Archive for January 2013

Fall in love with nature (and each other) at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Musuem's Family Valentine's Day Dance

Fall in love with nature (and each other) at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Musuem's Family Valentine's Day Dance
I've never been a big Valentine's Day person and my husband and I never really focused too much on this (totally made up, commercial, cheesy) holiday much before we had kids. But ironically, now that we have little ones, the day has become a bigger deal for us. Valentine's Day is mostly fun for kids really, isn't it? At least at our house, that is how we celebrate it. We make our own Valentine's for school parties. I've been known to make heart-shaped pancakes for a special Valentine's Day breakfast. I'll even admit to buying heart-shaped ice cube trays at Target yesterday (damn that dollar aisle). When the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum reached out to me about their new Family Valentine's Day Dance, I loved the idea. Get dressed up and celebrate Valentine's Day together at one of our favorite spots in the city? What's not to like...
By Caitlin Giles,
January 31, 2013 at 12:05 pm • 

Whoooo doesn't love owls? A simple winter craft project for preschoolers

Whoooo doesn't love owls? A simple winter craft project for preschoolers
You may not love Chicago winters. But I find that it is easier to embrace them rather than just spend December through March in a crabby funk each year. Winter can be fun — and beautiful. Yes. Really. It can. My craft project for this month’s issue of Chicago Parent magazine was inspired by my... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
January 29, 2013 at 11:06 pm • 

Family Swim: Check out the FREE Grand Opening of Goldfish Swim School Chicago on February 9th

Family Swim: Check out the FREE Grand Opening of Goldfish Swim School Chicago on February 9th
You may have heard buzz about the new Goldfish Swim School in Roscoe Village. Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons for children ages 4 months to 12 years-old with highly trained instructors, small class sizes, warm 90-degree pools, and a state-of-the-art water purification system. They are officially open for business and welcoming little swimmers into their new... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
January 28, 2013 at 9:42 pm • 
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Join me at the babyGap for a reading of "The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit" this Saturday

Join me at the babyGap for a reading of "The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit" this Saturday
I wanted to tell you about a fun event that I am a part of this Saturday, January 26. Join me at the babyGap on Sheffield at 11:00 for a special story time and shopping event! This fun event for families is in honor of the new limited-edition collection for babyGap inspired by world famous... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
January 22, 2013 at 1:36 pm • 

Introducing Juicebox: A new performance series for the city stroller set

Introducing Juicebox: A new performance series for the city stroller set
The City of Chicago does a really good job of offering free or low-cost opportunities for families (I am thinking about things like the Family Fun Festival at Millennium Park, the spectacular Kite Festival each spring, etc.). And they are at it again..... The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events just unveiled Juicebox, a new music and performance series for the “stroller set.” Performances will take place on alternate Fridays beginning February 1, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall (78 East Washington) except where noted. All performances are FREE.  Parents and young children can enjoy Chicago’s best music, dance, and theater in a kid-friendly setting...
By Caitlin Giles,
January 20, 2013 at 10:02 am • 

Free winter activities for Chicago moms and their babes: My tips from the Bump Club and Beyond Brunch

Free winter activities for Chicago moms and their babes: My tips from the Bump Club and Beyond Brunch
Yesterday morning I was fortunate to be part of a Bump Club and Beyond panel of “city moms” talking to a packed room of new mamas and their little ones about surviving a Chicago winter with a babe in tow. I was in good company, joining Samantha Lande from Eater Chicago,  Tabitha Green from Defining... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
January 14, 2013 at 10:41 pm • 
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Meet "Bud, Not Buddy" author Christopher Paul Curtis on Martin Luther King Day

Meet "Bud, Not Buddy" author Christopher Paul Curtis on Martin Luther King Day
You know that your kids are off school on Monday, January 21st for Martin Luther King Day, right? So what's the plan? Don't worry, I've got one for you -- and it is educational! And free! On Monday, January 21, 2013, Chicago Children's Theatre (CCT) invites families to meet Christopher Paul Curtis, author of Bud, Not Buddyat the Chase Auditorium, 10 S. Dearborn St. in downtown Chicago. Curtis is visiting Chicago for the opening weekend of Chicago Children's Theatre's newest production, a live stage adaptation of his book Bud, Not Buddy. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet Curtis, one of the most prolific African American writers of contemporary children's literature today and author of the only book to win both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award. This free event includes a Q&A with Curtis introduced by Chicago Children's Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, co-moderated by Talia Garg (12) and Olivia Garg (10). Curtis will meet fans and sign books after the discussion...
By Caitlin Giles,
January 12, 2013 at 11:03 am •