Hi There! Welcome to SAHM's Club!

I did it.  I DID IT!  The dream that all women have after enjoying two thirds of their maternity leave:

I quit my job.

Well, sorta.  I don't have to go back any time soon, but in the event I wake up in a sweaty panic and poop myself, I can return to work like it was a dream...um, within a dream...

Regardless, the scrubs are staying in the closet and instead, on with the cute workout capris (with the promise of a good, long walk now that I have time...which so far has started as good intentions, ultimately resulting in bowls of ice cream with excuse syrup on top).  

I couldn't be happier.  I've been so proud of us being able to stay afloat while I have been on leave without a paycheck, but I have to admit, I freak out every time I realize no check is coming from my end.  It feels a lot better knowing I could go back if I wanted to, but with Husband Man teaching CPR classes on the side, it's helpful for me to be home and cook the slab of bacon he brings home!  Not to mention soon here the entire nation will be able to perform CPR at this rate....so what am I going to do?  Albeit, my sick secret fantasy is to dress up in heels all 50's housewife style, but I think I may freak out the UPS guy.  Plus I'd get offended if he didn't try one of my freshly baked cookies...well, thankfully, I do have a more rational plan.  

Now that summer is here, not only will I plan activities for Big Z, but I think I may take a hack at the 372,664 Pinterest projects I have wanted to try but never had the chance.  Turns out, if you pin a bunch of shit into a folder called, "No More Fatty-bo-Batty For Me!" but don't actually DO anything with it, yet you make a five course meal every night of the week from the folder called, "FOOD!!!!!" your ass still gets huge. Huh, who knew?

So for those who like to read about my daring adventures in Walmart with my dashing, yet sarcastic undertones, don't worry they will still be here, but I forewarn you, I do believe this is morphing into a dreaded Mom Blog.

Oh, look children!!!!  It's a warning label!!!  Look!  Here it comes!!!

WARNING: I have nothing against Mom Blogs, only that they spawn like herpes because everyone woman who doesn't want to drink wine all day gets on here with ideas to keep their kids and their kids' friends occupied.  I must say, the only reason I am a remotely satisfactory mother is because I stalk your blogs so that I can do cool junk and people wonder with awe, "Where do you come up with that?  How do you get anything done?  You're just so creative!!!"  Well at least they did before Pinterest, now everyone brings cut up celery in cups of ranch and watermelon-mint water to the party.

So let's get started!  For some very early reason, school is officially out for Mr. Big Z.  I don't get it, we had to suffer from heat stroke until mid-June my entire childhood, and these kids are out before Memorial Day!  Must be nice!  (Actually, it kind of is.  We are teaching him how to ride his new "Happy Summer" bicycle and Husband Man isn't dying while running him around the neighborhood by the seat of his bike!)

Anyway, we are going to start with the beginnings of a list of things on our Summer Bucket List.

(I have no graphic talent.  Like at all.  Who knew, right?)

Okay, here we go!

1. Day trip to Chicago

    Easy enough, right?  Get on the train, go to Union Station, and get yourself to the Bean at Millennium Park.  It's about a mile walk from Union Station, and there's plenty to do.  You can check out special events and attractions at Millennium Park's Website.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays you can visit the Chicago Farmers' Market from 7am-3pm depending on the location; both the Daley Plaza market and the Federal Plaza market are equal distance in opposite directions from Millennium Park, and about a half mile walk.  Check out the market schedule and more information here.  

COST: Go to Metrarail.com to see ticket prices depending on your rail, schedules and look up the reduced, family, and weekday kids' fare schedules too so you don't have to pay full price on the train.  Other than that, this day trip is relatively low cost, depending on your lunch and spending at the markets!

2. Day Trip to Lake Geneva

    Another direction to go is Geneva Beach in Lake Geneva, WI.  Downtown Lake Geneva has TONS of fun activities, food, shopping, and free or low-cost things to do!  Just a quick drive up US Rt. 12, the beach is open to the public with passes you can purchase at kiosks where you can also conveniently pay for parking.  You can park right along the beach and stalls are run on an hourly rate that you can pay for with your credit card.  If you stay longer than expected, you can actually receive a text letting you know your stall time is running out!  You can check beach rates and hours here and while there is a concession stand nearby, you can bring a cooler as long as you don't bring glass or alcohol; and unfortunately no pets are allowed.  Right across the street is Popeye's restaurant, which is reasonably priced and has amazing rotisserie chicken as well as sandwiches and the like, but we go for the Broccoli Cheese Soup.  We buy it by the quart and take it home.  It's creamy, liquid crack.  If that's not your style, there are all different kinds of stops to hit for lunch and if you talk a walk through the Riviera pier, you will find ice cream shops and cute stores right there too!  If you want to relax, you can take a scenic tour of the lake on the Lake Geneva Cruise Lines and see the sights on a one- or two-hour cruise.  They also have an ice cream social tour!  You can look up their schedules and prices on their website here.  

COST: Beach: $7 adults, $3 kids 7 & up, and FREE for kids 6 and under ***TIP:  I can't guarantee you'll catch it, but I can tell you there have been several times over the years, mostly "off-peak" in the mid-summer that they don't even charge admission to the beach.  The kiosk will tell you if that is in fact the case, but my advice is to take a walk down to the beach, and if no one is taking tickets at the window, then you're fine.  No matter what the beach is swim at your own risk.

Popeye's: Average meal $7-$10, and the ice cream shops run around $3-$5 depending on what you get.

3. Milwaukee Zoo

    If anyone grew up in the Chicagoland area, you went to Brookfield Zoo.  Well, we took our little guy to Milwaukee last year, and I gotta tell ya, it seemed cleaner, nicer staffed, more interactive and way more fun. It's about as easy to get lost as Brookfield, but the habitats are very nice and very kid-oriented.  Tickets run $11-15 for non-county residents, and right now they have a stingray exhibit that is pretty wild!  You can also purchase tickets at the gate, but for more information you can visit their website here.

4. Randall Oaks Park Zoo

   A little closer to home is a place we've just recently stumbled upon; my son's class had a field trip and he has been begging me to take him back ever since.  Run by the Dundee Township Park District, Randall Oaks is a barnyard zoo that has a petting zoo as well as great picnic facilities.  Tickets are just $4 for non-residents and kids under 2 are free.  You can visit their website here.

5. Cosley Park Zoo

   For those of you in the DuPage County area, or if you're up for a drive; similar to Randall Oaks is Cosley Park Zoo.  I have very fond memories of coming here as a child, and in hindsight this was my parents' "go-to" when we were bored over the summer to let some energy out.  All children up to 17 are FREE and adults are $5 (Seniors are $4).  They have a discovery station too!  Visit their site at cosleyzoo.org.

So there's just a taste of the things we have planned in the next couple of weeks, stay tuned for some fun "home-based" activities as well as more locations!  In the meantime, I'm gonna check up on this Pinterest business, and stock up on pallets, mason jars, and modge podge, or whatever....