I’m pretty sure that most of us have read this book to our kids.  Truthfully, most of us probably had it read to us as kids ourselves.   It is a true classic. Well, now Chicago Children’s Theater is bringing this classic children’s book to the stage.  And one thing is certain, Chicago Children’s Theatre’s technicolor take on Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved bedtime tale promises to be an “eyes wide open” show for audiences of all ages. Catchy songs performed by live musicians, delightful choreography, a colorful set that pays homage to Clement Hurd’s vivid book illustrations and the humorous antics of one very nocturnal bunny will all play a part in CCT’s family-friendly celebration of one of the most iconic children’s books of all time. Watch as Bunny’s room magically comes alive as he dances and sings his way to sweet dreams through nursery rhyme scenes with dancing bears with chairs, the Cat and the Fiddle, the Cow Jumping Over the Moon and even a trip through the night sky with dancing constellations.

Chicago Children’s Theatre is excited to partner with Scholastic Books and The Pajama Program, a non-profit organization which provides new, warm pajamas and new books to children in need in Chicago and around the world.  Throughout the run of Goodnight Moon The Musical, Chicago Children’s Theatre will post a Pajama Drive donation bin in the Biograph lobby during every performance.  For every pair of new pajamas donated during the run of Goodnight Moon, Scholastic Books will donate an equal number of early learning books for disadvantaged youth.

Performances are October 27 through December 23:  Tuesday through Friday at 10:15 am; Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 3 pm.  Audiences are encouraged to wear their pajamas to the theater for three added Friday night “Pajama Party” performances:  November 11, December 9 and December 16 at 7 pm. Victory Gardens is conveniently located in the heart of Lincoln Park at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.  Discounted parking is available one block south at Children’s Memorial Hospital for all weekend and evening performances

**GIVEAWAY** The kind folks at Chicago Children’s Theater are so excited about this new show, that they are giving us a family-four pack of tickets to the show to giveaway!!  Yippee!!  The tickets are for the Sunday, November 13th 3pm performance only.  Please be sure you can attend that show before you enter to win. Comment below to enter (make sure I have a way to contact you if you are the winner).  Additional entries for blogging about this or posting on FB or twitter.  Leave additional comments for each extra entry.  Contest will close on Monday Nov. 7 and the winner contacted via e-mail. 

In addition to offering a family four-pack of tickets to Goodnight Moon The Musical on Sunday, November 13, they are offering a special discount for those who want to see the show but can’t make that date/time.   Use code RED BALLOON to get $5 off per ticket, to any performance, whether purchasing online, via phone, or in person at the Victory Gardens box office.

Disclaimer:  The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Related posts:

1. Goodnight Moon- Gotta See It!!
2. 9 to 5: The Musical
3. The Magic of Shakespeare

Make imagination your destination! Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey takes audiences on a fun-filled tour to four exciting destinations filled with favorite Disney friends. Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch. Discover Ariel and Sebastian’s enchanting undersea kingdom; visit the Pride Lands with Simba and Nala; soar through starry skies with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell; and say “aloha” to fun with Lilo and Stitch. You’ll be captivated by the music, beauty and laughter in a journey so magical, you’ll never want to go home!

Once again, we get to give away a family four pack of tickets to either the Sept. 7 or Sept. 8 show at the United Center!!! The show runs Sept. 7-11.  Click here to buy your tickets: Use code MOM1 to get4tickets for just $44 to the 7pm performance on the 7th or 8th– or save $4 per ticket on any other date/time.

BUT… comment here to be entered to win the family four pack.  The giveaway will close Monday night, Aug 29th at 10pm.  I will then randomly draw a winner and notify them via e–mail.  I will need confirmation of your requested date from the winner by Tuesday night so I can notify the right people to get your tickets ready for you.  If you share on FB or twitter or your blog, leave another comment to let me know you did for another entry. You must be 18years or older to enter.

We always have such a blast at these shows!  I know your family will enjoy it too.  Here is the coloring sheet you can print off and share with your kiddos to get them excited (like they need help with that!).  See you there!

Disney on Ice- Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey ColoringSheet

Disclosure:  I have been given 4 tickets to see the show in exchange for helping them get the word out about this fun event.  I have not been compensated in any other way.  This giveaway is sponsored by me and not by FeldEntertainment, Inc.  They are not the sponsor or an endorser of this contest.  They are simply providing the prize.  Although I am receiving tickets, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are totally my own and in no way influenced by Feld Entertainment.  We REALLY DO love these shows!! 

Related posts:

1. Our Magical Journey
2. Disney on Ice- a magical evening
3. Disney on Ice!!

We have been big fans of the Imagination Movers since 2008, when we heard their music on the Disney Channel. We would always look forward to their videos, which were played between programs. We later learned more about Dave, Rich, Scott and Smitty and what we found out sealed the fan-for-life deal.

These four friends go back (much) further than 2008. Prior to their success with Disney, these friends and neighbors hung out, wrote songs together and created the Imagination Movers. These guys have great chemistry and put on one of our very favorite half-hour programs. They’re the real deal.

So, I’m pretty stoked about this one. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer a giveaway for a family 4-pack of tickets to The Imagination Movers LIVE show at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, IL on Saturday, March 26th at 4:00 pm! The In a Big Warehouse tour is the Movers second U.S. tour and the will be joined by special guests, Warehouse Mouse and Nina.

To enter, just fill out the information in the giveaway form below. Entries will be accepted from now, 3/15/11, until 2:00 am PST on 3/23/11. We will choose a winner at random on Wednesday, March 23rd. The winner will be notified via email. (Winner’s name will also be posted on the Dupage Mamas FB page and the ParentSphere FB Page and Twitter). *Please only enter if you are able to attend the concert.

We are allowing one entry per household. The winner will pick up their tickets at the box office on the day of the show.

Related posts:

1. Disney on Ice: a Magical Journey
2. A Circus Giveaway!!!
3. Come See Pinocchio!!

Have you heard about Thirty-One?  I hadn’t until Dupage Mama Robyn introduced me, and together we’re happy to introduce you – and host a terrific Thirty-One giveaway!

On the surface, Thirty-One is a company that sells super cute bags – a quick look at the current catalog will confirm that!  But according to Thirty-One’s founder, it hopes to be more than that.

Thirty-One is all about “celebrating, encouraging, and rewarding” women. Based on the picture of a noble wife in Proverbs 31, this seven-year-old company has grown leaps and bounds by staying focused on that simple concept: that women need to be celebrated and encouraged, and they deserve to be rewarded. (After all, they’re typically the ones bending over backwards for everyone else around the house…why not reward them with an enjoyable night out and some incredible custom products.)

And it’s the quality and the creativity of those products that often keep ladies coming back for more. With products ranging from purses to baskets, organizing supplies to thermal-lined totes (and a little bit of everything in between), Thirty-One is quickly growing to be known as the unique gifts company it has set out to be.

But now for the giveaway!  Thirty-One is running a  January special that highlights one of Thirty-One’s most popular products and a product that mom’s absolutely love — it’s the thermal tote, which comes in two sizes.  (You can see more about these tote and the sale with this short video). One is $10 and one is $8 and the personalization is only $1.50 (normally $6).

We have FOUR of these we’re giving away (four thermal totes — 2 in the Chains Ahoy pattern with no personalization and 2 in the pattern of your choice with personalization).  So that means FOUR lucky winners.  But the rest of us can also join in the fun by taking advantage of the sale and ordering directly from Robyn at her website.

I don’t know about you, but I would love to win this tote.  The colors are super cute and hip, and whether I’m going to work or a play-date I’m always bringing food along that would be nice to keep cool or warm.  So here’s what to do:

To enter the giveaway, visit Robyn’s Thirty-One website and find something that catches your eye.  Then, come back here and leave us a comment letting us know what it is.  And you’ll be in the drawing!  If you’d like a second (or third, or fourth)  try at winning, tweet or Facebook or blog this giveaway and leave another comment letting us know you did.  And if you’re really ambitious, you can sign up with Robyn to host a Thirty-One party and we’ll give you still another chance to win!

The contest is open immediately and will end on Sunday, January 23rd.

Related posts:

1. Barefoot Books Giveaway!
2. Spring Flowers- a giveaway!
3. Christmas Music Giveaway!!

Jill recently came to sing for a bible study that I attend here in Rochester, Minnesota.  My husband and I are a bit of a duel citizen of Illinois and Minnesota at the moment.  Minnesota is where we have our house and he has his job.  Illinois is where I have family and am spending between 3-6 weeks at a time getting treatment for my daughter at Children’s Memorial Hospital.  She is doing much better these days but we have to keep making trips back and forth for checkups and medication adjustments and things of that nature.  So… while we are doing all that driving I for one could use a LOT of Christmas music and a little extra cheer.   Jill Pearson has a fantastic voice (as you heard if you clicked the link to the YouTube video) and I was so impressed and inspired by her songs that I wrote a blog about it a few days ago.

Jill’s music is inspirational and beautiful- the perfect compliment to your holiday season.  Her songs are a mix of traditional and fun.  She wrote this hilarious parody of “It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas” talking about how we start Christmas too soon and lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas.  She even started a Facebook page about it.  I also love that she involves her whole family in her music and her videos.  She’s a mom and an artist and a woman following her dreams and what she know that God has called her to do.

Now for the fun part.  I have a copy of her latest CD, Herald to give away to a lucky winner.  I know you will love it as much as I do.  (If you just love the song above and want to get your hands on this CD right now you have to contact Jill directly at jillpearson@pitel.net – $15 plus shipping.)

HERE IS HOW YOU WIN: For one entry leave a comment below telling us your favorite Christmas tradition.  Please make sure we have a way to contact you if you win!  To get entered a second time write a blog entry on your site linking to this give-away or post about it on facebook or twitter and leave a comment below.  For a third chance to win place a link to my blog on your site and leave a comment telling me you did that.  This contest will be open until Sunday, December 19th.  We will announce the winner in the afternoon and ship the CD. Good luck everyone!

Related posts:

1. Music Together Giveaway!!
2. Speaking of Music… (a giveaway!!!)
3. *Giveaway Alert!* Peeking inside 1-800-Baskets.com

DupageMamas has 4tickets to giveaway to the Nov. 4th performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s FUNundrum! show at the Allstate Arena!  Simply comment here telling us your favorite thing about the circus and you are entered to win.  Share with your friends on FB or twitter or your blog about this giveaway and you’ll get another chance to win (make sure you comment again to let us know you did).  Also, if you send your friends to our FB page and they mention your name, you will get another entry.

The show promises to be spectacular and you don’t want to miss it!  Comment now to enter!

Contest ends at midnight on Thursday, October 28th.  Winner will be notified first thing Friday morning.  Contest winner must respond by Nov. 2nd to my contact person with the circus so she can get the necessary info from you and leave tickets at the WillCall.

Related posts:

1. Color an Elephant- WPF
2. Disney on Ice: a Magical Journey
3. The Circus is Coming!!!

Remember when I signed up to tour 1-800-Baskets.com, and they blew me out of the water?  From start to finish they were professional, competent, friendly and, most importantly of all, yummy!  I was really only familiar with 1-800-Baskets because of the raffle giveaways at holiday parties.  You know what I’m talking about.  I’ve eyed those lovely baskets but now I know so much about them I actually feel tinges of affection towards them.

1-800 Baskets is a cool and local company with an eye for detail and a passion for creativity and excellence.  And really, really good chocolate.  They have everything in their baskets from cheese, to whine, to chocolates, to spa goodies.  When I got my basket I felt like a Queen…and I enjoyed every nibble.

And since its giveaway week, we have a basket to giveaway!  You will get to choose one of their many, amazing baskets.  Yep, your choice!!   Just leave us a comment on this post to enter. If you want a second entry to the contest (and believe me, you do) blog, tweet, or Facebook about the contest and let me know that you did.  Anyone can enter this one, local or not!  1800 Baskets will mail you your basket directly next week.  Consider it a belated Mother’s Day gift from Dupage Mamas!!

And if one basket is just not enough for you, you’re in luck!

The Basket Case Shop is a custom gift basket company started by a local Naperville woman inspired by the memory of her mother. Janet and her mother used to make baskets together and then when her mother passed away, she started this business as a way to honor her mother.  So what better time than mother’s day to share with y’all about this awesome new business.

Janet’s baskets are all made to order exactly the way you want it.  Want a birthday basket for your friend who loves the Cubs and classical music (hmmm…. do I know someone like that?) , you can tell Janet exactly what you are looking for and she will create the most unique and beautiful gift basket ever.  One you would be proud to pretend you made yourself!  Ha!!  Just kidding!  She also has premade baskets or set themes if you would rather just pick one from her inventory.  She sells online or in person (at her home and the Downer’s Grove Farmer’s Market).  She amazingly offers free local delivery but also will ship it out or the area for an additional fee.

From baby showers to weddings to birthdays or house warmings, Janet with The BasketCase Shop has something perfect for every occasion!!

For Dupage Mamas, Janet has put together a special Mother”s day pampering basket.  We are limiting this to local mamas for delivery purposes.  Visit Janet’s new website and tell us your favorite basket to enter to win.  Spread the word for more entries.  We will extend this contest until next Tuesday to give people ample chance to enter.

We will choose two names from the entries… one for each basket!

Related posts:

1. *Giveaway Alert!* Peeking inside 1-800-Baskets.com
2. Wrapping Baskets – WPF
3. Winners!!!!

I am that type of girl that loves her house (and her fashion) to be just right. I love for the pictures to be hung and the curtains to be chic and my overall style to just flow. But I am also that type of girl who has two small boys, a dog, a job, a tight budget and more things on my to-do list than hours in the day. So in order to make my dream of a put-together, stylish home (and overall me) a reality, I need some help. I need somewhere I can go that will inspire me and give me some style tools. Thankfully, I have found my go-to place. Serenade.

Serenade is this adorable shop in a converted home with something for everyone. They are located in downtown Wheaton at 129 N. West Street. Don’t let the exterior deter you. From the outside, it looks like just another beautiful Wheaton home. Nancy Shepard, the owner, purchased the historic home in the fall of ’07 and transformed it from a dilapidated office building to a gallery of unique and beautiful things for your home and your closet. They have two gorgeous levels and both are filled from corner to corner with some of the most beautiful clothing and accessories and pictures frames and accent pieces and … the list could go on and on. Antiques, couture clothes, trendy jewelry and t-shirts. I could have spent several hours and lots of money there. Good thing I had my boys with me. Well, good for my budget at least.

Serenade recently won the award for “Best New Store” in Western Suburban Living Magazine. It is an award that is voted on by the readers and shoppers themselves so I am not the only one that thinks this store is uber-fabulous!!
If you are in the market for local made soap or candles, that perfect antique accent for your coffee table, or a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings to go with that perfect trendy top, Serenade is the place for you. It is certainly the place for me.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Serenade is giving away a beautiful necklace to one lucky mama.  The stone in the middle is an iridescent white with matching pearly beads on either side.  The perfect compliment to dress up any spring outfit.   Please leave a comment on this post to enter to win this beautiful piece of jewelry that will for sure have all your friends asking where you got it!  Tell your friends about this giveaway on FB or twitter and get an extra chance to win.  I may actually have to go back and get one for myself. It is really beautiful and would go with anything!

**this giveaway is now closed**

Serenade
Nancy Shepherd
129 N. West Street
Wheaton
630-682-0200
Tuesday-Saturday 10a-5p (Closed Sun. and Mon.)

Related posts:

1. Serenade- Your One-Stop Style Shop
2. Pop, Pop, Pop to the Popcorn Shop
3. Winners!!!!

Do you need a Massage?  Don’t we all!!

Massage Therapy for Women and Families opened in 2009 when Heather Maynard, LMT, wanted to provide a place for women to find safe, quality, professional massage therapy for themselves and their children.

As a massage therapist Heather recognizes that emotional stresses can manifest in the physical body. She hopes to help women achieve more balance in their lives that they may experience greater physical, emotional and spiritual well being.

Heather desires to support families as they grow. She currently offers classes in baby massage to support early infant-parent bonding. Heather loves seeing parents bond with their new baby watching that relationship grow.

Therapeutic massage treatments are offered for women during all phases of life, including the childbearing years. Massage sessions tailored to each individual client to meet their needs. Treatments are available to infants and children under supervision of a parent or guardian. Heather offers many different types of massage including pregnancy massage, bereavement massage, infant massage, children’s massage, craniosacral therapy, and so much more!

Call Heather for your appointment today!
By Phone: 630-344-9010
By Email: womensmassage@gmail.com

Or better yet, win one!!  Heather is graciously giving away one half hour massage to a lucky mama for Mother’s Day AND one free infant massage lesson.  Comment here to enter.  FB or tweet this or fill out Heather’s contact form for additional entries.

Good luck everyone!  We all want to win this one!!

**this giveaway is now closed**

Related posts:

1. Oooo Baby, A Massage for Mama
2. The Why and How of Baby Massage
3. Summer Spa Night!

I was really only familiar with 1-800-Baskets because of the raffle giveaways at holiday parties.  You know what I’m talking about.  I’ve eyed those lovely baskets but now I know so much about them I actually feel tinges of affection towards them.

The tour started with their design room.  Every detail in the room just oozed “creative” and “friendly” and (did I mention this yet? “yummy!”  We learned how they study trends months in advance in order to offer the hippest possible designs and colors to their clients.  I even got to see next Christmas’ designs!  It was fun to see the artistic work that goes into building each basket from the very earliest conception.  And when they said “Which of these designs do you think we made for Costco” I pointed to one without hesitation..and I was right.  Ok, so I’m a Costco fan.

We met the people who find the trends, who design and build the boxes that hold the chocolate and other goodies, who travel around the country selecting goodies to go in the baskets, who pack the baskets full of goodies, who shrink wrap the baskets full of goodies, who ship the baskets full of goodies.  From start to finish, 1-800-Baskets owns the process and not one detail goes unnoticed.   I was truly and genuinely impressed.

Did I mention yummy?  As part of the tour we had a taste test of some of the cheeses you can find in their baskets.  Each one was delicious and each one had a story behind it.  Then came the chocolate.  And then came the chocolate covered strawberries, which were almost too pretty too eat…but of course, not quite.

Finally, we got to try our hand at making our own baskets.  This was super fun, and a few days later my own basket arrived perfectly at my doorstep.  As pretty as it was we lost no time eating it to shreds.

The good news for one of you is that I have a basket to giveaway!  Just take a look at their cool line of Valentines Baskets and leave a comment telling me something that looks yummy.  I can’t promise that it will be in your basket, but one lucky winner will be drawn at random next week and sent a basket shortly thereafter!  If you want a second entry to the contest (and believe me, you do) blog, tweet, or facebook about the contest and let me know that you did.

Related posts:

1. A tisket, a tasket, two more yummy baskets!
2. Wrapping Baskets – WPF
3. Introducing Thirty-One…and a Great Giveaway!