Mother's Day Fun Chicago Style #Travel #FoodieFun #Spa #Theatre

We're in the final count down to Mother's Day--a week from today. What have you got planned to make your mom feel special?! This year, is HUGE for us here at ChiIL Mama. You see, my daughter was actually born on Mother's Day back in 2003 and that makes this year her special GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!  She'll be 11 on the 11th and once again it coincides with Mother's Day... so this year is extra extraordinary.  My parents are coming in from Cincinnati for the weekend and we'll be celebrating with the suburban Grandparents as well.

So, we've been scouring the internet and our press connections to make this one especially memorable and we're happy to share some top picks with you. Our plans are still in the works but you can be sure we'll bring our readers along via social media and we'll have a big photo and video filled recap up, shortly thereafter. 

ChiIL Picks For A Memorable Mother's Day in Chi, IL:

For the crowd-pleasing Mom:

Drury Lane Theatre invites families to treat the matriarchs in their family to a spectacular Mother’s Day brunch, served from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mother’s Day, followed by the legendary musical LES MISÉRABLES at 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. The brunch buffet features a variety of carved meats, a seafood station, breakfast favorites, assorted sweets, champagne, mimosas, and child-friendly options.  LES MISÉRABLES is the winner of over 50 international theater awards, including eight 1987 Tony Awards (two of which were for Best Musical and Best Score). For reservations, call 630.530.8300 or visit www.drurylane.com.

We caught opening night of Drury Lane's LES MISÉRABLES and HIGHLY recommend it! The cast is superb and the intimate performance space sweeps up the audience in the story line more intensely than the Broadway touring show can do in a giant auditorium.  Drury Lane does a phenomenal job with the set, multimedia screen imagery and costuming.  Les Mis has long been one of my favorite musicals and I've seen the Broadway version several times, so I had high expectations. Drury Lane did NOT disappoint.

Gather around the barricades at Drury Lane... 'Les Miz' is a masterpiece of musical theater!”
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“If you want to pull out all the stops... “Les Miserables” is unquestionably the show to stage.”

Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times 

For the Mom who likes cheese but isn’t cheesy:

Legendary fondue restaurant, Geja’s Café (340 W. Armitage) will treat all moms to a complimentary 5-minute massage on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11. Moms will step away from the table to receive a well-deserved pampering in a secluded relaxing atmosphere with licensed massage therapists while they dine. The restaurant will opening at noon on Mother’s Day.  For reservations, call 773-281-9101.

For the foodie Mom:

aria, located at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park (200 North Columbus Dr.) is offering a Mother’s Day brunch menu by Executive Chef James Phillips on Sunday, May 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The hearty menu offers a variety of specialty items that are sure to please not only Mom but the whole family. The brunch is $42 per person. For reservations, call 312-444-9494 or visit www.ariachicago.com.

For the Mom who needs a girls’ night out:

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park (200 North Columbus Dr.) has the perfect “Urban Goddess” package for Moms looking for a night out with her friends. The package includes overnight accommodations for two in a Fairmont Guestroom, a $100 credit per room (per paid night to be used in mySpa for service) and overnight valet parking ($65 value). The package starts at $199 plus tax and gratuity. It is available now through December 31, 2014. Please call 312-946-8945 to make an appointment. Any unused credit is not refundable. Credit is per room, per night.  

For the Mom on the go:

Spring is here, and mySpa, the luxurious retreat at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, (200 North Columbus Dr.) is celebrating its 5^th anniversary with a lunch and a manicure special for only $49.00. The offer includes an array of  healthy lunch selections and a soothing express manicure in your favorite cheerful spring shade. To book, call (312) 946-8945. *Offer is valid through April 30, 2014.

For the Mom looking for a heartfelt comedy:

From the writer of the long-running commercial success Over the Tavern comes the Chicago-area premiere of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET at Theatre at the Center (1040 Ridge Rd., Munster, Ind.), which tells the story of the working-class Nowak family as they cope with tested faith and life’s surprises. Directed by William Pullinsi, the comedy follows a supposed visitation by the Virgin Mary to a blue collar working class neighborhood, causing revelations for a family of Polish American Catholics. There is a 2:30 p.m. performance of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET on Mother’s Day. For tickets, call 219.836.3255 or visit www.theatreatthecenter.com.

For the Mom searching for the Purr-fect afternoon:

One of the biggest blockbuster musical hits of our time, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS has 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. performances on Mother’s Day at The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.) CATS is directed and choreographed by multiple Jeff Award-winner Marc Robin with Musical Direction by Ryan T. Nelson. In 2003, the Marriott Theatre presented a new production of CATS, directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, which quickly became the best-selling show in the theatre’s long history and one of the audience’s most requested encores. For tickets, call 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.

We've had such a busy spring, I must confess we haven't caught CATS yet at The Marriott, but we have seen the Broadway version and this is one marvelous multigenerational musical that appeals to all ages, hence a perfect pick for Mother's Day fun.

For the Mom desiring relaxation and rejuvenation:

Massage Envy Bloomington (314 Towanda Ave., Ste 310, in Normal), which is hosting its Grand Opening on May 6, is featuring a special Mother’s Day package, including a one-hour massage and healthy skin facial session, for only $109.98 on Mother’s Day. The package cannot be combined with other offers. To make an appointment, call 309.862.0900 or visit www.massageenvy.com. 

For the Mom who can’t get enough Jack Lemmon:

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein and last season’s smash hit Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane) will present the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a new play with music. There is a 3 p.m. performance on Mother’s Day at The Royal George Theatre (1641 N Halsted St.) The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That’s Life, Lena’s Holiday, etc.). For tickets, call 312.988.9000 or visit www.theroyalgeorgetheatre.com. 

For the Incoming Mom:

Broughton Hotels, a group of newly renovated boutique hotels in Lakeview and Lincoln Park, offer the perfect Chicago neighborhood vacation for incoming Moms or for Chicago locals who just want a change of scene (without socks on the floor, dishes in the sink and little people always needing needing needing). Conveniently located near trendy neighborhood boutiques, theaters and fine dining, the stunning properties at City Suites Hotel, The Majestic Hotel, and The Willows Hotel offer an intimate, neighborhood oasis. For more information, please visit majestic-chicago.com, willowshotelchicago.com, and chicagocitysuites.com.

Sagezilla's Six

It's so hard
to believe
my baby girl
is
six years old
already!




















Five was

losing her first two baby teeth
Kindergarten
learning to read and write
riding a two wheeler with training wheels
finally outgrowing the 3T outfits
shimmying up traffic sign poles with ease






Six is

mystery and mastery
that huge leap up to the
Montessori 1st-3rd grade combined classroom
skinned knees
and skateboard ramps
competitive gymnastic training
her big front tooth comin' down fast
childlike wisdom
and magical backyard potions
????

When her older brother, Du-Jay, turned 6, his physical and mental leaps were astounding. There are so many kids activities and events that say 6 and up. And there's a reason.

First grade was the year he grew from 5T to size 8 over the school year and cranked through 4 shoe sizes! First grade was the year he finished on nearly 6th grade reading level.

Six is that definitive line between big kid and little kid. "I can do it by myself!", screamed and followed by a big flurkin' snark out, will hopefully morph into a calm and confident, "I can handle it."

This year, instead of one giant birthday party for the whole preschool and every kid we've ever known, like Sage's Stupendous Seuss Soiree for her 5th birthday, she wanted to take a few families camping in Wisconsin.

We're still working out the logistics, but love the simplistic, rustic charm of the idea. So often, less really is more. In the meantime, she has had a number of smaller family celebrations with two sets of grandparents, cousins, her school class and our immediate family.

My cousin and her twin daughters from China, gave her a surprise party at their home in the burbs. It began as a fancy tea party fit for a princess, complete with pink crown and tiered pastry plates.









Then my darling daughter, with the wild streak and artist's soul, showed her true colors.......................

On her actual birthday,
she had candles in a chocolate croissant,
family prezzys
and classroom cupcakes.

In Montessori pre-K/ Kindergarten classrooms, they have a lovely ritual where the birthday child takes the earth and circles around a candle, signify the sun. The child then stops at his/her birthdate.

The class sometimes sings "The Earth Goes Around The Sun" song.
And each circuit the child
is symbolically one year older
and gets to stop and talk
about themselves at that age.






In Zilla's class this year,
families were asked to make a timeline
with photos and brief descriptions
of the birthday kid's life from birth on up.









So, happy happy sixth birthday, my May Night Sage. May your 6th year be full of many wonderful adventures.

In Like a Lion......Out Like A Snow Leopard?!

The new fashion for spring is funky hats

March has not brought mild, lamb like weather yet.
But, our neighbors brought a much needed chuckle,
amid the slushy snow and lingering winter cold.
We couldn't help but laugh
at a new life sized, figure
lurking on the corner
last night.

March 2009: In like a lion...............Out like a snow leopard?!





















































Today is my birthday, at 4:44pm to be exact.

"Happy birthday to you... The kids had the flu... Its rainy, cold and nasty.... and your house is a zoo."

If the kids are well enough to stay at school today, I hope to collect some birthday freebies. Andies Mediterranean restaurant offers a free birthday entree with advanced reservations and ID, on your actual birthday. Flat Top Grill also gives a free birthday stir fry coupon to anyone on their mailing list, and they even give you a 30 day window of time to use it.

Finally, this offer is not birthday related, but expires on my birthday by chance. Bleeding Heart Bakery, one of our favorites, is offering a free cupcake ($3 value) with a coupon from their mailing list.

I still haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire which has finally trickled down to the Logan Theatre, $3 all showings. It's hard to duck out and see anything that's not animated these days and most showings aren't early enough to coincide with the school day. Or maybe we can duck out to see Watchman which is on the Kerasotes $5 club list now. There are benefits to being behind the times on the latest releases. We'll see. I have big birthday hopes............

The kids surprised me with homemade cards this morning. Du drew my favorite shape, spirals and wrote lots of I love yous.

Sagezilla declared, "My card is big and poppie outie and it's something you love to do every day that makes Daddy crazy."

She appropriated a big cardboard box and made me a lap top complete with a mouse, pop up screen and keyboard! The keys have rune symbols and she "wrote" 4 lines of my blog on the screen and drew in pictures. (melt)

Waffles with fresh strawberries followed for breakfast. Then Dad left to take the kids to school, out the back door. Minutes later the front bell rang. UPS? FedEx? I opened the door and was serenaded with a chorus of "Happy Birthday to you............." from my lovely family. They had circled around the house to surprise me. We all cracked up. It was a sweet way to start the day.

Monsters Vs. Aliens or "Cake and balloons for lunch. I love you guys."

At long last, Monsters Vs. Aliens opened yesterday and Du-Jay had his friend birthday party. He treated his best friends to a 3D show and lunch at John's place.











Several of the kids had never seen a 3D movie and the kids were a hoot in the over sized glasses.





Multiple trips up and down the escalator provided lots of vertical fun while we waited for everyone to arrive.










And Du and Sagezilla are still having a blast with their digi cameras from Grammy and Gramps from 2 Christmases ago.











Even Eli didn't want to miss the fun. He just had surgery to remove metal pins from his broken leg. Last summer, he was bowled over in the park, by two big dogs leashed together. The bones are finally healed and strong enough to lose the metal, but he has one more round of healing to do, now.








We thought it was too funny that there's a line in the movie, "Cake and balloons for lunch. I love you guys." After the movie, we had a half walking, half driving birthday parade a few blocks away, and indeed we did have cake and balloons for lunch.








Du chose a delicious chocolate cake filled with choc. mousse with cream cheese frosting. We barely finished his chocolate/vanilla layered cake from the family party on the 14th. And my own birthday is 3 days away. So much for project skinny Mommy!

The movie was fun and enjoyed by all. One of the Moms remarked that she was worried Ginormica would snap in half because her waist was so skinny. And her feet were freakishly small. But, she was smart and strong, so that was somewhat of an improvement over most mainstream cartoon heroins.

My kids were excited to discover lots of DIY crafts and free games at the official Monsters Vs. Aliens site and we printed out tote bags, themed dioramas, cootie catchers and movie posters with the party friends listed in the credits, for the goodie bags.Thanks for joining us, everyone. There's nothing like lunch and a movie with best friends.