Chicago Nanny Concierge

Your children have needs and I have solutions

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Ice Cream for Dairy and Non-Dairy Lovers!

For me, summer is synonymous with ice cream.  Once the mercury begins to climb, I'm in search of a fix- and not just the ice cream but the experience of eating outside with friends and family.

When I became vegan, I thought this was over.  Sure we could buy some non-dairy ice cream at the store and eat it outside or make our own but it just didn't have the same feel of chasing the truck or walking into an ice cream shop.  Turns out, more of my friends and their children are dairy-free than ever before and are looking for that same experience.

Thankfully, I have finally found the answer Chicago- iCream!  This amazing cafe offers ice cream choices of regular, light, organic and soy- something for everyone (it also offers shakes, frozen yogurt and hot puddings too)!  You choose your flavor(s) and mix-ins and they create your custom creation before your eyes- using liquid nitrogen!

Perhaps the best part for kids- they do birthday parties!

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Looking for fun toys without batteries?

As the mercury climbs, sometimes we find ourselves spending more time indoors for the safety of little ones.  With that, we want them to have fun but that shouldn't mean getting a headache from loud toys that seem to go nonstop!

There are many fun toys that are great for imaginative and interactive play without batteries at romp- in fact, it's all you will find there!

Some great examples:

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Quick Meal = More Time Outside

Our friend the sun is back and with it comes long afternoons spent outside, soaking up every minute we possibly can.  Unfortunately, meals still need to be made and the more time spent outside means less time to prep and create.  

A quick favorite at my house is the pita pocket.  There are many ways to stuff a pita but our go to is spinach, cucumber, avocado, hummus and Organic Ville's Ranch dressing (it's vegan!)  Of course, this isn't always a hit with kids and not all kids want the same ingredients.  

In those cases, it's easy to set-up a create your own pita station.  You can lay out the pitas and several choices for fillings and let the kids create.  For those that fear their child will choose just one ingredient, create mini stations and let them know that they have to choose at least one ingredient from each station.

To round out the meal, we serve with fruit, finger friendly vegetables and hummus.

Enjoy more time outside and still serve a delicious, nutritious meal!

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Natural Dye Solutions for Easter Eggs

It's hard to believe that it's already April and egg dyeing is right around the corner.  For those eco-conscious parents, I have found recipes to make your own natural colors at home, as well as an already done for you Eco-Kids kit.

All Natural Recipes

  Eco-Kids Kit

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Sun Safety Chicago!

This week has been an amazing preview of the summer to come.  The warmth and sun are welcome friends- even after a mild winter.  As great as March sun feels though, it still has consequences.  It's time to think about sun protection for the whole family!

To find a great sunscreen or check what is in your favorite brand, check out the Environmental Working Group's website.

Adorable, sun-protective clothing for kids does exist!  K and J has clothing in sizes up to 6T.  Designed by a dermatologist mom, the shirts are trendy and block 99% of UV rays without added chemicals.

I haven't forgotten about the adults out there!  MOTT 50 makes fashionable clothing with each garment having a UPF (clothing equivalent of SPF) of 50.  The line is approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation and donates a portion of proceeds to cancer research.

So get out there and enjoy the sun- safely!

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Building Cars Made Easy

If you haven't heard of Tegu blocks by now, get ready to be excited!  These magnetic wooden blocks make it easy and safe for toddlers (and older children) to imagine and create.

The current line I'm loving is Mobility.  You can choose from several different cars- some with a profile and wheels and some with multiple configurations and wheels.  

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Think Spring!

The forecast may call for several inches of snow today but it is time to think spring!  Children's rain gear can be cute and fun but it also needs to be safe.  L.L. Bean provides a great selection of coats and boots that are PVC free.

One of my favorite boot choices for children is their Puddle Stompers.  Waterproof boots in bright colors that have the added bonus of handles to make it easier for children that want to be big and put their boots on all by themselves : )

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Mini Crib Offers Big Solutions

More friends and family are having baby number two while still in a two bedroom home.  Some have decided to let the kids share a room and others have put up a new wall to create a small nursery.  Either way, they are dealing with a small space and the Bloom Alma Mini crib could be a solution.

The Alma Mini:

-Comes in five colors

-Is made of solid wood and stainless steel

-Has wheels to allow mobility

-Suitable for up to age 2

-No tool assembly takes less than 5 minutes

-Low VOC finishes

-Can fold and travel (say to a grandparent's home?)

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Chic Crib That Converts

Many of my friends and family are either currently searching for a crib or the milestone that is the toddler bed.  There are many things to consider when shopping for either and I think it'd be great to shop once and be done.  

The Tuscany 4 in 1 crib by Stork Craft may be the golden ticket:

- It is made of solid wood

-Converts from crib to toddler bed to day bed to full-size bed (parts included for all except full-size rails that can be purchased )

-It comes in several non-toxic finishes (if you don't know about VOCs already, you may want to do some homework)

-Is a unisex style (too many convertible cribs are overly feminine) 

-It is affordable!  $212.99 at Little Green Duckling

To me the best part of buying a convertible crib is that you don't have to worry about shopping for a toddler bed when the time comes-the conversion parts will already be with you and you can ease into the transition when you feel ready.

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Decorating Responsibly

I love photos and I love displaying them all over the house.  Paper Culture has created a way to let me display photos without feeling guilty about the materials used.

They have a line of bamboo wall art.  It comes in various sizes, hangs in minutes, is made of eco friendly materials and a tree is planted with every order.

Best of all, you can use the code TRUELOVE for 20% off!

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Free in February!

As great as today was, let's face it, chances are February will still be cold in Chicago.  Here are some ways to beat boredom and warm up- for free!

Adler Planetarium: 1, 6-9, 14, 15, 21

Art Institute: Every weekday until the 10th

Chicago Children's Museum: 5 and Thursdays 5pm-8pm

Chicago Cultural Center: Always free

Chicago History Museum: 5, 29

DuSable Museum: Every Sunday

Field Museum: 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 21-23, 27-29 

Museum of Contemporary Art: Tuesdays

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Thursdays

Shedd Aquarium: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28

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Free in February!

As great as today was, let's face it, chances are February will still be cold in Chicago.  Here are some ways to beat boredom and warm up- for free!

Adler Planetarium: 1, 6-9, 14, 15, 21

Art Institute: Every weekday until the 10th

Chicago Children's Museum: 5 and Thursdays 5pm-8pm

Chicago Cultural Center: Always free

Chicago History Museum: 5, 29

DuSable Museum: Every Sunday

Field Museum: 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 21-23, 27-29 

Museum of Contemporary Art: Tuesdays

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Thursdays

Shedd Aquarium: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28

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Free in February!

As great as today was, let's face it, chances are February will still be cold in Chicago.  Here are some ways to beat boredom and warm up- for free!

Adler Planetarium: 1, 6-9, 14, 15, 21

Art Institute: Every weekday until the 10th

Chicago Children's Museum: 5 and Thursdays 5pm-8pm

Chicago Cultural Center: Always free

Chicago History Museum: 5, 29

DuSable Museum: Every Sunday

Field Museum: 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 21-23, 27-29 

Museum of Contemporary Art: Tuesdays

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Thursdays

Shedd Aquarium: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28

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Polar Adventure Days Are Back!

If you are looking for a way to immerse your family in a fun winter activity, look no further than Polar Adventure days at Northerly Island!  Saturday January 21st from noon-4pm your family can pretend to be out on the tundra:

- Ice sculptures

-Siberian huskies that have raced the Iditarod

-Old School of Folk Music entertains

-Arts and crafts tables

-Free snowshoe rental if there is 3+ inches of snow

Free admission-parking is $3- easily accessible by bus

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Indoor Playtime!

While it may not have felt like winter lately, it will soon enough!  Here is a list of the best indoor play places in Chicago by Chicago Parent :

Family Grounds Cafe

Bubbles Academy

Fantasy Kingdom

Hobbitland

Jump Ahead

Kid City

My Corner Playroom

Pump It Up

Gymboree

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Is your child big on art but your home is small on space?

Kids are creative and parents continually look for outlets to let them express, grow and learn. However, that quickly turns into having too many supplies and not enough space.  

This wooden tabletop easel can help!  It has a dry erase board on one side and a chalkboard on the other.  Both sides come with compartments to store the writing utensils and erasers - that means no open markers set on the floor (we hope).  Best of all, it can fold when not in use!

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A calendar for the kids

A new year means a new calendar and why not get the kids in on the action?  Melissa and Doug's calendar helps to teach the months of the year, days of the week, holidays and scheduling.