Monday, November 2, 2009

Monday 11/2 - Sunday 11/8





Thought of the Week:  The Holiday Card Your Friends Won't Have
Apparently it is the holiday season. On Saturday I was in Target, doing a last minute Halloween supply mad dash, and was shocked, as I am every year, that the Christmas season seems to be starting weeks, maybe months, earlier than it did back in the days pre-Big Box retailers.  On one hand, I'm pissed that Target and other retailers have defined mid-October as the start of the holiday season.  On the other, I feel that maybe this is the kick in the butt I need this year to get a head start on all things holiday.  After all, my due date is two days after Thanksgiving, which means my normal last minute shopping routine is not going to be ideal given I'll have a newborn attached to my boob and a 3 year old vying for my attention.  Just as all these thoughts of stressful holiday chaos was floating through my head, I saw that a local mom with a business called Mommies Inkhad started following me on Twitter.  When I clicked on her Etsy site to figure out what she's selling, my first thought was: BRILLIANT.  For $10, yes only $10, she will insert one of your pictures into her cute photo card designs.  You pick the design, you pick the font, you pick the wording.  She sends the completed card back to you, you upload it to Kodak, Walgreens, Costco, wherever you get your online photos printed (I personally prefer mpix).  Have them printed shiny or matte, 4x6 or 5x7, and then stuff them in envelopes that you can purchased online as well (try Action Envelopes).  According to my rough number crunching, photo cards done this way will cost about 1/2 the price you would pay on Tiny Prints.  Plus you'll send out a card that most of your friends have never seen before.  And if you are willing to pay a little more, Mommies Ink will customize a design for you.  If only I had thought of this...if only I had majored in graphic design....if only I knew how to use my bootleg copy of PhotoShop.  Until then, I'll use Mommies Ink for my birth announcement/holiday card this year!


THIS WEEK:


Tots on Tuesdays at the Shedd: Every Tuesday the Shedd Aquarium offers activities devoted to toddlers and pre-schoolers. There are story times, crafts, animal touch programs, videos and costumed characters.
Where: The Shedd Aquarium • 1200 S. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago
When: Tuesdays • 9a-5p



Nature Pals Playgroup: Bring your 1 to 4 year old to the Nature Museum to meet new friends and explore hands-on nature themed activities. $15 for an adult + 1 child.  $10 for additional children.   
Where: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum • 2430 N Cannon Drive
When: Wednesday 9:30a-10:30a


Park District Fall Family Night: On Thursday night, why not have the nanny drop the kids off at your office downtown and then head to Northerly Island with the fam.  You'll meet live critters, make fall themed nature crafts, and enjoy refreshments.  This is an indoor activity.  FREE.
Where: Northerly Island • 1400 S Lynn Wright Drive
When: Thursday 5p-6:30p


Green City Market Moves Indoors: As sad as it is to see the Green City Market move inside for the season,  we have to be thankful that we have access to an amazing farmers market in the city all year round.  Plus, this is one of the best family activities going on cold winter weekends.  Mom or dad get to shop for produce, meat, dairy, etc and kids get to spend a morning with the butterflies, at the indoor play area, and checking out the Critter Cam Exhibit.  
Where: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum • 2430 N Cannon Drive
When: Saturdays 8a-1p


Drum Circle at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center: Come make music with your little ones ages 6 and under on Saturday in Lincoln Park.  An hour of beating on drums sounds like a more sane plan than a drum set at home!  FREE!
Where: Lincoln Park Cultural Center • 2045 N Lincoln Park West
When: Sat 10a-11a


Kids Music at the Beat Kitchen: One of our favorite Wiggle Worms teachers, Karen of the Karen for Kids Band, will perform a matinee show on Sunday at the Beat Kitchen.  Make a meal of it and grab lunch/brunch there before hand.  The kids can get a grilled cheese while you chow down on a breakfast wrap.
Where: The Beat Kitchen • 2100 West Belmont
When: Sunday Brunch starts at 11:30 and Karen performs at noon.

1 comment:

  1. shoot, i JUST ordered mine from same old expensive shutterfly. Gah. That'll teach me NOT to get a jump on things next year! ;-) Congrats on being almost done with pregnancy #2!

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