Pick Your Own!

I love taking my girls out picking for cherries, apples and now I'm researching strawberries! It's a little early right now BUT always good to get a head start for planning another fun family adventure. Here's a link to where to go for picking your own. I'm including neighboring states too.

Illinois www.pickyourown.org/IL.htm

Indiana www.pickyourown.org/IN.htm

Michigan www.pickyourown.org/MI.htm

Wisconsin www.pickyourown.org/WI.htm

Favorite Park - Sunset Woods Park Highland Park, IL

Bring a picnic or visit Walker Brothers in downtown Highland Park. Your kids will LOVE Sunset Woods Park. Literally there's something for every child. The park is HUGE with plenty of opportunities to explore and more importantly have FUN. Pretend play at it's best.

Features, Amenities and Activities
■Baseball fields
■Basketball courts
■Football fields
■Handicap accessible
■Outdoor ice rink (winter)
■Picnic areas (for groups--reservations required)
■Playground for tot, preschool and elementary ages
■Shelters
■Skatepark
■Tennis courts (four, soft/lighted and three, hard)
■Walking path (.9 mile, paved)
Sunset Woods Park is 38 acres, eight of which are designated natural areas consisting of Mesic Closed Savanna and ephemeral wetlands. Wildlife includes red-tailed hawks, grey squirrels, bluebirds, various songbirds, skunk and opossum.

Exciting new "digs" coming this year!

Planning is under way to replace two of the four existing playgrounds within the park this summer. The two playgrounds to be replaced are Builder's Village and Swiss Family Robinson. Builder's Village was built in 1986 and does not meet the current accessibility and safety guidelines. The new two-level Exploration Playground, will provide an archaeological dig concept which will tentatively include, a Dinosaur Shell Climber, Rib Cage Climber and prehistoric creature, Jurassic Sand Diggers and accessible Sand Digger. Interpretive signage will be included, which will describe the history and species of the dinosaurs. Swiss Family Robinson will be replaced with an Adventure Tree House concept, providing a nature-based play experience. Current plans include, a centralized custom tree house, two-level accessible boardwalk, play panel system, play posts coated to reflect a log structure look, Rope Bridge, Net Tunnels and Suspension Bridge. Plans also include items such as a Boulder Climber, Mushroom Steppers, accessible surfacing and log benches to fully encapsulate the look and feel of this natural environment.

Visit www.pdhp.org/index.cfm/fa/parks.park_detail/object_id/a45380b2-1b75-4893-a9aa-414e46526f91/Sunset_Woods_Park.cfm

How to handle scary things in the news with children

How to handle scary things in the news with your children. Some great advice from a group I adore...Hear the tips from a Psychologist who works with Sesame Street.

Visit www.pbs.org/parents/theparentshow/how-to-handle-childrens-questions-about-scary-news/

Special Needs - Noah's Park and Garden, Evanston IL

Noah's Park and Garden, Evanston IL
(near Evanston Art Center/Lighthouse on Sheridan Rd.)
An amazing park and garden located right by Lake Michigan. There's plenty of shade and a community garden nearby. Parking is limited but there are picnic tables. This park is for All children to enjoy. Make sure to check out the lovely and quite moving tribute to Noah in the memorial garden...the parents who raised the funds on behalf of their wonderful son deserve a heartfelt thanks from this mom for sure. If you visit the beach you'll need a token after Memorial Day. Visit www.noahsplayground.org

Farms, history and nature trails

Wagner Farms, Glenview IL One of our favorite places we take our children - often . This place has something for everyone. Indoor farm exhibits where the children can see what it's like to lift a bail of hay, take eggs from chicken's nests, milk a pretend cow and feed a pretend pig along with learning what a grocery store circa 1920 was like. Additionally, you can get an ice cream treat (what it was like in a 1920's ice cream parlor - Homer's Ice Cream) and witness a cow milking at 5:00 daily. Outdoors run around, have a picnic, look at the chickens in their coop, see a pig or two, some sheep, work horses and our beloved cows!! Additionally for the history buff, occasionally they have the house open for a docent guided tour. A great find, wonderful outing and tons of fun. If you're seeking a fun place for a birthday party it's HIGHLY recommended. We did a party there and loved it. Visit http://www.wagnerfarm.org/

Volkening Heritage Farm, Schaumburg IL Step back into the 1880s when Schaumburg was a rural German farm community. On a visit to Volkening Heritage Farm, you can help with seasonal farm chores, participate in family activities and games of the 1880s or simply visit the livestock and soak in the quiet. Authentically dressed interpreters welcome and guide visitors through the site. Pack a picnic and have fun!! Visit www.parkfun.com/Facilities/SpringValley/HeritageFarm.aspx

Schmidt Burnham log house and nature park in Winnetka, IL (east of Willow and Hibbard Rd on the south side of the road). The Schmidt-Burnham Log house - oldest house in Winnetka (log house) was moved a few years ago to this site open May - October with a docent tour about once a month on Sundays - really neat. Interesting fact, they have the oldest known jungle gym that was moved from Horace Mann school. The school is a national landmark as of 1990. Shockingly there is a great nature walk area equipped with trails, picnic area, clean bathrooms, fire pit and a few other jungle gyms and a neat area of kickboxing a tree just east of the Burnham house, near the school among the trees.
Visit www.winnetkahistory.org/index.php?id=199

Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods IL. For sure this is the place to visit if you want to hike in nature. There's a farm on the premises and you might get a glimpse of a farm animal. Bring binoculars and journals for your little ones to catalog their finds.
Visit www.ryersonwoods.org/p/general.html

The Grove, Glenview IL We love visiting this place. Again, great hiking, nature trails, wild animals, historic buildings and nature conservation all not far away. Great place to get the excersize and fresh air!! Visit www.glenviewparks.org/The-Grove/The-Grove.html

Open Lands Association - Lake Forest, IL One of my favorite places in and around the Chicago area. Whenever I want to reconnect with nature...I head back to Lake Forest and hit their wonderful and amazing nature trails. My children have witnessed nature at it's best year round and if you have a dog...they'll LOVE it too.
Visit www.lfola.org/ourlands/ourpreserves.aspx for a map of their many trails.

Historic Ft. Sheridan - Highland Park, IL This is a favorite of mine as the trails are wonderful, the Lake Michigan beach views are amazing and the history is incredibly interesting too. Make sure to review their website as there's many interesting historical tidbits. You can walk to the beach too. Visit www.fortsheridan.com/amenities/beach.asp

Forest Preserves in our area... Looking for nature preserves in Cook County? Visit www.fpdcc.com

Morton Arboretum - Lisle, IL

I have had this on my radar for years and heard many great things about the children's play area ...this was SO correct. Not only did my children have a great time, my husband and I did too. We definitely will return again and again. What I loved most is we really felt we were on an adventure and got away for the day. Truly I think spring, summer and fall would be the best times for visiting but if you like to walk/hike in the snow this would be an adventure too. Have fun and make a day of it with your kiddos and have a great time!! Visit www.mortonarb.org for more details. BTW, the trees are spectacular. There's plenty of great hiking, biking and lake areas for exploring - the place is HUGE!!

15 things you should say to your children

What Do You Tell Your Teen Every Night? 15 Things Every Parent Should Tell Their Teen Times are tough for our teens. They need our assurance, support and 15 daily reminders.
by Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC on November 02, 2010

Excerpt from an interesting article. Personally I think many of these can be reminders for your elementary, middle and junior high schoolers too. Many of these I already say to my 7 year old.

15 things that should be said daily during your child's teen years:

1. No one will ever love you in the same way or have your best interests at heart more than your mom/dad and I will.
2. You have so many gifts and options; I will help you capitalize/benefit from them as best I can.
3. How can I help you reach your dreams?
4. No matter what you confide in me, I will always love you and do what is best for you.
5. My job is not to be your buddy. I am your parent and will love and mentor you.
6. I am sorry. (Say this whenever you hurt your child, or your child is in pain from something someone else said to them.)
7. I embrace your friends, but I love you the most.
8. It is okay to mess up; I do it all the time.
9. I am sorry you don't like my rules, but you will have to abide by them. I will hold you accountable if you break them and there will be a consequence.
10. If you are in trouble, call me first, no matter where you are. I may be angry, but my first concern will always be your safety. We will talk about punishment or consequences later.
11. You are an integral part of this family, and the family needs you to run smoothly.
12. I don't care what your friends get to do. I am not their parent; I am yours and you are my main responsibility and concern.
13. I admire you more than you can ever understand or know.
14. If you get in trouble at school, be honest with me. Your teacher is the authority at school and if I hear it from your teacher before I hear it from you, I will feel betrayed or deceived. I may react to this breach of trust.
15. From the first time I saw your eyes, I vowed to be the best parent I could be for you. I make mistakes but they are not meant to hurt you. I make them because I love you so much and get scared sometimes. It is hard parenting a teen (your child will understand this confession).

Full article visit: http://www.momtourage.com//15-things-moms-should-tell-their-teen-every-night?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1&obref=obnetwork