A tradition of FUN!  Head downtown for the parade which starts at 11:00 and goes throughout Downtown Springfield.

The square around the Old State Capitol provides a great view!

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Visit www.sumckidsplace.com and click on "summer"

Email questions to kpattendance@yahoo.com

• 10 weeks of camp are offered and you pay only for the weeks you use
• Camp runs June 7-Aug 13
• A hot lunch option is available, snacks are included
• All camps are based on themed weeks
• Hours are 7am-6pm
• Swimming lessons available for k-3
• "New" younger track for k-3rd grades and older track for 4-5th grades

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3315 Robbins Rd (across from BJ Grand Salon)

Springfield IL 62704

217-698-1111

www.yourbestwellness.com

Email: CA@yourbestwellness.com

Ever wonder, "Why?"

Why your child has a specific symptom(s):

• A weak immune system?
• Chronic ear infections?
• Acid reflux? ADD or ADHD?
• Allergeis and/or Asthma?

If so, you are not alone.

Many parents have come to Optimal Chiropractic with these same questions!

We may just have the natural approach you have been looking for! Optimal Chiropractic is a family oriented, wellness based chiropractic office.

Don't miss her helpful Q & A's on Ask the Chiropractor.

At Optimal Chiropractic, Dr. Martha Nessler focuses on helping individuals and entire families achieve overall health and wellness. Dr. Martha is a fun, loving chiropractor who is ICPA certified with over 120 hours in pediatrics and pregnancy.

Worried? Don't be!

Chiropractic is a safe alternative method! Recently talked about in USA Today. Check it out this video on youtube.

• "I don't have to take allergy shots anymore thanks to Dr. Martha and adjustments. Dr. Martha is the best. Thank you, Dr. Martha." -testimonial from Jillian, age 7

Coupon: This certificate entitles the bearer to $20.00 off a new patient consult, x-rays and examination across from BJ Grand Salon West) 3315 Robbins Rd. Expires 4/30/10

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Through unique words and eclectic characters, he certainly had a story to tell in a way that no one before him had told it before.

My favorite book from our Seuss stash is still "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"  I loved it as a child, and now I cherish the times my daughters pull it off the shelf at story time.  Now, that I have reached the "middle-age" of life experience, books like this have a fresh perspective that is unexpected and refreshing.

Watching the little yellow guy stand before the open roads, deciding which path to take, which to avoid, and which balloons to take a ride…you can't help but revisit the journeys you have taken that have led you to where you are today.

The waiting times, the lurches and the slumps,  the alone times and the bumps, the confused and indecisive times … and the clear times when it all seems to fall into place.

As Dr. Seuss so eloquently says, "You'll get mixed up of course, as you already know …. So be sure when you step.  Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. "  Indeed it is, Dr. Seuss!

What a gift it is to be a parent and to share our life experiences and in return watch our children live, learn and create their own path.   "Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest…"  Thanks, Dr. Seuss.  We all need this inspiration from time to time!

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If you need to escape for a few days but don't want to travel hundreds of miles, consider spending a weekend in The Windy City – Chicago! With Chicago being the third largest city in the United States, there are countless opportunities for fun activities, shopping and delicious food!   Plus, it is only an Amtrak ride away.

Below are some suggestions located in the downtown or Lake Shore Drive areas.

ATTRACTIONS

Visit this fun Chicago Kids website for a list of FREE admission dates for the major Chicago museums.

Purchase a "CityPass," which will give you admission to the most popular of the downtown Chicago attractions. If you're planning to go to all of the attractions, it can be very cost-effective.  The attractions below are noted if they are included as an option for the CityPass.

Museum of Science and Industry – Located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, this massive museum will take you through interactive exhibits, tours and demonstrations. From a submarine tour, to a fairy castle, to exhibits where visitors can learn more about their bodies – there is something at this museum for everyone! www.msichicago.org ***CityPass***

Shedd Aquarium – This aquarium is located at 1200 South Lake Shore Drive. From rivers to oceans, this aquarium features animals from the very large variety (think whales and dolphins) to teeny tiny (jellyfish). www.sheddaquarium.org ***CityPass***

Adler Planetarium – This planetarium is located at 1300 South Lake Shore Drive. The planetarium features many interactive exhibits, observatories with telescopes and much more.    ***CityPass***

The Art Institute of Chicago – Families can explore, discover and enjoy art together at the Art Institute through art-making activities, exhibitions, self-guides, games and more.  Family classes available.  Thursday night admission is free 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Plus, amazing year-round exhibits to view.

Willis Tower – formerly called Sears Tower, located at 233 South Wacker Drive. Voted one of seven "wonders" by the Chicago Tribune, the Skydeck at Willis Tower allows you to have a birds eye view of the Windy City. The tower is the largest building in the western hemisphere! There are interactive displays as well as children's activities. www.willistower.com ***CityPass***

Millennium Park – located in the heart of downtown, Millennium Park is home to art (The Bean), music and many other events. It has 24.5 acres located within Grant Park. There are many sculptures, a fountain that kids can play in, beautiful landscaping and much more. www.millenniumpark.org

Museum of Contemporary Art – located at 220 East Chicago, this museum is in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Visitors to the museum can take in all of the traveling and permanent exhibits, from current artists to artists from years past.  www.mcachicago.org

Lincoln Park Zoo – located in the shadows of Chicago's huge skyscrapers, this zoo is an oasis for animal lovers. Visitors can enjoy the children's zoo, learning about farms, African exhibits, animal shows and much more.  www.lpzoo.org

Navy Pier – located right on the shore of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier has something that will appeal to all ages. The pier features an amusement park, shopping, boat rides, restaurants as well as a great children's museum. www.navypier.com

John Hancock Observatory – located in downtown Chicago, 140 stories above the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue). Check out the open-air Skywalk which takes you to the edge – but don't worry, you won't fall! The tower also has telescopes and a wall with historical artifacts.  www.hancockobservatory.com

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – located off Lake Shore Drive, across from Lincoln Park Zoo. This hands-on museum has lots of interactive exhibits including a butterfly observatory, wilderness walk, animal lab, bird walk and many others. www.naturemuseum.org

Field Museum of Natural History – located on Lake Shore Drive, near Adler Planetarium. This large museum has countless exhibits with artifacts from times past, rocks, fossils, plants. Currently, there is a temporary exhibit running through March 2010 featuring diamonds. www.fieldmuseum.org ***CityPass***

The Magnificent Mile – as the name implies, Magnificent Mile is the shopping destination in Chicago. Located on Michigan Avenue, visitors can find shops galore – over 460 shops and 50 hotels in the area, not to mention all of the dining options! Come for a visit in November and December to see all of the great decorations and festivities.  The Macy's window displays are especially noteworthy (formerly Marshall Field's).  Don't forget the American Girl Place or the Lego Store for your toy-minded kids!  www.themagnificentmile.com

The City Gallery is the city's official photography gallery. It’s located in the historic Water Tower on Michigan Avenue. It is FREE and presents exhibitions of Chicago-themed photographs by Chicago photographers.

The Museum of Contemporary Photography is the only museum in the Midwest with an exclusive commitment to the medium of photography. Reader recommended, plus it’s free!  Also located on 600 S. Michigan Avenue.

PLACES TO EAT

There are countless places to eat in the downtown area. Below is just a small sampling of those which are well-known and/or family-friendly.

Cheesecake Factory – Located inside the John Hancock Building on North Michigan Avenue. Once you have waded through their massive menu (this restaurant boasts one of the largest you'll ever find!), make sure you order something on the light size – the best part about the Cheesecake Factory is….the cheesecake! www.cheesecakefactory.com

Gino's East – Located in the pizza capitol of the world, people come to Gino's East from all over to experience their famous deep dish pizza. There are many locations throughout Chicagoland, including one on Superior as well as North Wells Street. If you can't check out the restaurant in person, you can also order their pizzas online and have them shipped to you. www.ginoseast.com

American Girl Place – Located right on the Magnificent Mile, the American Girl Place is a haven for young girls to bring their A.G. dolls, buy new outfits, have their hair styled, and even enjoy a unique dining experience. The American Girl Place offers dining options from a bistro serving casual meals, a dessert counter, as well as a restaurant serving afternoon teas and brunches. And your child's doll even has a spot at the table! www.americangirlplace.com

Frontera – Located a few blocks west of Michigan Avenue on Clark Street, this restaurant is owned by Rick Bayless (famous chef who has a cooking show on PBS). If you're looking for something with a Mexican flair, this restaurant is sure to please. www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html

Golden Nugget Pancake House – You really can find an affordable family meal in downtown Chicago! Serving breakfast 24 hours a day, the downtown location is at 2720 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park.

Rainforest Cafe – This is the ultimate in kid-friendly restaurants! Located at 605 N. Clark Street (with an additional location at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg), this restaurant features an extensive menu, a rainforest theme complete with audio-animatronic animals as well as huge tropical fish displays. www.rainforestcafe.com *** Coupon for $10 off is currently on their website as of 11/5/09 ***

Hard Rock Cafe – Located at 63 W. Ontario since 1986, this restaurant is also home to many pieces of rock n' roll and movie memorabilia.  www.hardrockcafe.com

Ed Debevic's – No trip to downtown would be complete without a trip to Ed Debevic's. Located at 640 North Wells, you get a great meal and some attitude from the wait staff. Their menu features classic diner fare, homemade desserts and ice cream treats. www.eddebevics.com

Navy Pier Restaurants – The Navy Pier features several sit-down restaurants, including the famous Bubba Gump's and a Harry Caray Tavern (opening December 2009). There is also a food court which has close to 15 choices. www.navypier.com

Buca di Beppo – Located at 521 N. Rush. Bring your appetite along – this restaurant features family-style entrees and a kids' menu. The menu features classic Italian dishes and a family-friendly environment. www.bucadibeppo.com

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop – Located at 830 N. Michigan on the Magnificent Mile. Buy some chocolate for later and enjoy an ice cream treat. www.ghirardelli.com

Quartino – Located at 626 N. State Street. Thank you to Lisa Whelpley for the recommendation! Lisa says "It's great for all ages because its always got a crowd and you never have to worry about your kids being loud or disruptive (but there is no room for strollers). Secondly, and more importantly, the food is wonderful. It's Italian food but kind of like tapas. You order little plates and the food comes as it is ready, and you order as you go. It's wonderful."   www.quartinochicago.com

La Madia – Located at 59 West Grand Ave. Thank you to Lisa Whelpley for the recommendation! Lisa says "The food is excellent, especially the salads and pizza. The staff is accommodating and will bring your child a ball of pizza dough to knead and play with while you wait for your food to be ready."   www.dinelamadia.com

PLACES TO STAY – READER RECOMMENDATIONS

Before you reserve your room, please be sure to check with the hotel for parking information. Most if not all hotels will charge a hefty nightly fee for parking onsite.

Fairfield Suites Chicago – Located just one block from the Magnificent Mile, this hotel offers packages that include some of the popular Chicago attractions. (Thank you to reader Kate Rogers-Medley for the recommendation!) www.fairfieldsuiteschicago.com

Holiday Inn Express Magnificent Mile – Located just off of the Magnificent Mile on Wabash Avenue, Holiday Inn Express locations are well-known for their family friendliness. (Thank you to reader Melissa Hostetter for the recommendation. She said "We recently had a great experience here. Tiny rooms but clean and across the street from a Trader Joe's. We're definitely going back.") www.ichotelsgroup.com

Homewood Suites – Reader Favorite! Located at 40 East Grand Avenue, just one block west of the Magnificent Mile. This hotel features a welcome reception and free breakfast for guests.  Reader Lynn Crouch says, "We stayed there last year for my husband's birthday. Pricey, but extremely nice, clean, friendly staff, and breakfast AND dinner were included in the price. We also got a Shedd Aquarium Package." www.homewoodsuites.com

SPORTING EVENTS

Chicago Cubs Baseball

Chicago White Sox Baseball

Chicago Bears Football

Chicago Blackhawks Hockey

THEATER

Check out this Chicago Theater website for information on shows and Chicago area theaters.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• www.choosechicago.com
• www.explorechicago.org
• www.hotels.com

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Gardeners' Day is presented by U of I Master Gardeners of the Sangamon-Menard Unit.

Session 1: 8:45-9:45

• Creating a Haven for Birds inYour Back Yard – Jo Skoglund, Illinois Audubon Society
• Herb Accents for the Home – Sandy Pecori, Judy Tobin & Shirley Wilson, U of I Extension
• Spring Tune Up for Your Yard – Dave Rusciolelli – Arborist

Session 2: 9:55 – 10:55

What is that Tree? – Jim Schuster, U of I Extension

• Using Native Plants in the Garden – Janine Catchpole
• Vegetable Gardening in Small Places – Jennifer Fishburn, U of I Extension
• Prune it Right – Larry Miller, Lincoln Memorial Garden

Session 3:  11:05-12:05

• Prune it Right – Larry Miller, Lincoln Memorial Garden
• Small Fruits for the Home Landscape – Elizabeth Wahle, U of I Extension
• Terrific Trees – Bill Bolt, Secretary of State Yard Maintenance

Registration 8:00-8:45

at University of Illinois Extension, Sangamon-Menard Unit, Illinois State Fairgrounds Building 30, Springfield

Please register online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/sangamonmenard Classes will fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration fee:  $10 in advance, $12 at the door.  Includes sessions, handouts and refreshments.  Note:  Herb Accents has an additional $5 fee.

If you have questions, call 217-782-4617.

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From Irish Creme brownies to shamrock cut-outs to chocolate mint drops, the Land O'Lakes company offers some fun (and delicious) recipes to try out this lucky season.

Click here for your sweet tooth (but not your waistline!).

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Divorce is a terrible thing to contemplate. Nevertheless, if it looks like a divorce might be in your near future, you need to be prepared. You may rest assured that if YOU see it coming – so does your spouse. He or she may well be taking steps to prepare!

There are steps you should take to be prepared if you see a divorce coming. The following list is far from comprehensive – but if you complete these tasks, you will be ahead of the game:

• Make Personal Notes: You are sure that you will remember all that you need to when the time comes – but under the stress of an actual divorce, memory flees. Make sure you write about specific incidents and patterns of any kind of abuse, etc.  Note your contribution even if not monetary contributions. Contributions of a homemaker, parent, household administrator, etc. are all important even if they did not directly contribute to the family’s finances. Also keep good notes concerning any financial contributions you have made to the family. The more information – the better.

• Make Financial Notes: Your notes concerning the family’s finances, lists of assets, debts, income, and expenses are important for your lawyer. Tracking assets such as IRAs, property, insurance policies, degrees and licenses, other kinds of investments, real estate are all important. Keep a listing of passwords and safety deposit box numbers. Debts are also important: keep lists of any money owed to other parties such as credit cards, auto loans, promissory notes, unpaid taxes, student loans, home equity loans and other like debts. Keep track of income from such common sources as salaries, etc. but also from business distributions, rental payments, interest, capital gains, etc.

• Collect Documents: Marriage is a life partnership, but it is just as much an economic partnership. You should collect copies of all records affecting the finances of the family. Try to obtain copies of any: bank statements, credit card statements, mutual fund and other portfolios, brokerage account statements, mortgages, mortgage applications, tax returns, pensions and retirement fund documents, insurance policies, wills, receipts and warranties for significant items, loan applications, legal documents, financial documents medical records, and employee benefit books and records.  Credit card records can be extremely important if you think your spouse is not declaring all of his or her income.

• Rainy Day Fund: You need to start setting aside money. When you leave a marriage and establish a new home, you may well need a significant amount of cash for deposits, etc. You will also need money to pay your lawyer and other fees associated with your divorce. Money has a tendency to disappear from joint accounts. Therefore, don’t save money in a joint account, but establish a new account for yourself and make sure that your spouse does not have access to it. It can be a good idea to make this new account joint with someone you trust. Maintain good records concerning money that goes in and out of this account, and if you can, take out new credit cards in your name only.

• Get a Lawyer: Even before you have decided to divorce your spouse, you need to find a good lawyer to give you advice. Make sure you feel comfortable with the lawyer, and that the lawyer is sensitive to your needs. Your lawyer needs to communicate with you in a clear and understandable manner, and must not be so busy, or self important, that he or she does not listen to you as an individual. Trying to find a lawyer that does a lot of divorce work is also a good idea. Although your family lawyer may well be able to do a good job for you, if you use a lawyer that works in divorce and family work, you are much more likely to receive good advice. Before you actually file, get a written contract, and make sure you understand it. Don’t feel that you cannot ask your lawyer to change items in the contract. Finally, be sure that your lawyer understands that you want to make the final decisions in your case, and before you sign anything, make sure you read it carefully. Under no circumstances should you use the same lawyer as your spouse.

Submitted by Chuck Watson with Springfield Moms premium sponsor Watson & Linder Attorneys at Law.  For more information about their practice, visit our Mom's Choice Directory.

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Here are a few easy starter tips to save your family time and money each week!

Coupons

Buy the Sunday newspaper. The Sunday paper is one of the best sources to find your coupons weekly. By subscribing to your local paper, you will also be able to save money than if you'd go out and purchase it each week.

Websites. Check out these websites that scour all the manufacturer coupons and put them in one place for you!

• CouponMom – large source of coupons that updates several times a month.
• Smartsource – has newspaper insert, but can be found online to save some money if you don't subscribe.
• Redplum – also has newspaper insert.

Store Websites. By visiting your favorite local store's website, you can print off deals and even check out weekly fliers. Some even compare the savings right on the site for you so that you know how much money you're saving. Make sure to sign up for their newsletters if offered, sometimes special offers are sent right to your inbox.

• County Market
• Meijer
• Schnucks
• Target
• Walgreens

Reward Websites.  By signing up for some websites, you are able to earn rewards such as gift cards, money towards education or even cash for your child's school!

• Upromise earnings accumulate in your Upromise account until you decide to use it to invest in a 529 plan, help pay down student loans or assist with college expenses—all tax-free!
• Mypoints. Earn Points for doing what you already do online: shopping, reading emails, playing games, searching the web, surveys, and more! Gift cards for nearly 100 different stores and restaurants — or enjoy gas cards, airline miles and hotel discounts. You pick the rewards you want.
• Swagbucks. Earn gift cards by searching the web and referring friends. Earn a point, win a buck. It's that easy!

Match up and Frugal Websites. There are a ton of moms out there comparing deals and offering tips to help you out!

• Money Saving Mom
• The Original Coupon Coach
• Frugal Coupon Living

General Tips

1. Try keeping your coupons in a 3-ring binder organized by categories such as dairy, canned goods, frozen foods, pets, etc. Use clear baseball card holders to hold your coupons so that you can easily see what you have.
2. Each week make a meal plan and a grocery list. Go through your binder and pull out the coupons you want to use and put them into a smaller accordion type file to easily grab while at the store.
3. Make a note on your grocery list next to each item you have a coupon for. Stick to your list.
4. Take the binder with you as you shop. You may have overlooked something that you have a coupon for that would be a great deal.
5. Make sure to go through your entire collection of coupons monthly so that you don't drown in expired coupons.
6. Don't get caught buying items you'll never use just because you're getting a great deal. You're trying to save money, not stockpile items that are useless for your family.

Submitted by Springfield Moms reader Kasey Schwartz.  She  is wife to Brian and mother to Ella and Andrew.  She authors the blog All Things Mamma and works as an in-home childcare provider.

For "Cut Your Grocery Bills Down: Part One," click here.

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I’ve found the best way to reduce your grocery budget is to shop around and use coupons. Pairing coupons with sales often results in items being extremely cheap or even occasionally free! Keep in mind that all stores have different coupon policies, so it’s important to check each store’s policy before you go.

• First, plan your meals. Meal planning is very helpful when grocery shopping on a budget. I’m not talking about deciding what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day and never straying from your plan (though if that works for you, that’s great). I recommend writing down a tentative schedule of meals that you can prepare for that particular week based on your schedules, what is on sale and what you have in the fridge and cupboards.

• Bargain shop. It doesn’t take much time to scan through the Sunday ads to figure out where the best deals are that week. Don’t be brand or store-loyal – your goal is to get the best prices without sacrificing quality.

• Buy generic. I have tried many different store brands and have found 95 percent of their quality equal with name brands. If you aren’t ready to plunge headfirst into couponing and bargain shopping yet, first try buying generic brands of some foods, which will definitely help to cut costs.

• Stack coupons. Many stores put out their own store coupons on their Web site, like Meijer’s Mealbox coupons. You can then combine one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon – found in the Sunday ads or online coupon sites – for the same product, which is called “stacking” coupons.  For example, Target recently had Juicy Juice on sale for $2, which is a decent price for that product. But they not only offered a coupon for $1 off two, but there was also an Internet coupon available for $1 off one. When I stacked both coupons, I received two bottles for 50 cents each.

• Use rewards programs. Rolling over rewards through programs like Extra Care Bucks at CVS results in spending very little out of pocket for items. When you sign up for a CVS card – which is free – you are then able to get lower prices and also get Extra Care Bucks (ECB) back on certain purchases which are highlighted in the weekly ad. If you use these ECBs on your next purchase, you won’t spend much out of pocket.  Let me outline an example: CVS recently advertised Colgate toothpaste for $2.99 with $2 ECB. Using a $1 coupon that was available, you would spend $2 out of pocket and receive $2 to use on your next purchase. Next time, you would try to buy something else that resulted in receiving ECB and pay for it using the ECB you already had from your toothpaste purchase. If you are able to “roll” your rewards like this, you will soon be spending next to nothing for household items.

• Buy what you need before you need it.  Another great way to reduce your yearly expenses on groceries is to stockpile items that you use frequently. When you stockpile, you buy multiple items of the same product at rock-bottom prices. In doing this, you don’t have to run out to the store the second you run out of shampoo or paper towels plus you buy these products at full price.

If couponing or using rewards programs seems intimidating or like too much work, I totally understand. I felt the exact same way when I first started, and I admit that it took some effort be able to use couponing to its full benefit for our family.

I recommend starting small. Sign up for a CVS card and try one or two deals every couple of weeks. Print a store coupon and stack with a manufacturer coupon on just one product next time you grocery shop.

It’s a lot easier to keep up on sales and bargain shopping with a little help. Some of my favorite frugal living blogs include:

• moneysavingmom.com
• thethriftymama.com
• 30dollarweeklygrocerychallenge.blogspot.com
• dealseekingmom.com

The time you spend taking steps to cut down your grocery costs is well worth the money you save.

Submitted by Springfield Moms Advisory Board member Courtney Westlake, who is mom to Connor and wife to Evan. She is a freelance writer, portrait photographer and the owner of Westlake Photography.

For "Cut Your Grocery Bills Down: Part Two: Coupons 101," click here.

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