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Cinderella at Marriott Lincolnshire Children's Theatre

My daughter and I went over Thanksgiving weekend to see Cinderella at the Marriott Lincolnshire Children's Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed the show!  

If you haven't been to Marriott Lincolnshire before, its a theater-in-the-round.   I've seen other plays in this type of venue and it can sometimes be a bit awkward.   That was not the case with Cinderella.   It was very well acted and flowed seamlessly.    The play included a bit of humor directed at the adults that kept it engaging and funny, but flowed right over the heads of the kids.   There was an older gentleman sitting a few rows behind us that I thought was going to fall out of his seat with laughter!     All of the actors were very good - Cinderella and her Prince had excellent voices and performed their songs beautifully.    

During the search for the perfect foot to fit the glass slipper the audience gets involved.  The lights go up a bit and one of the actors runs through the crowd, trying the slipper on a few girls in the audience.   The audience was filled with kids on our Saturday morning performance, and the possibility of getting to try on the slipper was quite a crowd pleaser!  The music was very good, the actors were great, and it was truly an enjoyable show for both adults and kids.

When the play ends, the actors all come out on stage for a brief question and answer session.   This was definitely worth sticking around for.  There were questions specific to the play as well as the logistics of staging a production like this.   The actors do a great job of answering the questions and explaining how they make their job seem so easy.     

The show lasted approximately one hour.   A few of the smaller kids near us could have used a break mid-way through the play, but overall it was a perfect length for the younger crowd.   The theater itself is very comfortable with tons of free parking.   Cinderella at the Marriott Lincolnshire Children's Theatre is a great way to introduce a young child to live theater.   For other theater options during the holiday season, check out the Kidwinks Family Entertainment and Theater guide.

Holiday Photo Time! No Need to Stress. 5 Tips for Great Baby/Child(ren) Holiday Photos

Holiday Photo Time! No Need to Stress

For some parents, the thought of taking the children to take the holiday photo elicits an immediate pain in the frontal lobe, discomfort in the stomach, and an increase of heartbeats per minute. Preparing for a photo session can be daunting. Finding the photographer and location that will fit your needs, choosing a date and time, and deciding on what to wear, are just a few of the decisions that need to be made. Then the real fun begins, making sure the planets align, allowing you to get that unbelievable photo, that will grace the cover of countless holiday cards. Well, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as aligning the planets. Here are a few tips to help make your next session a little less stressful.

 

Tip #1 - Timing

On the day your child was born, you no longer called the shots. This sweet little baby was now in charge. It’s safe to say that for the next 5 to 6 years (some would say even longer), you are no longer in charge of the daily schedule. Working around meals, snack time and naps, is the main priority, especially when trying to maintain a sense of harmony in the home. So, why should anything be different when scheduling a photo session? No one knows your child better than you, so be sure to work around their schedule. Don’t schedule a session right before nap time and definitely don’t skip a meal to make an appointment. If your photographer can not accommodate your schedule, then you might have to find another photographer.

 

Tip #2 - Clothing

Finding something for the kids to wear is usually a pretty simple task. Well before Halloween arrives, the holiday outfits are on display in the stores. Countless, adorable dresses and cute sweaters to choose from. The hardest thing to do here is come home with only one choice. Dressing ourselves is usually when it gets to be difficult. The best suggestion I can give you, is keep it simple. Solid colors are the best. Avoid too many different patterns and clothing with words written on them. This takes away from the main focus, you and your family!

Another great tip is to bring an extra outfit. The likely hood of you needing it, is rare. However, it’s when we don’t prepare for the unexpected, is when the unexpected happens. This is definitely helpful when shooting on-location.

Tip #3 - Location

You might be thinking that this step should be decided well before the session date, and I couldn’t agree with you more. However, when mentioning location in this step, I’m actually referring to the location of you, the parent. If you are only having pictures taken of your child(ren), then the best place for you is right behind the photographer and preferably at the height of the camera. Most photographers welcome help from parents when trying to gain eye contact with the child. Though, it becomes a problem when those calls for “look here”, “smile for the camera” and countless sound effects come from areas not even close to the camera’s direction. If you will be in the picture with your family, then let the photographer work, his or her magic. Your only job is to look at the camera and smile.

 

Tip #4 - Your Opinion Should Matter

I am well aware that a client hires a photographer for their talent and their expertise. I do believe that a photographer should have a good idea of how the photo session will go, well before the first picture is taken. What backgrounds will be used? Will there be props? I also believe that the client should be able to share their opinion on what they would like to have in their pictures.

There may be times where you depend solely on the creativity of your photographer. However, you should also be able to freely express your opinions when needed. You should feel comfortable in sharing your own ideas and expectations for the session. Your photographer should welcome this information wholeheartedly.

 
Tip #5 - Relax and Have Fun 

Take a deep breath, do some jumping jacks if need be, but whatever you do, don’t lose your cool. Time and time again, parents become so flustered by their children’s behavior, it become impossible to capture genuine happiness. It’s essential that you remain calm. Children can easily sense their parents displeasure. Once this happens, watery eyes and red noses will be the main focus in all the pictures.

Have faith in your photographer. We are well trained in the art of turning unhappy children into camera loving individuals. As long as the parents relax and have fun the kids are sure to follow.

Sharon Gaietto, CPP

Click on the link to schedule your session with Sharon Gaietto Photography

Mystic Waters - Water Park Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

At ages 11 and (almost) 9, my daughters are too old to enjoy the Chicago area spray parks to cool off in the summer.   Their sense of adventure is growing, too, and they sometimes get bored at the regular public swimming pools.  I know what you're thinking:  "How can they get bored at a swimming pool?  What kind of spoiled kids are these?"  Well, I think the problem there is we have a generous neighbor with an in-ground pool who often lets us use it when he's out during the day.  The girls can bring floaties and water toys (generally not allowed at public pools) to liven up the experience, so miss that option at the public pools.

This year we've headed a few times already to Mystic Waters, which is part of the Des Plaines Park District and quite close to our home.  The girls have a great time enjoying most of the features of the park, and the lines for the slides have been surprisingly short during our visits.

The drop slides and diving area, with two options each to choose from have become a favorite of my girls and their buddies.  The water here is 12 feet deep, so it's not the place for non-swimmers.

The lazy river, which winds its way around a small island and through a waterfall or two is a nice way to relax and cool off while the gentle current floats your tube along.  Parents can double up with the younger ones.

The main swimming area has a nice zero-depth entry with water features and slides for the little ones.  The deeper swimming area can get pretty crowded, which is the one thing I wish I could change about the park.  It's no different than the swimming areas at most other public pools or water parks, though.

For younger kids, there is a great spray pad, with a rubber floor to prevent skinned knees if the toddlers take a tumble.  The area is restricted to younger kids, too, so you don't have to worry about older kids trampling the little darlings.  There's also a great sand play area, complete with shade and a shower.

As a mom, I love the fact that there is plenty of shade for everyone.  Along the west side of the park, there is a grassy area with plenty of trees and shade.  There are several shade canopies set up on the pool deck, too, but you have to be an early bird to nab one of the coveted lounges under those canopies.

Another family-friendly aspect of Mystic Waters is that you are allowed to bring in your own food and drink, coolers and all, as long as there is no glass and you park your cooler in the designated picnic area.  The picnic area has a large grassy part with a couple of shade canopies, and another shaded area with tables near the concession stand.  I was also very pleasantly surprised to see that the concession prices are extremely reasonable, and not your typical "Let's gouge the consumer because we have them over a barrel here" approach.

I recommend arriving early, because if the temperature is over 80 degrees, the park gets to capacity quickly. You then have to stand outside and wait in line to get in.  On certain days, camps attend, which adds to the congestion until they leave.  During one of our visits, 200 campers left at around noon, but it took a good 30 - 45 minutes for them to get organized and out the gates, while many people waited in line to get enter the at-capacity park.

If you're looking for other family friendly activities in Chicago, check out kidwinks.com.  You can find a list of Chicago area water parks, or use their Chicago Summer Fun Guide for Kids for tons of summer fun ideas.

Safari Land a great place to spend the day

Safari Land - You can call it many things such as and indoor play area, indoor amusement park, entrainment area, and even a kids birthday party place.  Safari Land is huge, boasting a whopping 62,000 square feet and offers entertainment options for a wide range of ages which is not always easy to find.

Safari Land in Villa Park

 Safari Land located in Villa Park is a great place to spend the afternoon or if you have just an hour or two to kill.  It also makes a nice place to have a kid’s birthday party.  You will know you have found Safari Land when you see the large giraffes and elephants flanking the outside of the building. 

Bumper Cars

Once inside you will see just how huge the space is. They have indoor amusement rides, close to 200 video arcade games, many with redemption tickets.  There is no admission fee but obviously the rides and games do cost money.  There are two different options to pay to play.  We chose to go with the wristband for the rides and a swipe card for tha arcade games.   

Farris Wheel for the younger kids

The wristband cost us $15 each ($20 on Fri. & Sat.) and includes unlimited rides on the tilt-a-whirl, small Farris wheel, and a few other rides for the younger kids, and 2 rides each on the roller coaster, bumper cars, kid sized go carts, and the roller coaster simulator.  There are rides that older kids will not be able to ride because they may be too tall.  Before you buy the wristband find out how many rides your child will be able to actually ride.

 The other option is to pay for each ride individually by using a swipe card that you load money onto.  The cards are good for the arcade games and the rides.  If you plan on trying out all of the rides then the wristband is definitely the way to go.  The arcade games range in price from $0.50 to $2.00.   

They also have skeet ball, a personal favorite, and other game that take tokens.  The tokens can also be purchased using the swipe card.   

Pinball Machines

Mini-go Karts

On the day that we visited we played for a while and then, of course, the kids started to get hungry so we headed over to the restaurant area and ordered a pizza.  The pizza was surprisingly good and reasonably priced.  In fact, all of their menu items are reasonably prices.  They have kids meals that range from $2.50 to $3.50 for a hamburger and fries.  You may also be surprised to know that they also have a full bar.   

 

 

Soft play area and tunnels for the younger kids

After our quite tasty lunch we decided to go bowling.  Yes, they even have bowling, cosmic bowling which makes it a bit more fun.  Shoe rental is $2 and each game is $3 per person.  The prices go up a bit on weekends so check the website or call before going.   

After bowling it was back to the rides and arcade games.   

Roller Coaster

All in all the kids and I spent about 4 hours playing and eating the day away at Safari Land an indoor amusement park / entertainment area in Villa Park.

Safari Land is a great place for kids birthday parties too. They have at least half a dozen party rooms and a selection of party packages to choose from which you can find by following this link: http://www.kidwinks.com/ForKids/6/KidsBirthdayPartiesSafariLand/16817/ 

Wacky Walk'r Dog Leash

So we finally took the plunge and got the dog that everyone in our house has been begging for for so long.    We promise we'll walk him, we promise we'll feed him, we promise, we promise......     And we believed it all.

Now that reality has set in, we have managed to get the kids a little more involved in the dog walking with our cool new leash, the Wacky Walk'r.    Its a rubber leash that looks a bit like a bungy cord.   The idea is that it absorbs much of the pulling that the dog will do on his walks.   And it really works!    Our dog, Duke, is only about 25 pounds, but much stronger than he looks!     This dog can pull you so hard you feel like your shoulder may be dislocated.   The stretchy Wacky Walk'r eliminates that tugging feeling.   Its not stretchy in the sense that he can extend the leash, it just absorbs the shock of being yanked around by your dog!  When we first got Duke, we bought the regular nylon leash from the pet shop.  The Wacky Walk'r is so much better.  

The leash is extremely durable also.   We have been using it for a while and it is in great condition.

It has a strong nylon handle and a very sturdy metal clasp to attach to the dog's collar.    Duke decided that the rubber was very tasty and chewed on the leash pretty frequently for some time.   The Wacky Walk'r stood up to all Duke could put out.... no holes, no tears, not a sign of chewing.    If I could only say the same for my leather chair!!

If you are are looking for a new leash for your furry companion, I highly recommend the Wacky Walk'r.   Ours is 3 feet long, but it comes in other lengths as well.     Its a highly functional leash that looks cool on your dog!   You can find out other great items for your pets on Kidwinks in the Pet shopping area.    

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago

If you're looking for some indoor fun for your family this summer, check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago in Schaumburg, IL.   We recently visited and all my kids had a great time!    Legoland Disovery Center Chicago has over 3 million LEGO bricks and nine attractions, including Model Builder Workshop, Jungle Expedition, LEGO rides, LEGO City Construction and Site Play Zone, LEGO 4D Cinema, Build and Test, LEGO Factory Tour and MINILAND featuring Chicago landmarks.

The facility is much larger than it appears from outside.   It is two stories and filled with so many different areas.  You need to take your time and make sure you hit everything.  We started our visit by walking through the Miniland area to see the Chicago landmarks.   The kids love to identify different buildings and try to figure out how the structures are all made.     When you pass through the Miniland area you enter Jungle Expedition.   Lots of cool LEGO animals here!

So realistic!

We headed upstairs where the kids played in the free build area.   During our visit there was a contest to create a new animal that doesn't actually exist in nature.   This was such a great example of why everyone loves LEGOS so much..... they really bring out your creativity.    The kids were excited to show off their new creatures and one of the LEGOLAND employees took a lot of time with each kid to ask details about their animal and what they decided to name it.    I've always thought the LEGO employees at the regular LEGO stores are so friendly and genuinely excited to talk LEGOs with my kids...... we experienced the same thing here at the Discovery Center.  

For a more structured building experience, we were able to make a model in the Model Builder Workshop.   You get a kit for a specific build on your way in, then follow along with the LEGO Master Builder to create it.   In the Build and Test area, you can also make a vehicle and race it down the test track to see if it is superfast, or even survives the track without a crash!

  

You can sit and take a break in the 4D theater which shows Bob the Builder 4D and LEGO City movies.   If you're looking to burn off some energy, you could instead let your kids race through the LEGO City Construction Site Play Zone, a mid-size climbing area.   I'm always amazed that even with so many other things to do, my kids are always drawn to the climbing area.  There is also a Technicycle Ride, which goes round and round as you pedal your way up and down.

The newest addition to LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride.   This is a very slow-moving ride, but my kids really liked it a lot.   You sit in a roller coaster-type car and ride very slowly through the ancient land of magic and dragons!    The car includes 4 laser guns that allow you to shoot down objects as you pass through.   You get the feeling that you are inside a video game, scoring points along the way.   Your picture is taken during the ride and you have the opportunity to purchase it at the end.   We got our picture back and had some very serious game faces on ........ there was a bit of a competition on who could score the most points!   I wasn't sure if my kids would like this ride because it is relatively slow, but they really loved it.    

You can grab a bite to eat at the LEGO Cafe and there are plenty of tables set up to take a break from the day.   LEGOLAND would be an ideal spot to host a children's birthday party...... there is a big party room for just that reason.   

LEGOLAND holds different special events throughout the year, such as Star Wars weekend, LEGO City Club Weekend, Brick-or-Treat throughout October and Holly Jolly Holidays in December.   You can check out their website for more information and an updated calendar.    

There is so much to do at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago that you can definitely make a whole day adventure out of it.    I knew my kids would enjoy the outing, but was actually a bit surprised at how much fun they had there.    Adult admission is $19 and Child admission is $15.   The cost is a bit steep, but you can go to www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com for ticket discounts.   Parking is free and very available as well.   You can find more information about LEGOLAND Disovery Center on the Kidwinks site as well as many other fun summer things to do with your family on the Kidwinks Summer Fun Guide.