Spring is officially here.
And if you are like most parents, you are more than ready to get your kids out of the house right away. They need to burn off all the energy from the winter. (Photos at Illiniwek Forest Preserve)
Continue reading 6 Places for taste of spring in the Quad Cities
As parents, we are lucky to raise our kids in a wonderful spot with tons of great family-friendly events and activities. And the learning opportunities! We live in a community with museums, parks and natural wonders like the Mississippi River!
But if you are anything like me, you may miss some of the hidden gems in the area because you get in the habit of going to your favorite spots.
Research shows that much of your child’s brain development occurs before age 5. We can help that brain development in lots of ways, but I especially love taking my son to local spots to help him learn and grow before he enters kindergarten. As a bonus, I enjoy these spots, too.
Continue reading 11 places to take your child in the Quad Cities before kindergarten
If you have kids under 12, the Quad Cities is a great spot to spend a weekend away any time of the year. (And if you are from the Quad Cities, you can have a wonderful staycation.)
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy making memories – even in the middle of the winter. Check out our picks for a trip with your family! (You could stay busy for a weekend or a full week with our added ideas at the bottom of this post.)
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good cup of coffee. Or chai tea. Or hot chocolate. Really, I’ll take anything warm in a giant mug.
Pair this with a great atmosphere and friendly baristas, and I’m basically in heaven.
Luckily for me (and for you), there are loads of incredible coffee shops in the Quad Cities area. Whether meeting with a friend, working on your latest project, or just needing a boost of caffeine, there are plenty of options.
If you’ve watched Top Chef Junior, you’ve probably thought about how to get your kids interested in cooking.
Luckily, there are great classes right in the Quad Cities that give your kids the chance to learn skills in the kitchen. Our friends at our local Hy-Vee stores have plenty of options for ways to kids comfortable making meals and finding their way around the kitchen.
Maybe this won’t lead to television fame, but it could be a great way to encourage your kids to make you breakfast one day. Plus, the classes are all focused on healthier recipes, which all parents will love.
Do you get stuck in a rut when you are dining out in the Quad Cities – visiting the same few restaurants again and again?
While we love to be loyal to the local establishments we love, there are many we haven’t had the chance to try yet. We recently had the opportunity to eat at Barley and Rye Bistro. Safe to say it has become a fast favorite.
As parents, we are in the home stretch!
That means, if you are anything like me, you are scrambling for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers for your family members and friends.
Do you think that shopping local is only for adults? Not the case.
I love to find gifts for kids with a QC flair – and even better are the gifts that keep giving all year long. Most kids have plenty of toys under the tree, but these gifts give your kids the gift of experience.
So, if you are looking for a gift idea for QC kid, here are a few favorite picks.
Continue reading 8 must-have QC gifts for kids (that aren’t toys)
The holidays may be right around the corner, but maybe you still need to get a little more in the spirit.
There are a variety of shows and concerts over the next week that can help you put the fa-la-la in your holidays. Here are a few of my picks for some festive ideas.
Continue reading 5 holiday shows and concerts you haven’t missed yet
Festival of Trees is right around the corner – which is really the kickoff to the holiday season in the Quad Cities.
You probably already know about the trees, the shows, the parade and the special events. Maybe you think you know everything there is to know about Festival of Trees. (Read about some of my favorite parts of the annual event from last year.)
But this year, I’m also excited about a brand new partnership between Festival of Trees and the Putnam Museum. Because there’s a new event you won’t want to miss – and it’s fun for the entire family.
Continue reading Holiday movie + Festival of Trees = perfect weekend
Santa must love the Quad Cities. If you are like my son, you may like to hedge your bets and see Santa more than once. (Because then he won’t forget what’s on your Christmas list this year.) Or maybe we just have lots of good girls and boys here. Now that holiday season is upon us, there are plenty of opportunities to see the jolly man in the flesh.
