Kidwinks - Chicago with Kids - May 24, 2011

Kidwinks - Chicago with Kids - Blog

What else is going on this week? Well, here are a few sugestions:

Now doesn't this look totally cool? - Calving Kline Creek Farm what kid doesn't want to see calves being born? Here another that may also apeal to Chicago kids - Chicago Turkish Festival at Daley Plaza.

This is such a great program that I just have to post it. They fit the helmet to YOUR child's head (I think this is the hardest thing to do) and the helmets only costs $10. They have many helmets to choose from. It is best to call before you go. Bike Helmet Program - Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Cape San Blas, Florida

Two years ago we wanted to head to Florida for spring break, but weren't sure exactly where we wanted to go. To keep costs in line for this family trip, we knew we would be driving and looking for reasonable accommodations. We also knew we'd be bringing with us our two black labs. That meant hunting for a condo or private home to rent that accepted pets. So I headed to one of my favorite sites, vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner) and started looking around.

Somehow my eye caught a side article that talked about the best dog beaches in the U.S. (or maybe even the world - don't remember right now). Since our dogs LOVE the water even more than our daughters, I clicked on the article and found out that Cape San Blas, FL had not only one of the best beaches in the world, but also one of the best dog-friendly beaches. Hmmm.. I had never heard of this place so continued my research.

Cape San Blas (read more about this place by clicking here) is located in northern Florida's Gulf Country, and is actually a peninsula that has the Gulf of Mexico on one side and St. Joe Bay on the other. The beaches are GORGEOUS and uncrowded, and there's not an amusement park or high rise in site. If getting back to nature and having a relaxing, fun, family vacation is your goal, then I recommend you consider this place.

We stayed in a 3-bedroom condo called Flamingo Retreat that was part of the Barrier Dunes development right on the beach with 2 outdoor swimming pools. It was perfect for us; I don't think you could go wrong in any of the rentals in this community. None are far from the beach (many are right on the beach), and the pools are great too. We would walk to the beach and often have the whole (huge) beach to ourselves. We could walk and walk and walk and never see a soul. The dogs were allowed to go offleash, so they had a blast swimming and running.

One day we rented a pontoon boat and spent the day on St. Joe Bay. That was incredible! We've never seen so much sea life up close and personal: rays, dolphins, hermit crabs, sand dollars, conches, shells, scallops, and schools of fish (mackerel maybe?) that would all jump out of the water at the same time. We just boated around, and would drop anchor whenever we wanted to swim or venture to shore. Really the highlight of our trip.

Other days we would spend at the beach, just playing in the water and on the sand. I wish we would've gone to the State Park at the tip of the peninsula. We did drop anchor near there and walked along the shore a bit, but I would've liked to have spent a day there to see some of the wildlife inland.

There are delicious restaurants and ice cream shops. We did much of our own cooking, though, to keep costs down. Really, I can't recommend this place enough. We'd all love to go back.

Chicago with kids - We are the best source for parents in Chicago with kids. #1 online guides for Chicago with kids activities. We also cover the suburbs.

Chicago with kids - We are the best source for parents in Chicago with kids. #1 online guides for Chicago with kids activities. We also cover the suburbs.

Kidwinks Weight Loss Group

In my weekly email (Chicago Family Activities Guide for September 13 - 19, 2010) to kidwinks subscribers, I invited any and all to join me in a quest to lose some weight and get back to a healthy lifestyle. So far, four brave souls have signed on! So here begins our public bid to shed those extra pounds and begin (or resume) a healthy lifestyle. Here's our group and what I know about them:

1. Me (Jean Lemke): I live in Park Ridge and would like to lose about 30 lbs., which would put me back at my wedding weight. My 16 year anniversary is this Thursday. I am determined it will NOT take me as long to take it off as it has to put it on!!
2. Shannon: Shannon lives in Des Plaines and is all for the weight loss posting - she thinks it will be a great support.
3. Susan: Susan lives in Evanston and wrote "I too have made the pledge and started taking the plunge to a healthier lifestyle and a weight I would feel good about." She's got a range of numbers she'd be comfortable with.
4. Genie: Genie lives in Oswego and thinks it will be helpful for us to encourage each other.
5. Mary: Mary says she has a little to lose around the tummy and hips and thinks this might be a good way to truly get back to a healthier routine.

My thoughts are to use this blog as our communication vehicle to comment and support each other. I'll write a bit here about my struggles, what I've tried, what worked and didn't, etc. I'd love to hear the same from each of you - you can comment on this post to let us all know. If anyone wants to be a guest blogger and write a post, please let me know. It's fun that we're all from different suburbs (Mary, please let us know where you live) and can come together virtually to support each other. I think each week we should do a weigh in and post our progress. No need to publish your weight unless you want to (I know I certainly don't want that number floating around -- yikes!). I think this should be on the honor system. Weigh yourselves today and that is your starting point. Each week (how about every Friday - this will be a short week) we will weigh ourselves and report the results to the group through this blog. Periodically I'll share our progress in my kidwinks emails.

What do you think? Any other ideas? We can also share recipes, exercise tips, etc. if you'd like. I think it would be fun to post pictures, too. We could each take a photo in clothes that won't hide anything (like yoga pants or bicycle shorts) and post them, then periodically post new pics wearing the same clothes. It would be fun to put faces to all of your names, too.

Here's a little about me: I've battled with my weight all my life. As a baby and throughout childhood, I was always chubbier than my (fraternal) twin sister, who never had a weight issue. In my teen years and throughout adulthood, I yo yoed from being healthy and fit, to 30 lbs. or so overweight. In my late 20's I lost about 35 lbs. by religiously logging everything I ate, and keeping my calories to 1600 or less and fat grams to 20. It's a lot of bother at first, but after awhile you know the calorie counts of many foods by heart. I also exercised 1.5 hours a day (45 - 50 minutes aerobics, plus weight training, stretching and ab work) at least 5 days a week. That's a little harder to do now that I have my family to care for, but I should be able to do something everyday - 30 minutes at least!

After having my daughters later in life (I was 39 & 41), it was harder to lose the extra weight. Hip and back problems prevented me from exercising for almost 3 years after my second daughter's birth. A hip replacement (turns out I was born with hip dysplasia) finally solved that problem, but I never got back to the exercise regime. So I've got a lot of fat to lose and muscle to build.

I've tried the South Beach Diet, and can lose 10 lbs. in 2 weeks following their strict Phase I (no sugar, fruit or bad carbs - just lean meat, low sugar veggies, low fat cheeses, eggs and a few nuts). But it's hard to do when you're cooking for a family that is not following the plan.

So I'm going to go back to a food diary and calorie limit. I've been logging my intake for the past 3 days, and it's really eye-opening. The amount of calories that I've been eating is way way beyond the 1600 calorie plan I used to follow. It's amazing how fast they add up! I'm also drinking more water (trying for at least 8 glasses per day) and less Diet Coke. Now that the weather will be turning cooler, I'll start drinking more green tea too.

How about you? What are you doing to change your lifestyle? Share with us all.

Kidwinks.com eNewsletter 8/30/2009

We had a marshmallow roast in our backyard last night, and my daughter wore her winter boots to keep her feet warm. Earth to Mother Nature: "It's August! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???"
Listen, we'd like to ask your help. Many of you have emailed us about all the fun new things and great restaurants you've found using kidwinks. Thank you for that - we love to know we're helping our fellow busy parents (and even grandparents!). So WE know how helpful the website is; and YOU know how helpful it is. It's time our listings businesses knew it too. Would you mind telling the manager the next time you visit a business or event after finding it on kidwinks? Honestly, they like to know how best to reach customers, and will appreciate your feedback. It will also help us gain advertisers (our only source of income), and hopefully open the door to some new prizes for us to offer you. Thank you in advance!
Since the coming weekend is a long one, I thought I'd just concentrate on the first part of the week in this newsletter, and send a separate one tomorrow covering the Labor Day Weekend. If you don't see something that tickles your fancy here, you can find lots more to choose from by clicking through our Events Calendar or browsing through the Ongoing Activities section. Don't spend more money than you have to when taking the kids out to eat: check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first.

Monday, August 31
End of Summer Concert - Millenium ParkChicago, IL Family Fun Festival Presents Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine/Bunny Clogs.
Monday Morning Playgroup - Morton Grove Library Morton Grove, IL Tots of all ages and their parents or caregivers can gather to meet new friends, play and have …
Mom & Tots Playdate - Pinstripes Northbrook Northbrook, IL Kids can enjoy a complimentary yogurt & fresh food buffet and a coffee station for moms & dads.
Movies in the ParkChicago, ILCatch a free outdoor flick at one of the Chicago Park District's many parks this summer.

Tuesday, September 1
Free Admission 2009 - Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL Museum admission is free today.
Summer Luau Niles, IL Put on your grass skirts and flowered shirts and enjoy a morning of games, songs, crafts and …
Matinee Movie Magic - Kerasotes Theatres Chicago Area, IL An opportunity for parents to attend first-run films in a baby-friendly environment, and …
Howling Hideouts - The Morton Arboretum Lisle, IL Sneak into the life of the coyote and learn about these smart but secretive howlers.


Wednesday, September 2
Cirque Shanghai - Navy Pier Chicago, IL Kidwinks’ members give this show a 5-wink rating. Read what they have to say.
Wild Wednesdays at Cantigny Park Wheaton, IL This is a hands-on, nature exploration geared towards preschool through elementary ages.
Apple Pickin' Family Festival - Apple Holler Sturtevant, WIFresh ripe apples, crisp fall air, families playing together in the great outdoors and enjoying family activities …
Cool Cars Under the Stars Elmhurst, IL This family-friendly classic car show will be cruisin’ away until next year after tonight.

Thursday, September 3
Free Admission - Notebaert Nature MuseumChicago, IL Thursdays - Admission is FREE.
Come Meet Frog and Toad Morton Grove, IL Arnold Lobel's lovable characters, Frog and Toad, will visit. Come hear a story, do a craft and …
Horse Drawn Hayrides Danada Forest Preserve Wheaton, ILEnjoy a 30-minute horse-drawn hayride through prairies and woodlands while learning about …
Movie/PJ Night at Nibbles Play Cafe Wheeling, IL Come in your pjs and watch some of your favorite children's movies with us every Thurs. evening!
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