Lakeshore Athletic Club - Our Home Away From Home!

For those of you moms who know me personally you knew I would have to gush about Lakeshore Athletic Club at some point. In fact, I met some of you at the prenatal swim class taught at LSAC. By the way, I highly recommend this class to anyone who is preggers!

It is no secret that Brayden and I are regulars at the gym. The nursery/playroom has been a godsend in both of our lives. I get to exercise and do something for me. And Brayden gets to hang out and play with toys other than his own, he gets to socialize with other tots and he gets a break from mom. Trust me, this does not offend me...I am sure I would grow tiresome to all after long periods of time stuck in doors and staring at each other.

Here is the real deal about LSAC and why I think...okay I know...each of you will benefit.

The nursery/playroom is amazing. Unlike other gyms they change poopie diapers, give bottles and let the kids pal around with snacks. The caregivers themselves are phenomenal. They never forget Brayden's name and make him feel welcome the second he sets foot in the door (regardless of his mood). Your newborn is invited as early as 6 weeks! This too is a major advantage other gyms do not offer. And even better, from 6 weeks until 3 months your baby is in a separate nursery with one-on-one care for an entire hour. The fee is a bit more but for piece of mind the extra $3 is worth it.

We can attest because Brayden has been going regularly since he was 6 weeks old. It hasn't all come up roses...he goes through phases of separation anxiety. Instead of these women rolling their eyes at my screaming child they say to us (Brayden and I), "You just need to cry to let mommy know how much you love her. I understand." How sweet! Definitely helps my guilt as abandon my grief-stricken child and shuffle up to the treadmills. And the cost for all of this is reasonable. A punch card of 15 visits costs $50. Or you can pay as you go for $5 a visit. The one-on-one baby care is $8. They do ask that you please call in advance to let them know your tot is coming. This way they can manage the number of tots so it is always a positive experience and not too crazy! But from personal experience I can tell you they are cool if you forget to call.

In addition to the awesome child care, LSAC is all around family-friendly and offers a variety of classes, sports, dance, yoga and activities for all ages. Tot activities start as young as 12 months with swimming and gymnastics. Summer camps start at age 3. Short sports will soon be offered to tots as young as 2! I cannot wait to enroll Brayden! There is a 'kids gym' for school age tots to hang out in, play video games, exercise on real equipment and play games. This service is free for up to 3 hours a visit. I often see kids of all ages hanging around the gym...some even doing homework in the dining area. The whole place is just so comfy. Though the dining counter can be slow...fyi. I have litte patience when it comes to waiting.

However, having access to a dining area is a bonus. They offer anything from bagels to cheeseburgers, hummus to soup, water to Blue Moon beer. You can even bring your own food and have lunch. It's a great touch. I bet you are blessed with appropriate patience :)

Give LAC a call and check it out. This is a perfect family hang out. Sometimes, we grab dad and take a swim in the kid's pool. LAC 773-477-9888 or www.lsac.com







BRAYDEN's Pick: Apples, Apples, Apples...even the peel.

10 Surprising Safety Hazards!
Dishwashers: provides access to pointy utensils and the detergent can be harmful
Latex Ballons: choking hazard and can completely block breathing
Kitchen Ranges: all sorts of burning hazards
Soft Bedding: can cause suffocation
Hand Me Down Baby Gear: may be broken, missing pieces or not up to current safety standards
Bath Seats and Rings: can trap babies underwater if they tip over
Bath and Bady Oils: can cause pneumonia-like conditions due to the liquid hydrocarbon
The Family Dog: dog-bite related injuries are way more common than you can imagine (shucks...we have a dog)
Power Windows: can crush fingers and limbs
Pocketbooks and Purses: can cause a variety of injuries including choking...who know what we have in there

For more on these hazards and strategies to prevent them visit www.parents.com.

Have a great week!

K&B

The Happy Hour Playdate!

Yep, your eyes have not deceived you! It is about time you scheduled a Happy Hour Playdate for you and your tot!

Working moms and stay-at-homes alike deserve a little treat once a week (wink). Or maybe, more doable, once every two weeks. A bona fide Happy Hour just like we did before we had kids. :) Cyndi Lauper found the heart of the issue...GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN and there is no reason not to. Though we no longer come home in the morning light.

Here's the deal, we are women...intellectual, spirited and spunky women. We willingly and eagerly give so much of ourselves and our time to our families. So every now and again I encourage us to spice up the playdate. Herein lies the best of both worlds. (Shout out to Liam..."my dad drinks spicy juice.")

This late afternoon soiree is a perfect blend of adult play and tot play. There are a couple of options for making this work. You can host a Happy Hour Playdate at your house and set out some delicious snacks and wine. Or make it a potluck and every week (okay...or every other week) rotate who brings what and the 'where'. Easy, breezy. My summer suggestion is margaritas and guacamole. Ahhhhh...

For the tots...set out all of your tot's favorite toys or have each tot bring their favorite toy to share. Next, let the tots go wild. I mean crazy nut wild! With wine in hand the brewing disaster in your living doesn't seem so bad. While your tots are entertaining each other by snatching toys from one another and exclaiming 'mine' you and your mom friends can toast all the week's (alright...or every other week's) successes, failures, new developments, upcoming events...etc. Perfect.


Now that I've successfully convinced you you need a regular Happy Hour Playdate let's put one on the calendar. I already know of a few moms who would love to have a set Happy Hour Playdate. Something to look forward to... My suggestion is this, let's schedule one every other week (obviously I prefer every week...so speak up if you do too!!!) and whoever can make can make it. The usual disclaimer applies to this playdate as it does to all others...plans are always tentative when a child is involved. Make a comment on this blog if you are in for a Happy Hour Playdate!!!! I'll set up an email exchange for everyone interested. CHEERS!



BRAYDEN's Pick: Tylenol. I'm getting so many teeth at once! What in the world...

BABY BLOOPERS: Random Tot Quotes...inspired by Liam :)

"Nobody puts me on the corner!" (no explanation necessary)

"That man has a candle in his mouth!" (it was a cigarette)

"If I were a gift I would be a necklace so I could stay with my mom." (Ahhhhhh)

If you have a collection of your tot's hilarious quotes then visit www.parents.com. Find the Mom-to-Mom Advice and locate 'Share Funny Toddler Moments'. Post your quote and you could win $250! College fund...

K&B

Musical Magic...Magic Comes Alive in Your Tot's Eyes!!!!

Moms have I got great news! Brayden and I have stumbled across a tot-friendly hidden gem in Roscoe Village. Musical Magic (located at 2255 W. Roscoe)! We were driving down the street and noticed an awning saying without saying your tot belongs here! And believe me when I say your tot belongs there!

Musical Magic is 'a musical journey designed for children ages newborn to 4 years old.' Brayden can attest this is a fantastic journey! Just the other day, Brayden and I popped in for the Pip Squeaks class for ages 12 months to 24 months. The class was a brilliant combination of free-roam and structure. Brayden's life has been dedicated to being a tot...a wild, adventurous, and a bit untamed tot. When we were asked to sit in a circle I began to sweat! Would Brayden sit still? Would he run around and thunk kids on the head, would he start screaming!?! Ugh...what would happen??? My fear was unwarranted because Musical Magic is truly magic.

The class is a series of adorable kids songs...one directly after the other. Age appropriate songs teaching kids animals, colors, and more. My favorite songs were the hello and goodbye songs because these songs included all the tot's names. Each song has a prop...shaking eggs, rhythm sticks, sunglasses, scarves, balls and even bubbles. Yes, bubbles! Brayden had never seen bubbles before. His smile was priceless. His giggles amazing. His cry of joy heartwarming. Then and there I said to myself, 'We are signing up!'

Roseanne Locricchio Barnum is the Founder and Director of Musical Magic since its debut in September 2002. Roseanne's background is in PR but music was always her first love. Roseanne has successfully managed to turn her hobby into a career. I love this! I admire this! I support her. And cannot believe she hand washes all of those props...there is even a drool bag for the props that get slobbered on (as they require more attention)!

Roseanne teaches the classes with passion and patience. Like I said, I was so nervous about Brayden giving the finger to a structured class! He is only used to places where he can run at his freewill. BUT me of little faith, Roseanne has set the class up perfectly for all age groups...including tots like Brayden. In addition to the props, the kids get up and dance, shake, walk in a circle and mingle with each other. It is simply wonderful. And at $152 for an 8 week session it is also super affordable. I noticed on her website if you sign up for two sessions you get a 15% discount. Check out the website for all class details (babies, toddlers and a mix medley) and the various times to suit your tots schedule. Give Roseanne a call (773-529-5600) and schedule your FREE preview class. www.musicalmagic.net


Here's another bonus for the moms...the moms I met at Musical Magic were awesome. I crashed their class and they made me feel welcomed and included. I like this as I have felt shunned in the past at other places. And they seem to be cool moms. One mom was saying her twin girls go to bed at 7pm and the wine is uncorked by 7:10pm. This is a group of moms I can get on board with!!





BRAYDEN's Pick: Playing with an empty fountain drink cup while Mom eats my pretzel at Target.

Rumor has it... Making a baby GIRL!
If you conceive early in the window (three days before ovulation), you will then up your odds of getting a girl. If you conceive late in the window (the day of ovulation) you increase your chances of getting a boy. The reason for this is that the female producing sperm can easily wait for the egg because of their strength. But, due to the boy sperm's weakness, these little guys start to die off pretty quickly. The clock begins to tick for them almost immediately.

K&B

Fantasy Kingdom...A Fantasy Come True for Tots and MOMS!

So Moms, ever wake up wishing there was a place for your tot to play dress up other than your closet? Or feel the slick sensation of a slide during the winter? Or let him drive the car? Or put her jail for not letting you brush her teeth? Or simply run around in circles with a huge smile on his face until he falls over dizzy? Well enter FANTASY KINGDOM!


Fantasy Kingdom is an amazingly creative indoor playground. They opened their doors 5 1/2 years ago...the very first of its kind in Chicago. Let me tell you, this fantasy play area is a far cry from the simple elephant slide and plastic dinosaur at the Richmond Gordon department store where I grew up! I am thrilled Fantasy Kingdom is a reality for our tots!

Fantasy Kingdom's playground is a hand crafted, old-fashioned themed town (the mini-establishments are named after the owners' kids). I was instantly hit with a wild, wild west vibe...as if Brayden was stepping into his very own cartoon. Which is exactly how Brayden seemed to feel when he jumped into a kiddie car and cruised from the police station to the general store then over to the castle and finally pumped gas into his car at the gas station! Meanwhile the 15 or so other kids leaped over the caterpillar crawling tube, danced in front of the fake fireplace and couldn't resist tilting their heads up and screaming for joy (even though their caregiver kept shushing them)! Half of the kids donned adorable and elaborate costumes. I loved it! I spied sparkly capes, princess gowns, firefighters and more. These kids were so wonderfully lost in their own worlds.

The kids ranged in age from 6 to 6 months. It was a blast to watch the interaction. In fact, sometimes Brayden just stood still taking it all in and then took off in whichever direction his legs would take him. Until his own feet tripped him. :)

Fantasy Kingdom has so much to offer tots of all ages. There is a separate play area for smaller tots. There are special activities everyday of the week from 10:30-11am...Monday - Jump, Sing and Giggle, Tuesday - Arts & Crafts, Wednesday - Rock Out with "Super Stolie", Thursday - Jump, Sing and Giggle, 2nd Friday of the Month - Princess Parties, and 3rd Friday of the Month - Storytelling. Amazing... The brightly decorated kitchen is there for your use. You can bring lunch/snacks to enjoy on the tot-sized cafeteria style tables. Oh and go ahead and color on the giant sheets of paper laid on the tables. Also, there's a refrigerator and microwave for your convenience. What's more...enjoy free coffee in the mornings and take a seat while your tot has the time of his/her life. What's even more...the owners are present...100% percent attentive and present. They know the tots by name and place stickers on your tot when it is time to go. This personal touch is priceless! Fantasy Kingdom has thought of everything!

I mean everything...just last week they gave 5% of 6 days profit to Haiti. They believe in giving back and support a variety of charities. Delightful.

Fantasy Kingdom is open for unlimited open play Monday - Friday from 9am-5:30pm. Stay all day! It's a fact...we have to pay to play in order for this luxury to exist BUT the price is quite reasonable. Adults are free and your tot is $12 (siblings are discounted). If you get hooked...and I suspect you will...you can purchase packages for unlimited days and the cost becomes even more reasonable. The weekends are reserved for birthday parties and other events. HOWEVER get on their email list to receive a heads up when they're open on the weekends. Did someone say....play date????

Again, they have thought of everything. There is a parking garage for a cool $5.

Poke around their website for more details www.fantasykingdom.org THEN meet me and Brayden Tuesday, February 2, anytime between 1pm-5pm for a city tot discount afternoon!

The owners have extended an invitation to all of you to come and play for only $10. Also, if you would like to purchase a package you will receive 10% off. Thanks Fantasy Kingdom! See you all Tuesday afternoon!

Fantasy Kingdom is located down the street from the new Whole Foods at 1422 N. Kingsbury Street.




BRAYDEN's Pick: "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

Valentine's Day Present Idea!
Pillow Pets! Stuffed animals that turn into full-sized pillows. Adorable and perfectly cuddly for Valentine's Day. Oh and just $19.99. Pick one at www.pillowpets.com

K&B

Exercise...When, Where and How with a TOT!

Hey Moms...wishing you didn't eat one of your tot's fish sticks...or that darn cookie. Ugh...birthday parties and their stinkin' cupcakes. Why does the apple sit there untouched for a week but the oreos go sleeve by sleeve?!?

Well, do not fear moms. Number one, we are chasing tots all day and/or all night and that's a huge change from the days and nights of sitting on our rears watching MTV and Grey's Anatomy. BUT if you are anything like me you crave exercise. A release, relaxation, sweat, feeling strong, feeling healthy, daydreaming, doing something for you! Is this self-centered? No. Does this put your responsibility to your tot second? No. The question is when, where and how with a tot!?!

Setting your alarm for a pre-sunrise workout ended when sleep was no longer at your leisure, skipping playgroups and playdates does seem downright selfish, naptime equals silence while cleaning and once your tot is in bed you want to spend quality time with your hubby or companion. So when!?!

I will tell you...the when, where and how...DVD workouts at home with your tot! If you snickered at this idea like 'yeah right!' just give me three more sentences to explain. :) Your tot likes music, your tot likes movement, your tot likes emulating you. Perfect! They will get hooked on it just like you. And if all else fails, plan your in-home workout around snack time. They will enjoy watching you...heck, they might even laugh! Exposing your tot to fitness is a huge bonus. He/she will develop a positive attitude towards being fit and healthy because you showed them it's fun and important for as long as they can remember.


Now...which home workout video is actually worth it. I have tried hundreds over the years! I mean it. Hundreds. Personally, I think it is a waste of time to participate in a workout that is, excuse my french, utter crap. So take my word for it when I suggest Turbo Jam. If you do or have ever belonged to the YMCA you may have heard of an aerobics class called Turbo Kick. This is the EXACT same exercise routine now in your house!!! With your tot! Chalene Johnson created this combo of kickboxing, cardio and dance. She not only has her DVD collection but also teaches fitness instructors around the country how to teach it in clubs. This is legit! When people ask me how I lost my last 10 baby weight pounds...I say 'Turbo Jam'!

The DVD set includes 5 workouts and 2lbs hand weights. There is a 20 minute workout that will give you a burn! Perfect for those time crunch days. I do the workouts with Brayden. There is nothing cuter than when he tries to do a speedbag or simply dances in circles. And every time I kick I say "Bam" or "Boom" and he giggles. Note: It is necessary to pay close attention to where your tot is so you don't accidentally knock him/her over BUT I have decided this uses even more muscular energy and control. Meaning...more banished calories. :)

For more details on Turbo Jam go to www.beachbody.com, scroll down and click on 'Turbo Jam.' And enjoy...with your tot.

If there are days when a DVD is too structured for your tot time and he/she is clinging to your leg begging for snuggles then try this. Learn 5 exercises...yoga, pilates, kickboxing, whatever you like. In between the 5 exercises do 8 power squats...every time. Repeat this series 3 times. Exercising this way will allow you to pay more attention to your tot while you sneak in a good workout. You can take breaks and come back to it where you left off. Trust me. It will work...I do it.

There are many other options available to you to enjoy exercise with your tot. My personal favorite is running with Brayden in the stroller but on icy days...forget about it. So I regularly mix up all the types of tot-friendly workouts and neither of us miss out or get bored. Over the next couple of months I will preview Stroller Strides, gyms with playrooms, dance/yoga studios with playrooms and mom & me classes.

Give it a shot! You can squeeze exercise into everyday. Your tot will have a blast too.

BRAYDEN's Pick: Time alone with Daddy!

Mingling Topic: 3 Time Golden Globe Winner - MAD MEN

Rent it! This 1960s drama about advertising executives and the women in their lives is mind boggling, entertaining and somewhat shocking! It is hard to believe just 50 years ago women put men 100% before themselves. I am not saying it isn't admirable...I am saying I am not that selfless! At all. I like seeing how much everything has changed since the 1960s...office life, men, women, children, acceptable behavior, ideals, morals, norms. It is crazy! Check it out. Instantly, you will have 5 issues to discuss.

FREE, FREE, FREE!!!! The Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission Monday - Friday for the rest of the month (last day is January 29th)! Check it out and do not forget about the Kid's Idea Playground. :)

Happy 1st Birthday to Callan on January 22nd!!!!

K&B

Psychobaby...'Thee' Ultimate Toy Store for City Tots

We all know of or at the very least have heard of Psychobaby in Bucktown (1630 N. Damen)! Moms and tots alike get giddy when they see a brown paper wrapped package with purple and orange ribbons tied to it and the Psychobaby sticker on it because we know our tot is receiving a unique and creative gift! Hurrah.

Believe it or not, Psychobaby is now even better. Brayden and I pop into Psychobaby on a regular basis to scout out our next birthday party gift and/or purchase a special treat for a special tot...Brayden. And, of course, to play on the GIANT lily pad, test out new toys and kill some time (aka burn up tot energy). On our recent visit we discovered that Psychobaby launched its own t-shirt line last week! From now on all of the Psychobaby rad designs and patterns can be put on any size or style of shirt/onesie. Your choice! Size 6 and under. The 'transfer' is done instantly in the store and your creation is ready to wear.

Psychobaby has also opened its Custom Shop. The Custom Shop offers a variety of designs and letters for printing names and any sayings on a t-shirt/onesie of your choice. The shirts are environmentally friendly and are printed with water-based ink. Bonus! Brayden and I could not resist making a shirt with his name on it. We choose the monster letters. Adorable. These custom shirts are ready within the hour. Use this hour to let your tot run around roaming the store! Brayden loved the bouncing crying baby heads!

And there is still more...every Wednesday at 10:30am stop in and listen to The Storybook Mom , Nili Yelin. The salesgirls at the store told me they call her the kid whisper because her quirky tone immediately silences even the most hyper of kids.

SALE SALE SALE!!!! !!! This Thursday and Friday (14th & 15th) be sure to pop into Psychobaby for the Brick and Mortar Blowout Sale!! You can expect a $5 bag sale, Psychobaby brand samples and much, much more! I am telling you to GO. Brayden and I were running down Damen during the last sale and on whim bought the coolest ACDC diaper bag for $8...originally $38! I get compliments every time I use it :)

Check out Pyschobaby's website for more details. www.psychobabyonline.com

BRAYDEN'S Pick: DRUMS! Real drums, rockband drums, buckets, pots, pans, laundry baskets, mom's head. DRUMMING!

Guilty Pleasure: Mickey D's

Let's face it...McDonald's is easy and convenient. I have yet to get a 'not eating' complaint at McDonald's. So I did a little research to make myself feel better for clogging my kid's arteries. Here are the stats of the Happy McNugget Meal:

4pc - 190 cal, 12 fat(g), and 10 protein(g)
small fries - 230 cal, 11 fat(g), and 3 protein(g)

Doesn't seem so horrible for energy burning tots. Of course, the calories are mostly from fat and fairly high in sodium. But the trans fats are long gone.

My point, every now and again, indulge your tot and indulge yourself...get a grilled chicken sandwich and enjoy the peace.

K&B

Messing Around at Borders

Okay Moms...who is feeling couped up??? ME! The parks are buried under the snow, the pools are empty and taking a stroll outside is just plain dangerous. Do not fret! Brayden and I have a plan for you. And this one is free, free, FREE!

Go to Borders! The Borders at North and Halsted is a makeshift indoor play area for your tot!

Brayden and I popped into Borders on an errand day. I wanted to find a place where he could run around and exert some energy (so we could stay on our sleeping through the night schedule...hooray). I decided to check out Borders hoping they had some kind of kid area because I didn't want to spend money to entertain him. I had, after all, already spent plenty of money that afternoon!

And to my surprise the Children's Section is HUGE! There were about 15 kids all 5 and under running around, playing with toys, reading books, hugging giant stuffed animals (our fav was the giraffe), writing on the easel, sitting around the kid table jabbering to each other, playing with an awesome stand alone toy abacus and making an enormous mess! It was so great.



I mean it! A mess! The section resembled Brayden's playroom at the end of the day. A disaster. BUT the employees at Borders simply embraced it. No sighs under their breath, no dirty looks, nothing except an occasional giggle. Incredible! Tots are totally welcomed to be tots! Of course, all the moms and nannies did clean up after their tots.

More great news about Borders...Seattle's Best. It is no Starbucks (I'm a fan) but you can grab a coffee and have a snack with your tot.

And there is even more, every Wednesday at 10:30am is story time held in the Children's Section and Borders hosts elaborate kid parties for book releases (Fancy Nancy, Diary of Wimpy Kid, etc.) as well as some of the holidays. These parties are pretty much only advertised in the store. However, if you do not make it to Borders often DO NOT WORRY...I will keep you in the loop on these events. I am crossing my fingers for a Valentine's Day party at Borders.

In brief, head to Borders and let your tot run around the way he/she does at the park! You'll both have a ball...in fact, feel free to bring a ball! Now that is what I call Customer Satisfaction.

BRAYDEN's Pick: The Good Night Show on the Sprout Channel.

Mingling Topic: City Parking is Getting Pricey! Ugh.

First of all, these new pay boxes are already a hassle. Sometimes, I have to lug Brayden a half block to the pay box, wait behind someone whose credit card is authorizing and then double back to our car to put the receipt on the dash. Oh how I miss the convenience of the 'old fashion' street parking meter.

Remember saving your quarters for laundry well get back in the habit. As of February 11th meter prices are going up up up! Parking Downtown/Loop will be $3.50 and hour, Non-Loop/Central Business District will be $2.00 an hour and the Neighborhoods will be a $1.00 an hour...this is quadruple the old rate!

This roll out is planned to take 24 days (beginning Feb 11). We, the City, are locked into this (and many more rate hikes) for 75 years!

Happy 1st Birthday to Marley on January 13th!

K&B