Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

Ranking: Value - 4; Dad Fun Factor - 4 out of 5; Kid Fun Factor - 4 out of 5

We hit the Brookfield Zoo last night for a new family tradition of going during the holidays to see the wonderful light display. If you have never been to the zoo at night I would highly recommend it. Going during Holiday Magic makes it even better. I would not advise going if you are keen on seeing any animals in anything other than a cage. The few animals out on display are indoors. The primate house is fair game because they are indoors already. The penguins in oceanic display are all snoozing but the keepers let them into the reef display so you can see the ones awake and active from under water which is a real treat. We've been to the zoo many times but have only seen the 'guins from underwater twice. It's especially cool for the little guys because the birds love the bubble viewing windows and are very interactive.

The light displays are great. There isn't anything unique but when you couple the lights with the park ambiance it is great. One thing we can't figure out is the cheesy laser light show. It's just not good. I think I saw something like it at a rock concert 20 years ago. It was old then too. The dancing lights around the main pond/fountain area is better and more seasonally appropriate. It kept my two year old's attention so that wins a thumbs up. We also went into the Holly Jolly Theater during a dance performance put on by a local troop. It was a good opportunity to eat some $6 personal pizzas and $3.25 cokes (you read that right!). Not the value play of the night. We normally avoid the pricey food at the zoo but the dances kept the boys' attention while we waited and as they ate. It was worth it....I guess.

One animal display I was enthralled with was the Siberian Sheep. They are out in the cold and loving it. I think they are the only ones actually out in the cold. I didn't see another animal braving the 29 F weather. It was neat to see them reveling in the cold and bathed in colored lights. It was a little surreal.

The zoo was a little crowded but not as bad as Memorial Day or July 4th. It also didn't seem that bad since the dark hides the masses. We paid the extra $2 to park at the South entrance which is worth the extra cost. It cut our walk to the displays and accelerated our departure when the cold began to bite.

I feel bad we didn't make the trip earlier in the season. The zoo hosts Santa and Mrs. Claus in the leading weeks before Christmas. The boys always remember and point to the building every visit and ask when they can see Santa again. We obviously missed them this year but will try to make it there to see them in 2008.

For more information take a look at http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/0.asp?shttplink=../pgpages/pagegen.174.aspx&nsection=2

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good Night

We had a very special Christmas this year. Our boys have hit the age sweet-spot. Needless to say we had a great day. My Prime Rib apparently came out great (I loved it but my vote doesn't count).

I just had to share this video of the boys trying out there new toy roller skates. I remember having my own pair like these as a boy. It will make you bust a gut.

Elgin Chuck E Cheese and Red Robin - a tail of two child-friendly eateries

Quick blog entry here. This weekend I discovered the value of a truly good neighbor - a snow blower. My good neighbor Paul came over after I had shoveled what seems like 10 acres of snow (really only 1/10th of the driveway) to offer his snow blower. I reluctantly (as guys do) accepted and whizzed through the driveway, side walks, and some of the street with the ease of Hercules. I'm so close to buying one it's scary. But, alas, I will not. I am too scared of Global Warming turning Elgin into a desert and us needing that same $500 for sun screen.

As for fun with the boys, let me just tell you that thanks to a great coupon we received from one of the many mailings we get we had a terrific time at one Chuck E Cheese's place. Mr. Cheese, for those not familiar, is a pizza place (OK but not great pizza) that is designed for kids. Video games for all ages, play mazes, riding things, Skee Ball, video simulators, you name it. It's awesome. We spent a few hours and only $30 on lunch (pretty pricey 'za) and games and still walked away with hands full of tokens. That was the magic of the coupon. Large pizza, 4 drinks, and 100 tokens for $28. I waited 37 years to visit one and now I love to return. We'll be back. A few notes on the layout. It's crawling with birthday parties on the weekends. Stay away from the area near the stages because that is party central. Lots of waitress, other people's kids, and milling parents not moving in the aisles. Make sure you dress your child in something easy to find in a crowded room and 100 feet away. It's hard to find them in the play area. Also, bring some hand sanitizer for pre-meal cleansing. The bathrooms are close and work but it's cold and flu season so why risk it. They mark your hand and your child's with invisible ink. This prevents the perves from snatching one and they are very serious about the security...at least that's what they let you think. I could not for the life of me read the number on my hand. I'm not sure if it worked or not. I still left with my own boys so no blood no foul.

The second place we tried was a brand new Red Robin on Randall Rd in South Elgin. It's right off Randall in the area where a new Best Buy and Home Despot is. I'll spare you the map this time. We haven't been to one in years (decades for me) so I wasn't sure what to expect. First off, if you don't have kids you want to stay away. It's all about the little people. They have balloons at the entrance for you to take. Need I say more? The food is pretty pricey so I won't say it's going into the permanent rotation but the food is good, well portioned, and fast. We love the fast delivery and they hit it out of the park on our first visit and maybe a double during our second. It really depends on the server. Sorry Tyler, you weren't that great. I think they put something in the onion rings. I swear I'm jones'in for them daily. The down side is the boys like the pizza. Why go here for pizza. No....we did not serve pizza for three meals in one day! Only twice in a weekend thank you!

I give them both thumbs up but the star goes to Chuck E's house.

Fun Chicago Sledding Hill

Ranking: Value - 5; Dad Fun Factor - 4 out of 5; Kid Fun Factor - 5 out of 5

Let it be know far and wide that boys, big and small, love sledding. This weekend we went no less than three times. Our favorite hill is no more than 300 feet from the house. Needless to say I'm keeping that location a secret. Besides, it's too close for comfort. Our second most favorite place is a lot more public: Randall Oaks Park. If you don't know Randall Oaks you need to check it out. Check the location out on the map to the right. We have never been during the winter before. It is a great place for a pic-nic (we've done that), the kids play areas are nice, and the petting zoo, despite very little petting, is well stocked.

The best part of any sledding experience is not paying for it. We would love to try some of the pay hills, like Villa Olivia, but I'm too cheap. The hill at Randall Oaks is great. It has a nice grade (steepness). It isn't too steep for the little guys and too climb, but it is steep enough to get some great speed. It is shaped like a bowl so you have a lot of space to spread out. However, you need to make sure your little guys keep a keen eye out for sledders come down behind them. Jack stood up to chase his sled and was nailed from behind, ending up on his head, followed by his butt. Momma had a ton of fun taking pictures and Jesse became addicted. Now we have too speed addicts racing down the slopes. It was a good test to see how they will fair with the snow board/ski activities mom and dad love.

A couple of things to watch out for. When you first arrive you have the choice of parking at the entrance next to the zoo (closed now) our through a gate and down the slope to the sledding hill. Take my advice and head down the hill. The only caution is to ensure you can climb back up the hill (good tires). Also, there is next to no space to turn around if you don't find a spot. Donkeys tend to park anywhere, thus blocking everyone in. Also, bring some snacks and hot coco. The kids (and dad) will appreciate it.

If you want more information about the park in general check out its website at: www.dtpd.org/pages/ro_park.html

St. Charles Steel Beam Theatre Kids Party

Ranking: Value - Unknown; Dad Fun Factor - 2 out of 5; Kid Fun Factor - 4 out of 5

Jack was invited to a friend from school's birthday this weekend. The party was held at the little known (to us) Steel Beam Theater in downtown St. Charles, IL. When I say downtown I mean it. It's right on the Fox River on Main Street right on the West Bank. It's a small place, maybe 150 seats. There is parking in the the rear and across the street along the river. Jack, 4, was invited to the party of a Montessori school mate. Typically it's not meant for kids this age but they made an exception because of the school. Here's the low-down. They serve cake and do presents at the start and load them up with a little sugar. Then a theatre "ring leader" sets the kids up with some fun games. The the real fun begins. They bring the kids into the stage area, teach them the basics of a short play (a pirate play this time) and they rehearse. Mom's hang out watching and encouraging (maybe a little too much). In the end they put on the play and the kids all get fun t-shirts. For kids into acting and performing, like ours are, this is gold. Jack was really into it and we would really encourage it. Not sure if it beats a bouncy place at this age but we're thinking about doing it again.

I'm not sure what the story is with the theatre in general. I asked around work if anyone from the St. Charles area had heard of it and they had nice things to say. So maybe we'll go for some mommy/daddy time one evening. Give it a try.

Check out the website at: http://www.steelbeamtheatre.com/

Chicago Ice Storm Sideline's Dad

What can I say...ice storms suck. We were hit with one today. Nice way to start winter but we can't complain too badly. We still have heat and light and Howard Stern On-Demand. We had every intention of going to the Brookfield Zoo today. It's a special time there. The Christmas lights are up and the 1970's laser light show is on. And Santa is in the house. So we are going to go maybe night week. Instead, we went to Costco. Nice alternative, huh!? Needless to say, the jackets are out and boots are on.