8 Places to See Butterflies in the Midwest this Spring

After this winter, I know that we are all a bit anxious to leave the coats in the closets and enjoy a nice, warm summer wind. However, the weather has been quite stubborn this year and it still seems too good to be true that we are heading into warm weather. Fortunately, there are some butterfly havens throughout the Midwest where you can spend an afternoon imagining it is summer while enjoying the grace and beauty of butterflies. Here are some ideas:

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DK Find Out Tote Bag Winner!!!!

Congratulations to Mary M., our DK Find Out Tote Bag winner! I will be emailing Mary shortly and she will have 48 hours to respond to claim her prize. Thank you to everyone that entered our giveaway!

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PEEPS Art at the Racine Art Museum: Whimsy and Creativity with Easter's Favorite Candy

PEEPs Art from 2014 Exhibition.

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Who can go through the Easter season without popping at least one PEEP? Admit it, you are pretty disappointed when a package of PEEPs does not find its way into your Easter basket!

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Easter Will Be Hopping at Pinstripes on Easter Sunday!

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Pinstripes locations in the Chicago area will be hopping with plenty of fun on Easter Sunday! The fun will start with Easter egg hunts at each location. Pinstripes will be offering colorful baskets to the first 150 children for $3 each (for kids 12 and under). The money will be donated to No Child Hungry, an organization helping to ensure no child in America goes hungry! The hunts will start at 9:00AM. Kids will have fun hopping around each of the Chicago area venues looking for vibrant eggs full of candy!

After the hunt, be prepared to enjoy a large breakfast buffet included a new bruschetta buffet! Other temptations will include carved prime rib, shrimp cocktail, poached salmon, made to order omelettes, waffles with a variety of toppings, a salad bar, a chocolate fountain and more! Looking for a photo op with the Easter Bunny? He will be visiting each location from 9:30AM-3:00PM. Sounds like a pretty complete Easter moment! {Totally love the idea of the bruschetta buffet!}

The Easter festivities will be held on April 5. Reservations are recommended. Brunch is $30 per adult, $15 per kids ages 6-12 and free for those 5 and under. Reservations for bowling and bocce are recommended as well.

Pinstripes has locations in Chicago, South Barrington, Northbrook and Oak Brook.

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A Walk at Gallery Park in Glenview

Right near The Glen Town Center is Gallery Park along Lake Glenview. We like to visit Gallery Park every now and then for a change of scenery. Also, we find it a pleasant place to walk before or after a meal at The Glen Town Center. Even though the season is very young, we found the park to be full of life on our recent visit this past weekend.

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Introduction to DK Find Out and a Giveaway!!! {3/28/15}

**Disclosure: No compensation has been received for this post. DK has graciously supplied a tote for giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own.

If your kids are like my daughter, they probably often search the web for information on various topics of interest--whether it be for school or for pure enjoyment. In fact, they probably perform several searches as their sparks of interest lead them. As parents, we want to encourage the pursuit of knowledge. However, it is important that our children have a safe place to go. DK has launched a free online encyclopedia geared towards children ages 7-11 which is a great place for kids to explore their interests!

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Some St. Patrick's Day Fun and Eats in the Chicago Suburbs

Image via Palatine's Paint the Town Green.

The good thing about St, Patrick's Day being on a Tuesday---we get to celebrate for a very long weekend! If you are looking for a place for some Irish fare and fun in the Northwestern suburbs here are some ideas:

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Quick Spring Break Road Trip Ideas from Chicago

Checking out the Jellyfish at Discovery World in Milwaukee

Uh-oh---Spring Break is nearly here! Need some quick ideas for a road trip? We have you covered! We have picked a collection of places to visit in Illinois and Wisconsin on road trips about 3 hours away or less. There are a few that are pretty close so you can do them as a true day trip!

Illinois:

Springfield, Illinois:

Springfield is a bit of a drive and would work well for a road trip spanning a couple of days. When in Springfield, be prepared to experience all things Lincoln. Check out the Lincoln Presidential Library, the Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Depot where Lincoln gave his farewell address before heading to Washington and more. Nearby New Salem Village is the reconstruction of the village where Lincoln spent his early life. There are demonstrations on the weekends which are a lot of fun. A nice trip with plenty to experience and learn!

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Family Game Night: Our Favorite Picks for Families with Kids Ages 8-12

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

While we are not always successful, we do try to hold a family game night from time to time. As I am sure happens with you, things do not always go as planned. However, game nights are so much fun and a very easy way to destress and connect as a family. We really should plan them more regularly! Of course, the unplanned game nights are probably the most relished!

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Naf Naf Grill in Randhurst for a Quick Meal

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

To say that we love hummus in this house would be an understatement. I don't think there is ever a time that we do not have hummus in the house or at least the remnants of hummus in a container. So, we were of course pretty eager to try Naf Naf Grill when it came to Randhurst.

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LEGO Architecture at Arlington Heights Memorial Library

Whoa! The lobby of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library has transformed into a Lego city incorporating famous structures from Chicago and around the world! The display is quite amazing with structures reaching up to 17 feet tall! While appreciating the Lego creations, you can also learn about the real structures by reading signs or a brochure that you can pick up near the display. You will definitely recognize many of the marvels!

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Oak Park Conservatory: A Little Escape from Winter

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.
 
You just have to rejoice when there is still a mound of snow on the ground and you are greeted by brilliant blooms during an indoor excursion. After realizing that it is a.) March and b.) the snow does not seem to want to go away, we seized upon a free Sunday afternoon to check out the Oak Park Conservatory. A walk through vibrant hues and a sea of green is just the medicine those with the winter blues need!

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Beyond the Selfie: Finding Your Digital Voice Program for Families March 8, 2015

Our kids are certainly growing up in a time that is more digitally connected than we experienced in our own childhood. So, they are facing challenges that we didn't as children. The Illinois Holocaust Museum has a program coming up on March 8 that will help families navigate the social media world in order to use social sharing for societal good and to be Upstanders! The March 8 event sounds like a fun and interactive way to learn more about using digital tools for social good. The event is $12 per person, $8 for students and seniors and free for members. The event is geared towards those 10 and older. Tickets include admission to the museum. You must register. More information about the event is below! Oh, and bring your tablet or smart phone!

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