Two!

Happy Birthday big boy!
More to come on Colin's cross-country birthday celebrations later this week.
But for now, just sweet pictures of our babe eating sausage (of course) pizza and ice cream on his special day.

Happy Holidays from my three little superheros (and one big green monster)

Eleanor, Brendan and Colin photographed at "The Big Monster Door" in the West Loop by Chi-Town Kid Photographic Art on November 7, 2010.

The Beauty of Bartering

Have you ever bartered? I know that term sounds like a really old-fashioned practice, but its actually not.

I've started bartering in my own work from time to time. And I actually really like it. I've found that there is something more enduring and substantial about these sorts of exchanges. In my own experience, bartering has been the foundation of some really valued relationships.

Anyway, I became so interested in this type of exchange that I wrote a story about it. In my research, I came across all sorts of compelling stories about how individuals and small businesses are working together to get things done -- especially in this tough economy.

You can read more about this new-again practice and its collateral benefits in my piece, The Beauty of Bartering in the December issue of Mindful Metropolis. I hope you'll have a look.

Give Mamaloot a Try -- and Give Back to the Greater Chicago Food Depository at the Same Time

My buddies over at Mamaloot (the awesome daily deal website geared towards Chicago parents) are running a great charitable campaign over the next 9 days or so. For every new email sign up, Mamaloot is donating a canned good to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Plus, they are donating 3% of their proceeds from December 1st-23rd to the Greater Chicago Food Depository as well.

Isn’t that awesome?

It’s so easy to sign up on their site and every day they send you an email with some really great parent-focused discounts and steals. I've gotten already gotten great deals from Psycho Baby, Green Genes, and Manic Maids.

Better yet, some of Mamaloot’s “Best of the Best” partners (Bullfrogs and Butterflies, Grow, Building Blocks, Little Threads, Psycho Baby, Pump It Up, Kid City, Green Genes, Galt Baby, Family Grounds, and Wishcraft) are also hosting in-store email sign ups and some of them are matching the food donation or making unique gives of their own. We love these partners!

So if you’re feeling open to trying something new and want to save money on stuff you are probbly already buying for your kids, go sign up! Better yet, spread the word within you own networks (like on your Facebook Page) and help to feed some hungry folks this holiday season.

Cross-posted on Wee Windy City.

Disclosure: I am working with Mamaloot to help promote this campaign and I am being compensated for my time.

Aaaacchoo! Local moms share their natural cold and flu remedies

Have your kids had their fair share of sickness this cold and flu season? Mine too.

When it comes to treating common cold and flu symptoms, more and more parents are looking to natural remedies instead of the traditional over-the-counter concoctions. I recently wrote a story for Chicago Parent Magazine about some of the more popular natural remedies that local moms are using to keep their kiddos comfortable as they battle fevers, coughs and runny noses. Plus, I checked in with an experienced pediatrician to get her take on these natural remedies.

Interested? You can read more here.

Cross--posted at Wee Windy City.