November 24th, 2009 larry
Good luck shopping for the upcoming holiday season. One thing that you should see is major discounts from the biggest retailers including Toys ‘R Us, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and of course the Comic Vault on Ashland and Montrose. I have received several emails this last week from Amazon looking at 25% off all sorts of toys including Mattel, Disney, and Toy Story. There is no substitute for getting toy recommendations from friends and family or just by watching Saturday morning cartoons and letting your kid point out what they want during commercials. However, there are a couple of resources you can use if you are looking for what is hot including the Toy Insider and Dr Toy. Below are the toys we had the most fun with this year in no particular order:
* Seven in One Maximus Draganoid. We would recommend any of the Bakugan toys and getting involved in this franchise but the Seven in One combines puzzles, action figures, and Bakugan all rolled into one.
*SORRY! Sliders. What a phenomenal sequal to the always fun classic SORRY!. This combines the gameboard with some physical skill and the ability to crash into your opponents sending them off the table.
*Nerf or Nothing. the new Nerf guns are wickedly fun. If you aren’t into play guns skip this recommendation, but you can get Nerf toys in all shapes and sizes that can shoot across the room without anyone getting hurt. They even have accessories for you to play capture the flag and Nerf dart tag.
* Battle Strikers. Battle Strikers is unique, fun, challenging and exciting. Using battery powered spinners, drop your battle strikers (each looks different, has a name, and certain qualities) on the play table and see which battle striker is left standing as they bang, spin, and crash into each other. Use the finger magnets to try to keep your battle striker spinning and crash into your opponent.
*RideMakerz. RideMakerz didn’t make it in Woodfield unfortunately, but their on-line store is still open. These remote control cars are cool, fast, durable, and fun to race.
*Dive Sticks. Affordable, simple, and hours of entertainment in the pool. These simple dive sticks blink, glow, sink, and float in the pool. They help your kid learn to swim (and sink) while still thinking they are playing.
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November 18th, 2009 larry
Adventure Stage Chicago continues to impress with their most recent production, Gossamer. Based on the book by Lois Lowry, Gossamer is the story of a fairy-like “dreamgiver” and the boy who she helps get through rough times with the power of dreams. This production will be playing at the Vittum Theater in West Town through December 17, 2009 and is recommended for children in 4th thru 8th grades. Tickets cost $8-$17 dollars.
Each time I see an Adventure Stage production I am struck by how maturely they address their young audiences (Holes, Katrina). There is no pandering. They choose serious subject matter, use sophisticated staging, and give heartfelt performances that are truly moving. Gossamer tells the story of a “dream-giver” in training named Littlest One. She is given a young boy to bestow dreams upon. The boy is very troubled due to an abusive past and needs to be strengthened by good dreams, and protected from painful nightmares. Littlest One is new to the job, but her elders soon learn that she is gifted with a deep sensitivity to what humans need. The play confronts child abuse head on, from the perspective of the boy, his mother and the older woman who takes the boy in as a foster child. Some of the scenes are heavy, but the show is appropriate for the suggested age group (8-14).
After every show the actors and director take questions from the audience. It is an intimate conversation as this is a small theater and the actors sit on the edge of the stage during the Q & A. On the day I was there, the young audience was enthralled by the fact that the actor who plays the boy is actually a young woman. They peppered her with questions and were obviously surprised by her performance and the casting choice. Also, the production incorporates puppetry, as well as an actor in an ingenious dog costume. These were topics the young audience had a lot of questions about as well. It is fun to see the cast talking to the kids about acting, production choices, casting, costumes - basically how theater works. I am sure that through their high-quality productions and approachable ensemble, Adventure Stage is inspiring the next generation of actors, directors, writers, and theater lovers.
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November 11th, 2009 larry
This weekend we took our 5 year old grandson to the Putting Edge Fun Center in Lincolnshire. A basic package for 1 round of golf and glow bracelets costs $9.35 for adults, $8.35 for Kids 7-12 years old, and $7.35 for kids 5-6 years old and seniors. Putting Edge is open 7 days-a-week and also available for birthday parties. This indoor glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course is quite unique. The walls, the accents, and the entire 18 hole course are painted so that it all glows in the dark. And we are big into glow in the dark right now, we have glow in the dark Batman, glow in the dark pajamas, and glow in the dark, and now we can play golf in the dark.
The 18-hole course is fun and challenging. There is an Adventure theme so as you play you meander through a castle and its grounds where there are knights, dragons, sea creatures, ships and sunken treasure. There is enough skill needed to entertain the big kids without frustrating the preschoolers. The Glow-in-the-Dark feature adds interest to the course as well as making it a bit more difficult.
Some of our faviorite holes where the spiraling downward ramp that leads the the sunken treasure and the hole hidden behind a dragon tail. The last hole is always fun. At Putting Edge, the last hole looks like a bullseye with 3 circles where you can win different prizes. You can roll the ball in with your hands or use your golf club. We let our grandson roll all of the balls in and cheer for the prizes he won.
The lobby is filled with arcade games, which is a definite kid magnet. It’s set up like any arcade with tokens, tickets and prizes. This is a nice feature if you have to wait for your tee time, or if you just want to extend your play time out with the kids.
We arrived early on Saturday morning, which was a good idea because we were there before the birthday parties began. We spent a couple of hours playing golf and arcade games and had a great time! For two senior citizens and a 5 year old, the green fees for one game of miniature golf, and a glow bracelet for each of us was about $22.00. And how can you say no to the room full of arcade games?
Review This Blog
Bubbie says: I’d go again. After the fact we saw that the Entertainment Book has a coupon for 20 free Arcade Tokens, so I’d definitely use that to help out on cost.
Pa says: The course was certainly different than any other course on which I’ve played, and that was fun.
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November 4th, 2009 larry
Time to move past the junky Halloween candy and get back to the good stuff. Chicago is home to so many great bakeries that we just wanted to chime in with our personal favorites. And let’s set the record straight, I’m talking about the best bakeries for parents. Kids will eat anything that comes out of a glass-fronted case. We are the ones who need to be impressed.
Best Italian Pastries: Pasticceria Natalina
This place takes its product very seriously. Each pastry is a work of art. They use the best ingredients available to make the most delicious and authentic Italian pastries you will ever eat. But beware - you get what you pay for. These treats are going to set you back big bucks, as much as $6 per pastry. The Sfogliatelle is my personal favorite - delicate pastry stuffed with heavenly ricotta.
Best Breakfast Treats: Dinkel’s
Doughnuts, coffee cakes, and danish - oh my! They are the best. I buy them when my husband has breakfast meetings and even the healthiest of eaters splurge on these treats. They are worth every calorie and carb. Get them fresh and eat them that day.
Best Fresh Fruit Pie: Hoosier Mama
This tiny storefront in West Town is a gem. They make the best fresh fruit pies. Cherry, blueberry, peach in the summer. Apple and pear in the fall. Not too sweet, these pies let the taste of the fruit shine through. Sit in the window booth with a slice and a big glass of milk - yum.
Best Cookies: Tie - Cafe Selmarie and Bittersweet
There are so many different types of cookies that it is hard to choose just one. Cafe Selmarie makes the most wonderful jam filled cookies. Whether you enjoy the kalochkies, financiers, or linzer hearts and circles, each little treat is sure to satisfy. Bittersweet excels with their dainty mini cookies. Bring an assortment for your hostess gifts during the holidays. Do not miss the chewy, brownie-like chocolate macaroons.
Best Cupcakes: Tie - Molly’s and Sweet Mandy B’s
I know this is a controversial subject, but I need to weigh in. I am not a cupcake lover, so when I love a cupcake it means something. Molly’s are delicate and have a great flavor variety. You can get an assortment of minis which is a fun way to try a variety of flavors. Sweet Mandy B’s is the dream cupcake - big with a ton of awesome frosting. At both of these places the cake is moist (but not falling apart) and the frosting is perfect. You can’t go wrong with either one.
Best Birthday Cakes: Dinkel’s
They get a second nod in my book. These are the perfect kid’s birthday cakes. Moist cake, great frosting (butter cream is my favorite) and fantastic fillings, parents ALWAYS have a slice at a party with a cake from Dinkel’s. I also love that Dinkel’s offers so many fun themes for cakes. If your kid is anything like mine, birthdays are a BIG DEAL. So part of our tradition includes going to the Dinkel’s website and looking at all the different ways his cake could be decorated. Delicious and fun - can’t beat that.
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