find. When in actuality, it is just that. A lucky find.

After a recent trip to a very cool park with my boys and some good friends, we ventured out to find some lunch near by. One mom knew of a great little local sandwich shop, but when we got there we realized it had fallen victim to the poor economy and closed down. So, being in an area that none of us were all that familiar with, we were forced to go with what was in the same strip mall. Lucky for us, we stumbled into Hot Spot Hot Dogs.

Located in a strip mall near the Fountains of Carols Stream (near the corner of Gary Ave. and Leis Rd.), Hot Spot Hog Dogs is a small little eatery with big flavor. The unassuming exterior may lead you astray. But once inside, the food is great! Hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef, and tamales (yes, tamales!) are the mainstays of the minimal menu. We tasted a little of everything between those in our group. It was all fabulous. The extras are amazing too. The fries are unpeeled, home cut, and fried to be a little soft and perfectly salty. I got some pasta salad with the intention of feeding it to my 1yr. old and ended up eating most of it myself. It was de-lish!!!

The cool factor gets taken up a notch when you pick your beverage. You can certainly order the run-of-the-mill 12oz. soda in a can. But, they also have all kinds of old-school sodas in bottles cooled in big metal tubs. Orange Fanta, Root Beer, yummy sweet tea. HotSpot has dozens of different bottled drinks to quench your thirst and give you that little bit of nostalgic flare.

The prices are reasonable, probably because they haven't invested too much in seating for their customers. The only downside of my new favorite lunch spot is their lack of table space. They only have two picnic tables and a few bar stool tables for those of us who like to eat-in. It seemed that most of the constant stream of customers had their food packaged to-go. But what they lack in atmosphere, they more than make up for in taste and friendly service. They do have a super cool metal representation of the Chicago skyline on the wall.

It is a lucky find, indeed. One I will be going back to again and again and telling all my friends about. It was that good. And I was that lucky to find it.

HotSpot Hot Dogs
1030 Fountain View Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 690-3644
Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Improving my diet, one BPA free meal at a time

2009-08-03T06:30:00.000-05:00

This is the next post in our new series on Feeding our Family. If there is a specific idea or post topic you would like to read about as part of this series, e-mail us at dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

When it comes to feeding my family healthy-not-harmful food, I've long since decided that "perfect" isn't going to be my goal. Instead, I'm shooting for marks like "improvement" or "better." When I shoot for perfection I realize it doesn't exist, so I fail and get discouraged and end up doing less. When I shoot for taking baby steps towards improving I succeed and get excited and end up making real progress.

So, I'm always looking for rules of thumb or tips I can follow. I recently came across the three tips that EWG suggests for feeding your family. They suggest you limit your exposure to foods with pesticides, foods with BPA, and foods with growth hormones.

Ok, that sounds about right. But how?

Avoiding pesticides typically means buying organic, which I find is often easier said than done. The single most helpful "hint" I've found is this document, which lists the "Dirty Dozen" - the 12 items of produce that carry the most harmful pesticide residue - and the "Clean 15". So if you can only afford to buy some organic foods, this list will help you know what to prioritize and when its ok to buy conventionally grown foods.

Then there's the little matter of BPA. The main place where this nasty chemical will show up in our diet is in certain kinds of plastics and basically all canned products. The way to avoid it is to be sure that the plastics you use for storing water and food are BPA free. The worst plastic for BPA is the kind with a #7 recycle label, while those with a #1, 2, 4, or 5 do not have BPA. As for canned goods, by fresh or frozen instead of canned whenever possible. That goes for veggies, fruit, soup, pasta, beans...if it comes in a can, it has BPA.

As for growth hormones? These may be showing up in your non-organic meat and dairy, but cannot be used in meat and dairy that is labelled as organic. I personally haven't made this leap yet, and its a costly one.

So here are the rules of thumb for healthier eating:

buy organic produce, at least when shopping for "the Dirty Dozen"
avoid using #7 plastics for food or water and stick to #1, 2, 4, or 5
avoid canned goods when possible
consider buying organic meat and dairy

This isn't going to make my family's diet perfect, and I won't be following this perfectly either. But these tips have helped me improve our diet. One step at a time.

Do you have any rules of thumb or quick tips for improving your family's diet? Please share! You can leave them here in the comments or, better yet, write your own musings on feeding your family and we will post it as part of our series.

Weird Picture Friday- Photo Booth Fun

2009-07-31T00:05:00.000-05:00

Cath and I went to a swanky party last weekend for Chicago Moms Blog. They had this fun photo booth for the guests and we decided to take full advantage. It was so fun to get dressed up and go downtown for a little solo-fun. As much as I love my babies and even love having them in the sling, I do love to have some time when I am my own person with no little person hanging on me. We had some good conversation, good laughs, and good cocktails. It doesn't get much better than that!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

We would love to get some pictures from all of you. Please send us your own weird pictures. You know you got em'!!

Weekend Events and the National Night Out- Dupage Links for July 30, 2009

2009-07-29T23:07:00.009-05:00

This Saturday, August 1st, stop by the Whole Foods in Wheaton for some singing, dancing, healthy and delicious samplings, book readings, prizes and more! PBS' Miss Lori will be there as part of the entertainment.

Or if you like your entertainment a little more tactile, the Village of Winfield is having their annual Touch a Truck extravaganza also this Saturday the 1st at 11am. We went to a similar event a few weeks ago and the boys LOVED it!! You can't go wrong with ginormous dump trucks and diggers! Visit the website for a map to Winfield's Founder's Park on County Farm Rd.

Every weekend during the summer, the Morton Arboretum holds Theater-Hikes. In August, they are doing Charlotte's Web. They perform part of the play then the entire group hikes to the next location for the continuation of the play. We can't go this weekend, but we are definitely gonna try to fit this in this month. I think it sounds so fun! If you go, let me know what you think.

Next Tuesday, August 4th, is the National Night Out. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and to generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs. It is also meant to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Most communities will have increased police presence that night and are encouraging their residents to turn on all outdoor lights and get outside and talk with your neighbors. Some communities are having neighborhood watch meetings so check with your local village/city hall to see if your town has anything planned for the evening.

On August 5th, the Catholic Charities and the DuPage Educational Foundation will be holding a Back To School Fair where they distribute backpacks and school supplies to families struggling financially. This is done in cooperation with the Humanitarian Service Project, a group that strives to do the same year-round for under-privileged families in the DuPage County area. If you are interested in donating money or supplies to this effort, check out these links with contact information. My family and I are going to donate a backpack or two. I am always on the lookout for tangible ways to teach my sons about the importance of giving to others out of the abundance we have been blessed with. I am excited about this chance to let my family give back even in a small way to our community. Would anyone want to contribute something as a DupageMamas community? Leave a comment here or drop us an e-mail.

Do you know of any events coming up? Let us know so we can spread the word - or write up a post and we'll put it up. If you go to an event, write about it! Or take a picture for us to see the fun you're having.

Park District Roulette

2009-07-29T06:14:00.004-05:00

One of the many wonderful things about living in Dupage County is the well resourced Park Districts in most towns. When you have little kids with lots of energy, getting out and doing something structured and fun can be a "must." I always pounce on the Park District catalogs when they come, looking for fun things to enhance our week. Park Districts are like the multi-vitamin of daily fun: a great supplement.

And I don't limit myself to just one town either. I'm not afraid to pay the non-resident rate if I find something we could do with friends or just looks fantastic. We've done soccer camp at one town, swimming lessons in another, and tumbling class at still another - though not at the same time.

But there is certainly a sense of spinning the roulette wheel when we register and show up for the first day. Some classes and activities have been home runs - like the Chicago Fire MLS soccer camps held by real players with cool accents and great coaching skills. But there have been some major busts - like the gym class that promised to get lots of wiggles out playing games in the gym for 40 minutes. They spent 10 minutes in the gym and 30 minutes doing free play in a chaotic classroom with only one supervisor. (We didn't bother going back to that one).

Having paid for my share of Park District wins and loses, I'm convinced it comes down to the quality of the teacher, which in many respects comes down to the quality of the Park District itself. I can remember a teacher who facilitated a great tumbling class, and my friend raves about a wonderful music teacher. But I also have a fresh memory of a terrible story-time teacher who didn't come prepared with anything more than two books to read to a room full of two years olds that had an hour to spend in her care. Total miserable chaos.

Reading the Park District catalog at home, its hard to know what you're going to get. Everything I've signed up for has sounded fantastic. Some have really lived up to my expectations. And some have fallen so flat I've asked for my money back.

What Park Districts, teachers, or classes have you had a great experience with? I'm much more likely to sign up with a strong recommendation than to spin the roulette wheel these days.

Orange

2009-07-28T06:51:00.001-05:00

We've been talking about feeding your family around here lately. But what about when the "family" is a seven month old?

As soon as he could hold his head up, my baby B howled with frustration at meal times because he wasn't getting any. As soon as he could move his hands he did his best to remedy that by swiping at our foods. As soon as the Pediatrician gave me the go ahead, I started him on solid foods.

Its been confusing though. Some days he'll gobble up the whole jar and start howling each time I take the spoon back to refill because it is now six inches away from his mouth and that is just Too Far. Other times when offered food he'll turn his head to the right and begin crying bitterly each time the spoon comes near, with a distinct tone of "you have got to be kidding me."

(Just for the record, I told my husband before B was born that this child would be more compliant but a horrible sleeper and a picky eater. No word yet on compliance but otherwise I'm 2 for 2).

In my sleep deprived state it took me until this week to recognize the pattern. He loves peaches, sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash. He screams with personal offense about anything and everything else.

Orange. I guess his favorite color is Orange.

My feeding-your-child philosophy has always been: Offer what is being served. If child does not want it, he can have a no-thank you helping. If that's all he wants, fine, he won't starve. If he's hungry enough he'll eat it. Under no circumstances will a separate meal be prepared. Avoid power struggles and slippery-slopes.

This is a seven month old though. Power struggles are still in the future, but the slippery slopes begin now. So I'm baffled - do I buy mostly Orange Stuff because he's a baby and needs to eat? (He is, after all, still a very little Bee). Or do I continue to buy and toss Other Colored Foods? (But what is the point of buying food I know will only go in the garbage?) Or, do I mix a variety of foods into a still-predominantly-orange blend resulting in a more balanced diet but not teaching him how to eat (and enjoy!) what is being served?

In the meantime, all our rags, bibs, and increasingly, clothes, are permanently stained Orange.

Feeding our Family: Toddler Lunches

2009-07-27T06:27:00.001-05:00

This is the next post in our new series on Feeding our Family. If there is a specific idea or post topic you would like to read about as part of this series, e-mail us at dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

One of the hardest things for me about the daily grind of motherhood is feeding little people. It has always been a challenge for me to make sure my boys are getting a good mix of all the necessary food groups and nutrients. Lunches are particularly hard for me. The flow of the day rarely seems to lend itself to laid back lunch prep and drama free meal-time. Either we are on the go or nap time can't come fast enough. All this has led me to do some research on different lunch ideas that are quick and healthy or can be made ahead of time and frozen for easy heat-up. I like to mix it up and not feed the same ol' lunches all the time- you know, the PBJ and chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese and ... I worry that I am not giving them enough veges or calcium or grain or protein. There is so much to think about on top of making sure that they will actually eat what I manage to get in front of them.
So, for any of you who find themselves in the same boat as me, here are some websites and healthy lunch ideas I found to get you out of the lunch-time rut too.

Egg "McMuffins"- fried egg on a buttered english muffin, maybe with some ham for a little extra protein
Scrambled eggs with some grated cheese (My 3yr old LOVES this for any meal and I feel good 'cuz he is getting good protein)
Fruit and vege and cheese plates- raw veges or slightly steamed to make them easier to crunch
Cheese Quesadillas
Mini-pizzas on pita bread or bagels
Soup- chicken noodle, tomato, beef barley (We love the boxed versions from WholeFoods or TraderJoes- quick and healthy)
Pasta- plain or with a little butter or parm. cheese
Baked mac-n-cheese- you can cut this into squares and freeze them for quick re-heating
Turkey/Cheese roll-ups (or any lunch meat- nitrate free is best)
Ravioli- canned or frozen or homemade and pre-frozen if you are super ambitious
Bread or crackers with Hummus spread (we love this too! Good source or grain if you use wheat bread and a good protein source too)
Grilled cheese with ham or even a little tomato slice added in for some extra nutrients
Mini Meatloaf made in muffin tins-also can be made and frozen
Ramen noodles- only use a portion of the seasoning mix and remove some of the broth so it is a little less messy
Peanut butter and jelly in an ice-cream cone- a little twist on a classic, good for a quick snack too
Fruit Smoothies- add a little wheat germ or soy protein powder in there and they will never know. You can also juice some veges (in a juicer) and add that in too.

Here is a fun, toddler-friendly recipe to try: Put a stick of string cheese in a buttered hotdog bun. Microwave for 45secs. Serve with a bit of marinara sauce for dipping.

Some helpful websites:
Wholesome Toddler Foods
Healthy Toddler Lunches

Since I am all about moms helping other moms, I must give a shout out to my bloggy friend Terra who does such a good job being creative in how she feeds her family (and from who I got a lot of these ideas!).

Do you have any recipe ideas or helpful resources that we all could use to help us on this journey of feeding our family? Please share! You can leave them here in the comments or, better yet, write your own musings on feeding your family and we will post it as part of our series. Thanks Y'all!! (I met Paula Dean at BlogHer this past weekend... so maybe that has me inspired to cook.. and say y'all!)

**P.S.~ The new look of DupageMamas debuts THIS WEEK!! HOORAY!! I can't wait to show you!! **

Weird Picture Friday- Toddler Fashion

2009-07-24T07:20:00.000-05:00

Today's picture is from Lindsay from St. Charles. She says...

First of all, as if his head isn't big already, it's distorted because his face was right up at the lens of the camera. He had also just gotten his first pairs of Thomas underwear (in hopes that it would inspire the potty training process). My husband jokingly put the underwear on his head and then for several days my son wanted to wear them around like that. He is also wearing one sock..which he did for a while. Who knows???

Oh, the joys of toddlers and their fashion choices! Thanks so much Lindsay!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

We would love to get some pictures from all of you. Please send us your own weird pictures. You know you got em'!!

Concerts and Conferences and Fairs, oh my!

2009-07-23T12:51:00.005-05:00

Its Fair Time! We've said it before, but its finally here - the Dupage County Fair! There's so much to do - check it out.

Are any of you Bloggers going to BlogHer this weekend? Bloggers from all over the world are flying to our very own Chicago for one of the coolest blogging conferences around. I wasn't able to get a ticket in time (bummer!) but Farrah will be there so keep your eyes peeled!

Do any of you like Keb Mo? He's got some cool tunes, and he'll be playing at the Morton Arboretum on Friday, July 24th. And if that wasn't enough, Smokey Robinson is playing on Saturday, July 25th! So, head to the Arboretum and enjoy the music and nature together.

If that's not enough to choose from, Oak Brook's Mayslake Peabody Estate Open House and Art Fair is Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25th, with live music and theater and tours of the Estate.

Last but not least, my son's third birthday party is this coming Saturday - but not open to the public. :)

Its summer! Get outside, hear some live music, eat some donuts, and enjoy the sun.

Three

2009-07-22T09:13:00.001-05:00

In the weeks leading up to my oldest son's first birthday I had time carved out to reflect, to remember, to intentionally set down those things I didn't want to leave behind. My baby had grown up so fast. I mused over his transition from baby to little boy. I couldn't believe it had gone in the blink of an eye.

In the days leading up to his second birthday, I cut his hair for the first time. He looked so grown up, so handsome; he was so spirited, so independent. And I said, "if I thought the baby days were leaving us behind last year, they are clearly long gone now."

Now, in the hours leading up to his third birthday, I look back at the pictures from a year ago and contradict my former declarations once again. Surely it was this year, these twelve quickly passing month that truly saw him move from baby to boy. After all, this is the year where he left behind so much of the baby routines for Big Boy things instead.

Nothing can really compare to that first year. It begins with an umbilical cord and ends with walking and first words. If that's not an amazing journey, I don't know what is. Of course, there's also the nine months the preceeds it - beginning with bodily fluid and ending up with a person.

But this Two-to-Three year is nothing to shake a stick at either.

We left diapers behind this year, the high chair, the sling, wispy baby curls, sign language and transition words, rocking chair, bottles, and cribs. Instead we have Big Boy Bed, Big Boy Pants, Big Boy Chair...

I have a friend (you know who you are!) that used to sing this homemade song "She was a baby baby baby...now she's in college college college." Three is much closer to Baby than to College. But on some days, I can hear the echo.

Witnessing Transformation

2009-07-21T06:25:00.000-05:00

For his 3rd birthday, a friend gave us this ultra-cool butterfly kit by Insect Lore. It comes with a net habitat and a certificate for the caterpillars. Although I thought the gift was a great idea (creative, out of the ordinary, educational,...), I honestly forgot about it for awhile. And then on one inspired day while cleaning off my desk, I found the certificate and mailed it off. About 3-4weeks later, this is what arrived at my house:... a plastic jar with some sort of pectin food at the bottom and 5 tiny little caterpillars (about the size of your finger nail). We set the jar on the counter, not sure exactly of what to expect. They didn't move much at first. But slowly, they started to grow and eventually got to be an inch or two long. And then, about two weeks later and as if they knew they were on display and being watched, these little caterpillars moved their way to the top of the jar. They hung upside down from the lid of the jar and we could actually see them spinning their silky chrysalis around their bodies. They are making their cocoons!! This is actually working!!

the 5 chrysalis

We moved the chrysalis to the net habitat and waited. It was the first thing we ran to in the morning and the last thing we looked at before bed. We were waiting to see what would happen. Then one morning, about a week or so after they spun their tiny cocoon, we woke up to a beautiful butterfly in our net!! WOW!!

the first butterfly, coming out of the chrysalis

My little guy couldn't have been more excited. He sat there and stared at it. I have to admit, I was pretty enamored by the whole thing myself. Maybe it is the biology junkie in me or the joy of watching my son's amazement, but I couldn't get enough. It took about 3days for all of the butterflies to emerge and each was mostly brown when they first came out. It took a few days for them to fully open their wings and display their gorgeous hues of orange and pink and yellow. We fed them sugar-water on paper towels and slices of oranges and watermelon for the week or so that the butterflies lived in my kitchen.

From the beginning of this process, we started preparing him that we would have to let the butterflies go. He claimed to be fine with that, as long as he got to "hold one" first. We actually did open the net a few times and stick his arm in and the butterflies would land right on his hand. My son and his butterflies became fast friends. I didn't know how much he loved this little science experiment until it did come time to let them go. Tears were shed (him and me) and prayers said for God to "protect our friends the butterflies." Then in one of the beautiful off-the-beaten-path gardens of the Arboretum, we let the butterflies go. One at a time so we could say good bye to each one. It was one of my favorite moments of my son's life so far. The wonderment on his face as he put his hand out to let get each one out of the net and then watched as it slowly discovered it was free to fly away- it was awesome to watch. He was sad, but so tender and precious. It was one of those moments I will never forget.

Letting them go

Holding the butterflies

Saying good bye to butterfly friends is hard work!

This whole thing, from jar to Arboretum, has been such a fun experiment. I loved watching the transformation and watching my son as he soaked it all in. We will definitely do it again!!

You can get your own Butterfly kit at local Learning Express stores or online at Insect Lore. They have other things besides butterflies... maybe we'll do the Praying Mantis next... :)

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Do you have a product or something that you have done with your kids that other DupageMamas may want to know about? E-mail us your idea/thoughts dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

Sweeter Than Honey

2009-07-20T01:30:00.005-05:00

FEEDING OUR FAMILY:
This is the beginning of a series of posts about Feeding Our Family. For the next few weeks, we will have at least one post each week which focuses on all the different aspects of this topic and how we can help each other in this often daunting task of making sure our families eat healthy, well-rounded, on-time meals. If you have an idea for a post on this topic, please e-mail us at dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com. We would love to hear from you! Stay tuned for some really great discussion about how we can better Feed Our Family.

In this quest to be smart and healthy in how I feed my family, I am always on the look out for places that help me on this path. And while I always want to serve the best to my family, I don't always feel like cooking that food in my own kitchen. That is when it is super nice to have someone else who is cooking the healthy, organic food that should fill my boys' tummies.

Honey is an amazing restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn, in the western suburbs. They call themselves a "modern comfort cafe" and that pretty much says it all. Except I might add "yummy," and "delicious" and "soul-satisfying" to the list of descriptors. It is comfort food in the true sense that it is warm and flavor-ful. But beyond that, it is comfort food because I know that what my family and I are eating is good for us and good for the earth. Their produce is all organic, their meat is free range/grass-fed and often local. Even the wine and beer and coffee are organic. They bake most of their own bread and sweets every morning and make all their own sauces and salad dressings from scratch.

While these things are great and certainly key, I think the thing I like most about Honey is the atmosphere. It is laid back and friendly. It is the type of neighborhood place where people could sit with a cup of free-trade coffee and chat about the local happenings. I don't know if people actually do that, but you could. It is comfortable that way. It brings healthy, organic food down to an approachable level and makes it available for everyone. The prices are pretty reasonable for what you are getting. They cost more than a breakfast at your run-of-the-mill pancake house, but you are getting so much more for your money. When your options include Filet Mignon Benedict and Triple Chocolate French Toast, you know you have found a gem. For lunch and dinner, they have everything from yummy meatloaf and pot pie (see, comfort food!) to sandwiches to just about everything in between. They even have something called "Truffle Mac-N-Cheese" made with white truffle oil. Modern comfort cafe, indeed!

There is a "Little Honey's" menu for the kiddos with organic chicken nuggets or mac-n-cheese or organic PBJ. Even if you don't come for a meal, you gotta come for the dessert. For dessert, try the "cupcake of the day." You can't go wrong with that.

Honey offers delicious food that you know is good for your body. Sitting there eating yummy food in a laid back neighborhood cafe... comfortable!

Honey
499 N. Main St.
Glen Ellyn, IL
630-469-0000
www.honeycafe.net
Mon-Sat 9a-9p
Sun 9a-3p

Originally posted by Farrah at Chicagonista.

Weird Picture Friday- Bouncy Babies

2009-07-17T06:45:00.000-05:00

Thanks April (from Plainfield) !! So cute!! Something tells me big sister had a hand in helping create this picture. :) I love the expressions on the baby's face. He's like.. "What in the world is going on here?"

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

We would love to get some pictures from all of you. Please send us your own weird pictures. You know you got em'!!

Rivers, Fairs, and Sidewalks - Dupage News and Events for 7/16/09

2009-07-16T08:20:00.001-05:00

Feel like strolling along the river?
If you're looking for a nice summer stroll, you're fortunate enough to have the World's best option. Well, maybe that's going too far. But the Naperville Riverwalk was just voted the Most Loved City Park in Glancer Magazine's 2009 Reader's Choice Awards. From the city press release:

Built in 1981 to commemorate the city's 150th birthday, the Riverwalk features fountains, covered bridges, the Riverwalk amphitheater consisting of the Celebration 2000 Millennium Wall and labyrinth, gazebos and shaded sitting areas, a large sled hill, the Riverwalk Eatery, a picnic pavilion and paddleboat rides. The Riverwalk is maintained by the Naperville Park District and is open year-round.

Way to go Naperville! I may just have to stroll on over myself one of these summer evenings.

Its Fair Time!
The Dupage County Fair Takes Place July 22 To July 26. Unlike past years, all concerts are free with admission to the DuPage County Fair. Besides music fair goers can experience carnival rides, food vendors, livestock exhibits, a demolition derby and several types of kids' activities. Nothing says "summer" like wandering around the Fairgrounds with cotton candy and mini donuts. I can't wait. Will I see you there?

Sidewalk Sales!
Another great hallmark of summer when I was a kid were sidewalk sales. Remember those? I remember hitting the sales with my mom and stocking up on school supplies, off season clothes, and even Christmas presents each summer. This weekend downtown Elmhurst is having sidewalk sales July 17-19 during business hours. Show 'till you drop!

Rockin' for the Troops
This Saturday, July 18th, is the 4th annual Rockin' For the Troops benefit concert event at Cantigny Park in Winfield. Gates open at noon for you to claim your spot on the lawn and check out all the food vendors with opening acts starting around 3pm. Headliner Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band goes on at 8pm. I went a couple years ago and Gary Sinise is actually really great! Plus we had a picnic on the lawn and had a fabulous evening! Tickets are $25 with all profits going towards sending boxes of goodies to troops serving overseas. You can get tickets by clicking the link here or at your local Jewel-Osco.

Do you know of any events coming up? Let us know so we can spread the word - or write up a post and we'll put it up. If you go to an event, write about it! Or take a picture for us to see the fun you're having.

Which Sunscreen?

2009-07-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

Its a sign of the times that I'm asking "which" not "if." When I was a kid - not that long ago, really - sunbathers laid on the tanning oils before laying out. Now, we don't even play outside without SPF 30. Its not a question of "if" we wear sunscreen, its a question of "which" sunscreen will provide the most protection and do the least harm.

According to the Environmental Working Group, three out of five sunscreens don't work: either they provide ineffective sun protection or they're full of dangers materials. During this brief window of non-winter-weather in Illinois, my boys and I are chomping at the bit to get out of our small condo and into the sun. Slathering them up each day is one of my least favorite chores. They're squirmy, screaming, eager to get out. If I'm going to go through all this work, I want it to be helping them.

I looked up the brand we use on EWG's helpful Sunscreen guide, a list of 660 available sunscreens they've tested and how they scored. Or at least, I tried to. Scrolling down the list of products I've never heard of (sorted by top scorers first) I was down to 200 before I gave up. That can't be good. I finally just used the search function to find it, and am frankly too discouraged to even report what they had to say. Well, at least I know what to buy next time.

Or do I? My kids and I have been all over in our mainstream-brand sunscreen, and frankly, so have most of the people I know. You name it - the zoo, the beach, the pool, mid-day, all day, Illinois, California. And we've never burned with it on or even close. So its doing the job I'm trusting it to. And I can both find and afford it.

Don't let my discouragement stop you. I would recommend checking out EWG's Sunscreen Guide for yourself - its an interesting education if nothing else. But I highly recommend their Shopper's Guide. This one lists the "best easily found" sunscreens, as well as information to be aware of when choosing and using sunscreen. This guide is helpful and not overwhelming. I really will choose one of these the next time sunscreen is on my list.

So here's to safety in the sun! Do any of you actually still use tanning oil? Do you slather your kids but not yourself? Do you wear SPF 50 even in the winter? What have you found works for you?

Sad news from Cosley Zoo

2009-07-14T07:39:00.002-05:00

Today's guest blogger is Mandie from Wheaton:

Have you heard? The beloved horse, June, who has made Cosley Zoo home for the past several years died this past Sunday. She was 14 years old. According to one of the zookeepers, she was sick and taken to the vet, but did not survive. She died on Sunday evening, July 12, 2009. June was an American Cream Draft Horse and shared her stall with Pro the Shetland Pony. Pro appeared to be somewhat lost while on display today. Normally he is seen following June as she wanders in the horse enclosure. The zookeeper said, "He knows something is different, but I don't think he knows what," as she sympathetically scratched him behind his ears. Since June was not in the stall with Pro at her time of death, the keeper staff does not believe she is mourning at this time. According to Danielle, a zoo spokesperson, they hope to get a new companion for Pro since horses thrive with companionship.

There will be a memorial fund to remember June, but details are not yet available. If you are interested in making a donation in honor of June, you can do so by contacting the staff of the Cosley Zoo.

On a personal note, while the ducks are String Bean's favorite zoo animals by far, she is always thrilled to see the horses. Today was a sad day as the big white horse no longer is with us.

Have you heard a piece of news that might interest Dupage Mamas? Write us a post and we'll put it up.

3 Is The New 2

2009-07-12T22:22:00.003-05:00

Whoever it was that coined the phrase "terrible twos" committed a huge injustice to parents, in my opinion. You brace yourself starting with the "I can move independently and thus get into trouble" stage knowing that the naughtiness and whining and exercises of free-will will continue but hopefully peak through that second birthday. Once you can see that third birthday on the horizon, relief from the tantrums and stubbornness is in sight. Right? Not in my house.
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What is the phrase for three? Is there one? Can I suggest "Talk-back Threes" or maybe "Throwdown Threes?" After only three months experience with age three, I would gladly go back to two. My 3 yr.old son is stubborn, constantly testing the limits, playing Hubby and I against each other. He is smart enough to know my emotional buttons and is not afraid to push them. He has the vocabulary of a middle-schooler and never stops talking. He has very well defined ideas of how he thinks the day should go and what everyone around him should be doing and God-forbid if we should stray. The whining, the "No, I will NOT do that!", the shaking his finger at me as if I was in need of a lesson or two. I didn't have to deal with any of this at two. He has always been a smart kid and fairly whiny at times. But age three has taken the defiant whining to a whole new level.

The other morning, he went into full meltdown mode at 7am because I would not let him watch Cars (a very typical 3yr. old boy obsession from what I can gather). I told him he could watch it when I was putting his brother down for his morning nap which was a mere hour away. Not good enough. He started crying and stomping and muttering things like "I am just going to run away from you! Then how would you feel?" When I didn't respond, he said "Can anyone hear me? I said I was going to run away! Doesn't that bother you?"

Now, so as not to paint my little guy as a holy terror, he is a very sweet boy who loves his mama very much. He is tender and loving and comes up with the most adorable and creative things. I adore him. Truly adore him. We are deeply attached and connected and both prefer to be with each other than with anyone else. But, lately if things are not how he wants them, he scrunches up his cute little face and squints his eyes and tells me what he wants. Or he ignores what we say and continues doing whatever he feels like doing.

How did my 2yr. old baby who was simply learning to exert his independence and test the boundaries become this 3yr. old little man who can't be bothered with obedience? How can he go from the most loving child one minute to this whiny mess simply because I won't let him eat peanut butter out of the jar with his fingers while watching a movie on the couch?

It is a constant battle to ride the line. You know, that line between giving into his toddler-tantrums and trying to help him learn better ways to express himself. I don't want to crush his sweet spirit, just reign it in a bit. I certainly don't want to miss the joys of this age by focusing so much on the challenges. Even though the whining drives me to the point of insanity, this age is like the culmination of his "baby-ness" and the beginning of being truly a "little boy." Kinda bittersweet. I want him to grow into a functional, wonderful, healthy little boy who has a strong self-esteem and an even stronger sense of the love of his family. But I also don't want to loose my mind in this stage of dealing with his seemingly constant opposition.

9 more months to go.... 4 will be better, right?

This is an original Chicago Moms Blog post.

Weird Picture Friday - Scary picture of Moi

2009-07-10T09:24:00.000-05:00

What is this?? Strange art? Something that got twice exposed? Its a weird picture, that's for sure!

I was actually sitting in the car messing around with my camera when I took this self portrait. I expected it to be just my head but - lo! and behold! - the rest of me showed up as well, in the background, reflected off the car window.

So you know what this means. Its slim pickin's around here. Send in your weird pictures!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

County Fair and other DuPage News

2009-07-09T00:07:00.001-05:00

Coming to a fairgrounds near you.... the DuPage County Fair July22nd-26
Adults are $10, Kids 3 and up are $3 (ride tickets are extra)
(Click here for a $2 coupon)

I was 9months pregnant at last year's fair and we had a ball! We loved the carousel and the petting zoo and, of course, all the yummy treats!

Want to go and then blog about it? We would love to see the fair through your eyes! Send us your thoughts and pics.

Speaking of carnivals... Would you travel halfway across the globe to work at local fairs for the summer? These two girls did.
(BTW- the Glendale Heights Summerfest Festival is going on now through Sunday if you want to meet these two ladies for yourself.)

Looking for other free fun options, check out this list of some funky free concerts around DuPage County this summer. I'm thinking the Sting Rays 50's/60's cover band looks fun!

Want yummy ice cream? Here is a map of all the best ice cream places in the western 'burbs. You can even add your favorite to the list or just take other people's word for it.

Other News...
Could be trouble for the main Pace Bus route that travels through Dupage County. With so few options for public transportation in the suburbs, it would be a shame to see this go away. But it seems as if that decision is up to the Wheaton City Council.

But even in times of financial strain, the United Way of Dupage County is still working miracles for those in need in our community.

More Dupage County News Briefs

How "Waste Not Want Not" is not like "White Elephant"

2009-07-08T00:02:00.001-05:00

When I was about five years old my family was invited to a White Elephant party at church. We were new to the community and hardly knew anybody. To us (well, to my parents), White Elephant meant "give away something no one wants, for the laugh." So they elaborately wrapped up a not-currently-in-use toilet seat and we prepared for a great evening. We added it proudly to the massive stack of gifts and sat down to enjoy the fun.

Except our mirth turned to mortification as we watched gift after gift be chosen and unwrapped - lovely, desirable, useful things. Sure, they might be second hand, but they were nice. We were pretty much ready to disappear entirely by the time one young man walked excitedly to the stack and chose the largest gift of all - our toilet seat. I vividly remember the look on his face as he opened it, and I was five years old at the time. My family made a pact to never, ever tell who gave that toilet seat.

I have to admit as I dug through my cupboards in preparation for the Dupage Mamas Waste Not Want Not party, I was having flashbacks. Who would really want this stuff I was ready to get rid of? If I didn't want it, who would?

When I saw the table covered in a spread of (mostly) delicious looking groceries, it looked like my fears were confirmed. Apparently the other party attenders had actually brought good stuff, while I had brought...well, stuff I didn't want.

Then I heard it. "This is fantastic! Who would give away this?!" one person exclaimed. I turned and saw that the item she had in mind was something from my own cupboard. For about twenty minutes we all browsed and grabbed and scored a bag of staples that met our needs perfectly. Hardly anything was left for our food shelter distribution, and nothing at all that I had brought.

So, my White Elephant trauma has been laid to rest. Cafe Galicia, and their Tapas and Sangria, was fantastic. The company was exquisite. The giveaways for Pampered Chef (thanks Becky!!) and Usborne Books (thanks Sharenda!!) were so fun. And a phone call from my husband brought the miraculous news that my infant had woken and managed to fall asleep without me.

What could make for a better evening?

If you are sorry you missed it and would like another chance to have some fun girl time, don't fret. We will hopefully be having another Girls' Night Out very soon. In the meantime, we are having a small get-together this Sunday to learn more about Usborne Books and all they have to offer for our kiddos. We would love to have you join us! Click here for more info.

My Babywearing Journey

2009-07-07T00:05:00.002-05:00

Today's guest blogger is Elizabeth from Wheaton.
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I was not always a babywearing mama. Like most things in life, it has been a progression . And this is one progression I am happy with unlike the unrelenting spread of my hips or bottom.

When my oldest daughter Princess was born premature, my husband B and I were so overwhelmed. She was our first baby and we were in no way prepared for her arrival let alone her premature arrival. We felt helpless. There was so little we could do for her. She was so tiny and so vulnerable in her isolette under lights, taking it all in. When she stabilized a bit, we were encouraged to hold her. We sat and held her and talked to her and read to her for hours every day. I think sometimes she was glad to see us leave. But she sat there and looked at us with her gigantic eyes taking us all in.

When she finally came home, she loved to sleep on us. She would sleep on our chest with her head on our hearts and she would snuffle. I am sad to say that I didn’t wear her. She would have loved it- but I was not at that point in my journey yet.

My son Stinky came premature as well but was a bit stronger than his older sister. Even so, he also loved to be held. From the day he was born, he objected strenuously to being put down. He really got MAD. Through parenting him, I overcame the need for a crib or a bassinet or anything else. He slept with us. After seeing me carry him everywhere all the time, my neighbor took pity on me and told me I needed a sling. I was hesitant at first. But then, I tried it and fell in love. And so did he. He loved his sling. He still loves it. He still loves being on my back. The sling was like baby charming. He would see it and be happy. He would go and get it from the closet.

Then came Peas. She brought new meaning to sling love. She even had a ‘sling challenge ‘ in the NICU to see if she could maintain a good oxygen level while in a sling. This was very beneficial for us both. Being worn or held helped her get stronger and encouraged growth and development. It also allowed me to feel like I was helping her, that there was something I could do that was contributing something good to my baby girl.

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Through her I learned the love for wraps, for mei tais, and soft structured carriers. My love for ring slings was already well established by wearing Stinky. But with Peas, I expanded my babywearing horizons. I had to really. In our house, it is a rare thing that someone is not tied to me. Peas is now 14 months old and has only been in the stroller twice (and never spent the night in a crib). With her, I have worn out three ring slings. One of my friends jokes that Peas will someday get address labels made for my hip because that is where she always is.

Babywearing has allowed me to actually accomplish things with three kids around the house. Without it I do not see how I would ever be able to get anything done. It also has let me bond with my children and feel close to them. It has been a journey for sure, one I cherish and love.

Elizabeth blogs about her babywearing/parenting journey at Making It Fun.

Budget Friendly Meals

2009-07-06T00:38:00.011-05:00

Today's guest post is courtesy of Becky from Wheaton
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In an economy where we are all trying to make our dollar go a little further, we asked Becky to help give us some tools to stretch that food budget. Here are some budget-friendly recipes that are sure to be easy on the checkbook without disappointing the taste buds.

Asian Pork and Noodle Skillet

Tight on time? This quick skillet dish is a great “go-to” recipe that your family will request again and again!

2 medium carrots, peeled

1 medium red bell pepper

5-6 green onions with tops (about 1¼ cups sliced), divided

2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

2 tablespoons Asian Seasoning Mix
4 packages (3 ounces each) oriental-flavor ramen noodles

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 cups water

Cut carrots into julienne strips. Cut bell pepper lengthwise into ¼-inch strips. Slice green onions; set aside tops for garnish.
Using a boning knife, trim fat and silver skin from pork tenderloins. Slice pork lengthwise into four strips. Thinly slice strips crosswise. Combine pork, sesame oil, seasoning mix and two of the ramen seasoning packets; mix well.

Add vegetable oil to (12-in.) skillet; heat over medium-high heat 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Add half of the pork. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until browned; remove pork from Skillet and keep warm. Repeat with remaining pork.
Add carrots and bell pepper to skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add water and remaining ramen seasoning packets; stir to loosen browned bits from bottom of skillet. Add ramen noodles and white parts of green onions to skillet. Cover; bring to a boil and cook 4-5 minutes or until noodles are softened. Add pork; stir to break apart noodles. Remove skillet from heat; let stand, covered, 3-4 minutes or until pork is heated through. Garnish with reserved green onion tops.

Yield: 6 servings
Nutrients per serving: Calories 530, Total Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Cholesterol 100

Creamy One-Pot Pasta

This one-pot wonder combines slivered garlic and fresh vegetables for a light pasta dish your family will be sure to request again.

4 large garlic cloves, peeled

1 jar (7 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, undrained

3 cans (14.5 oz each) chicken broth (5¼ cups)

1 lb uncooked penne pasta

1 head broccoli (2 cups small florets)

2 medium carrots, peeled

4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper

Grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil (optional)
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Thinly slice garlic and place garlic and 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes into (8-qt.) stockpot. Cook garlic over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until garlic is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; add broth. Return to burner; increase heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta; cover and simmer vigorously 8-10 minutes or until pasta is almost cooked but still firm, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, cut broccoli into small florets; place into a medium size bowl. Cut carrots in half lengthwise; thinly slice crosswise on a bias.. Drain sun-dried tomatoes; pat dry with a paper towel. Slice tomatoes into thin strips. Add carrots and tomatoes to batter bowl.

Cut cream cheese into cubes. Add vegetables, cream cheese, salt and black pepper to Stockpot. Stir until cream cheese is melted and fully incorporated. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook an additional 2-4 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve immediately. If desired, top with grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil.

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 410, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Carbohydrate 65 g, Protein 15 g, Sodium 1000 mg, Fiber 5 g

Ham and Cheese Brunch Squares

Drop-in guests on their way for brunch? No problem! This colorful dish comes together in no time and serves a crowd.

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 cups (8 ounces) grated Colby & Monterey Jack cheese blend, divided

1 package (22.5 ounces) frozen toaster hash brown patties, thawed (10 patties)

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

12 eggs

.½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

.8 ounces thickly sliced deli ham

4-5 green onions with tops, divided (1 cup sliced)

3 plum tomatoes

Additional coarsely ground black pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly brush baking stone/bar pan with oil or other bar pan. Grate cheese. Crumble hash browns over bar pan; press gently into an even layer. Sprinkle half of the cheese evenly over hash browns. Bake 13-15 minutes or until crust starts to brown and cheese is melted.
Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add eggs and black pepper; whisk until smooth. Coarsely chop ham. Slice green onions, reserving ¼ cup of the tops for garnish. Place ham and remaining green onions into a saute' pan; cook and stir over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until hot. Stir ham mixture into egg mixture.

Remove bar pan from oven. Pour egg mixture over crust. Return bar pan to oven; bake 6-8 minutes or until center is set. Meanwhile, slice tomatoes in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and dice. Remove bar pan from oven; top with remaining cheese, tomatoes and reserved green onions. Sprinkle with additional black pepper, if desired. Cut into squares and serve.

Cook’s Tips: To soften cream cheese, microwave on HIGH 15-20 seconds or until softened. Whisk until smooth. If desired, 2 cups cooked and crumbled bulk pork sausage (¾ pound) or 1 pound bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled, can be substituted for the deli ham.

Yield: 12 servings
Nutrients per serving: Calories 250, Total Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Cholesterol 260 mg, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 16 g, Sodium 530 mg, Fiber 0 g
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Some of these and other of my favorite recipes feature the Deep Covered Baker, which I lovingly call my “Magic Pot.” You can always improvise if you don’t have one, but this is the ONE piece of stoneware I feel every kitchen should have. I am offering a special for Cooking Show hosts in June or July ~ you can earn it for FREE or HALF-PRICE in addition to all of the other wonderful host rewards Pampered Chef gives you. Ask me how!! Shoot me an email at pamperedbecky@comcast.net and tell me you heard of this offer through your affiliation with DupageMamas. Then I can fill you on all of the other generous host rewards, as well as FUN summer theme shows you can choose from!

Was this helpful? Would you like more recipes? We would love your feedback! And as always, if you make any of these meals for your family, take a picture and send it to us or just shoot us an e-mail dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com and let us know how it went. Becky has a lot more recipes where these came from so we can make this a regular feature if you would like to see more.

We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas to dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

Weird Picture Friday- 4th of July Edition

2009-07-03T07:08:00.002-05:00

Here are some pictures of Farrah (above) and Cath (below) taken last year at the Wheaton 4th of July parade. Both pictures are taken by my Hubby who was trying to take "artistic," non-posed pictures of the events of the day. Mostly, they both just look like we are contemplating life or independence or something of the sort. Actually, we were both pregnant (me about 8months, Cath about 4months) so were more accurately thinking about getting into some air conditioning. :)

Happy4th of July to all of you! Be safe and have fun as we celebrate the birthday of our great country!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

Fireworks!! and Other Holiday Links

2009-07-02T06:37:00.004-05:00

Here is a very comprehensive Fireworks List of all the local celebrations in Chicagoland (here is another too). But here, too, are some links for a few of the Dupage 4th of July parties near you.

Wheaton parade and fireworks: The parade starts at 10 and the fireworks are at dusk. We have actually gone to this parade for the last few years but will be out of town this year. I am kinda bummed to miss it. They do a nice job.

Glen Ellyn: Fireworks at Lake Ellyn at dusk but there is a little family carnival there too from 1:30-4:30.

Naperville Rib Fest: Thursday the 2nd-Sunday the 5th, Fireworks on the 4th at 9:30. Even if you don't go to Ribfest, they are opening the gates to the public at 7pm for the fireworks.

And the Fourth of July wouldn't be the same without the Taste. My Hubby and I went one year (pre-kids) and it was one of the hottest, most tiring days of my life. But the food is delish so it makes it somehow worth it. :)
Taste of Chicago: June 26th- July 5th.
Fireworks on the 3rd at 9pm and fireworks at Navy Pier- July4 9:00

Other fun Independence Day links:
You may want to check out this tutorial on how to take good fireworks pictures with your point-and-shoot or SLR camera. It has some good tips on how to get those perfect shots of the fireworks.
A goofy quiz- How well do you know our country's history?
Some 4th of July Crafts and activities for you and your kiddos to try
Patriotic Recipes for that backyard barbecue or family get-together

If you have a favorite 4th celebration or a tip on how to make the most of the weekend, we would love to hear it. Leave a comment here and get the discussion going.

Millenium Park Three Ways

2009-07-01T06:21:00.001-05:00

Today's guest post is from Caitlin from Chicago. Caitlin writes for many blogs, including her newest project Wee Windy City- a great resource for fun things to do with the kiddos in the city.

It is officially summer! Time to start making plans to fill the eighty or so days until that school bell rings again. Wondering where to start? In this Mama's opinion, Millennium Park is the city's number one summer destination for families. And other than the parking (take the train people, take the train), nearly everything is free. This space is enormous and the offerings are varied so you can come back again and again for a totally new experience. And its all free. Gratis. Won't cost you a dime.

If you aren't taking advantage of this urban treasure, here are three suggested itineraries to get you started.

The Millennium Park Family Fun Festival. If you have a child between the ages of 1 and 5, this event needs to be on your summer must-do list. Starting June 10, the Family Fun Festival takes place every day from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Daily events include story time, sing-a-longs and dance performances. Other highlights include SHELabration: A Tribute to Shel Silverstein (July 13) and Burnham Week: Building in the City (June 22-28). Most weeks offer activities around a specific theme (i.e. Health and Safety Week or Rock 'n' Roll week). Check out the Millennium Park website for a full list of events and activities.

Dinner and a Show. The Pritzker Pavillion is an awesome place to hear music. Pick a performance, pack a picnic and make a family outing of it. Although there are certainly some great children's music offerings throughout the summer, consider this a great opportunity to introduce your kids to another genre like jazz. You could even catch an opera. This is something that all members of the family will love.

The Crown Fountain. Kids can throw on a bathing suit and cool off in one of the city's most popular pieces of public art (just be careful because this surface can get slippery). My kids delight in the changing faces on the two giant screens and wait eagerly for the images to spit water out on their heads every few minutes (I know it sounds weird, but it is cool).

This is just the beginning really. You could take part in a workshop about bees the Lurie Garden, play Frisbee or even lay in the grass together and talk. Just make sure you plan to make a visit and get your share of the Chicago summer magic.

To read more about activities at Millennium Park and other great things to do with the kiddos in the city, hop on over to Wee Windy City.

Do you know of any kid-friendly summer activities that other moms may want to know about? We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas to dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

What adventures await

2009-06-30T15:49:00.006-05:00

It started yesterday morning with a trip to the library to register for the summer reading program (side note: have you done this? Almost every library has one for kids of all ages and grown ups too! You get prizes for reading!!).

While there we checked out a book called From Cow to Ice Cream. A just loves learning about how things work and, well, so do I. Back at home we were pouring over the book when one particular page caught his eye. This picture, to be precise. I tried turning the page but he went back. "Read that part again" he said, pointing to the big mountain of raw sugar. It was pretty fascinating. I read it again. And again. And again. Every now and then we'd make it a few pages further in the book, but we always kept returning back to that mountain of sugar. And again. And again.

After awhile we really had exhausted all there was to see , so we turned to the internet. A happy hour or so was spent pouring over all the articles and pictures the internet could supply us on the topic of "raw sugar stored in warehouses." That's when we realized that our new sand table could easily be transformed into our very own raw sugar warehouse, complete with the necessary trucks and diggers. And so we did, spending another happy hour on our balcony with "sugar."

Even after it was time to come in, A spent the whole day using his hands and arms as cranes, transporting this and that, and talking constantly about raw sugar warehouses.

It was incredibly fun, even from my point of view. It kept us busy and entertained, imagining and learning. Plus you have to admit, a mountain of raw sugar stored in a warehouse and utilizing trucks and diggers is just pretty cool.

So today when we were out and about we just couldn't help but stop by the library to claim our prize for the first 12 books read...and pick up Cheese: From start to finish. I wonder what adventures we'll have today...

Have you run into any spontaneous adventures or good books lately?

The farmer works from sun to sun...

2009-06-29T13:28:00.002-05:00

I am about to sit down at last after a long day but B is crying, again. I change course and push the door open into the room that we share. He's in his sidecar bed, eyes closed, head frantically rubbing from side to side, looking for his pacifier, looking for me. I lay beside him, rubbing his back, kissing his head, singing and saying "shhhhh, shhhhh" for what seems like forever until finally he relaxes into sleep.

Tiptoeing out I hear A calling to me from the next room. Peeking my head in I see him trying to suppress a smile in order to convey the seriousness of his need. "I need something" he says, "I need someone to lay by me." Not being a snuggler, his is a request that has only begun in the past few weeks, though now he asks nightly. I crawl into bed with him and he puts his feet across my knees and his head to my head. Though I am a snuggler, my need for some rest at the end of the day sends me urgent messages - get out of here as quickly as you can! I do my best to supress the message and stay in the moment; its not often that A has the inclination or I have the time to just sit quietly alone with him. We both need this.

But I don't linger long, knowing that B was only lightly asleep and not wanting him to wake and get so worked up that I can't get him back down. And sure enough, as I close the door with a kiss blown towards still-wakful A, I hear the pitiful cries of my insomniac infant. This time, he will not be soothed until I nurse him. With a full tummy he is willing to lie alone in his bed, for a few minutes anyway. I gaze on his sleepy-baby body and try to conjure the feelings of wonder that come so easily to me when I am well rested. The only wondering I'm doing these days is "will I get a two hour stretch to sleep, or only fifteen minutes at a time tonight?"

Back out in the living room I've actually managed to sit down and look with despair at the dishes, the toys, the laundry, the paperwork, when I hear my name being called yet again. I walk to A's door and remind him that he has Blanket, that I've sung him his last song, that I rested with him already, that's he's already had water, that he can go pee-pee in his night-night-time diaper if needed, that he must try and go to sleep by himself.

And so it goes.

Is there a way that I could bottle up just a bit of the ongoing, never-ending, giving that fills every moment of the day and night and store it up for the days when they sleep not only away from me, but far away? I ask only for enough sleep that I can be present enough to realize that these are the best and most fleeting days of my life.

Cross-posted from Catherine's personal blog, everyday life as lyric poetry.

Weird Picture Friday - Bearded Lady

2009-06-26T13:37:00.001-05:00

Many thanks to April (from Plainfield) for sharing this picture of her bearded little lady! I love the tongue. Whether she is trying to lick the shaving cream (or whipped cream, whatever it is) or just being silly for the camera, you can tell this is a spunky little 3yr.old. This will be one to pull out on prom night or for the rehearsal dinner slide show someday. :)

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

Last Call...

2009-06-26T06:16:00.001-05:00

Don't forget that our first ever Dupage Mamas Girls' Night Out is... TONIGHT!!!

Join us for the Waste Not, Want Not Party and an evening of free food and fun fellowship!!

It is not too late to join in the fun. Here is the 411:
Cafe Galicia
230 W. Front St in Downtown Wheaton
8pm-10pm
Bring your unwanted pantry items and come home with things you can actually use. Plus, we will be giving away some really fun prizes like a basket of Pampered Chef goodies and some Usborne Children's Books.

Cath and I started Dupage Mamas with the goal of creating a community of moms to share this task of motherhood with. This is our chance to have a fun evening together and actually be community with one another. So, come if you can!! We would love to have you!

Trouble in Illinois

2009-06-25T14:31:00.002-05:00

Everyone knows that we've having economic trouble right now, and the impact this is having everywhere - Wall Street, Main Street, our families, our jobs. But I hadn't realized the impact on Government until I began reading about the "crisis budget" our Illinois State Legislature needs to pass before the end of the month.

While I understand that budgets need to be balanced - and certainly don't advocate for going further into debt or cutting, say, roads or schools - I have a hard time seeing how a state could function with no money going into Human Services. Some of the proposed cuts would mean, for instance, no state funding for Mental Health services, domestic violence shelters, substance abuse programs, disability services. Where are the people currently served by these programs (and this is just a few examples) going to go if their programs are cut and their residences closed? It is estimated that 20 percent of Dupage County residents will be directly hit by these cuts, not to mention the impact it will have on all of us to have these vulnerable populations suddenly without resources. This link will give you the specific impact to Dupage County.

I'm sure this isn't the first you've heard about the proposed budget cuts; I know my inbox was flooded with concerns from just about every Human Services agency and community-aware friend that I have when it was first announced. And the general consensus is that the state probably won't cut Human Service programs entirely as has been put forward.

But the fact remains - there's not a lot of money in the economy right now, and government is no exception (all the recent poor behavior hasn't helped that either). If not Human Services, then what should be cut? What are we willing to live without? Or are we ok with racking up debt? Or paying higher taxes?

I once heard that, before the Great Depression, recession was seen as a good and healthy thing. It caused society to consider its choices and readjust to meet with reality on individual and corporate levels. Since the Great Depression we've just been scared of what could happen. And I'm scared right now of what could and is happening - to individuals and family's, businesses, and governments. But maybe it is good for us to take a look at our budgets - at home and at work - and reevaluate our priorities.

Which makes me also ask - if our state does cut services to the most needy and vulnerable among us, will we as individuals and groups step up to fill the gap?

Well, I sat down this morning to give you a flavor of the news and events going on around Dupage County, but it looks like I got bogged down. I'll be back with our regularly scheduled links next week; in the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. If you would like to take action, this link will hep.

Cherishing Wet Cuddles and Other Priceless Memories

2009-06-25T01:03:00.003-05:00

We have this sweet tradition in our house. Hubby is usually in charge of bathtime. He puts the boys in the tub while I put away laundry or clean up toys or just straighten out a bit of the chaos of the day. My baby (C) is usually ready to get out first. So I scoop up my baby in his adorable duck towel and dry him off and get him ready for bed while my 3yr. old (L) plays longer in the bath. (sidenote- there is not much sweeter than fresh-out-of-the-tub baby cheeks, both sets!) Hubby gets L out of the tub and wraps him in his Spiderman towel. This is where the sweetness comes in. L comes out of the bathroom, into his room where I am sitting with C, and climbs into my lap. "Here's your clean boy!" he innocently says through the biggest of grins. We call it our post-bath cuddle, and I can't get enough. He is wet, and gets me all wet as he rests his head on my chest and snuggles close. It is the longest stretch he stays still all day. I love having him in my lap and smelling his clean wet hair. I love wrapping my arms around him and renewing that closeness that we have always cherished. He is all at once my baby and my "big boy," but mostly just mine. Tonight he told me for the first time that he wanted to marry me (*melt*). (anothersidenote- he told me we had to dance and then buy a couch and that was our wedding! HA!)
As I sit there and hold him, the moment is not lost on me. I close my eyes and drink it in. I know the day will come (probably sooner than I know) when he won't want to sit wet in a towel in my lap. So for now, I cherish those 5min. of our day.

We recently received a book from Tyndale Kids that echos this same sentiment. Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury is the story of a mom who is looking back on the memorable moments of her son's life and looking forward to what is coming soon. While reflecting on the cuddle times and favorite memories, she asks the question "would I have paid more attention or cherished the moment longer if I had known it was the last time?" The last night-time feeding, the last trip to the park, the last story time with him cuddled in my lap...
The book is written to be read to your little ones. The language is beautiful and touching and hits very close to home. I got teary several times as I sat and read the tender words to my son with him sitting next to me, his hand sweetly resting on my arm listening intently to the story. I loved the pictures of this mother and son through the years- the moments they shared as they both grew older. Reading this book helps me reflect on how L has grown so far and reminds me to drink in every moment with him and C every day.
I am not a fan of thinking about my boys growing up too fast. It makes me sad to think about them being too big for post-bath cuddles. But I also appreciate any opportunity to be reminded to live in the moment, to treasure these days that often feel so hard.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

If you would like a copy of this book to read with your fast-growing munchkins, Tyndale has generously offered to let me give away a copy to one of you. Please leave a comment here making sure I have a way to contact you if you win. If you subscribe to my feed or blog or tweet this giveaway, leave an extra comment for an extra entry. I will choose a winner at random on Friday July 3rd (U.S. readers only- sorry!).
We have loved reading this book together and talking about our most cherished moments both past and present and future. I know you will love doing the same.

Cross-posted from Farrah's blog BabyLove Slings.

Kid's Restaurant Week in Chicago

2009-06-23T07:56:00.001-05:00

Today's guest post is from Caitlin from Chicago. Caitlin writes for many blogs, including her newest project Wee Windy City- a great resource for fun things to do with the kiddos in the city.

Move over mac and cheese. Check you later chicken nuggets. If you are tired of dumbed-down children's menus that offer only bland, tasteless excuses for real food, take advantage of Kids' Restaurant Week. This event, sponsored by Gourmet and Cookie Magazine, is coming to Chicago the week of June 20-28.

Kids' Restaurant Week is a chance to have a fine dining experience in the comfort of a family friendly environment. Some of the city's best restaurants are opening their doors to families with young children. Here are the details: make a reservation between 5:00 and 7:00; all menus are price fixed; adults pay $29; and kids under eleven pay their age.

Many of the participating restaurants are real standouts, including onesixtyblue and Cafe Spaiggia. Check out the full list here. Your kids will get a chance to experience fine dining. You will be able to enjoy a delicious, adult meal. And you can always exchange knowing glances with the other parents if your little one throws a tantrum during the first course.

Now I am off to call Uncommon Ground to make our reservation . . .

We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas to dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

Motherhood is a journey

2009-06-22T18:59:00.001-05:00

I've just gotten back from a two week vacation. Ah, the bliss of the beach, of getting away from routine, of helpful Grandparents.

And the time away offers me a rare chance to reflect. While navigating O'hare airport with my children (and their stuff!) in tow, my two year old insisted on walking the length of the terminal on his own two feet. So we walked, slowly, hand in hand to our gate.

As we walked, we (slowly) passed by a young woman nursing what appeared to be a very newborn baby. I looked at her, and our eyes met. I looked down at her tiny baby, then over at my independent toddler, then back at her. As I looked, my heart took in the brief months the two children represented and I felt awe and wonder at the miracle and the journey; of where we were 30-some months ago, and where we are now; of how much changes, so quickly. Our eyes met again, and I saw that she had followed the same progression as I had, only as my heart looked backwards, her's looked forwards. We smiled at each other, and understood.

It was a special moment, shared with a stranger. We know nothing about each other save for one thing - this shared journey we are on, and all that this journey entails.

Sometimes, frequently, I look at my first born and wonder where these almost three years have gone. Have I missed them? I must have missed them, I figure. The toddler I know so well, and the baby I can hardly remember - where are the countless hours and days that join them into one? Why can't I recall them in my mind, or see all the stages of his life when I look at his face today?

Because I didn't miss them; not even one day, hardly even a moment. I have been there for every stage, for unending minutes and hours and days. Sometimes around the clock, I have been there for it all. And yet, I cannot account for it, I cannot look at his baby pictures and then at him and tell you how the change came.

But I'm grateful to know I was there. I have loved every minute of this roller-coaster journey.

Happy Father's Day!!

2009-06-21T07:11:00.000-05:00

Here's to all those daddies out there who love their kids and sacrifice so much for their family. Thank you for your loyalty and dedication to your family and for the love you so freely give us. We love you back!
Happy Father's Day to my Hubby and all the Dupage Daddies!!

Need a Night Out?

2009-06-20T22:32:00.004-05:00

Come mingle with some fellow Dupage Mamas this Friday night (the 26th from 8-10) at Cafe Galicia in downtown Wheaton.

Join us for some free Tapas appetizers and Sangria and night out with just the girls! Bring any unwanted items from your pantry or refrigerator for our Waste Not, Want Not swap. We will have a table set up for everyone to deposit their unwanted items and will take turns claiming things that we can use in our own homes. Non-food items are welcome too (toiletries, diapers, paper goods, ...) and dry items can be opened (pasta, rice, sugar, etc...). This is your opportunity to trade that can of coconut milk that you thought you would use but never did for a pack of size three diapers that someone else's kid outgrew but you really need. Or something like that....
We have several cool prizes to giveaway including a basket of PC kitchen gadgets and some Usborne kids' books.

Come for the community, come for the swap, come for the prizes,... just come! :) We would love to meet you and enjoy your company. And feel free to invite your friends too! The more the merrier.
If you would like to come, if you could just reply on the evite or comment here or email us at dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com so we can know how much food to order for everyone.

Hope to see you there!

Weird Picture Friday - Father's Day edition

2009-06-19T07:44:00.001-05:00

Today's pictures (and great story!) come from Laura in Aurora...

Loves spaghetti sauce.

She loves spaghetti sauce so much that she decided to help herself.

To an entire jar.

And then rolled it down the stairs.

Laura says: My daughter was 4 days before her 3rd birthday when she pulled this stunt….luckily, she survived this incident. Not by much. The best part of this story – I called my husband in absolute hysterics when I saw this spaghetti sauce all over the floor, ceiling, carpet, toys, etc. In less than 45 minutes, he had a carpet cleaning company AT MY DOOR. He is truly the most fabulous guy ever.

The mystery remains – how the heck did a 2 year old open a jar of Ragu? I can’t even open those darn things!

Here's to all you Dads that help us maintain our sanity. Happy Father's Day on Sunday!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

Painting Mess Free

2009-06-17T11:37:00.005-05:00

Is it just me or has the spring been a little, well, un-springy. Or maybe too springy and not enough summery... Either way, it has been wet and cold and still very restrictive of our outdoor fun. We have not had near enough nice days to make up for the brutally cold winter. To keep my little guy (and mommy too) from climbing the walls, we have had to find a wide array of inside fun things to do. My 3 yr. old loves to paint but hates mess. I woul be happy for him to go all out and dive into the creative fun. But he must have gotten his daddy's borderline-OCD gene and he would prefer to keep his hands clean during his painting escapades. If you, or your toddler, prefer painting to be mess free, here are some suggestions.

Butterfly Painting- Squeeze some paint (we used finger paint) onto some glossy paper. Spread the paint around, staying mostly in the middle of the paper. Usually he uses a paint brush but today he was willing to get his finger (only one!) dirty in the paint.
Fold the paper in half and spread the paint out. This part he loves because the paint feels squishy but he doesn't have to get his hands dirty. Once you open up the paper, you have a cool design and your kid can add embellishments. We usually make them into butterflies but today we decided this one looked like a cow. Make it a game like those Rorschach prints. :)

There are paints out there that keep the paint contained and mess-free. We have tried many different types and some are too hard for him to use- like you have to squeeze the tube too hard while you are painting to get any paint to come out. Two kinds of mess-free paints that we have found and really like are the squeeze brush paints and the dot paints. Both are easy to use and create vibrant colors that don't limit his creativity in any way (my biggest complaint with the Color Wonder stuff). He loves that it is "real paint" and I love that he can create to his heart's content. The dot painting is cool because he can paint free-style or I can write out words or draw shapes that he can trace with the paints teaching him how to write his name and improving his fine motor skills.

These are just a few of my ideas, some things that we have found that work for us.
I also recently came across this idea for painting with watercolors (which we love too but the water cup is always a little problematic.)

Next, I want to try sidewalk paints. Have you used them? If the mess is outside it doesn't matter, right? Or maybe I'll make my own. And once winter somes around again, I am going to try these snow paints.
What are your ideas for mess-free painting? Or do you have any other ideas for inside fun during this cold, rainy spring?

Given in Love

2009-06-16T07:23:00.000-05:00

Cross-posted from Catherine's blog, Everyday Life as Lyric Poetry.

I am weaving my way through the crowded auditorium, baby crying in the sling, earnestly trying to get out of the service and into the "cry" room before the fussing becomes screaming.

With small children going anywhere often seems like more trouble than its worth, and church is no exception. More often than not getting out of the house is just a lot of hassle in order to do the same menial childcare tasks in a less conducive environment. We are visitors today; I have special reason for wanting to be present. Instead this outing becomes just one more opportunity to be banished from adult conversation.

Finally finding the room, I pause and read the sign on the door. "Breastfeeding Mothers Only" it reads. Great. Not only am I to be relegated to a closet, but my sex determines that I am the only one in the family who can be. Putting my hand on the handle, I push the door open.

My senses and emotions are flooded before my mind has a chance to take it in. The room is dimly lit, perfect for soothing a child or a mommy's soul - it offers itself immediately as a sanctuary. The furniture is nice, comfortable. All my logistical needs are anticipated - there are Boppy pillows and tissue, a water pitcher and glasses. A silver tray is laid out with communion wafers and cups, awaiting my participation. Next to it is a plaque which reads: "Mother, what you have given in love has become part of me. I thank God always for you."

Immediately there are tears rolling down my face. I hadn't known I felt invisible until I felt seen. I hadn't realized the ceaseless sacrifices of Motherhood felt so frequently undervalued until someone showed me honor and value because of them.

Far from being relegated to a closet, I nursed and rocked my baby in tranquility. Far from being singled out for a lesser experience because of I was a breastfeeding mother, I lingered in the refuge created just for me.

It so often seems that the ongoing sacrifices of Motherhood lead not to a place of honor in society, but actually to a lack of status, a lack of desirability and value. The reasons and subtleties of this are many, but I was truly surprised to see the toll it had taken on me, the deep, deep place that was touched for the first time by the thoughtful preparations that someone in this church made for me, and others like me.

This is actually the second time I've had a significantly memorable experience in this same church's Cry Room, though each were in different buildings and for different reasons. Thank you, for seeing me, and for valuing me. Thank you, for thinking of the details that we must always be thinking of. Thank you, for caring not only for those with the freedom to sit quietly and think, but also for those of us who are called away to continue working and giving.

"Mother, what you have given in love has become part of me. I thank God always for you."

The Best Laid Plans

2009-06-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

I am new to working motherhood. I have only been trying to work part time for a couple of months now. There are days when I find it overwhelming trying to fit one more thing in, but mostly I have found it refreshing. It is refreshing for me to have an identity outside of mothering. My business ebs and flows so I've still had plenty of time with my girls, but just having something else to focus my attention on has been good for me. I think part of this is because my husband's time is fully taken up with work and graduate school. There are weeks when the girls don't see him for more the a few minutes. Have you guessed what this means? Yup, that means I have them on my own almost all the time from 7am to whenever I can get them into bed. I am absolutely in awe of single parents now. I don't know how I would manage the girls and a full time job all by myself. The only way I am surviving right now is by counting down the days until I have my husband back. Only 547 more days of grad school!

I wasn't ready to go back to work any earlier. I have loved being home with my girls. It has been a gift to be able to stay home with them.They are only 2 and 4 years old now and still seem very little to me so I am not ready to go back to work full time...plus I wouldn't actually make enough money to make that worth it.

For the most part seeing clients has been working out. I've been able to find childcare for the girls when I have clients, even when they have more then one sitter in a day. Our record so far is 3 babysitters in one day! Today however I've been thrown my first real curve ball. I'm sure there are many to come. My oldest girl, my Peanut, came into my bed and threw up all over me. Hey, at least she wasn't up all night long. So, I had a playdate scheduled this morning and was going to see clients this afternoon. No big deal about the playdate...we can go next week I'm sure. However, this is the first time I'm having to cancel clients. I feel terrible about it, but there's not much I can do. Even if I found someone to watch the Peanut while she's sick I work out of my home. And now it's a vomit house. Personally, I avoid those like the plague--even if it's my best friend's home. So I'm off now to make some hard phone calls. I'm sure they will understand, but I have such a hard time disappointing people. And my business is new and feels vulnerable or maybe that's me feeling vulnerable.

Are you a working mom? How do you handle juggling it all? What about when you get thrown a curve ball?

Heather also blogs at Massage for Women and Families and In Te Domine.

Gotta love the Mom 'n Pop

2009-06-13T09:46:00.000-05:00

Do you ever wish, out here in the 'burbs, that you could find that small town feel even in our busy area? I caught a taste of it recently in my own suburb - and I liked it.

I've recently been looking into the countless Halal sellers that are within a mile of my house. I knew living in a diverse neighborhood would come in handy.

And this led me to a delightful experience. After my online search I chose a Muslim grocer which I thought might be my best bet, and off we went. My son and I entered the small Indo-Pak store and went straight to the smiling couple behind the counter. The woman oooh'd and ahhh'd over Asher as I bravely summoned my courage and asked "Is the meat in this store Halal? Could you explain what that means?"

The husband graciously gave me a tutorial on meat that is Halal which, including my follow up questions and considering the language barrier, took a bit of time. They asked me "is your husband Muslim?" I was so obviously a young white American with a young white American child that I worried they would feel I was not being honest in some way, walking into their store and asking for a lesson in their food customs. So I explained that I wanted to honor God in the food that I ate and was hoping to learn from them.

I loved this couple. I wish I could have them over to my house. They were grandparent-types, friendly and hospitable. They answered my questions and offered my toddler some hard candy. After I turned it down the man walked away, perused his aisles, and came back with an entire package of cookies (energy biscuits from India!!) to offer. We happily accepted, but the gentleman refused my attempts to pay. Apparently, I was given a gift in exchange for taking their time, friendliness, and tutelage. I offered; they refused; I offered; they refused. I've never gotten the knack for how long this exchange is supposed to go on, or who is supposed to be the first to back down. I gave in and gave them hearty thanks.

As we turned to go, I felt discontented about having such a great experience, a package of cookies, and having given nothing in return. Half way out the door the obvious answer struck me - I couldn't pay for the cookies, but I could buy something else. Walking down the three short aisles I selected a box of green tea and a can of chickpeas. This gave me an opportunity to chat more with the couple - about my trips to India, about her chicken briani, about my interest in not only my Christian faith, but Islam and others as well. The woman nodded, telling me that her father had read the Qu'ran, the Bible, and the Hindu scriptures. We commented on the peace that comes when different peoples understand each other. We smiled. My son chomped on his cookies. I promised to be back with a meat order soon.

I'm not certain that eating Halal is something I'll continue to pursue but its a start for now - a baby step. Either way, this step was a blessing to me. I live in the suburbs, not the city, not the country. I don't associate a personality with my grocery store or my bank or my gas station. But I wish I did. This was a taste not only of India but of rich, full, real life - life with community.

The day the TV died

2009-06-12T14:12:00.003-05:00

I couldn't count for you how many times I've watched the clock, counting down the minutes until Sesame Street or Bob the Builder comes on. I'm sure I'm not the only one. But today is the day that the TV died.

Or at least, non-HD TV. Yes, after warning us about it for the past year, today is finally the day that television will broadcast only in High Definition, rendering all non-HD TVs (or at least, those without a converter box, provided nearly free by a government coupon) useless.

Our family opted out of buying either the fun new HD TV or the government-subsidized converter box.

We've actually been looking forward to it. We were hoping to have the television set on all day so as not to miss the moment that everything went to fuzz and static. But we're on vacation, so we'll miss the excitement.

When we come home there will be literally nothing on.

How about you and your family?

If you are still needing a coupon for a converter box, you can get one here.

Weird Picture Friday- Head Wrap

2009-06-12T06:33:00.000-05:00

Hubby experimenting with my Sleepy Wrap- Not exactly how it is meant to be worn but at least he didn't try to put the baby in it like that.

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

Dupage News for June 11, 2009

2009-06-11T06:38:00.000-05:00

More affordable housing in Dupage County? Hmmm.... I'm listening.

June is Bike Month in Naperville. Their aim is to emphasize the importance on bicycle safety and encourage residents to travel by bicycle, especially for trips less than 2miles.
June 15th (monday) is being set aside as Bike Day and they are encouraging people to only travel by bike on that day. There are several other promotional events going on, including something called "Bike for Donuts." Now that may be a cycling promotion I could get behind. :)

The former site of the Jewel in Downtown Wheaton will finally be going up for sale in the next few weeks. The site has sat empty since the store closed in Feb. of 2008 after being open for more than 4 decades. It is such a prime spot, so close to downtown and to major through roads. (Side note: In college, my friends and I used to call it "ghetto Jewel." HeHe!!) I wonder what they will put there?

Even though this happened in Cook County, I still love what these kids did: A human chain that resulted in over 5,000 items donated to their local food pantry. What a cool idea to get kids excited about giving their time and resources to those in need.

Like, No Way!! Am I the only girl who will admit to being a fan of The Hills? (It is shockingly addictive and very entertaining!) Well, if I am not the only fan, you may be interested to know that Lauren is coming to Naperville on June 20th to pitch her new young adult fiction book. I will probably be passing on the novel, but it would be fun to see LC in person. If I wasn't going to be at the Wheaton Market that Saturday, I might actually have joined in the fun. Anybody want to go and take a picture for me? :)

Speaking of markets... here is a great map of local markets and list of the days and hours.

Apathy

2009-06-10T10:03:00.000-05:00

Today's guest post is by Susan from Bartlett.

Yesterday didn't go particularly well. In short, the girls and I aren’t adjusting to our new routine (i.e. schools out). A lack of routine ultimately means that one of us (or all of us) slip into “apathetic, just get through the day” mode. Whenever I'm in apathetic mode I always look back on my day with regret. On apathetic days I’ve lost my patience more, and haven’t spent my time wisely. On apathetic days, I wonder why I’m staying home with my girls. On apathetic days, I resent my husband. On apathetic days, I’m not much fun to be around. I care less, gripe more, smile less, and scowl more.

So, in a giving fashion, I decided to share my apathy with an unsuspecting pedicurist. I sat in the chair and just exhaled. I breathed. I contemplated my day and I felt really, really foolish, and really, really spoiled.

Staying-at-home hasn’t come without sacrifices, and whoa can I just sit on that word for a moment. Finances. Ouch. Career fulfillment. A little ouch. Isolation. You betcha.

When my husband and I decided that I’d stay at home, it was pretty much a financial discussion. In short, I wouldn’t make enough to cover our daycare and related expenses. Plus, we just weren’t comfortable with the idea of outsourcing the girls’ care. I tried working for a bit after my older daughter was born and it was disastrous. I was stretched too thin; dropping the ball at work; dropping the ball at home. So I resigned, and wrote the tell-tale letter, “It is with great regret that..….”

Looking back, I don’t have any regrets. Most often I love being at home. I love knowing my girls. I love floating through our day. I love not missing a moment. I’m too selfish to share these moments with someone else.

And yet, I’m selfish enough to deny myself these moments by slipping into an apathetic, self-pitying mindset…..wow, something to consider.

Overdue Winners

2009-06-09T21:38:00.004-05:00

I am embarrassed that I am just getting around to announcing the winners to our recent giveaways. Life just gets away from me sometimes. :) But without further adieu...

Congratulations to Miss Kita on winning the Mother's Day giveaway of this beautiful bracelet. Thanks for sharing with us part of your motherhood experience. I hope you love the bracelet!

Allison from Wheaton is the winner of the amazing photography package from Lions Roar Media! Jenni takes the most spectacular pictures. You have to check out her website to see for yourself. Those of you who didn't win (or maybe didn't get to enter) should definitely browse her portfolio and give her a call!

Thank you to all who entered. We will be doing more giveaways coming up including some great kitchen gadgets from a "well-known kitchen gadget company" (they have funny rules about advertising on the internet) and some books and other fun things too. These giveaways are not just an opportunity for local businesses to share with you about what they have to offer, it is a way for us to give back to you, our mama community. We are continually being approached by new companies and reaching out to ones that we know we love in order to share our favorite things with you and spread the cool stuff around. So be sure to keep reading and subscribe to our feed so you don't miss out on any of the giveaway- goodness!!

Father's Day Homemade Crafts

2009-06-09T10:38:00.000-05:00

Today's guest post is from Mandie from Wheaton

Ah, the ancient tradition going back to ancient Egypt of children purchasing ties for their fathers on Father's Day. Let's make this year different. Roll up your sleeves, moms, it is time for you to start helping your little ones make Father's Day gifts. No help from the Department of Education here. Dads have it so easy since the schools help your kid make Mother's Day cards and gifts, don't they?

For your viewing pleasure, here are some ideas for you as you plan your child's Father's Day gift.

Best Dad Desk Accessory: recommended for ages 6 and up with parental supervision. Requires dad to have a desk to display the gift on...or a workbench...or a dresser.

Car Nut Frame: recommended for age 5 and up, but I think a 3 year old could do this craft. Make sure you have a photo to put in the frame or it will sit under your bed like Mr. Bean's photo frame has since Christmas. This craft is really cute for any handy-dad.

Coupons: I recommend this "craft" for your older kids who will definitely understand their own sacrifice of love and understand how coupons work. You can make your own or print some here. Even cuter? Make coupons credit card size and stuff a new wallet full of them! I suggest an expiration date be put on them to encourage immediate use or they may end up like Mr. Bean's last batch of coupons--under the bed. Alternatively you could call them gift certificates or gift cards! That's language everyone understands!

Dad's Throne: No, not the toilet. This cute idea is great if you have multiple children and no plans (and good weather) on Father's Day. Helpful if you have a kid who is creative and another who likes to implement ideas, but not necessary. If the weather is bad, this could easily be transformed into an indoor throne.

Note Pad: This idea is really cute and can be done by most any child, toddler and up. A quick visit to the office supply store, some markers, and a ribbon later and viola! You have a quick and easy present just for dad! This is a Martha Stewart approved project.

Personalized Coasters: This is a great craft if you have a newborn since you can just stamp their hand print or foot print on the coasters. Three steps: go to home improvement store, decorate, seal. Love it.

Of course, a tie is easier.

Photo Credit: Luxist.com

Coming Soon....

2009-06-08T23:35:00.002-05:00

Here at Dupage Mamas, we have a couple exciting things on the horizon that I wanted to let y'all know about.

Due to the amazing response to our post about pantry swap parties, we are hosting a Dupage Mamas Waste Not, Want Not party. The details are still being finalized... but mark you calender for Friday, June 26th. The location will be a restaurant in downtown Wheaton (Cafe Galicia). So, tell your hubby that he has kid duty that night and come out for a fun evening of food and drinks and company.... and saving money! More details coming soon!

We are in the process of re-designing the look of Dupage Mamas so as better to highlight all the great information and community-building posts. One of the new components of the re-design will be a classifieds page where you can post things you want to get rid of or things you are looking for. Services, household items, baby stuff... It will be a place where we can all help each other and hopefully help our budgets too. Kinda like a local Craig's List/Freecycle for Dupage Mamas. Is that something that would be helpful for you?

Have you heard of MeetUp.com? Dupage Mamas is partnering with Chicagonista to host some mommy meet-ups in the western suburbs. Park dates, outings, etc... coming soon!!

If you are interested in coming to our Waste Not, Want Not party, if you could comment here and let me know so I can plan a little more precisely. And as usual, we are always looking for posts or ideas or pictures from you. Here at Dupage Mamas, we are about being a resource and a place for building community. And we can't do that alone. If you are enjoying our new site, tell your friends. Spread the word. If you have suggestions, we would love to hear those too!

Thanks y'all! Stay tuned for some great things coming up soon here at Dupage Mamas!

Serenade- Your One-Stop Style Shop

2009-06-08T06:28:00.003-05:00

I am that type of girl that loves her house (and her fashion) to be just right. I love for the pictures to be hung and the curtains to be chic and my overall style to just flow. But I am also that type of girl who has two small boys, a dog, a job, a tight budget and more things on my to-do list than hours in the day. So in order to make my dream of a put-together, stylish home (and overall me) a reality, I need some help. I need somewhere I can go that will inspire me and give me some style tools. Thankfully, I have found my go-to place. Serenade.

Serenade is this adorable shop in a converted home with something for everyone. They are located in downtown Wheaton at 129 N. West Street. Don't let the exterior deter you. From the outside, it looks like just another beautiful Wheaton home. Nancy Shepard, the owner, purchased the historic home in the fall of '07 and transformed it from a dilapidated office building to a gallery of unique and beautiful things for your home and your closet. They have two gorgeous levels and both are filled from corner to corner with some of the most beautiful clothing and accessories and pictures frames and accent pieces and ... the list could go on and on. Antiques, couture clothes, trendy jewelry and t-shirts. I could have spent several hours and lots of money there. Good thing I had my boys with me. :) Well, good for my budget at least.

Out of the countless things that caught my eye, I really loved one certain line of products by be.ology. It is beautiful inspirational tees and bags and hats and other items that I would wear with pride and with style, each sporting a different phrase- be.greatful, be.inspired, be.loved.

Serenade recently won the award for "Best New Store" in Western Suburban Living Magazine. It is an award that is voted on by the readers and shoppers themselves so I am not the only one that thinks this store is uber-fabulous!!
If you are in the market for local made soap or candles, that perfect antique accent for your coffee table, or a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings to go with that perfect trendy top, Serenade is the place for you. It is certainly the place for me.

Serenade
Nancy Shepherd
129 N. West Street
Wheaton
630-682-0200
Tuesday-Saturday 10a-5p (Closed Sun. and Mon.)

nashephard@msn.com

Farrah's post is also featured at Chicagonista

Weird Picture Friday- Two Headed Monster

2009-06-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today's Weird Picture is courtesy of Heather (Women's Massage) from Wheaton.
I love how both baby and daddy are all smiles, and how you can't see baby's body at all! It truly looks like her head is attached to daddy's body. Hillarious!! Thanks Heather!!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

Roses, Tasting, and Cook Offs - Dupage News for 6/4/09

2009-06-04T06:20:00.000-05:00

Its almost the weekend! And even better, its almost the weekend during summertime. So there's bound to be something exciting going on. Here's a few things I've found.

Roselle Rose Festival
Roselle is celebrating its 50th Annual Rose Festival, and the town is kicking it up with all kinds of different activities, going from June 4th through June 7th.

Taste of Wheaton
While Roselle is celebrating a 50 year tradition, a brand new tradition is being started just a few miles south. Wheaton has consolidated their "Cream of Wheaton" and "Autumnfest" celebrations into a brand new event - the Taste of Wheaton. Its a five day fest from June 3-7th, with free admission.

ConAgra Foods Healthy Kids Cookoff
If you have kids between the ages of 9-13 who enjoy cooking, this is the place for you. In an Iron Chef-style event, teams of kids, culinary students, and Chicago's chefs will compete to create "tasty, healthy, and low-cost meals and snacks." My two year old has loved cooking since he was born...I wonder if he'd pass for a nine year old??

Shopping!!!
And of course, nothing says summer weekend like garage sales! Here's where to find all that's for sale this weekend.

Do you have a great idea for local events or activities? Write up a guest post, or send us the links!

We Touched Trucks!

2009-06-03T11:55:00.000-05:00

One of the things I love about Dupage Mamas is that I'm always in the "know" about fun activities going on around town. When I found out about last Saturday's "Touch a Truck" festival in West Chicago, I knew my truck loving toddler couldn't afford to miss it.

West Chicago, you did yourself proud. Wow! There were way more trucks than I had expected. Mail trucks, snow plow trucks, fire trucks, police cars, tractors, diggers, bulldozers, cement mixers, a hydrolic crane, and many more that not even the hours I've spent reading truck books has prepared me to name. And some of these un-named trucks were huge.

All of them were up for grabs. Everywhere you looked toddler and school age boys and girls were climbing on trucks, honking horns, sitting in the driver seats. The truck drivers were nearby to answer questions and generally be looked upon with awe. There were hot dogs, plastic builder hats, balloons - everything you needed to make touching a truck into a full blown festival.

Who thought up Touch A Truck? I have no idea, but it was fantastic. I wonder what adventure we'll be going to next??

Who loves Root Beer Floats?

2009-06-03T01:07:00.000-05:00

I think the better question is... who doesn't?

If you are a lover of creamy ice cream and root beer goodness, you are invited to visit Sonic tonight for a FREE root beer float. Sonic is thanking its customers with Free Float Night, giving away free 10oz. Root Beer Floats from 8pm until midnight at participating Sonic Drive-In Locations. Locations in our area include Aurora, Bartlett, Algonquin, and Lockport.

For people who come out, the Sonic people invite you to upload your favorite photos or videos of their Free Float Night experience. You can upload photos at www.SonicDriveIn.com for the home page or you can send your videos to Sonic’s You Tube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/sonicdrivein

Growing up in Florida and the South, I L-O-V-E LOVE Sonic. I love their chili dogs and their unique beverages. The strawberry limeaide is scruptuous!!

My family and I are gonna go get a free root beer float (probably in Aurora but maybe Bartlett). Wanna come?

Responding, Not Reacting

2009-06-01T23:17:00.005-05:00

Today's guest post is from Susan from Bartlett.

“I don’t love you Mommy!”

I gasped, utterly stunned. I couldn’t believe my 4yr. old daughter had said that to me. It hurt. It stung.

For a split second I thought about me: I’m a failure. She hates me.

And then I noticed that she was intently staring at me, watching to see how I would respond. She was testing me; trying to get a reaction.

A couple responses played out in my mind: a stern look, a time-out, a spank. Instead, I got down on her level and said, “It hurts my feelings when you say you don’t love me, because I love you so very much. You are so special to me. And, in our family, we don’t talk to one another like that. Do you understand?”
She hugged me, and told me she understood, and that she did love me. Gratefully, this type of “I don’t love you” moment hasn’t happened again.

The evening before this encounter with my daughter, I had finished reading chapter one of “Bringing Up Kids Without Tearing Them Down” by Dr. Kevin Leman. One of the big takeaways from chapter one was to remember not to take a child’s misbehavior personally, and to remember that all behavior has a purpose. And, as a parent, you are to respond to a child, not react. Wow, talk about a light bulb moment. Those words just jumped off of the page. I have a high-maintenance, strong-willed child, and parenting her is an on-going challenge. Not take child-parent interactions personally, and there actually might be a reason behind my child’s misbehavior? Okay, this is good information.
If you haven’t read any of Dr. Kevin Leman’s books consider checking him out. His writings are Christian-based, ultra-practical, and down-to-earth.

And, for those moms that have heard their child utter those ugly “I don’t love you” words, remember that they do love you. They do. They really, really do.

Stroller Envy

2009-06-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Oh, the dreaded disease. Stroller envy. Have you ever caught a case? Is there any cure other than an indulgent purchase of a stroller that is probably more than you can afford and maybe even more than you need?

Whenever I am out, I am constantly checking out the double strollers that I see. Too wide... too cluncky.... too cheap looking... I love wearing my babies ( my toddler too). But there are just times when it is super convenient to let the kiddos ride in the stroller and not on mama. My very generous mother-in-law bought us a used double stroller (a sit-and-stand type) that I have used a couple times and have a terrible time pushing it around. It is ok in the mall. And I used it once at the zoo. But it is really hard on walks (heavy to push, doesn't turn well) and on any surface that is not flat and smooth.

So here is my dilemma... The stroller that I have long lusted after is on sale through Costco for several hundred dollars cheaper than normal. The Phil & Ted in-line double stroller is, well pretty. I love that it is not too wide and that is is good quality and that it is super light yet sturdy. But as I was reading about this stroller, trying to picture myself actually buying it since it is such a great price, I got this bad feeling in my stomach. Oh, no... this isn't what I need! The total weight limit is 88lbs. This sounds like a lot but when you break it down, the back seat can only hold 33lbs with 55lbs. in the front. You can use it with an infant carrier but I don't use that anymore. The rear seat turns into some sort of bouncer but my 9month old is going to walk any day now so that is useless to me too. AHHHH!! This stroller that I love and is now on sale is still impractical for me to buy!! I would be able to use it now (A LOT!!) and probably through next fall and maybe even into the winter. But I think that by next spring and summer, my baby may weigh more than 33lbs. since he weighs around 25lbs now. My 3yr. old weighs about 35 or 40 lbs so maybe I would get more use out of it than I think. But still.... I wish I would have bought it a year ago or even at the beginning of spring. Then I would feel like I was getting my $300 worth out of it. Actually, I wish I would have invested in a really nice stroller when my preschooler was born. It is just hard to have the foresight and the disposable income. :)

So, do I spend $300 and get a really nice stroller that I would get a lot of use out of for a relatively short amount of time? Or do I spend more money and get a stroller that I would use for a longer amount of time (ie: a more side-by-side with a higher weight limit)? Or do I use the one I have and stop falling prey to this "disease of the fortunate?" I have 3 strollers in my garage right now. And here I sit, trying to figure out if I should spend several hundred dollars on a new one. Kinda wrong on some level. I have been looking on CraigsList with no luck so far.

Do you have a stroller that you love? Or is there one you would love to have? Any advice on my current predicament? I welcome any comments or advice. Help me cure this disease.

Cross-posted from Farrah's blog BabyLove Slings

More Time to Win

2009-05-30T21:40:00.003-05:00

Due to some internet issues, there was a day or two where the pictures didn't show up on the post talking about how great this photographer is. Unfortunate. So, to make up for it, we are extending the giveaway for a few more days. If you love pictures of your kids and capturing the essence of who they are for posterity sake (don't we all!), then this is a giveaway you don't want to miss.

Check out the original post and leave a comment to win. It is that easy, y'all!

Preserving Them as They Are

Weird Picture Friday- Where did that come from?

2009-05-29T10:57:00.000-05:00

I don't think we were ready for this one. And maybe next time, my dad should just call to the baby to get him to look at the camera instead of throwing a sand bucket at us. It didn't hit us, in case you were wondering. But it came awful close and out of nowhere. Nice try, Dad.
Lucky for me, some of the other shots turned out better. :)

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

Trucks, Trees, and Tutus - Dupage News for May 28, 2009

2009-05-28T21:16:00.005-05:00

Touch a Truck
West Chicago is hosting their annual "Touch-a-Truck" event this Saturday (the 30th) at Reed-Keppler Park (9am-11am). The kiddos will have the chance to climb on and sit in unusual trucks and cars of all sorts. Police cars, construction trucks, ... you name it, it will be there for your truck-lover to devour. Add in some free hot dogs and Italian ice and you've got a party! :)

Animal Houses at the Morton Arboretum
Let your little animal run around and explore 10 new animal habitats built to human scale. Kids (and adults too) can experience these houses that are designed to show how trees provide shelter for animals and reinforce the importance of appreciating and protecting the trees. Come see how the coyotes, beavers, raccoons, skunks, ants, and more depend on the trees for survival. The animal houses exhibit is free with admission to the Arboretum ($11adult, $8child 2-17).

Time Capsule
When I was in high school, some friends and I put some of our favorite memories into a shoe box and hid it in the ceiling tiles of our church, thinking we would come back years later and share some laughs. I probably don't need to tell you that it never happened. But, if you want to be part of a real time capsule, you can submit something to the City of Wheaton by August 10th.

Tutus for a Cause
Two GlenEllyn moms are selling their adorable tutus at the GlenEllyn Farmer's Market and Flea Market this Friday and Saturday. Both these women have lost loved ones to breast cancer and started selling their creations to raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in August.

Need more Dupage News.... Rib fest, Recycling, local High Schools get awards....Check out these little blurbs.
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Planning Ahead....
For those of you (us) with busy social calendars that fill up fast, be sure to pencil in some of these fun events you won't want to miss:
Taste of Wheaton Festival June 3-7
50th Annual Rose Festival in Roselle June 4-7
Poetry in the Park June 13th
Naperville Rib Fest July 2-5

Fill in the Blankie!

2009-05-27T07:51:00.000-05:00

Every baby needs a blankie. I vividly remember the bond I had with my special blanket. And I can't imagine how we would pass the night if for some reason my toddler son was without his special blanket. I've spent a lot of rocking hours contemplating the magic that these blankets hold. What causes us to chose one over the other? Why do they become our first best friends? What is this need we have to attach that is so strong nearly every child has it, yet that can be met by a blanket or stuffed animal?

The answers to these questions elude me. Suffice it to say, I was excited to learn about Fill in the Blankie when I was expecting my second son. I placed my order and eagerly awaited the final product.

I couldn't have been more pleased. The packaging itself was darling; the beautiful, soft, blue blanket was neatly folded and tied with a ribbon, held together with a baby diaper pin. If I hadn't been so exicted about the blanket I might have just kept the package intact to look at for a few weeks.

But of course I didn't. I was equally happy with the blanket itself. Professionally made, the stitching and fabric seem of good quality. All Fill in the Blankie's are made with 100% woven cotton with two inches of satin. It has washed well so far. And - melt my heart - there on all four sides are the words I chose for my son.

So consider this my official thumbs up for Fill in the Blankie. Whether you want one for your own child or have one in mind for a creative shower or baptism gift, you can choose the fabric, color, message, font - almost everything.

We'll see what fabric item my son chooses to pour his affections upon, but I know which one is my favorite.

Fun and educational website for kids!

2009-05-26T07:31:00.000-05:00

Now that the weather is finally nice, the grass green, the trees and flowers growing, I'm eager to get out of the house every chance I get. Running through a park with my kids is so much nicer than trying to manage their behavior in our small condo.

But its inevitable that the occasional rainy day is going to drive us back indoor. When this happens, I try to have an arsenal of projects up my sleeve - food to bake, crafts to make, books to read, games to play, work to do. I try to limit screen time for all of us, but sometimes our projects lead us to the internet. While the internet can be a major time waster, it can also be a great place for educational exploration. Here's a few sites I've found that are great for a rainy day.

Starfall

Starfall is hands down my favorite. Totally free, the site is geared towards teaching Kindergartners and up how to read. However, I began using the most basic tools on the site with my son before he was two years old. As a result, he knew the names and sounds of all 26 letters around the age of two. You can't ask for better results than that! We've begun to dig deeper in the site, learning to put sounds together and other reading skills. Some pages he enjoys but is not ready to read on his own. For example, there are great pages that intro children to Classical music and various composers. He loves these pages and I love the exposure it brings him - I simply do the reading for him. A similar page introduces children to art and artists.

I could go on and on about Starfall. I'm grateful to have such a fun, educational tool available for me on rainy days.

Dream Box

I have wished for something similar to teach Math skills as well, and I recently found this in Dream Box. This website is pay-to-play: after an initial two week trial, you must have a subscription to the site in order to access it. Again geared towards Kindergarten on up, I gave it a shot with my two year old. I found that there was less low hanging fruit on this site. He was able to enjoy playing the first few levels, but quickly found himself over his head in both Math and Computer skills. The games did seem to effectively immerse kids in math skills within the context of an adventure game, so I'll look forward to trying this again in a few years.

Earth Hour Kids

There's more to learning than reading and math! This site was created by the World Wildlife Fund and features lesson-plans, games and songs children and their parents can download introducing them to ecology and how we can each play a part in keeping our planet healthy. I'm glad that we have more tools now than ever to bring our children into the conversation of ecology and equip them with the tools to start making good decisions now.

So there's a few ideas that I have up my sleeve. Have you stumbled upon any website that are both fun and educational for children?

Preserving Them as They Are

2009-05-25T06:17:00.007-05:00

Make sure you read to the bottom of this post for a GREAT GIVEAWAY!!!

I love good pictures of my kids... they are the cutest kids after all, right???? But I can never seem to get good pictures. Be it my camera, my lack of patience, lack of skill, lack of... whatever. I just can’t seem to do it. I have so many pictures of my children with their eyes half closed looking somewhat inebriated or crying- lots of crying, even some shrieking.
.

This is where hiring a photographer comes in…and not the mall chain ones. I wanted pictures that captured my kids as they are. Their joy, their personality..Their spunk- and OK maybe even some pouts. Pictures that give a glimpse into my children’s personalities. Pictures to make them come alive for family who do not get so see them that often. And pictures like these are very hard to come by.

Unless you are Jenni of Lions Roar Media (www.lionsroarmedia.com)

We have hired Jenni to take pictures of the kids a few times now. And despite Princess’s best efforts and being ‘princess-y,’ she still got great pictures. Most recently,we took the kids to the Morton Arboretum and set them free. The results were remarkable. From the stepping stone concentration to the infamous diet coke ,the kids had a great time and she captured it ,all.

Since Jenni is a mom she totally gets the ‘moody-ness’ that goes a long with kids and she is great at working around that less than great behavior or turning it into a really funny picture. Working with her is not working. She is so easy to get along with and puts kids and parents at ease. She catches those moments and expressions I was convinced that I would only get to see etched into my memory, never framed on my mom’s wall. On top of that, her daughter and my daughter get along fabulously and it is fun for all. But to all the little boys out there- she is taken. Stinky has decided she is ‘pretiful’ (translation: beautiful and pretty) and wants to marry her.

Jenni is generously giving away a photography prize package to one lucky Dupage Mama.

Here's what is included for the contest winner:

- A 2-hour portrait session at her Wheeling location. She will take you to a local park, if you would like to do outdoor shots. Or, you she can come to you as long as you live within 20miles of her location.

- $20 print credit

- As many people and outfit changes as you would like photographed

- Free uploading of your images to the Internet

- 10% off our Milestones or Cub's Club membership (Milestones provides portraits at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. Cub's Club provides portraits at 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years).
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In the spirit of Memorial Day, leave a comment here telling us what you are most grateful for about your country. What makes you proud of America and those who have fought to protect us? Or tell us why you need to win this giveaway. Please make sure we have a way to contact you if you win. And as always, blog this or tweet or Facebook or subscribe to get extra entries. Leave a separate comment for each extra entry. We will choose a winner at random next Monday June 1st and contact the winner by e-mail.

Don't miss this opportunity to preserve some precious moments with your kids just being kids. Capture them just as they are. Priceless.

If you have a product or service that you would like highlighted on Dupage Mamas, please email us at dupagemamas(at)gmail(dot)com.

Weird Picture Friday- Basket of Joy

2009-05-22T06:14:00.000-05:00

Today's weird picture is thanks to Leslie from Warrenville. She says...

"I have always said I ought to have stock in Sterilite, since I have their baskets everywhere in my house- in closets and the garage, under sinks, in the fridge and freezer. But this was by far the best use I have made of them. He seemed way too little for the big crib, so we used a basket with a blanket cushion as a bassinet. He was so portable!! "

What a cutie! And a very creative idea. :) He looks awfully cozy in there. Thanks Leslie!

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

See you at the market!

2009-05-21T15:42:00.000-05:00

Nothing says summer like Farmer's Markets. I love browsing through local towns-turned-markets filled with stalls of freshly and locally grown fruit, veggies, baked goods, crafts...everything!

But if you happen to be at Wheaton's French Market this coming Saturday (and several other Saturdays this summer!) keep an eye out for Baby Love Sling's stall, where you can meet our very own lovely and talented Farrah! Stop by and say hi if you're around.

For those of you elsewhere, here's a full list of all the Farmer's Markets going on all summer, all over Chicagoland! There's got to be at least one near you. :)

Happy Shopping!

More summer ideas!

2009-05-21T08:15:00.002-05:00

Are you still looking for something for your kids to do this summer? Thanks to Mandie in Wheaton for sending in these ideas!

The Community School of the Arts (Wheaton College) still has openings for their summer music camps. If Wheaton's music standards hold true, this should be a fantastic opportunity for your budding musician.

Guess what's coming...a Monkey Joes in Wheaton, in the Jewel shopping center at Geneva and Main St./Schmale! Until Mandie sent me the link, I had never heard of Monkey Joes...but it looks super fun! My son is having a birthday this summer, and I may need to check it out. The Grand opening is 5/29/09

June 3 is the day to sign up for Wheaton Public Library's summer story time for kids 6 months to 8 years old. Call early as classes usually fill up the first day. Classes are FREE (music to my ears)! Session runs June 15 to July 24. Classes are once per week and are about 30 minutes long.

Thanks, Mandie! Do you have any hot tips for keeping kids busy learning and having fun this summer? Send us your guest posts or half baked ideas!

Not Much Time for Basking

2009-05-20T06:30:00.003-05:00

Our guest blogger today is April from Plainfield. She is a mom of two, Doula, and green-smoothie queen!

Recently I got one of those emails updating me on my 2 month’s old development. I gave it the cursory glance, not reading it too much, after all he is my second child. I’m a pro at this, right? There was however one section at the bottom that caught my eye. It was a part of the newsletter where a question is asked and 3 different experts weigh in. The question was: “Is it okay to watch TV while I’m breastfeeding.” I almost chuckled reading the question, thinking to myself, “Of course it’s okay; how could there be any other answer?” I was almost shocked off my seat when all three experts gave a resounding “NO”! What? How is it not okay to watch TV while breastfeeding? All three experts went on to say that breastfeeding is a time to bond with your baby and all your energies should be focused on that during the feeding session.

This answer almost rivals a comment a doctor made to me when my first child, my daughter, was born. He told me, completely straight faced, that I should spend the next 6 weeks in bed with her, nursing her on demand, bonding with her and not getting out of bed except to go to the bathroom. No housework, no cooking, just laying around and bonding. I don’t know about you, but I don’t live in Biblical days where I have servants fanning me with branches and hand feeding me peeled grapes.

Just this week here are a few things I’ve had to do while nursing my baby because life dictated it be so: wipe my daughter after she’s done going potty, check on dinner so half an hour of work doesn’t burn, hold my daughter in my lap while she bawls after falling down on her bottom while going down the stairs, play Candyland with her, put together puzzles with her, clean up spilled water the dog left so no one (read my 3 year old daughter) falls down, and many more things than I can remember. Just because I have a 2 month old, dear baby boy doesn’t mean life is giving me the luxury of sitting and staring at his precious face while feeding him.

But this morning, I had a rare moment. My daughter was downstairs playing contentedly after breakfast and I went up to feed the baby and put him down. I was able to stare at his sweet little face, watch his eyes start to roll back in his head, wonder what those eyes would see during the course of his life. I held his little sweat soaked and milk sticky hand, counted and recounted each finger, wondering one day who his wife would be, whose hand he would hold. I stroked his chubby thighs, counting the chub rolls, down to his little toes, touching each one, wondering what they would look like in sandals when he went to high school. Then I looked back at his face, basking in its beautiful babyness, knowing all too soon that it would be gone and I would have trouble remembering what it used to look like.

And then just as suddenly the tree branches stopped their cool breeze and the peeled grapes disappeared and reality came back to me in the form of my daughter yelling to be wiped, the dog barking up a storm at someone walking by outside and…wait a minute…is that the smell of burning eggs…?

We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas.

Beachy Kids Crafts

2009-05-19T06:29:00.002-05:00

I just got home from a beach vacation with my family. My sister graduated from law school (hooray!!!) and we celebrated by spending a week on the beach and being bums. Fitting, eh? :) My two boys just adore the beach, taking after their mama on that one. Even the 9month old couldn't get enough of the sand! My 3yr. old has always loved playing in the surf and digging "tunnels" in the sand. But one of his favorite beach activities is shell hunting. He loves to find those "beautiful" treasures and of course cannot part with any of those half broken shells that he deems so valuable. And not wanting in any way to burst his bubble and actually finding them beautiful myself, we always seem to come home from the beach with dozens and dozens of shells and no clue what to do with all of them.
Well, if you find yourself in that same predicament, here are some ideas that I found for fun crafts you can make with all those beach treasures.

A Shell Wreath- you cover a cardboard ring with glue and sprinkle with sand. Once it is dry, you hot glue the shells on to make a beautiful beach wreath suitable for display. Sounds easy enough.

Bug Shell Magnets- Glue the shells together and add googly eyes and some magnet tape... Voila! This looks super cute but not much for the toddler to help with. Hmmm... moving on....

Or you could just let your kids paint the bigger shells and put a piece of magnet tape on the back... instant magnet and reminder of the fun.

I love these sea shell boats. And they look fairly easy. You attach a fabric scrap to a twig and then secure the twig in the shell with modeling clay. I think my 3yr. old will love this one.

Sea Shell Angels anyone?

Or if you have a lot of less-than-perfect shells (like we do), this shadow box craft may be the thing for you.

I think we'll be trying the wreath and the shell painting for starters. If I get really ambitious, we will try the bugs and the boat. They are so cute! Do you have any ideas for me? I would love to hear.
And if you try any of these ideas with your shell collection, I would love to hear about that too.

A First Time for Everything

2009-05-18T07:24:00.000-05:00

While there are many things that cause stress for mothers, planning their kids' birthday parties is right up there in the top 10. Maybe even the top five for some. My son is only three and I am already out of ideas. Not looking good for me. Could be that I set the bar too high or have unrealistic expectations. I just want the perfect toddler party, tons of fun, not much cash...is that impossible? Not anymore.

In search of a unique and fun place to have his party, my son and I wandered into the Dupage Historical Museum. Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Wheaton in the western suburbs, the museum is full of interesting artifacts and beautiful exhibits highlighting the rich local history and culture of this county. But that is not really why we went. The big pull for us, and for many, is the huge model train they have in the lower level. It is truly a work of art and an awe-inspiring site for kids and kids-at-heart. Once my toddler saw it, he was hooked.

When I inquired about having his birthday party there, I was informed by the museum staff that they have never had one before. However, from there the museum educator proceeded to plan and arrange the entire party on just over a week's notice. She planned activities and crafts for the kids, decorated the room, offered to purchase snacks, ... She did it all! It was a perfect toddler train party where the kids had tons of fun and it didn't cost much at all. It does exist!!

The Dupage Historical Museum has recently been purchased by the Wheaton Park District in efforts to keep the doors open. They have all new staff and all new motivation to update the exhibits to enhance the visitors' experience of the local history and culture. They already have several hands-on areas where kids can get a feel for life in Dupage County in the 1800's and other fun tactile activities. They also have a beautiful auditorium perfect for events and performances. Coming this fall, the museum will be hosting a series of educational and hands-on progams for adults and kids designed to draw the community back to this forgotten resource.

We loved our experience there. The kids loved the trains, the staff was great and so very helpful and I got to sit back and enjoy the day. Perfect. And with the museum located in the midst of downtown Wheaton, you are just walking distance from dozens of local shops and restaurants once you see all that the museum has to offer. We will be back again and again. We have truly found a hidden gem!

Anyone interested in learning more about this local gem or about having your event (toddler party, office party, etc...) there, contact the museum educator Sara Buttita at (630) 510-4956 or sbuttita@wheatonparks.org.
Originally posted at Chicagonista.

Summer Camp!

2009-05-18T06:26:00.001-05:00

Today's guest blogger is Laura in Aurora.

Ok, I know I’m probably the LAST person to start scheduling their kid, but there’s 3 great places for Wheaton/Warrenville/Geneva/Naperville/Aurora folks to look at for summer activities (I didn’t include the park districts, because everybody turns there first, right?)

1) Fermilab. AWESOME summer program, especially if your kids are into nature or physics/science. Programs for as young as 1st graders, and I can tell you that my boys (grades 2 and 4) LOVED the M-class, where they built their own cars from pasta!

2) St. Irene School in Warrenville. Disclaimer, my kids go here, but they’ve put out a summer class schedule for the first time, and it’s AWESOME – one class is about American Girls (dolls and their stories), one for Jr High deals with books & movies (like Twilight) and a class for little kids about Eric Carle. My fave? “Do You Like to Blow Things Up” for 2nd -5th graders.

3) Naper Settlement. I love the fact that kids discover history through mysteries…they use codes, GPS devices and participate in treasure hunts.

4) Morton Arboretum – Nature camps like you wouldn’t believe. My kids did a nighttime program about owls and LOVED it. Truly a hidden gem.

We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas.

Weird Picture Friday - Roller Skating Baby

2009-05-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Tina for today's picture! Her four year old was playing "Daddy" and teaching the baby how to roller skate. Hey, the skates may be a bit big, but...

If you'd like to join in, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

You recycled WHAT?!

2009-05-14T16:06:00.001-05:00

Last month, Wheaton had a recycling extravaganza - for six hours, residents could drop off all kinds of "unusual" items for recycling. I recently saw a list of these "unusual" items, and got a kick out it. So without further ado, here it is....remember, just six hours:

· Nearly 8,000 pounds of scrap metal

· 143 American flags to be appropriately retired by the American Legion

· 46 fire extinguishers

· 342 eye glasses and 8 hearing aids

· Approximately 8 pounds of keys

· 109 sealed lead acid batteries

· 37 bikes

· 20 pairs of crutches, 4 wheelchairs, 5 walkers

· 215 cell phones

· 216 ink jet printer cartridges

· 6,200 pounds of books and cardboard for recycling

In addition, residents dropped off a staggering 37,688 pounds of electronics on April 18 during Wheaton’s twice-a-month electronic recycling collection.

Am I the only one a little blow away by this? I'm not sure what strikes me more - how much stuff was recycled, or how much stuff probably isn't recycled most days, most places. Good job gang.

Mud and Munchies Part 2: Backyard Gardening for Everyone

2009-05-14T07:06:00.000-05:00

Today's guest blogger is Heather from Wheaton...

Last month I wrote about starting a vegetable garden in your backyard. Did I mention that we are doing our garden this year with friends? We are square foot gardening this year. You can easily build your own box with a few simple supplies from a hardware store, but we ordered one of their kits because I am short on time and figured the money I spent was going to a good cause because they are a non profit organization. Well, we got our kit and we built it. It was really easy to put together. Anyone can do it...really, anyone.

Then we prepared our soil mixture. It's organic soil, compost and peat moss. I could not find vermiculite, but am not especially concerned. Then invited friends over to help us plant the first seeds. We can already see the peas and lettuce coming up...and so far weeding has been a breeze...
I've got some other crops started next to the box in more traditional rows and we are enjoying that too.

Interested in doing some yard sharing? Talk to your neighbors and friends. Pool your resources and share your time build friendships and get some delicious homegrown tomatoes out of the deal. Need ideas, encouragement or a place to connect online? Check out Hyperlocavore...they'll help you get started!

Heather blogs at In Te Domine. We're always looking for guest bloggers! If you'd like to share something with the Dupage Mamas community, send us your completed post or half-baked ideas.

More winning!

2009-05-13T17:02:00.003-05:00

Let's hear it for April, who won the Life Pix photo session and 8x10 photo. She's excited to see new pictures of her toddler and newborn baby! We'll look forward to seeing the fantastic results, April!

Sushi in the Suburbs

2009-05-13T08:54:00.000-05:00

There are many great things about living in the suburbs versus the city. Bigger living spaces, plentiful parking, and indoor malls just to name a few. But one of the many advantages of being in the city is all the fantastic restaurants. In the city, one can find just about any style of food any time of the day or night. But thanks to Kinta Sushi, us suburbanites can have a little taste of city life without the parking meters.

Kinta Sushi is this tiny little Japanese restaurant in a strip mall in Carol Stream. From the outside, it looks like nothing special. But as soon as you walk in, the great atmosphere and friendly staff make you feel welcome and hungry. It is a bit small, with just 4-5booths and 4-5tables and then some stools at the sushi bar. The decor is like hip Asian-chic with a little splash of traditional thrown in for good measure. Very cute!! The perfect date restaurant or girls' night out.

Most importantly, the food is fantastic! The portions are large, but the prices are not. We got California Rolls and Miami Rolls and Ginger Chicken Rolls and Edamame. It was all amazing. Seriously some of the best food, not just the best sushi, I have ever had. They brought out some sort of broth and tofu soup as an appetizer. And even though I am not a fan of tofu, it was really yum. Our total bill was around $35 for generous portions of all the food you see above. Can you beat that, city sushi restaurant?
The staff was attentive but not pushy. The place had a steady stream of people for both eat in and carry out for the entire 2hours that we sat there. And although the atmosphere was great, the pull to get back there is to have the taste of that Ginger Chicken back on my tongue. It is like one of the best kept secrets in all Dupage County.

So if you get that urge for good Japanese food with quiet ambiance but you don't want to drive downtown or fight for street parking, Kinta Sushi is your best bet.

=======

Kinta Sushi Japanese Restaurant and Contemporary Sushi
Carry out/Catering
Hours:
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 - 2:30
Dinner: Mon-Thu 4:30-9:30
Fri-Sat 4:30-10:00
Closed Sunday

135 Hiawatha Dr.
Carol Stream. IL 60188
Tel (630)-260-9557
www.kintasushi.net

Originally published on Chicagonista.

Winner of the Timber Creek giveaway...

2009-05-12T13:05:00.002-05:00

...Lindsay, from St. Charles! She says she'd like to try the Makin' Baby Food box for her baby. Let us know how it is, Lindsay!

For all of us who didn't win, if you'd like to learn more about Timber Creek or purchase any of their fantastic product, click on the ad in our side bar to be taken to their site.

Worthy causes abound this weekend

2009-05-12T08:52:00.000-05:00

Did you know that one blood donation can save three lives? That's hard to pass up. The Wheaton Police Department will be sponsoring its sixth annual blood drive on May 15. The event will take place at the Wheaton Police Department, 900 W. Liberty Drive, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Here's where to go for more information.

The Environmental Improvement Commission welcomes the community to lend a hand during the DuPage County River Sweep on May 16. From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers are needed to remove trash and debris and restore stream banks of the DuPage River and its tributaries. Here's your link to find out more

There is so much going on in West Chicago on Saturday, May 16th, at their Blooming Fest! This sounds like something you won't want to miss, be you child, shopper, or vendor - so check it out!

What are you planning for this weekend? Let us know! Send us your tips, posts, or pictures! For today's headlines, scroll to the bottom of this page for daily news links - updated each day.

Contests!!!

2009-05-11T13:47:00.002-05:00

I wanted to be sure no one is missing our on the FANTASTIC giveaways we have going on right now. Believe me, if this wasn't my blog, I would so be trying to win these!!

Timber Creek is ending today at Midnight!! So enter while you still can!

Life Pix is ending tomorrow! Who doesn't want cute shots of their kids??

The fresh water pearl bracelet contest is not only still open, but there's only one person in the competition! So your chances are very good...

Don't miss these! They end soon! Win them for me...since I can't. :)

Need a Vacation?

2009-05-11T07:39:00.000-05:00

Do you ever need a vacation? I sure do. This winter was so long and so cold; my kids and I are fed up with staring at the walls of our small condo. So when my husband suggested a family vacation, I packed our bags.

Where did we go? Hawaii? Paris? Sedona? Nope - Schaumburg.

Yes, you heard right. These days, who has the money to take a two week vacation to someplace exotic? Not me. But I can honestly say we had an awesome time kicking it up in Schaumburg, complete with rest, relaxation, and a change of pace. And the total price? $150.

Here's what we did. On Saturday morning, we booked a Hotel through Hotwire. We ended up staying at the Hyatt Regency for the price of a Holiday Inn. Once I knew where we were staying, I called and requested early check in. We hopped in the car. Twenty minutes later we were there - moving into our posh room at the swanky Hyatt.

The hotel is right across the street from Woodfield mall, so after getting settled we took our sons to the Rainforest Cafe. I don't think Disneyland could have made their eyes bug out any wider - they loved seeing the fish and the animals, and were amazed to experience an indoor thunderstorm.

After lunch, it was back to the hotel for naps - my toddler slept in a sleeping bag for the first time, and thought he was getting the treat of a lifetime. After naps we hit the pool and splashed and yelled and played for the rest of the day.

Tired and hungry, we walked across the parking lot to Sweet Tomatoes. My sons are still young enough to eat for free, so we got our money's worth and more. My toddler loved being able to go through the buffet line to pick out his food, and even managed to swallow a few veggies! Then, back to the sleeping bags (fancy pillow top King sized bed for Mom and Dad).

In the morning we ate at the gorgeous hotel restaurant, explored the beautiful hotel, and did some more swimming. After checking out we went back across the street and wandered through Woodfield mall.

When we arrived home on Sunday evening it felt like we had been gone for a week - in a good way. We had taken a break from our busy lives and focused on having fun together; and we did it in a new environment. Sometimes its not Disneyland or Italy that we want - its just four walls besides the ones we've been living in.

So....

Super Swank Hotel on Hotwire: $85.00
Lunch Menu at Rainforest Cafe: $35.00
Sweet Tomatoes Buffet with two kids under 3 years old: $25.00
Taking time to rest and relax with your family: Priceless

Catherine is one of the co-founders of DupageMamas. When she's not over here you can find her blogging about life at her personal blog, everyday life as lyric poetry.

Do you have a suggestion for a local get away? We'd love to have you guest blog for us. Email us your post, ideas, pictures - whatever!

Happy Mother's Day!!

2009-05-10T00:09:00.001-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!
From all of us here at Dupage Mamas!!
We are grateful for you and this community. We pray that today you feel honored and cherished by those who adore you.

Photo Credit: LifePix Photography

Weird Picture Friday - Trolley Trouble

2009-05-08T08:52:00.001-05:00

Alright, here's the story. This lovely picture was taken in San Fransisco, while I was trying to get a cool pic of me hanging off the sides of a trolley like a movie star. Instead, I almost got my face smashed off by an oncoming trolley. And this picture to capture the moment forever.

Ok now guys. You've gotta help me out here. You've seen weird pictures of me from college, weird pictures of me almost getting myself killed as an adult, and even weird pictures of my son. Puh-lease will you join in the fun and send me a weird picture of YOU...or someone or something else...just not me! Otherwise, I'm going to have to embarrass myself even further in the weeks to come.

So...if you'd like to join in, send us a picture to use in the coming weeks. Or, post your own Weird Picture Friday photo to your blog and link back to us. Then, leave a comment so all the Dupage Mamas can stop by your blog and have a laugh. Don't have a blog? No problem. E-mail us the picture and we'll feature it right here in an upcoming Weird Picture Friday post!

PLEASE PEOPLE! Help me stop embarrassing myself like this. :)

Mom of the Year

2009-05-07T06:51:00.001-05:00

Well, sorry to disappoint y'all, but I am fairly sure that I have won "Mom-of-the-Year" this year. I mean, it is all over the news. Have you seen the footage?

Farrah Brown wins Mom of the Year
(I am kidding, of course.)

I was recently sent an award of sorts, a bloggy-award. This particular award came with some very specific rules that should be followed if you want to play along. In the spirit of building community and honestly sharing a little with y'all about my motherhood journey, I would love to share with you my responses.

(1) Admit one thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are No Longer allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

I feel awful every time I let my emotions and fatigue get the best of me. I am not always good at controlling my emotional outbursts when my 3 yr old or increasingly my 9-month old frustrate me. My toddler really knows how to push my buttons and I often think I expect too much from him emotionally and behaviorally. He is extremely verbal and I often mistake that for maturity. He is still only 3 and learning about his world and his actions. But, it is hard for me not to let his whining and disobedience get me all flustered. I yell too much. I hate it when I yell. It makes me feel truly awful. I try to keep calm and not let it get to me, and I am learning and getting better. But, I still have a lot of room for improvement.

2) Remind yourself you are a good mom. List seven things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself everyday so you know that you Rock!

I love when my 3yr. old tells me he loves me, which he does several times a day. I love that he feels so comfortable expressing his affection for me. I hope it lasts and our relationship continues to grow. I also love when he says, "Oh, Mommy...." in that tender way. So sweet!

I love the way my baby's face lights up when we catch each other's eyes. He has the most expressive eyes and they brighten right up when he sees his mommy.

I love to take my boys on walks in the wagon and see them interacting and playing together. I love watching the 3yr. old hug and love on his brother, even if it is a little too rough sometimes. I can't wait for them to grow up as each other's greatest playmate and friend.

I love holding them close in the sling and feeling their bodies relax and sink into me, knowing they are totally safe and completely connected to me.

I love that my 3yr. old wants Mommy to sit by him and rub his legs and sing "Jesus Songs" to help him fall asleep. I get annoyed sometimes that I can't just chill on the couch. But then I remind myself that he won't always want me to sit with him and I should cherish it while I can.

I love watching my boys be just boys- exploring, letting their creativity and curiosity drive them. I am excited that warmer weather is here and we can start going on nature hikes and play in the dirt. I love watching them go crazy with paint or crayons (and yes, I have let my 9month old paint). I feel like it is these moments when their true personality comes out and they aren't so constricted and "parented." I wish life had more of those moments.

I love that my boys are growing up knowing that they are actually sons #2 and #3 and that their oldest brother is in heaven with Jesus. I love that they will look forward to heaven so they can be with Jesus too and meet their brother who died before they were born. I love that my 3yr old expressed grief and longing for his brother and that talking about him is just a natural part of our lives.

Motherhood is hard. I think we can all agree about that. We don't always do it perfectly. I know I am not always the mother I wish I was to my boys. I fail them daily. But I also love them with my whole self and would stop the world from turning if they asked me to. And I try to daily remind myself that my deep, deep love for them covers a multitude of frustrated moments of less-than-ideal mommy behavior. As we approach Mother's Day, let's all remind ourselves that we are good moms who are daily putting our family's needs above our own. We give selflessly to our children, not because we have to but because we choose to.
If you want to play along and answer part or all of these questions, this award is for you too. You are all the Mom of the Year. Share your answers in the comments or in an e-mail or on your own blog.

And it wouldn't be Mother's Day without a gift, right? If you play along and join in this conversation, you will be entered to win this beautiful fresh-water pearl bracelet from a really wonderful company called Narimon (we will be sharing more about their ministry soon). I will choose a winner at random next Friday. Please share part of your motherhood journey with us and let's encourage each other. If we share this task of mothering our kids together, it will make the road easier for us.

Book Corner: The Midwife

2009-05-06T08:12:00.001-05:00

Ever since I entered this journey of pregnancy, birth, and parenting over three years ago, I've spent a lot of time contemplating Mothers. I've contemplated what is required of Mothers; I've contemplated the wisdom that Mothers have the potential to cultivate as a result of what is required. But more than anything else, I've contemplated the fact that my experience as a modern day Mother is very, very different from that of the average Mother around the world since time began.

When I consider the experience of the women who have brought forth each generation of life on this earth it blows my mind. For the most part, they have married young, likely without a say in the matter, and had no access to birth control. This means a life of being pregnant, or nursing, or both, for the majority of your years. And caring for your expanding family without today's technological assistance - simply providing clean water might take more effort and forethought than I need in a whole day of child care. But more than anything I think of the dangers inherent in each of the many pregnancies a woman might have - the risk of losing the child was high, and the chance of dying herself was as high as 50-50.

I've reflected on this frequently in the past three years. They've been challenging enough, but I entered into them freely, and without fear that I might die just as likely as live to see my child. I worry about my childrens' safety, but the odds are high that they'll be just fine. And I've pondered at the strength of my sisters and mothers from times past - and in some places, still today.

So when a copy of The Midwife: A memoir of birth, joy, and hard times by Jennifer Worth arrived at my door, I was excited. The memoir is that of a young woman, not yet a mother herself, who practices midwifery in the slums of 1950's post-war London. Her clients are startlingly poor, and have no other access to medical care outside of the faithful women in their community who are trained to attend births - and save lives in the process.

From the preface:

In January 1998, the Midwives Journal published an article by Terri Coates entitled "Impressions of a Midwife in Literature. " After careful research right across European and English-language writing, Terri was forced to conclude that midwives are virtually non-existent in literature.

Why, in heaven's name? Fictional doctors grace the pages of books in droves, scattering pearls of wisdom as they pass. Nurses, good and bad, are by no means absent. But midwives? Whoever heard of a midwife as a literary heroine? Yet midwifery is the very stuff of drama. Every child is conceived either in love or lust, is born in pain, followed by joy or sometimes remorse. A midwife is in the thick of it, she sees it all. Why then does she remain a shadowy figure, hidden behind the delivery room door?

Terri Coates finished her article with a lament for the neglect of such an important professions. I read her words, accepted the challenge, and took up my pen.

I am grateful that she did pick up her pen, for what she wrote is very eye opening. Though only fifty years in our past, the stories that she tells sound to my ears as though they were far removed - and they echo the stories of women throughout the ages. I am amazed both at the love and the burden they carried. I am inspired by their perseverance, and humbled by the painful, difficult roads they walked.

Reading this book I continue to question, not only from the perspective of midwives but from that of mothers: Why are these stories untold? Why is the heroic act of bringing new life into the world not sung more loudly and more often than all the epic tales of history? Why do we memorialize acts of war and death while relegating the every-day miracle of a woman in labor to that-which-must-not-be-discussed? Why is a Mother's story not considered the most lovely and desirable story?

There is much joy in The Midwife, but there is much hard times as well. I put it down with a renewed understanding both of the love of parent for child as well as the reality of loss, devastating loss.

But in both cases, I recommend this book highly. Birth may be a beautiful story or a hard story, but it is the story of life.

Catherine is one of the co-founders of DupageMamas. This post is cross-posted from her personal site, everyday life as lyric poetry. Have you read a book you'd like to recommend? Send us a post and we'll put it up!

Capturing the Moment

2009-05-05T06:42:00.003-05:00

Admittedly, I may be a little biased. They are my boys, after all. But are these not some of the most precious pictures you have ever seen! :)
The photographer is Dana from LifePix Photography. And she is spectacular! She met us one evening in Adams Park in Wheaton. If you know the park, you know that it is full of beautiful trees and flowers and has the best smell of spring!! As soon as she met the boys, she started talking with them and getting to know them. She made them immediately feel comfortable which made all the difference in the photos she was able to get.
Picture time can always be a little stressful for us moms. We are trying to get the kiddos to look at the camera, smile appropraitely, be positioned just perfect. But Dana just put that all at ease. "I am just capturing the moment, " she said. "You'll be surprised at how many good shots we'll get." And I am.
Her pictures are beautiful, her prices are very affordable, and she works with your schedule to find the best time to get the best pictures. I think I changed the session date like 3 times due to schedule and weather and she worked with me everytime. Her approach is to integrate contemporary photojournalism with classic portrait styling. She uses natural light and familiar surroundings to capture your family at their best. The result is pictures that will take your breath away and that you will cherish for years and years.

Dana is a fellow DupageMama- mom to three beautiful girls, the youngest just 5months old, who lives in Warrenville.
She is laid back, great with kids, and very very talented! Hurry and book your spring session before she is all booked up! Scroll down through some of my favorite shots of my boys and there just might be a reward at the end....

Beautiful, huh? Dana has very generously offered to giveaway one free photo session (an hour long) at the location of your choice along with one free 8x10 print. Visit her site and look around. Then come back and comment here telling us a little about your favorite photo subjects (ie: your kids or your pets or etc...) Comments will close next Tuesday the 12th at midnight. The winner will be drawn at random and announced here. Don't forget to get your extra entries (blog it, Twitter, Facebook, subscribe) to this one. Trust me, you want to win this.

This giveaway is also listed with Mom Most Traveled's Giveaway Carnival-LOTS of great prizes there too! For obvious reasons, this giveaway is open for Chicagoland mamas only. Thanks!!

A Healthy Choice

2009-05-04T07:04:00.004-05:00

Last summer, in an attempt to eat healthier and be a good steward of the earth, my husband and I joined a Community-Supported Agriculture Farm (CSA). We paid several hundred dollars for our share of the yield of a local farm. So each week, we drive to the pick up spot to get our box of assorted fruit and veges. Even with sharing the box with a friend, it was often more produce than we could use in a week. Especially those weeks when much of the box was beets or fennel or another vegetable that I had no idea how to cook. It did stretch our palette a bit and we did eat much healthier. Overall, it was a great experience and something I am really glad we did. But not something I was jumping at the chance to do again. But with the same goal of eating healthier and feeding my family well, I was confronted again with the question of how best to do that within a budget and a busy schedule. Organic produce in local stores can be hit-or-miss and pretty exprensive. Farmer's markets are great but that assumes I can get there and aren't available past the fall. Hmm... there aren't many other options out there.

Then I heard about Timber Creek Farms- a local organic food delivery service. Truthfully, the first word that caught my attention: DELIVERY!! You mean there is someone out there that will bring a box of high-quality, locally-grown organic produce to my front door? It must cost a TON.

Nope. Not at all. That is the truly amazing part. Here is what was in my first organic box: A head of Romaine lettuce, a whole pineapple, 4 large apples, a bunch of bananas, 6 zucchini, a bag of pea pods, a bag of greenbeens, 6 potatoes, and a whole head of celery.
The cost? $30.85. Delivered. To my door. Yummy fruits and veges that I recognize and can't wait to eat/serve my family. LOVE IT!!!

Timber Creek Farms has so much to offer. You can choose from the dozens of box types they have available: all veges, all fruit, mix of fruit and veges, etc... There are also many, many specialty boxes of varying prices to choose from. There is a box of foods for nursing/pregnant moms, a box of foods perfect for making baby food, the juicing box, the de-tox box, the cancer box, the high-blood pressure box, and the list goes on and on. I loved looking through the catalog and seeing all the cool combinations. But if by some chance you don't see what you want, they also let you make your own custom box.
You have a specified delivery day depending on your area and unfortunately that is set for you. They deliver within a 100mile radius of Yorkville, so that takes them all the way to NW Indiana and down to Bloomington/Normal. You can decide how frequently you want your box. We started with once every 4weeks until we figure out how much produce we will need each week. You can have a standing order or you can switch it up every week.
Beyond the delicious produce, Timber Creek also offers organic milk and meat and eggs. They also have the "Pantry Club" where you can have household staples delivered to your door. Another feature I think is cool is their "Wholesale Club" where you can buy certain things in bulk. If you don't need a crate full of paper towels, they offer a message board where you can connect with people who may want half that crate and will split the cost with you. You pay your part and Timber Creek splits the crate and delivers your share of the paper towels to your door.
Wow.

I could go on and on about the merits of Timber Creek. But here is the best part. They are a family-run business that cares about your family. And together with Dupage Mamas, they are giving away a free delivered box of organic produce!! Just click here to visit their website. Then come back here and leave a comment telling us which box you would like to try or which recipe from their blog sounds the yummiest. Make sure you also leave us a way to reach you if you win. And as usual, spread the word on your blog or Facebook or Twitter and get an extra entry. Or subscribe to our feed and get a third. That's three chances to win some free, yummy fruits and veges delivered to your door. Not much better than that. This giveaway will be open for entries until next Monday the 11th. We will draw a winner at random and announce the lucky person here.

My family has only received one Timber Creek box so far. But we are hooked! And you will be too!