What's in Your Beach Bag?

Memorial Day weekend!

The official start of summer. 

Time for hitting the beach and/or pool.

What are you packing in your beach bag to pass the time as the little ones splash giddily at your side?

Right alongside the SPF 37 Kajillion I've tucked in a copy of Here, Home, Hope by author Kaira Rouda that I received through One2One Network.

Here, Home, Hope is the fictional story of Kelly Mills Johnson's journey through midlife crisis and personal reinvention - all told with a sense of heart and humor.  In her thirty-ninth year, Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

For every woman who's ever wanted to change something in her mundane life...

Disclaimer:  I was sent a copy of the book for review purposes, the opinions are my own.

Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go

"Chicken in the car and the car won't go, 

That's the way to spell Chicago.

A knife and a fork!  A bottle and a cork!

That's the way to spell New York!"

This is the whimsical verse that brought about a brand new Chicago area travel guide filled with adventures you can enjoy with  your teens and tweens, written by my very talented bloggy friend Melisa Wells.

Tuesday, we very appropriately celebrated the 'launch' of this book with a cruise on the Chicago River.  Although it was slightly chilly, the skies were clear and the rain held off as Melisa's friends and family were treated to an evening filled with the warmth of conversation and delicious food and beverages.

The book was six years in the making as Melisa and her husband explored Chicago, making wonderful memories with their two sons.  Inside the covers you'll find many hidden gems that will delight locals and visitors alike.

TOF and TC are nowhere near the tween or teen stage and yet I've already folded over several pages that I know we'll enjoy together. 

I'd like to thank Melisa for extending the invitation and for being a lovely hostess.  You're book has given me the inspiration to show my grandsons more of the beautiful city that I grew up in.  I'm going to be very busy making forever memories with them.

Thank you also to her very generous sponsors, including GM, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Eli's Cheesecake, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Pizzeria Uno, Key Lime Water Resort, threadles, Blue Man Group, John Hancock Observatory and Chicago Elevated  for their support in making Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go a reality as well as creating a memorable evening for all of  us.

Disclaimer:  I was invited to the book launch and given a copy of Melisa's book as well as other goodies from her sponsors.  There was no exchange of money and the opinions are strictly my own.

Kung Fu Panda 2 Prize Pack Giveaway

Kung Fu Panda is back!

TOF is looking foward to  going on a date with me to see Kung Fu Panda 2 when it opens in theaters this week.  To get ready he's been playing with the spin fighter toys found in specially marked boxes of General Mills cereals.

You can get your own spin fighter toys featuring Kung Fu Panda 2 characters including Po, Tigress, Shifu, Monkey, Lord Shen, Mantis, Crane and Viper inside boxes of participating General Mills cereals including Cocoa Puffs® (11.8 oz.), Trix® (10.7 oz.), Golden Grahams® (12 oz.), Reese’s Puffs® (13 oz.), Cheerios® (14 oz.), Apple Cinnamon Cheerios® (12.9 oz.), Cookie Crisp® (11.25 oz.), Lucky Charms® (11.5 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch (12.8 oz.) and Honey Nut Cheerios (12.25 oz.).

One of my lucky readers will win a Kung Fu Panda 2 prize package including one random box of the above mentioned cereals, a spin fighter toy and a DVD copy of the original Kung Fu Panda movie.

To win:

It's super easy, just 'Like" Look It's Megryansmom on Facebook and leave me a comment on this blog post with your Facebook username and who you're winning this prize package for.

Contest runs through June 1st and  winner will be notified by email, so be sure to leave one.

Disclaimer: General Mills and DreamWorks provided me with the prize pack, information, and additional prize pack through MyBlogSpark

My Week at a Glance

Come closer Friday so I can give you a big, fat, juicy, wet kiss.  Oh how I have missed your sweet caress.  Seven days is far too long to be apart.  I'm thinking of doing away with Thursday just so that we don't have to be away from each for so long.  Hold me closer.

Gasp!

Oh, Hi.

I'm so embarrassed, I didn't realize anyone else was here.

Friday go take a cold shower, this is a family blog.  I'll see you a little bit later.  Mwah.

Again, I apologize, I don't usually act like that.  Not a fan of PDA.  Forgive me?

So this week was pretty exciting and it's not over yet!
 
Sunday, was wet and so cold.  But Augie Dawgs, the boys and I had a great time at a performance of Dot & Ziggy at the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.  It was an interactive play about a lady bug and a skunk who learn that despite their differences, they can still be good friends.  It's geared towards very young audiences and we didn't have to worry if TC squirmed a bit too much or didn't want to sit down.  In fact the boy was so comfortable he sat right down on the floor mat and took his shoes and socks off.

Dot & Ziggy runs through June 26th.  Tickets are priced at $16 on weekdays and $18 on weekends; use the code MOMDZ to save$2 off tickets throughout the run.

Thank you Kim at MomImpact for providing us with complimentary tickets!

Monday-what did I do Monday?  OK so maybe Monday wasn't very exciting.

But Tuesday!  Tuesday was another fun day!  A few of my bloggy pals and I attended a VIP Moms Party for the grand re-opening at The Denim Lounge in Roscoe Village.  It was a great night spent mingling with other bloggers and getting pampered with complimentary manicures from Head 2 Toe Mobile Spa.

Photo by Edenhurst Studio

Motivational speaker and president of Insight Track, Sylvia Friedman was there providing handwriting analysis.  Although I won't go in to details about exactly what she said to me, I will say that I tried really hard not to let my jaw drop when she started speaking.  DEAD.  ON.

No awesome blogger event would be complete without amazing food and drinks which included a wine tasting from LUSH, Robey Pizza, cupcakes courtesy of Sprinkles and goodies from the newly-opened Real Naked Food.

Thank you again Caitlin and Sarah of 2 Moms Media for putting together such an enjoyable evening.

The activities are far from over, as we have a very busy Saturday coming up.  I'm attending the SELF Magazine Workout in the Park and hoping to meet Alison Sweeney who's making a special guest appearance.

I received a ticket from One2One Network to attend the event.

Finally, as the winner of a prize package from Raging Waves Waterpark, we're heading to an event at Medieval Times Saturday night.  I've never been and we're all looking forward to it!

What are you plans this weekend?  Hope it's spectacular!