I have heard a million commercials and seen a billion bus stops that have mentioned that the new
Lurie Children's Hospital opens June 9th (props to their pr folks for a clear, concise and simple message).
If I asked my three year-old when the new Lurie Children's Hospital opens, he would likely tell you "June 9th." These people really did their job.
I wanted to quickly post about the new hospital --- just to make sure that you all know that it opens on . .. . . . . all together now . . .
JUNE 9th. But also wanted to acknowledge that Chicago-area families are so flipping lucky to have this amazing resource right in our backyard. In my view, this resource is literally one of the very best things about raising kids in Chicago.
Now, we are a generally healthy little family (thank goodness, knocking on wood). However, I have needed the services of the talented and kind folks at Children's Memorial many, many times. A short list:
- A consult to determine whether my tongue-tied first-born needed surgery
- Numerous blood tests for subsequent jaundice babies
- Outpatient surgery for Brendan to have his adenoids removed and ear tubes placed
- Emergency room visits for middle-of-the-night ear infections
- Routine blood test for Colin's food allergies
- A bloody, frantic emergency room visit to have Colin's head stitched up after a nasty fall
- God only knows what is next.
And we are a pretty healthy family (I swear). I have been grateful to the expertise of the staff at this hospital many, many times. I know that many other families (facing far more dire circumstances) feel the same way. I feel better knowing that this resource is here when I need it (because we will certainly need them again).
I missed the opportunity to attend the press tour a couple of weeks ago because I had a kid home sick from school (although I once again swear that we are a generally healthy family). However, my doctor friends who have seen the space say that it is totally mind-blowing.
Please take a minute to read on so you are in-the-know about the fabulous new Lurie Children's Hospital (here's is hoping that you don't need it -- but you will be glad that it is there if you do)...
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By Caitlin Giles,
Thursday at 10:17 pm
When I first heard about the Xtreme BUGS exhibit opening at the Brookfield Zoo, I wasn’t sure if I should expect real bugs or gigantic, fake bugs. Turns out that the answer is both and the term “Xtreme” perfectly describes both components. Xtreme BUGS features two distinct elements: the first is the 20 larger-than-life animatronic...
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By Caitlin Giles,
May 18, 2012 at 10:23 pm
We've really expanded on our local sports experience in the past year -- checking out the
Chicago Wolves and
Chicago Sky amongst others. But we'd never been to a
Chicago Fire game -- until last weekend. Boy, were we missing out. I highly recommend a family outing to a Fire game to any Chicago-area family. My kids reported that it was the most fun they had in months (which is a total indictment of the massive birthday parties we just threw for them and basically every other activity I've planned recently, but whatever).
My oldest two kids play
AYSO soccer we we spent a fair amount of time locating our cleats and shin guards every week in the spring and fall. But I have to confess that I've seen very little professional soccer on tv in my life (save for maybe one or two World Cup Games). And while I am making confessions, I am also going to go ahead and admit that I am pretty foggy about the rules of the game.
However, despite our lack of soccer knowledge, we headed down to Toyota Park last Saturday night to check it out...
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By Caitlin Giles,
May 18, 2012 at 11:32 am
I've got so many Mother's Day - related items to share with you that I feel compelled to do a round-up post. You'll find that lame round-up posts are far and few between on Wee Windy City, but sometimes it just has to be done.
Mother's Day is less than a week away. Most women have already made arrangements for all of the mothers and grandmothers in their lives. Thoughtful plans are already in place. Packages have been mailed. Flowers have been ordered.
On the other hand, most of the men out there are probably still a couple of days away from starting to think about Mother's Day at all.
Sigh. ...
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By Caitlin Giles,
May 7, 2012 at 9:30 pm
A few years ago, I took my kids to see the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia perform a puppet show of Eric Carle's stories at the Field Museum.
We were all absolutely floored by this show. They still talk about this experience today. So I was so thrilled to hear that these amazing performers were heading back into town again with a new show.
This month, the Chicago Children's Theatre presents
A Brown Bear, A Moon and a Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle performed by the acclaimed Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia...
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By Caitlin Giles,
May 7, 2012 at 9:29 am
So you obviously want your kids to have tons of books around the house so that they become avid readers, right? The downside of that is you end up with tons of books around your house. As your kids get older and their interests change, they outgrow their books and they need new ones. Of...
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By Caitlin Giles,
April 30, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Got a little foodie at your house? Someone who loves to don an apron and pint-sized chef hat, grab a whisk and whip up a batch of something yummy? Indulge your future Thomas Keller in a real-life, grown-up cooking experience taking place during the upcoming
“Epicurious Entertains Chicago" culinary event taking place in Chicago the weekend of May5-6, 2012.
The weekend-long event is happening at the Chicago Illuminating Company with select events benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The editors at
Epicurious have convened a group of Chicago’s renowned chefs, sommeliers and mixologists as they host this first-ever local event. The two-day experience has something for everyone -- including your kiddos...
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By Caitlin Giles,
April 26, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Have you heard about Stages, Sights & Sounds? This unique event is an international performing arts festival for families (and theatergoers of any age really). The festival showcases fresh, original work from Europe and Canada that you won’t see anywhere else. The festival is in its thirteenth year and runs May 2–12, 2012 at venues in...
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By Caitlin Giles,
April 23, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Little kids love to see reflections of themselves -- in any form. Watch a kid catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror and see her squeal. Spot a reflection in the glass window of a store as you stroll by and see the goofy smiles. Or turn the pages of a book and hear your child's name and customized details about his life and watch his eyes light up as they wonder, "Me? Really?"
Personalized books for kids are really cool.
I See Me! is a super unique company that offers customized books for kids in a number of formats and for a variety of occasions. The aim of the company is to highlight each child's uniqueness with a personalized story. The graphics and illustrations in the books are definitely high quality compared to other personalized books I have come across from other companies. ...
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By Caitlin Giles,
April 21, 2012 at 7:29 am
Have you heard about
Atia’s story? She is truly a remarkable little girl – with a remarkable mother who has dedicated herself to helping other families coping with childhood cancer.
Today marks the three-year anniversary of Atia’s Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) diagnosis. She was only 17 months-old at the time. {
Can you imagine this?}
After undergoing over two years of aggressive daily chemotherapy treatment, Atia is now a happy and healthy four year-old in complete remission, enjoying life to its fullest (and that means plenty of preschool, gymnastics, ballet, jazz and soccer).
Atia’s mom Laura is the head of
Atia’s Project Ladybug Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to easing the struggles of childhood cancer. The organization was founded by Dina Manzo, host of HGTV’s
Dina’s Party and former star of the
Real Housewives of New Jersey. After Laura’s chance encounter with Dina in 2010, she launched the Chicago chapter at The University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. This organization works tirelessly to raise funds to help other Chicago-area families facing down childhood cancer...
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By Caitlin Giles,
April 17, 2012 at 10:00 am
