A Little Time and a Keyboard: June 2016

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium {Nature, Education and Conservation}

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium on the Puget Sound

Our Tacoma adventure began at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest attracts 700,000 visitors annually, so definitely a popular attraction. Set along Puget Sound and surrounded by views of the Olympia Mountains, the waterfront and (if you are lucky) Mt. Rainier, the zoo's surroundings are particularly inviting and were certainly spectacular on a sunny day!
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Two Days Exploring Lovely Tacoma, Washington {for Families}

Monday, June 27, 2016

View of Tacoma from LeMay America's Car Museum

We kicked off our summer vacation with a visit to beautiful Tacoma, Washington! Nestled on Puget Sound, we uncovered a city affording picturesque views along with a wide variety of family activities. Two days exploring, investigating, wandering and tasting revealed some real treasures! This week I will be sharing our discoveries. We were simply wowed by the city and found it to be an ideal location for a family trip to Washington!

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13 Tips for Starting Off Your Cruise Vacation

Saturday, June 25, 2016

cruise tips for families

We just returned from a quite lovely cruise vacation to Alaska! So, I definitely have cruising on the mind! This cruise was my 9th and my husband has 20+ under his belt. As you can imagine, we have developed methods that help us launch into our cruise vacation. I have put together 13 ideas to help you start on the right foot as you begin your cruise vacation!
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JD's Q and Brew in Arlington Heights is Awesome Sauce

Monday, June 13, 2016

JD's Q and Brew in Arlington Heights, IL

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Whenever in a pinch for a meal, we often find ourselves at JD's Q and Brew in Arlington Heights. Truth be told, when it first opened several years ago we found it to be a joint for a decent meal but not the top of our list. Over the past two years, we have noticed improvement and now visit a little more often.  

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LEGO Americana Roadshow Coming to Northbrook Court June 18-July 4

Saturday, June 11, 2016

US Capitol Building built from Legos
U.S. Capitol Building and Supreme Court. Image courtesy of Flashpoint PR.
Just in time to celebrate America's birthday, the LEGO Americana Roadshow featuring large scale LEGO replicas of iconic American structures is coming to Northbrook Court in Northrbook, IL! The event will run June 18, 2016 - July 4, 2016 during regular mall hours.

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Rambling Outdoors at Chain O'Lakes State Park

Friday, June 10, 2016

View of Fox River at Chain O'Lakes

Perfect weather last weekend inspired to explore a new preserve: Chain O'Lakes State Park in Spring Grove, Illinois. A lovely day is always ripe for adventure, so exploring we did go! We did very little research on Chain O'Lakes before visiting, so we were truly winging it. But, trips without expectations are often the best!

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Scottish Festival and Highland Games Coming to Itasca June 17 & 18

Thursday, June 9, 2016

dancing at the Highland Games in Itasca, IL

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

This year is the 30th Anniversary of the Chicago Scot's Scottish Festival & Highland Games! The Scottish Festival and Highland Games provides a unique and engaging way for those with and without Scottish heritage to experience traditions. The festival attracts 10,000 visitors, so quite a wonderful celebration of Scottish culture! Proceeds from the event help support the Chicago Scots' charities providing assisted living and first class memory care. This year's event is rapidly approaching and has plenty of fun for families:

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {A Country Fair, Art,Birds, Pizza and More}

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Fair banner for country fair


Summer, summer, summertime! If you are like me, you are spending a good chunk of your days thinking about summer weekend fun! Here are my local picks for the weekend:
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Free Family Events, Deals and Raffles at Norton's U.S.A.'s 9th Anniversary June 14-19

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Norton's U.S.A. sells made in U.S.A. products in Barrington, IL and online.

Next week, Norton's U.S.A. in Barrington is celebrating 9 years of selling American Made products with a week full of events, specials and raffles! During the week of June 14-19, 2016 enjoy:
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Starved Rock Marketplace {Worthy of a Stop}

Monday, June 6, 2016

Porch at Cattails at the Starved Rock Marketplace

Not too far from the majestic Starved Rock State Park travelers can find the Starved Rock Marketplace. The exterior has always looked so adorable that I noted I should stop and take a peek when time allowed. During our recent visit to Starved Rock, we earmarked some time to explore.

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Family Hike at Starved Rock

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Bluff with overlook at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois

Much of Northeastern Illinois is flat. So, the geological formations yielding bluffs and canyons at Starved Rock State Park in Utica provide a unique diversion. The gorgeous weather last weekend yielded us the perfect time for an escape to the natural wonder.

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