It’s been a crazy busy school year and can you believe it… it’s almost over! Wow!
And what does that mean… Summer bucket lists! Yay! I’m still bullet journaling my way through life.
Come visit me on my IG page 😃 and check out my newest and improved summer bucket list!
My baby is turning 3! How can that be?
He is obsessed with trains, real trains not cartoon ones, fire trucks, and construction trucks!
For his birthday, we decided on a family bowling party at our local Pinstripes. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out. Not only are their locations beautiful, but their service is top notch, their food is amazing and who doesn’t love a day bowling and bocce Ball!
It was perfect and my little guy loved every single minute of it!
https://instagram.com/p/BgGqr6kBE4M/
Some time ago, I read an awesome blog post about the perfect games for family game night. And when I say perfect… I mean perfect! Do you know how hard it it to find games that don’t bore the adults and aren’t over the kids heads?! It’s hard! Plus, add that my boys are 4 years apart… hi ho cherry o and chutes & ladders can only be played oh so often before I call it quits!
https://instagram.com/p/BfWJFM1HXSU/
The last few games are ones I added that are family favorites! Time to go on a game search hunt! BTW, goodwill is one of the best places if you don’t mind gently used games for only a few bucks!
Can I just say… we had a pretty amazing summer! We were able to cross off a good majority from our bucket list and even added a few more as the summer went on.
We’ll miss you summer!!! But I’m excited for what fall has in store for us… Fall fests!! Pumpkin fests!! Jumping in leaf piles!! Pumpkin carving!! And of course… Halloween!! Yay!!
Come follow my bullet journal adventure on Instagram 😊 momdotlove
💞
Keri
My family’s packing list in a nutshell!! My excitement for Disney Cruising can’t be contained! By far, the best family vacations we have ever gone on 😃
Where are some of your favorite places to go with family?
Keri 💞
We all associate the “New Year” with January 1st. And yes, it is.., but for me, my “second” new year starts with the start of the school year. I swear life changes drastically more in August than it does in January!
I can’t believe my little big boy is going into First grade! Full days!! Packed lunches!! Wow!
I have mixed emotions of being Proud, Excited, Nervous, Happy, Sad… my baby is definitely not a baby anymore!!
With the start of a new school year it means the start of so many things and activities!!
Start of:
To keep myself organized and let out some creativity… I started bullet journaling last January. I love it! I can’t wait to show how crazy in love I am for bujo, my moleskine dot grid journal and let’s not forget my all time favorite… my sharpie markers and highlighters! I’ve added some non-sharpies (gasp!) to the mix too!
I plan on tackling this new school and all the new and revised activities head on!
I can’t wait to show you!! I even added a new Instagram page just for my bujo! Momdotlove
💞 Keri
We all know Chicago is a great city. That’s a given, but when you can find Chicago experiences that are “free!”… it’s hands down awesome.
Here is a list of all the FREE admission day.
These are subject to change, so double check their website to make sure.
2017:
January 6–13
January 16 (Martin Luther King Day)
January 17–20
February 6–10
February 20 (President’s Day)
February 21–24
June 5–9
John G. Shedd Aquarium
2017:
January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
February 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 27, 28
June 5, 6, 12, 13
August 28, 29
September 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31
November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
2017:
January 4, 5, 16, 28, 29, 30
February 1-28
Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)
2017:
January 10-12, 16-19, 24-26, 31
February 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28
June 5-9, 12
September 5-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
October 2-5
General admission is free to Illinois residents every Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. throughout the year.
Illinois residents also enjoy free admission every weekday—all day long—January 9–February 16, 2017.
All children under age 14 are always free.
Beginning Jan 2, 2017 children ages 14-17, who are residents of the City of Chicago, are now free. Children ages 14-17 must present a school ID, drivers license, report card or other document indicating that they are a resident of the City of Chicago to get free admission
Free 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays for Illinois residents; kids 12 and under are always free.
Free the second Saturday of the month (October-May) for families with kids 12 and under.
Loyola University Museum of Art
Free on Tuesdays
Always Free
The Museum is free to Illinois residents every Tuesday beginning January 10, 2017, from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Commemorative Days: January 16, February 20, March 4, and July 4.
Free 5-8 p.m. Thursdays and the first Sunday of every month for kids 15 and under. Always free to kids under 1.
Free Thursdays for Illinois residents. Kids under 3 are always free.
Midwest Museum of Natural History
2017:
January 4, 5, 16, 18
February 1, 2, 7-10, 20
March 1, 2, 27
April 5, 6
May 3, 4, 24
June 1, 7, 13
July 5, 6, 11
August 2, 3, 8, 30
September 5-8, 12-15
October 4, 5, 10-13
November 1, 2, 14-17
December 1, 6, 7
Always Free
Always Free- Donations Accepted
January-February, 2017 free on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturday and Sunday.
Free Tours, Wednesday at 12pm
One-hour guided tours are offered Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1pm and 3pm. Admission is free.
Always Free
DuSable Museum of African American History
Free on Tuesdays
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Free on Sundays
2017:
Coming Soon
Always Free
Free on Fridays
Coming Soon
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Always Free. Free certified guide tour Monday-Friday 1PM.
Tours are free on Wednesdays, year round (not applicable to groups of ten or more).
International Museum of Surgical Science
Admission is free for all visitors every Tuesday, year round.
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Always Free
National Museum of Mexican Art
Always Free
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
Always Free
Always Free
Pritzker Military Museum and Library
Free the Saturday before Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day
Always Free
Admission is free for all visitors on the second Tuesday of the month, year round.
Enjoy! Hope your 2017 is full of fun FREE days!
💞 Keri
When it’s cold outside and your mind just doesn’t want to work, sometimes it’s great to have a handy list of things to do outside of the house. Â For us, that means in and around the Chicago N or NW suburbs.
Libraries
Indoor Pools with zero dept:
Open Gyms:
Indoor Kids play center (Physical Play):
Indoor Kids play centers (Imagination Play):
Kids Museums:
Shopping Mall Play areas
Forest Preserves: Nature Centers (indoor exhibit and play areas)
Other Fun Kids Activities
Arts and Crafts for kids
Come follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see what other fun places we discover!
💞 Keri
When I was researching Elf on a Shelf (in 2011/12), I came across a ton of information… And I mean a TON!! My SIL’s family had their elf “Magic” for a few years so I knew the gist of it.
It wasn’t until I came across this blog… I knew instantly that I needed to do this with my kid (s).
http://www.littlepumpkingrace.com/2011/11/introducingcookie-rooftop-north-pole.html
It’s called a North Pole Breakfast. A way of introducing your kid (s) to the arrival of the Christmas season and the new or returning elf. I have followed Little Pumpkin Grace and Hudson too… ever since, and every year I love seeing what she comes up with.
North Pole Breakfast:
Chippy sets a beautiful table, Martha Stewart would be impress! LOL.
Gifts
Delicious Breakfast
and a special letter just for the kids.
Here are some pics from 2014 and 2015…
https://www.instagram.com/p/wCALKQLTje/?taken-by=lovelifeasmom&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/-r1g5rrTiF/?taken-by=lovelifeasmom&hl=en
Here is a link to my pinterest board for other ideas for North Pole Breakfast.
Do you have Christmas traditions? I love our traditions. They make this time of year so much fun… not that it wouldn’t be without them too.
The first one… I’m sure everyone knows about… Elf on a Shelf.
Sure, some people think it’s creepy that something/one is “watching” your kids or “tattling” on your kids to Santa… but I love him! Our elf is also a good elf… no shenanigans at our house. LOL. But I love seeing all the stuff out there about “naughty” elves.
Our elf’s name is Chippy. In order for your elf to get his/hers Christmas Magic, you have to name them. Our first son was 2 years old at the time “Chippy” arrived and well… the creativity of naming him something other than that of the Movie “The Elf on a Shelf: Elf Story” was not in the cards. But… we did “change” the spelling. In the movie it’s Chippie.
Chippy always arrives the day after we “trim the tree.” Which is usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving. After the crazy back and forth with Thanksgiving and Black Friday… Saturday is family decorating and relaxing. Chippy brings breakfast, presents, and more (Tradition #2) to celebrate his arrival and the start of the Christmas season.
Then, he spends the next twenty something days hiding in different areas of the house, writing notes, some additional mini gifts… helping to count down to Christmas. The boys love “searching” for him in the morning and seeing what he’s been up to.
Go check out my pinterest board for a ton of Elf on a Shelf ideas!
Love Life As Mom 