We are so excited to share that Chuck E. Cheese’s 40th Anniversary World-Record Breaking Party is being held this Friday, May 19! If you have followed my blog at all in the past few years, you know that my kids love Chuck E. Cheese's. Thanks to a large amount of video games, basketball and football shooting drill-style games, and games of skill, my kids could spend … [Read more...]
2016 Summer Bucket List
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wet Ones® Hand Wipes. The opinions and text are all mine. We are about 2 weeks into our Summer Break and we couldn't be having more fun! On the last day of school we sat down on our porch and the kids brainstormed our 2016 Summer Bucket List. They came up with the idea and I wrote them on a huge piece of poster … [Read more...]
Mother’s Day Weekend Getaway or How to Relax on Vacation with Children
Ahhhh! This picture is me with my four littles on Mother's Day this year. Do you see my face? So relaxed. So happy. And if you can believe it this is after spending the whole weekend with my kids in a hotel in downtown Chicago... and with my husband working back at home half the time while we were there! Relaxing on vacation with four little kids is totally possible. Let … [Read more...]
Girls Night Out at Red Robin
For the last month or so my little girlies were begging for a girls night out, so over the weekend I decided it was high time we had ourselves another night on the town! I love begin able to spend time with the two of them together, doing girly things. We always go out to eat at a restaurant of their choosing, then we get dessert, and then we either go shopping … [Read more...]
First Day of Preschool for Oliver!
You guys. Hold me. No seriously. Please! This momma needs a big, long, strong bear hug, stat. My littlest little one has officially started preschool. Ugh. How? How is it possible that he is old enough to leave me for 2 days a week? I cannot. Really. Cannot fathom how 3 years just flew by like they did. But his sheer excitement and the fact that we go to the best preschool … [Read more...]
First Days of School 2015!
So last week was a huge deal for us. Three of my little ones started school!!! If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you were lucky enough to get some real time updates on how things went. And if not, hooray for this post, hehe! It's time to catch up! … [Read more...]
A Day in My Life Polaroid Instax Photo Journal
A few years back I received a Fuji Film Instax Mini 25 as a gift and I have love, love, loved it ever since. It works just like the old school polaroids we all remember but the pictures that come out are about half the size. I still love waiting for the picture to appear and wonder…if I shake it will it develop any faster? … [Read more...]
A Christmas-ing We Go!
Last weekend we thought we should take advantage of the warmer temps (yes, that would be 40 degree weather folks...this past weekend we were lucky to hit the 20's and that's without windchill!) and go cut down our Christmas tree!We found a new to us tree farm and I think this one might be my new favorite place to go every year! It was family run, very mom and pop, and so … [Read more...]
Mommy/Daughter Date: Picnic in the Park
At the end of the summer I was asked by Davidson's Organics and the Missouri Star Quilt Company to be a part of their Ultimate Picnic! program and to create a fun picnic theme to share. What fun, right! I love a good picnic. Remember this post here? Well, last week I decided it was high time I took my girls out on a little mommy/daughter date. It had been far too long … [Read more...]
Family Adventures {Sip on Something Good with Capri Sun}
With school starting this week for two of my littles, I think it is safe to say summer has ended for us. We have had one fun-filled, memory-making summer though so it's okay that we are moving onwards. We spent a whole lot of time together doing things we love, trying new things as a family we may or may not have loved, and intentionally checking off our summer bucket … [Read more...]
Mall of America: Our Family Weekend Getaway and $100 MOA Gift Card Giveaway!
Not too long ago, I got to visit Mall of America with my family thanks to a BlogHer opportunity. I was so excited! I just love, love, love the Minneapolis area! Growing up just a few hours away in Wisconsin, I made lots of trips there with my family and friends as there is always so much to do. Being that we live in Chicago now, Mall of America (in Bloomington, MN which is … [Read more...]
9 Months and Counting…
Ha! As I read my blog title, I can't help but think thank goodness that is 9 months out and not 9 months in...yeah, the end of pregnancy is never fun, is it? Well look who turned 9 months old last week! My little man Oliver is getting bigger and bigger...I just can't believe it. I feel like I say this all the time but I really can't help it, PLEASE STOP TIME! I just … [Read more...]
Snapshots of December
I realized I haven't posted any pictures from all the holiday fun we have been having so far this month so here is a post to save the day! I know you have all been wondering just what we have been up to ;-)The first weekend in December we headed out with some of our wonderful friends and their children on one of the best weekends this winter to find our Christmas tree (We … [Read more...]
Adventures in Strawberry Pickin’
We had ourselves a little family adventure yesterday... We picked a lot of these babies. Well, some of us did. Other little ones of the less than 2 year old variety needed to think about it. Until we figured out why we were there. Sampling is the best part, no? We had lots of good helpers this year. They each filled a basket and wanted to stay longer to fill … [Read more...]
What I’ve Been Up To Lately.
Wondering what I have been up to lately? Sometimes I wonder that myself. Each day always seems jam-packed and as the days before this baby arrive whittle down I can't help but think, "I NEED more time!" Because soon enough I will have a sweet little babe to hold in my arms and nurse...oh, how I love that season of life so much even though it means less "me" time and all … [Read more...]
Farmers Market Fun
As many of you heard on the Smashed Peas and Carrots Facebook page earlier this week, we were able to visit one of our favorite Farmers Markets for the first official market of the season. We were so excited. The kids even made a list of things they wanted to buy which included honey (specifically honeycomb), butterkase cheese, and a bag of kettle corn popcorn, lol, … [Read more...]
How to Survive Long Car Rides with Kids!
As I mentioned earlier, we just returned from a 12-hour road trip out to visit my parents. Crazy might be our middle name to do this with a 5, 3 and 1 year old, oh and let's throw in the minor detail that I am 8 months pregnant as well, LOL! Yup, we must be certifiably crazy but getting to hang out with my family is so very worth it...so we do what we gotta do! Many of … [Read more...]
Easter 2012
Happy Easter 2012! Only a few days late but for a good reason as we were visiting my family out east and just returned home yesterday! The car trip was a whopping 12 hours and the kids did fabulously, I am still shocked. I think we made a good call when we decided to forego the long drive through the night we normally do and go for the drive during the day instead. … [Read more...]
The One Where I Talk About Halloween
I think it's safe to say there is no candy shortage around our house right now. Halloween was a complete success. And like clockwork they were up this morning asking for candy for breakfast. We also realized last night that three kids also means 3x the candy...for us, hahaha! Noah and Penelope made these guys at Dad's Night at their preschool last week. You can … [Read more...]
Red, Yellow, Green and Blue…These Are the Colors Over You
We have a lot of these on the ground these days. I suppose this is one reason why living in the midwest is a good thing. We get to experience all four seasons, some shorter than others, but four seasons nonetheless. The one we are currently in is my all time favorite. Part of the joy of Fall is the ever changing leaves. From green to yellow, gold, orange, and … [Read more...]
A Bushel and a Peck and a Hug Around the Neck
One of our most favorite things to do in the Fall is go apple picking, I just love walking the grounds in a vest or a hoodie and taking in the chill autumn air. We are lucky that right outside of Chicago we aren't lacking in apple orchards to visit. So much so that we pretty much visit at least one every weekend. Yeah, we like our apples :-) What's my favorite type … [Read more...]
Blue Mason Jars, Pies and Cheese
Whew! Over here in the States we enjoyed a three day weekend thanks to celebrating Labor Day, did you get a three day weekend too? Since we had the opportunity, our little family of five packed up our car and we were off to enjoy what we like to call an Adventure Weekend. What's an Adventure Weekend? Oh, it's just what we call road tripping it with really no major … [Read more...]
A Trip Down the Aisle
So this past weekend my little ones were in their very first wedding. They had some pretty tough jobs being in charge of flowers and rings :-) Two out of these three made it down the aisle...little Eloise had other plans. She thought it would be more fun to walk in the other direction so her Daddy scooped her up so she didn't delay the wedding. It was fun to have … [Read more...]
Berry Picking and a Sunsuit.
It's now the Fifth of July so I must ask...did you make your Sopapilla cheesecake yesterday? :-) I thought I would throw it out there that it's also darn good with strawberries. Some of you had even mentioned that in the comments and yes, it's true! I thought today strawberries deserved a shout out for the awesomeness that they add to the dessert, and let's face it, … [Read more...]
Memorial Day-Weekend!
I hope all of you here in the States had a lovely Memorial Day weekend! We don't often get to enjoy three-day weekends (let alone two-day weekends!) with both my hubby's and my job but this past weekend we had the opportunity and seized it! We packed up the car and had a little mini-vacation complete with hotel stay, pool time, and lots of crazy kid fun. I thought I'd … [Read more...]
Fish-tastic Friday Nights.
Last night we took the kids to their first Friday night Fish Fry. We ate a ridiculous amount of fried fish (both Walleye and Pollock), fried shrimp, fried hush puppies and fried potatoes...aka french fries :-) And plenty of non-fried items including lemon baked cod, coleslaw, delicious breads and even pizza, mac n' cheese, and applesauce for the kids, oh my! I feel … [Read more...]
Baby in a Tire.
We took a little trip this weekend. All 5 of us. A first for our family. We even stayed overnight in a hotel. And then the kids woke up at their usual hour...what the whaaaaat? {Sleeping in on va-cay, that's for the birds.} Then we went and put our baby in a tire. Props to you if you can figure out where we went. XOXO, … [Read more...]
A Getaway?…No Way!
OK, so here is a post that may bore you but I so wanted to share cause I love you guys, you're like family after all...didn't you know that! We decided last week to take a mini-vacation to Minnesota, can I get a WOOT WOOT for us actually taking a whole FOUR day vacation! We just got back and I just had to share some pictures from our trip, hope you don't mind. We had … [Read more...]
Oh Weekend, I Love You!
...Please Don't Go!! It's so sad to see a weekend coming to an end, isn't it? We had such a wonderful weekend thanks in part to some beautiful weather spring weather. And can you believe when I looked at the weather report the day before each day this weekend they were always calling for RAIN! Ugh, why is meteorology even a job!?! This weekend we made the trek to … [Read more...]
Trains and Cupcakes.
We took the kids by train to a diner that serves you by train. We (and the kiddies) love to visit here when the weather is nice. We ordered two of these after our meal: Yup, that's a train whistle on top. Now, I'm quiet certain that our kids will be the loudest in the neighborhood. Sorry neighbors! SUGAR!!! More SUGAR!!! Ok, I'm going to be in trouble later today … [Read more...]
Adventures with Santa
We took the kidlets to see Santa today. It was a trip to the mall full of good memories for our family. I know the kidlets are little but I still think seeing Santa is a must do before Chistmas, I mean a way higher priority then say getting my Christmas tree up (seriously, maybe we'll do it this weekend.) Hmmm...well let's see, first off it snowed about 4 inches here … [Read more...]
Being One with the Trees
Lately, we have been loving our local library card. And not just for the loads of books we check out every week, the free Wii games we rent for our family or the free storytime hours we meet friends at and get some well needed time out of the house. Our library, and many throughout Illinois, is currently offering the Museum Adventure Pass. It's a new program that … [Read more...]
Train Stations and Good-Byes
So, the birthday weekend is coming to and end. We went down to Chicago yesterday to take in some sites and take my dad to the train station. So sad. It was so nice having him here for a few days to help us celebrate Noah's birthday. Since we live so far away from all of my family, we don't get to see them to often and we really have to cherish the time that we do have … [Read more...]
Dragons, Giraffes and…Pumpkins?!?
Alrighty, here are some pictures of our family trip to Goebbert's Pumpkin and Farm Market. We had so much fun, it was the perfect fall weather to be walking around their pumpkin playland! We always love to go to Goebbert's every fall so that Noah (and now Penny) can run and climb on all their neat wooden structures of firetrucks, tractors, trains, etc. They have so many … [Read more...]
A Healthy Dose of Fall
We had a spectacular fall weekend these last few days...the weather was perfect, the skies were blue and the sun was out! We took the littles out to Tom's Farm Market a pumpkin patch and kiddie playland extravaganza on Friday afternoon. We like to come here every fall and stock up on their super delicious baked goods. Noah and Penny loved all the fun stuff they have … [Read more...]
A Weekend in Pictures
Here are some pictures from our weekend! It's freezing here in Illinois and I'm starting to think that we aren't going to have a nice warm fall after all *tears* Our little Penny doesn't even have a winter coat yet so she was bundled up in a ridiculous amount of layers or her brothers too small hand-me-downs to get through the cold (we are expecting a big box from … [Read more...]
A Wagon Full of Goodness
Today was beautiful here in Illinois! The weather was absolutely perfect for a trip to the pumpkin patch and that is exactly where went. Our littles had so much fun running around (and on top of) all the mounds of pumpkins, what a great way to burn some energy especially after all the rain we have been getting around here lately! The patch we visited had a kid-sized maze … [Read more...]
F is for Fall and Fun!
I love Fall, it's my favorite season for so many reasons. The leaves changing colors, crunching through them on a walk around the block, apple picking, pumpkin patches, apple cider donuts, pumpkin donuts, caramel apples, Halloween, Thanksgiving, cooler weather, wearing boots again...there is just so much goodness that surrounds this time of year! Around here, the Fall … [Read more...]
A Presidential Tour of a Children’s Museum
...well ok, not really but that is how it totally felt. We went to the Dupage Children's Museum the other day and man was it empty, we felt like we had special passes for a private tour or something. I forget how non-busy these places are once school has started, the kids had the run of the whole place and it was kinda nice! This children's museum is our hands down … [Read more...]
Picking, Plucking and Pulling
What a great day this has been! We started off today with a trip to the apple orchard! (I know, I can't believe it's almost the end of September already!) We decided to visit Woodstock Country Orchard in Woodstock, IL this morning and what a fun time we had. This orchard is just apples, and on little dwarf apple trees at that, perfect for the kidlets. We chose it … [Read more...]
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My
Ok, so it was more like Tigers, Elephants, and Clydesdale Horses...but it was still an 'Oh My!' because I'm always so amazed at how these animals can be trained to do the most amazing things! Yesterday, we went to the Kelly Miller Circus that was in town for the day. It is a great one ring circus that is one of the only circuses that still use elephants to help raise the … [Read more...]
The Raspberry Ranch
Since Clif and I both had the morning free we decided to take the kids on a little adventure to the raspberry farm. So, to the raspberry farm we went...or should I say the Raspberry Ranch. The Raspberry Ranch is this small mom and pop farm in Marengo, IL that grows raspberries and grapes (and sour ones at that) and doesn't use any pesticides, etc. so beware there are … [Read more...]
The Little Village for Little Ones
This morning we took the littles to visit the Little Village Play Place in Arlington Heights. It is a really nice set up for parents. There are lots of different themed rooms the kids can pretend play inside all while mommas and dads can have a cup of coffee or do some wireless web surfing from their laptop. Noah and Penny enjoyed the grocery store and construction … [Read more...]
Buckets of Blueberries
Ahhhh...behold the BLUEBERRY! Penny and her bucket Noah finding the perfect blueberry ...or should I say blueberrIES A boy, his bucket, and his blueberries! Our little taste tester..."mom, these ones are just right!" Chasing down her morning snack Noah!This morning we went to McCann's Berry Farm and picked blueberries! It was simply so much fun! It seemed like Noah and … [Read more...]
Day Out at the Museum
Check me out..."checkin' out!" Helping Penny count her drawer out at the kiddie Potbelly Restaurant "Hey Dad...we're out of developer!" Studying up for early admission...following in her parents footsteps,maybe!? Future veternarian, what do you think? Teamwork gets the job doneWe both had this morning off from work so we decided to take the littles to a children's museum … [Read more...]
Picnic + Music + Dancing = Good Times!
PICNIC! O000h, the food! My gang...aren't they cute? Penny loves her apples Penny also loves sharing her apples with Daddy Noah clowning aroundSo, we FINALLY made it to Ravinia Festival, the outdoor concert park in Highland Park, IL where you can chit-chat with friends, have a picnic, bring your own wine and listen to great concerts as different as the Chicago Symphony … [Read more...]
Morning Movie Madness
Today a friend and I decided to take our kids, 2 two-year old boys, a 10-month old girl, and a 7-month old girl) to the movies. We knew the boys might be a bit antsy and the girls, well, it was their naptimes but the movie was free and so we thought why not give it a try. We started off our little field trip by getting them some popcorn as a fun little treat and then … [Read more...]
Bike Ride to the Beach
Getting ready for the bike ride Noah's first splashes in the lake this summer Look mom, sand! Time to dry off How do I get back in this thing?Since Clif had the morning off today, we thought we'd take the kids on a bike ride in our made-for-two-kids bike trailer to a local beach. This was the first time we've gone to the beach this summer. I forget that we have such a … [Read more...]
Sunday, a Day for Rest…and Chocolate?
Peanut and Daddy Glorious...a chocolate covered donut! A quick picture before the mess ensues Anyone have a wet wipe? Chocolate anyone? The jungle balloons...elephant and monkey in a tree I love summer. I especially love summer because right around the end of June and the beginning of July there are tons of summer festivals in the Chicago area. One of my most favorite is … [Read more...]
Father’s Day
Noah walking the tracks at the Railway Museum All Aboard! Noah getting some fresh air on the train Daddy and his two munchkins getting ready to eat some breakfast Noah showing off some of the gifts he made for DaddyToday is Father's Day. And, oh what a day it has been. I started the day off by making breakfast for my hubby and in bed no less! He feasted on pancakes, … [Read more...]
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