We’ve had a lot of crazy weather this year here in Chicago.  First it is cold.  Then it is hot.  Then we got almost a foot of snow that melts that same weekend.  Now, this weekend we are going to get snow and it will be arctic cold.

That is why I am looking forward to spring.  My kids are ready to get one of those new wooden playsets.  They love to play outside.  I personally wish I had enough room for this:

Tell me if that is not the coolest looking wooden playset you have ever seen!  You can even get that really awesome rubber mulch to put underneath.  I personally am a fan of the stuff, because when the kids fall, it really cushions them.  We know people who have it and swear by it!

That pirate ship I found at Caroline Playsets.  I love that they feature and promote American made products manufactured with American lumber (usually southern pine) and offer high quality outdoor playsets at very competitive prices. We personally like buying American made things. Plus, they deliver and install, so I don’t have to worry about getting a playset and then waiting on Bill to put it up.

I’m off to spend the rest of the afternoon to see if I can find something that will fit better in my yard!

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One show that we never get to go to, and I am dying to see is Monster Jam! It always falls on Daddy/Daughter Date Night. Did you know that this year is Monster Jam’s 30th anniversary of Grave Digger! If you go to the show, you will be captivated by an incredibly family-friendly experience starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks. These twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over – OR smash through. Monster Jam provides a massive night’s entertainment tailored perfectly for your family’s budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old.  Here is the schedule:

Want to buy Monster Jam tickets?  Now, you can save 33% on ADULT tickets with code MOM, and kids tickets are always just $10! (This code is valid for all shows, except opening night on Fri., Feb. 10 at 7:30 pm when tickets are just $10 for kids and adults. Discounts not valid on VIP or Gold Circle Seating. All tickets $2 more day of show. Discount not valid for purchases day of show.)

Here are few fun facts:

Grave Digger

Right now, there are six Grave Digger monster trucks currently competing in Monster Jam, featuring
one of the most solid driver line-ups anywhere.

Monster Mutt Dalmatian

One of the most popular hats at the Monster Jam merch stands is the Monster Mutt hat which comes
with the big ‘ol floppy ears!

Avenger

Driver Jim Koehler & the Avenger have been to every Monster Jam World Finals since it began!

Advanced Auto Parts Grinder

While this truck had only been around for a couple years, it’s driver, Lupe Soza, has been racing for over
23 years!

Superman

This truck is driven by a REAL Superman: Chad Fortune, who is a former professional wrestler & NFL
player!

Mohawk Warrior

This truck’s driver, George Balhan, sports the same hair do!

Enjoy the show!

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If you are a regular reader here, you will know that I am working with Champions For Kids to make kids lives better in my area. At Christmas time, I worked with them to create a stocking full of Disney products. Now, I am working with them and Abbott Nutrition to help those who don’t have enough foods.

The charity I choose to donate a Snack Pack to was the Catholic Charities here in Chicago.  The food pantries in the southwest suburbs of Chicago serve approximately 2,800 people a month (and this is 2010 – 2011 statistic. I can guarantee that it is much worse now.) The supper programs that Catholic Charities serve gave away more than 9,000 hot meals in the southwest suburbs. The Catholic Charities summer lunch program provided 282,000 meals to children that summer.  Since the economy tanked, the need for this food pantry didn’t double – it tripled!  It just makes me ill that there are people in my own community that are food poor.

Here is my shop for this campaign and what we were able to buy and donate to Catholic Charities:

As you can see, we were able to put together a pretty good assortment of snacks to donate. Catholic Charities was also very grateful for our donation (Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take any pictures of them. They just allowed me take a picture of their food pantry). I just wish I could have done more. What are you doing for your community?

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias

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Yep, it is that time again. We have to start worrying about what Valentines Day Greeting Cards we are going to be sending to school. This is when having a boy and a girl sometimes stinks, because I can’t use the same cards for the kids. They each have to have their own set. Also, Madison’s class has 25 kids in it. Guess how the Valentine’s Day packs are usually set up — yep, in 12s or I can get 24. However, this year, I found the answer to my Valentine Cards dilemma.

Tiny Prints has everything I need for my cards this year. Here is what I’ll be ordering for the kids classrooms:

I’m sorry, but the sign the wolf is holding is the funniest thing ever!!! I love these cards and so do my kids. Tiny Prints — you scored a home run with your cards this year! If you are a fan like me, you can follow Tiny Prints on Twitter, Tiny Prints on Facebook, and Tiny Prints boards on Pinterest.

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Man, did it get cold here in Chicago. Our weather cannot decide what we are going to have for weather. Let’s see — we got over ten inches of snow on Friday. We had thunderstorms on Sunday (with thunder and lightening) which melted the majority of the snow we had (so glad I spent 2-3 hours snowblowing us out!). Now, it seems like we have some arctic cold now. If you can believe it, it is warmer in the morning when I drop the kids off than when I pick them up! The wind here has been beyond brutal.

That is wear things like polo neck inserts come in super handy. You can wear those and still be super stylish. The inserts give an extra layer of warmth without weight. You can wear a stylish sweater and not be afraid of showing off a little more than you want. Plus, even here too many layers can look bulky and not good. It is just nice to be able to stay warm (and not too warm!) and be fashionable at the same time!

Have you had crazy weather where you live? Is it hot? Cold? Crazy weather swings?

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