January Events

Thru 1/4: Lincoln Park Conservatory Flower & Train Show runs thru Jan. 4. FREE.
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/news.detail/object_id/58f36e80-b66a-43c3-9b54-444fb4af95b1.cfm

1/2 - 1/16 - Work out for FREE from Jan. 2-16 at any of the Chicago Park District's 60 fitness centers located throughout the city. New members who sign up for the winter session (Jan. - March) during the promotion get a complimentary Nike bag (while supplies last). The fitness centers feature state-of-the-art equipment including computerized treadmills, cross trainers, and bicycles. For more info. and a list of fitness center locations, copy and paste the link below into your web browser: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/fitness_centers/index.html

1/18 Sun, 11am - 3pm, Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan,"Going Places" By air, sea, and land, plan to ‘go places’. Learn to make and fly paper airplanes, construct bridges, and design marble mazes. This free day of activities is part of CAF’s Studio Sundays, a monthly series of kid-friendly programs designed for families with children up to age 12. No reservations are needed. www.architecture.org

1/19 Mon, 12-1:30pm, McFetridge Sports Center (a.k.a. California Park), Martin Luther King Day Skate: ages 12 & under = $4; 13 & over = $5; 60 & over = $2; skate rental = $3

1/21-25 Wed-Sun, Allstate Arena, "Disney On Ice - Worlds of Fantasy". Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar's CARS race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom and experience the 'Circle of Life' with The Lion King. Then enter into the magical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and all her fairy friends as they make their world premiere on ice! From wheels to waves, Pride Lands to pixie dust, your family's favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories. Special Bonus! Disney Princess Pre-Show: Arrive up to one hour early to tour our dazzling display of gorgeous gowns. Complimentary to all ticket holders. Save $4 on all performances, excluding Sunday, February 1 at 3 pm, by using code FAIRY at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 312-559-1212. Discount does not apply to Front Row or VIP seats.

1/27- 2/8, Tues - Sun, United Center, "Disney On Ice - Worlds of Fantasy". (see above) Special Bonus! Disney Princess Pre-Show: Arrive up to one hour early to tour our dazzling display of gorgeous gowns. Complimentary to all ticket holders. Save $4 on all performances, excluding Sunday, February 1 at 3 pm, by using code FAIRY at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 312-559-1212. Discount does not apply to Front Row or VIP seats.

1/24, Sat 11am and 12:45pm, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Family Matinee concert, "Tchaikovsky Tales" with the Joffrey Ballet, www.cso.org

Free/Affordable Vaccinations

If your insurance does not cover the cost of all vaccinations or only covers partial cost, please consider receiving your child's vaccinations at the Board of Health. These vaccinations will be given to your child free or at nominal cost. There are many clinics scattered across Chicagoland. Please call for the closest clinic to you. Chicago Board of Health 1-312-747-9884.

December Events

10am during December: Pottery Barn Story Time. FREE. 2111 North Clybourn, Chicago 60614. Phone 773-525-8349.

Lincoln Park Conservatory Flower & Train Show runs thru Jan. 4. FREE.
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/news.detail/object_id/58f36e80-b66a-43c3-9b54-444fb4af95b1.cfm

12/27-30, Art Institute of Chicago: Nurture your budding artist at the holiday family event, Holly Days — Around the World. Start painting the town red (and green) after you visit the recently returned Impressionist art collection. Get your Monet’s worth with free guided tours at noon and 2 p.m. to learn the inside dish on the artists and their works. There’s story time at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for tykes ages 3 to 5, and the museum’s mascot, Artie the Lion, will be on hand December 27 for holiday photo ops. Finally, channel your inspiration at a free art-making workshop where you and the kids can create colorful pastel scenes of your very own.

12/4-18 Thursdays, 11am and 3pm, "Eco Gingerbread House Workshop" - design and build your own green gingerbread house. All materials provided. $35/house.

12/6-7, Sat 10-noon(reindeer) , Sun 1-3pm (no reindeer). SANTA & REINDEER visit the Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com. Decorate cookies and make an ornament to add to the museum tree.

12/6-21 Sat-Sun 11am-3pm, "Gifting Green Workshops" - make paper, envelopes, coasters, bird house, mosaic pots, paper mache bowls, ornaments, gift boxes etc. Various material fees between $5-15. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

12/6 - 1/4 Winter Flower and Train Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. FREE.

12/13, Sat, 4:45pm - Andersonville - St. Lucia Festival of Lights. FREE. The festival of St. Lucia is a Sicilian tradition adopted by the Swedes, a celebration of lights prevailing over the darkest time of the year. Each year the specially chosen Lucia girls lead a torch-lit carol-filled procession down Clark Street, with the Museum hosting caroling and refreshments after, followed by a special 7pm Lucia service down the street at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark. Museum admission is $1 or a can of food to benefit the homeless. http://www.andersonville.org/

12/13, 1/17 and 2/21 - Polar Adventure Days from 12-4 p.m. at Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr. Families can see Siberian huskies and other live animals, engage in winter activities, watch ice sculpture carvings, and create nature-inspired crafts. The first 500 people will also receive a free Polar Adventure Day mug filled with hot cocoa. FREE.

12/15 and 12/19 - Lincoln Park Cultural Center - Family Craft time from 11am to 12ish.
The cost is $5 for both days. There will be many little gifts to make for family members this day. You can call the Cultural Center to register 312-742-7726.

12/17, Wed at 5pm - Lincoln Park Cultural Center - Family Gingerbread House decorating event. There will be snacks and cocoa. Each family will receive an assembled gingerbread house and there will be icing and many candies for decorating and eating. The cost is $20. Call the Cultural Center to register 312-742-7726

12/27 - 29, Sat through Mon, 10am - 4pm, McCormick Place, Halls A & B (2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive): Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival. FREE. Admission to the biggest indoor gym and interactive zones is FREE. Discounted parking in Lot A -$9. Interactive zones include trampolines, golf, climbing walls, football, chess, obstacle course, tot's zone, bowling, table tennis, inflatable tumbling, tennis, badminton, boxing, a pitching zone, fishing ponds, footbag, giant slide, 40-Yard dash, skateboarding area, wrestling, and open courts for volleyball and basketball. Other areas of fun include performances from Radio Disney, a variety of entertainers on the Halftime Stage, an area devoted to the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic Games, the Chicago Sky, The Harlem Globetrotters and a basketball and chess tournament featuring Chicago Public School children. There are fitness areas and the brand new Chill Out Zone with games, reading and block building for a little quiet time.

12/31 - Lincoln Park Cultural Center -two family Rockin' New Years Eve Parties. Call the Cultural Center to register and check availability 312-742-7726

12/26-31, 1/2-4, 11am - 3pm, Trash to Treasure - turn your holiday wrapping trash into fun stuff! Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

THE REAL SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Located in northern northern Finland!

Click on the title to this post!

Or:
http://www.northpole.com/
http://www.noradsanta.org/ (Track Santa!)

Museum Free Admission Days

MONDAYS
Chicago Historical Society (Clark @ North)
Adler Planetarium (Mon and Tues 9/23/08 - 2/28/09)
Shedd Aquarium (Mon and Tues excluding Oceanarium and Wild Reef)
TUESDAYS
Adler Planetarium (Mon and Tues 9/23/08 - 2/28/09)
Art Institute of Chicago
Museum of Contemporary Art
Shedd Aquarium (Mon and Tues excluding Oceanarium and Wild Reef)
WEDNESDAYS
Field Museum of Natural History
Thursdays
Chicago Children's Museum (free 5pm - 8pm)
Museum of Science & Industry
EVERYDAY
Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan. 312-922-3432
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington, 312-346-3278

How to recover a combination to a lost Master combination pad lock

Wow. This is great! The title to this post links to the instructions.

Is Organic Really Better?

Download a list of produce ranked by pesticide contamination at foodnews.org, an EWG website.

Decode "organic" food labels:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/Food-Label-Decoder-451003

38 Non-Organic Ingredients Found in 'USDA Organic' Foods
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/3980

Nut Allergy Statements from Manufacturers

Click on the link if you are interested in seeing the catalogue of responses I have received from manufacturers when I ask, "Are your products free of any type of peanut or tree nut contamination?"

Playgroup Mini-Musicians - Better and Cheaper!

We're into the fall session of Mini-Musicians music classes at the COS Playgroup. The session is 30 mins per class, for 10 weeks, running on Mondays, through Nov24. Participation in Mini-Musicians is by subscription and is optional. The teachers are trained in the Suzuki-Orff tots music method. Mini-Musicians is presented by Arts At Large, a not-for profit organization dedicated to bringing professional level music performance to underserved communities. CLASSES ARE ONLY $10! And just to prove that they are bending over backwards to satisfy all of our families' requests, you can have a first class for free, you can subscribe to an "a la carte" pass to take 5 classes of your choice anytime until June 1, 2009 (come ON!), or you can subscribe to the series up front (because you want to support their charitable good work even if you miss a class or two) for $100. They really want to make this work for us, and I hope that we can reciprocate.

Playgroup will occur 2-4:45pm on Mondays (instead of 2-4:30pm) and the classes will run between 3:15 - 4:30pm. Mini-Musicians will be held in the room next to the nursery, with easy back-forth access for caregivers who have 1 child in the class and 1 child in the free playgroup. Mini-musicians can play before/after class, and sibs can play concurrently! Ages 12 mos - 30 mos meet at 3:15pm, and ages 31 mo - 4 years old meet at 4:00pm.

To subscribe, click on the title to this post (it links to the website), or go to:
http://www.aalchicago.org/index2/pages/kids-courses/all-class-schedule.php

November Events

11/5-19, Wednesdays 3:30pm for 5-7 yr olds: Konservation Kids Club - learn about skin, meet animals, hear stories, paly, create. 3 sessions. $32 members, $40 non-members. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

11/8, Sat, 11am and 12:45 pm Chicago Symphony Orchestra Family Matinee concert "Latin America's Rhythms", www.cso.org

11/8, Sat, 1-2pm, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, "The Magic Onion" performed by Puppet Place Theater,, free ages 3-8 (w/ adult)

11/11, Tues, 9am - 1pm or later, Veterans Day, various Chicago Park District parks. On this federal holiday, children can find things to do at their local park. From bingo to board games to public indoor skating (at McFetridge), the Chicago Park District provides opportunities for children to stay active (and supervised!) on this special day. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.calendar/month/11/year/2008.cfm

11/15, Sat, 1pm, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, "Peace Tales Around the World" presented by Kidworks Theater, ages 3-8 (w/ adult), free

11/15-16, Sat-Sun, 10am "Wearable Recycleables" - create jewelry out of recycled materials. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

11/6-16, Allstate Arena, 11/18-30 United Center, ... Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents OVER THE TOP, an all-new live entertainment extravaganza! OVER THE TOP features the ultimate tug of war between Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and clown eccentric Tom Dougherty over a magical top hat that controls the circus. When the Ringmaster dons the hat, he conjures stupendous spectacles for his circus like the stunt riding Royal Cossack Cavalry. And while the clown uses the hat, he summons silly and whimsical acts such as a cavalry of goats riding on ponies in a Barnyard Bonanza. It's two circuses in one, providing excitement for the whole family! ... www.Ringling.com

11/16, Sun,11am to 3pm for A Lotta Terra Cotta & Other Building Materials
What's that made out of--terra cotta, brick, or stone? You'll find out at our November Studio Sunday. Make a clay creation to take home, design a texture collage, and get a hands-on introduction to the materials used to build downtown Chicago on a short walking tour of the Loop. Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan, free day of activities is part of CAF’s Studio Sundays, a monthly series of kid-friendly programs designed for families with children up to age 12. No reservations are needed. www.architecture.org

11/18, 20, Tues 3:30pm ages 5-7, Thurs 9:30am ages 3-4, Happy Harvesting Kids Workshop - enjoy fruits of the harvest while hearing stories and decorating pumpkins. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com. $7 members, $9 non-members.

11/22, Sat, 1-2pm, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, A Mini Music Workshop presented by Arts at Large, free

11/22-23, Sat-Sun, 2pm, Chase Park, "Winnie the Pooh", ages 8 & over - info / tickets: Chase Park Theater (312) 742-4701, Cost: $3 kids; $5 adults

11/22-23 Sat-Sun 10am, 11/28-30 Fri-Sun 11am-3pm, "Gifting Green Workshops" - make paper, envelopes, coasters, bird house, mosaic pots, paper mache bowls, ornaments, gift boxes etc. Various material fees between $5-15. Notebaert, www.naturemuseum.com

11/28 - 12/28 "The Snow Queen", Victory Gardens Theatre, great alternative to traditional holiday fare performance, back by popular demand, for ages 8+years. www.victorygardens.org

11/28 - 1/11 Holiday Traditions Winter Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

11/30 Wed, If All the World Were Paper, an Interactive musical for ages 2-6 follows the adventures of a girl made of paper. Little Theater at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., at 57th St. Tickets at 773-227-0180 or online at ovationtix.com.

Halloween Costume Ideas

http://blogs.urbanbaby.com/buzz/category/urbanbaby-picks/

Farms to visit

Buckley Homestead
http://www.johansenfarms.com/fall.html
http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/
http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/ILpchicago.php
www.lambsfarm.org
http://www.ourpumpkinfarm.com/

VOTER INFO - OCT 7 LAST DAY TO REGISTER!

Voter Registration Application: use to change name/address or to register via mail.
http://www.chicagoelections.com/dm/general/document_32.pdf
Where's your polling place?
http://www.chicagoelections.com/voterinfo.php
Vote Absentee?
http://www.voterinfonet.com/sub/news_view.asp?NEWS_ID=239
All Cook County Voter Info:
http://www.voterinfonet.com/
Help with the Candidate Positions:
http://glassbooth.org/

"My Stomach Hurts": Common Causes and Cures for Tummy Trouble

In any given month, 10 to 15 percent of kids ages 5 and up have abdominal pain. Although you can usually tell if your child's caught a stomach bug -- she'll have vomiting or diarrhea that lasts 24 to 48 hours -- you should know these other common causes of tummy trouble, and how you can help her feel better. Click on the title to this post to see details like: What it feels like; What's going on; and What to do for it and Alternative Home Remedies for the following ailments: Constipation and Gas / Gastroesophageal Reflux / Functional Abdominal Pain / Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Ulcers / Abdominal Migraines / Could It Be Appendicitis? 

Circus Info

Chicago Circus Events Now, at When.com

http://www.circesteem.org/history.html

http://www.universoulcircus.com/

http://www.acrofabulous.com/

http://www.midnightcircus.net/ ..... and ..... http://www.circusintheparks.com/

http://www.ringling.com/

more to come

Halloween Activities

Click on the title to this post for a link to many many suggestions, plus...

10/25 Sat, "Creatures of the Night" at the Garfield Park Conservatory. FREE

10/31 Fri - Notebaert is open 9am-4:30pm. FREE admission for visitors in costume!

Lots of pumpkin farm/hayride info here!
http://www.chicagokids.com/halloween/happenings.cfm

Other ideas? Please post your suggestions via comments below!

Playgroup SHARES Space on Tues and Thursdays!

Dear Families - 

COS is providing church school facilities to a catholic church on Tuesdays and Thursdays while our Playgroup is in the Nursery.  So on those days, we'll see activity in the class areas beyond the Nursery.  Please be sweet and enter the Nursery quietly so that they can conduct their classes.  They will NOT be using the Nursery area at all.  COS thanks us for our cooperation!

There's a NEW KITCHEN SET at the Playgroup!

Many thanks to the Playgroup families who contributed to a group donation to the COS Nursery Renovation Project.  We were able to purchase 2 nice components of a kitchen - a stove and a sink!  Let's play kitchen soon...

FREEBIES

Kids Eat Free restaurants: www.kidsmealdeals.com
TV and Movies in your computer: www.hulu.com, www. cbs.com, www.abc.com, http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000128561&pf_rd_p=432780001&pf_rd_s=center-12&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=16261631&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0SD6ZMJWX9R8M9DTV34V
Directory Assistance: 800-FREE411
College Savings: www.upromise.com
Beginner Language Lessons: www.bbc.co.uk/languages
WiFi Hotspots: search for them here -- www.WiFiFreeSpot.com
Office Suite Software: www.openoffice.org, www.neooffice.org
Diet/Fitness Tracker: www.fatsecret.com
Classic Books: download them here -- www.Gutenberg.org
Classic Sheet Music: download them here -- www. mutopiaproject.org
Financial Budgeting: www.wesabe.com
ATMs: www.allpointnetwork.com, www.surchargefreeatm.com
Tour Guide in Chicago and major cities around the world: The Global Greeter Network organizes volunteers in several cities worldwide to show you around, give you the inside scoop and answer your questions. Tours can last a couple hours or longer, the service is free, and there's a strict no-tipping policy. http://www.visitthanet.co.uk/greeters/global-greeters-network.asp

Scientific Facts about Environmental Health

SimpleSteps.org - the NRDC's new consumer guide to a healthier home.

Panna.org - Pesticide Action Newtork North American provides action and campaign alerts.

Ewg.org - Environmental Working Group has reports on weighty topics (e.g. toxins in umbilical cords) plus consumer friendly info (e.g. see "Skin Deep" in the cosmetics-safety database)

HealthyChild.org - solid, user friendly info for casual or hard-core green parents. Partners with online retailers to aid in shopping decisions.

TheGreenGuide.com - the ultimate publication for anyone interested in green living.

Looking to Donate or Trade? Try Freecycle!

The goal of the Chicago Freecycle(TM) Network is to reduce waste by connecting people who are throwing away goods with others who are seeking them. Whether you're looking to give away or find an item, Chicago Freecycle is the place to do it! Furniture, clothing, appliances, computers, kids gear and everything in between. Everything must remain FREE. The group also maintains great lists of charitable donation groups and what they will accept, in case you want to go the tax-deduction route.

JOIN TODAY! Just send an email to: chicagofreecycle-subscribe@yahoogroups.comPlease read the email you receive and respond as requested. It's that easy! Or click on the title to this post to be taken to the Yahoo Groups start page.

Kids With Food Allergies - Safe Foods

My son is allergic to peanuts and treenuts. I am on a constant search for food items that can help him enjoy normal kids events without much disruption. These items I have found really help when I need "safe" versions of kids foods. Of course, always check the labeling before you consume, as recipes and ingredients can change. If anyone wants to share their food allergy solutions, please add your comments and identify your food allergy!
BIRTHDAY CAKE - nearly all commercially baked goods are off limits when you have nut allergies. However, Pepperidge Farm frozen cakes are presently NUT-FREE and not made on a shared mfg line. Available at your grocery freezer, they thaw in 20-60 mins... on the drive to the birthday party! Of course, we still must make sure the hands and eating surfaces are washed down.

PIZZA PARTY - most deluxe pizza places make something with pesto in their ovens. That makes most pizza off limits. What to do when your kid is going to a party where everyone is eating pizza? I go to Costco (only from the snack bar), Little Caesar, Papa John's, Domino's or bring Totino's, Lou Malnati's, or DiGiorno.  I no longer call Dominos.  I call one close to the party location, confirm they aren't baking any promo items with nuts, place an order for delivery (if they deliver) to the party address and let the host know. Again, we still make sure the hands and eating surfaces are washed down. ***Lately, Domino's has been unsafe after the introduction of baked sandwiches with sauce.  Domino's corporate office told me that they cannot represent the sauces are safe.

CRACKERS, CHIPS, PRETZELS, CEAREALS - what I can say here is that Snyders' products are NOT SAFE. However, most made for kids brands (e.g. Gerber) are nut-free, but always check the labels. Ritz Crackers, Pirate's Booty, Crispix, Cheese-Its, Goldfish, Ritz Originals, Sun Chips, Cape Cod Chips, Rolled Gold Pretzels, Back to Nature Original/Apple/Blueberry Granola are presently nut-free.

***Organic does not mean safe. Annie's brand are not nut-free. Amy's brand is generally not nut-free.  Barbara's brand may be peanut free but is not tree-nut free.
 

CANDY - this is a real danger zone for nut allergy sufferers. There's Vermont Nut Free Candies, but also, from most grocery or drug store candy aisles: Dum Dum Lollipops, Skittles, Lifesaver Gummies (not Gummy Bears!), Sweet Tarts, Trader Joe's Fruit Leathers are NUT-FREE. Chocolates, in general, are off limits because they are made on the same equipment as nut-containing foods.  I have found that regular sized, silver foil wrapped Hershey's Kisses are safe.

ICE CREAM - another danger zone for nut allergy sufferers. Opt for Popsicles brand when you can (I have found most are safe), and read the label first. Most frozen treat makers have a flavor with nuts in it that is made on the same line as the flavors/items without nuts. Even italian ice mfrs use nuts. I have found Breyers Vanilla is essentially NUT-FREE. Unilever told me that they break down their equipment and thoroughly wash and test it for traces of nuts between batches. That's as safe as I have found, in the mainstream, and its a big company that cannot afford to be sued for false labeling. Their labels do not include nuts in their allergy statement, thereby representing through silence that there are not traces of nuts in their vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt. I am still very leery of even Breyers Vanilla ice cream though, and prefer to go with popsicles.  Also, Annette's Homemade Italian Ice (Armitage@Bissell) can dish up NUT-FREE, no cross-contamination servings. They have several regular customers with nut allergies and segregate their safe italian ices in a separate freezer, and use scoops that are specially identified for the non-nut containers.

LABOR DAY - NO PLAYGROUP

Sorry everyone, but COS will be closed on Monday, Sept 1, 2008.

For 8-12 Year Olds

Barrel Of Monkeys has after school programs and evening performances. This is cool. It's like a mini Second City for kids. See more at www.barrelofmonkeys.org/index.php/school/afterschool/

Girls On the Run is an after school program for girls aged 8-12. The program aims to build self-esteem and help preteens make healthy choices by inspiring them through running. Each girl graduates from the program with a tool belt for life - to use if confronted with issues such as bullying, body image, alcohol, drugs, depression etc. Each running practice has a theme: during stretch they are introduced to the topic, run a few laps, discuss the topic, etc. They have another program called Teens on Tracks. See more at www.gotrchicago.org.

Restaurants for Nut Allergy Sufferers

RJ Grunts, 2056 Lincoln Park West - will prepare your food in nut free area of kitchen with special attention by waiter and manager to avoid cross-contamination. They even have special hot-pink order tickets to flag your order to all who touch it. Actually, all of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants take food allergies very seriously and can protect you while you dine there.

Pizzaria Due, 619 N. Wabash - Kitchen and menu are nut free. Pesto does not contain nuts. No desserts contain nuts.

Chef Dominique Tougne of Bistro 110, 110 E. Pearson - has 2 children with severe food allergies. He was recently profiled in Living Without magazine on this very subject. At Bistro 110, he says that they will accomodate food allergies and in fact, do this each day with increasing regularity.

Old Fashioned Birthday Parties

Does anyone want to have a playgroup birthday party for their tot? I think we can accommodate that, with room to invite some other friends too. Post any questions by commenting below, or email me directly at crabbiappl@aol.com.

Stop Sending Me Junk Mail!

Do you get too many catalogs?  Get off the lists at www.catalogchoice.org

Fourth of July family activities?

Do you have good activity tips for families with kids 0-4 years old?
What works well for the Fourth?
(post a comment!)

Summertime Park Destinations

Sunshine Playlot (Stockton@Wrightwood) - great for toddlers!
Cummings Playlot (Lincoln Park West@Dickens) - across from the zoo!
Oz (Webster@Lincoln) - awesome climbing, swings, spring-things, new soft surface!
Adams (Seminary s. of Armitage) - water water water! soft surface! great swings!
Wrightwood - pool! baseball! covered sandbox! mid-sized kid climbing and sliding!
Margate (Marine Drive bw Lawrence and Foster) - parking! slides! soft surface!
Fellger (Belmont@Damen) - parking! slides! water features! soft surface!
Haas (Fullerton@Washtenaw) - soft surface! toddler climbing, sliding, swings!
Holstein (Oakley@Palmer in Bucktown) - soft surface! toddler climbing! pool! sprinkler!
Millennium - water water water!
Blaine School Park (Grace@Southport) - astroturf soccer! Dairy Queen nearby!

Add your own via comments!

Natural Cold Remedies

These recommendations are from a career herbalist. I'd like to check them out but if anyone has any experience with them, please comment!

"Some of my best cold/flu remedies to shorten the duration...
UMCKA (at Whole Foods, Merz Apothecary) - great for kids and adults
Zinc and Vitamin C lozenges - boost immunity
Hot ginger, cinnamon and honey tea
Oregano oil capsules (every few hours) - ADULTS ONLY"

Incidently, she has a book out called "Healing with Aromatherapy" available at major bookstores. Click on the title to this entry to go to the Amazon listing.

Kid's Health: How long is gastroenteritis contagious?

This from the nurse at Town & Country Pediatrics:

"The children are contagious about 2 days before they show symptoms and at least as slong as they have diarrhea symptoms at all... which is usually about 10 days after onset of symptoms. So about 12 - 14 days from start to finish to be sure your child is no longer contagious. This is an unreasonable length of time to keep them home but it is the CDC recommendation about rotavirus which is one of the most common causes of infectious diarrhea right now. Be careful and wash wash wash those hands!"

Songs for Valentine's Day

Love You I Do (Jennifer Hudson)

Those Sweet Words (Norah Jones)

Be Mine (David Gray)

Valentine (Willie Nelson)

Dont Mess with Cupid (Otis Redding)

These Words (Natasha Bedingfield)

The Rest is History (Braham Parker)

Cupid's Boogie (Little Esther & Mel Walker)

Valentine's Day (Steve Earle)

Baby, I Love You (The Ramones)

Family Beach Travel

Investigate these:

LakesideCabinsResourts.com
Grand Haven Beach
Osthoff Resourt, Elkhart Lake, WI
visitTraverscity.com
cannonbeach.org (OR)
sopadre.com (TX)
santamonica.com, bigsurcalifornia.org (CA)
Gulfshores.com (AL)
Outerbanks.org (NC)
Stmaryswelcome.com (GA)
LakeShelbyville.com, Legolanddiscoverycenter.com (IL)
Casualcoast.com (IN)
goNewport.com (RI)
VisitCocoBeach.com (FL)