Here are the kids working hard on their bags.
- Rafael is looking aggravated at having to stand still for another moment!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Making Mother's Day Presents At The Villa Park Library
Last week the Villa Park Library hosted a Mother's Day gift making workshop for kids. Little Bear, Rafael and I went and checked it out. It was pretty cool! The kids put together little coupon books with offers to do chores, give hugs, etc. They also got to decorate gift bags. The gift bags were nice, because I had had the kids make picture frames the day before, so we could also put the picture frames into the bags!
Here are the kids working hard on their bags.
They worked very hard, but apparently exhausted their capacity for good behavior. By the time I snapped this last pic of them with their finished bag, they were being monsters!
Here are the kids working hard on their bags.
Events For The Week Of May 10 - May 16
If you live in DuPage and you need an occasional babysitter, I can provide that! Check out my babysitting website, and contact me for references!
Anyway, every weekend I post a list of free and cheap events happening for kids in DuPage for the upcoming week. As the weather gets warmer, look for lots of local festivals and other outdoor events!! Be sure to check in here when planning the week ahead!
NOTICE: A free chalk-art event will take place on May 22 outside the Gregg House Museum in Westmont. Participants will be able to turn the sidewalk into a work of art! The event is free, but if you'd like to participate, you'll have to register by May 15. Call Alice Krampits of the Westmont Park District, (630) 969-8080, to register.
MONDAY
Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm. $5.00 per child.
TUESDAY
Storytime in the park, at Library Plaza (which I believe is on the deck behind the Lombard library) in Lombard, 10:00 am.
Story Time at Pottery Barn Kids in Oakbrook Mall, 11:00 am. Kids who attend five times get a special gift! Kids can also play in the store before and after the story time!
WEDNESDAY
Story time at Bloomingdale Barnes and Noble, 10:00 am.
Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 10:15 am to 11:30 am. $5.00 per child.
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in Batavia, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. $5.00 per child.
Story time at Oakbrook Terrace Barnes and Noble at 11:00 am.
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. $5.00 per child
Kids Club at Willowbrook Whole Foods, 4:00 pm. Kids will enjoy a healthy snack and then help plant a butterfly garden! Register at the front desk.
THURSDAY
Holistic Moms Story Time and Coffee Talk at the Naperville Whole Foods, at 9:30 am. Stories and songs will be from 9:30 to 10, with extra time afterwards for parents to converse.
Story time at Land Of Nod in Oakbrook Mall, at 11:oo am.
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. $5.00 per child.
FRIDAY
Celebrate Downtown Westmont begins! This is a special event that allows people to get to know businesses in the downtown area. You can pick up a treasure map in any of the stores, and go to each participating store getting it stamped. in order to enter a raffle. Participating stores will also have special sales and events going on to make it worth your while!
"The Dog Who Forgot" puppet show at the Winfield Library at 10:00 am. No registration required, and anyone can attend!
Join Holly Nagel for some unique, interactive storytime fun at the Bartlett Library at 10:00 am. No registration required... anyone can attend!
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 10:00 am to 11:00 am. $5.00 per child
Open Gym And Moon Jump Friday at Gymnasti in Carol Stream, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. $5.00 per child.
Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm. $5.00 per child.
Story time at Bloomingdale Barnes and Noble, 7:00 pm.
SATURDAY
Celebrate Downtown Westmont continues! This is a special event that allows people to get to know businesses in the downtown area. You can pick up a treasure map in any of the stores, and go to each participating store getting it stamped. in order to enter a raffle. Participating stores will also have special sales and events going on to make it worth your while!
The Kid's Flea Market will take place at Hummer Park, 4833 Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Kids' toys, sports equipment, games and collectibles will be for sale. Bring your kids and let them spend their allowance!
The Bartlett Police Department will host the annual DARE Fishing Derby for kids, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. The event takes place at Beaver Pond, located on Stearns Road just east of IL Route 59. Admission is free for kids and parents. (All kids have to be accompanied by an adult.) The event is catch-and-release, but there will be prizes offered. Bring your own fishing gear! (Bait will be provided.)
West Chicago's Blooming Fest will take place in downtown West Chicago. The fest will incude the West Chicago Garden Club’s plant sale, a craft show, children's activities, music, and food, as well as special promotions, in-store specials and sidewalk sales put out by area stores and restaurants. It will take place from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Aurora's Community-Wide Garage Sale will take place from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. (corner of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue) in Aurora. It promises to be as large as forty garage sales all in one place!
Donuts With Dad at the Winfield Library, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. For kids eight and under, come hang out with your dad (or another parental figure), eat some donuts, and look at the library's newest picture books!
The Burr Ridge Spring Crafte Fest will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive in Burr Ridge. There will be a multitude of crafts on sale, as well as craft activities for children, and homemade ice cream!
The Roselle Spring Family Fun Fest will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Turner Park, 81 E. Devon in Roselle. The event includes a fishing derby, bicycle safety inspection, inflatable fun, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, a visit from Sonic The Hedgehog, and a kite flying show by Chicago Kite.
Willowbrook Nature Center's International Migratory Bird Day Celebration! There will be a Kid's Activity Station open from 10:oo am to 2:00 pm. A special bird walk for kids and parents will take place at 10:30 am, as well. It is free, but you'll have to make reservations by calling (630) 942 – 6200.
Family storytime, craft and activity at the Bartlett Library at 11:00 am. No registration required... anyone can attend!
Kid's Day in Lilacia Park in Lombard (behind the Lombard Library) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Includes children's activities, and family entertainment.
SUNDAY
The Burr Ridge Spring Crafte Fest will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive in Burr Ridge. There will be a multitude of crafts on sale, as well as craft activities for children, and homemade ice cream!
Flying 4 Kids, a kite-flying event, will take place starting at 11:00 pm at Ty Warner Park, which is on the corner of Plaza Driveand Blackhawk Drive in Westmont. The Illinois Kite Enthusiasts will be there doing demonstrations. Kids can bring their own kites to fly, or make kites there. And for extra fun, at 3:00 candy will fall from the kites, an children will be allowed to gather it up!
The Naperville Duck Races will take place at 1:00 pm, as rescheduled from last weekend. Visitors can "sponsor" a plastic duck for $5.00. Plastic ducks will then race down the river! The sponsors of the first, second and third place winners will receive cash prizes, and other prizes will also be awarded. The event takes place on the Riverwalk near Rotary Hill,
Elmhurst's Museum Day takes place from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The four museums in Elmhurst will offer free admission and family activities. Trolley rides will be available to transport visitors from one museum to another. Check out the website for descriptions of the different activities that will be taking place!
Lilac Parade in Lombard, at 1:30 pm. The parade runs along Main Street in downtown Lombard.
Have a great week, everyone!
Anyway, every weekend I post a list of free and cheap events happening for kids in DuPage for the upcoming week. As the weather gets warmer, look for lots of local festivals and other outdoor events!! Be sure to check in here when planning the week ahead!
NOTICE: A free chalk-art event will take place on May 22 outside the Gregg House Museum in Westmont. Participants will be able to turn the sidewalk into a work of art! The event is free, but if you'd like to participate, you'll have to register by May 15. Call Alice Krampits of the Westmont Park District, (630) 969-8080, to register.
MONDAY
Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm. $5.00 per child.
TUESDAY
Storytime in the park, at Library Plaza (which I believe is on the deck behind the Lombard library) in Lombard, 10:00 am.
Story Time at Pottery Barn Kids in Oakbrook Mall, 11:00 am. Kids who attend five times get a special gift! Kids can also play in the store before and after the story time!
WEDNESDAY
Story time at Bloomingdale Barnes and Noble, 10:00 am.
Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 10:15 am to 11:30 am. $5.00 per child.
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in Batavia, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. $5.00 per child.
Story time at Oakbrook Terrace Barnes and Noble at 11:00 am.
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. $5.00 per child
Kids Club at Willowbrook Whole Foods, 4:00 pm. Kids will enjoy a healthy snack and then help plant a butterfly garden! Register at the front desk.
THURSDAY
Holistic Moms Story Time and Coffee Talk at the Naperville Whole Foods, at 9:30 am. Stories and songs will be from 9:30 to 10, with extra time afterwards for parents to converse.
Story time at Land Of Nod in Oakbrook Mall, at 11:oo am.
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. $5.00 per child.
FRIDAY
Celebrate Downtown Westmont begins! This is a special event that allows people to get to know businesses in the downtown area. You can pick up a treasure map in any of the stores, and go to each participating store getting it stamped. in order to enter a raffle. Participating stores will also have special sales and events going on to make it worth your while!
"The Dog Who Forgot" puppet show at the Winfield Library at 10:00 am. No registration required, and anyone can attend!
Join Holly Nagel for some unique, interactive storytime fun at the Bartlett Library at 10:00 am. No registration required... anyone can attend!
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 10:00 am to 11:00 am. $5.00 per child
Open Gym And Moon Jump Friday at Gymnasti in Carol Stream, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. $5.00 per child.
Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm. $5.00 per child.
Story time at Bloomingdale Barnes and Noble, 7:00 pm.
SATURDAY
Celebrate Downtown Westmont continues! This is a special event that allows people to get to know businesses in the downtown area. You can pick up a treasure map in any of the stores, and go to each participating store getting it stamped. in order to enter a raffle. Participating stores will also have special sales and events going on to make it worth your while!
The Kid's Flea Market will take place at Hummer Park, 4833 Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Kids' toys, sports equipment, games and collectibles will be for sale. Bring your kids and let them spend their allowance!
The Bartlett Police Department will host the annual DARE Fishing Derby for kids, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. The event takes place at Beaver Pond, located on Stearns Road just east of IL Route 59. Admission is free for kids and parents. (All kids have to be accompanied by an adult.) The event is catch-and-release, but there will be prizes offered. Bring your own fishing gear! (Bait will be provided.)
West Chicago's Blooming Fest will take place in downtown West Chicago. The fest will incude the West Chicago Garden Club’s plant sale, a craft show, children's activities, music, and food, as well as special promotions, in-store specials and sidewalk sales put out by area stores and restaurants. It will take place from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Aurora's Community-Wide Garage Sale will take place from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. (corner of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue) in Aurora. It promises to be as large as forty garage sales all in one place!
Donuts With Dad at the Winfield Library, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. For kids eight and under, come hang out with your dad (or another parental figure), eat some donuts, and look at the library's newest picture books!
The Burr Ridge Spring Crafte Fest will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive in Burr Ridge. There will be a multitude of crafts on sale, as well as craft activities for children, and homemade ice cream!
The Roselle Spring Family Fun Fest will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Turner Park, 81 E. Devon in Roselle. The event includes a fishing derby, bicycle safety inspection, inflatable fun, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, a visit from Sonic The Hedgehog, and a kite flying show by Chicago Kite.
Willowbrook Nature Center's International Migratory Bird Day Celebration! There will be a Kid's Activity Station open from 10:oo am to 2:00 pm. A special bird walk for kids and parents will take place at 10:30 am, as well. It is free, but you'll have to make reservations by calling (630) 942 – 6200.
Family storytime, craft and activity at the Bartlett Library at 11:00 am. No registration required... anyone can attend!
Kid's Day in Lilacia Park in Lombard (behind the Lombard Library) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Includes children's activities, and family entertainment.
SUNDAY
The Burr Ridge Spring Crafte Fest will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive in Burr Ridge. There will be a multitude of crafts on sale, as well as craft activities for children, and homemade ice cream!
Flying 4 Kids, a kite-flying event, will take place starting at 11:00 pm at Ty Warner Park, which is on the corner of Plaza Driveand Blackhawk Drive in Westmont. The Illinois Kite Enthusiasts will be there doing demonstrations. Kids can bring their own kites to fly, or make kites there. And for extra fun, at 3:00 candy will fall from the kites, an children will be allowed to gather it up!
The Naperville Duck Races will take place at 1:00 pm, as rescheduled from last weekend. Visitors can "sponsor" a plastic duck for $5.00. Plastic ducks will then race down the river! The sponsors of the first, second and third place winners will receive cash prizes, and other prizes will also be awarded. The event takes place on the Riverwalk near Rotary Hill,
Elmhurst's Museum Day takes place from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The four museums in Elmhurst will offer free admission and family activities. Trolley rides will be available to transport visitors from one museum to another. Check out the website for descriptions of the different activities that will be taking place!
Lilac Parade in Lombard, at 1:30 pm. The parade runs along Main Street in downtown Lombard.
Have a great week, everyone!
Sticky Post: Let Me Introduce Myself!
Hi! I realized I probably jumped into this blog without making a proper introduction!
My name is Nicki. I live in Lombard, in a house chock full of three adults, usually at least four kids, two dogs, and lots of chaos! I have worked with kids all my life... as a day care aide, an aide in a therapeutic preschool for kids with behavior disorders, a 1:1 aide for a boy with autism. a substitute aide in a special education school district, a respite worker for kids with special needs, an afterschool art teacher, and as an exhibit guide in a children's museum. All of these jobs pay about eight bucks an hour, which is why I am now livign with my family while studying to be a special education teacher. For the time being, my "job" involves caring for the younger children in my house, and doing occasional babysitting in the community.
I also love to write, and right now, blogging is my favorite hobby! I've worked hard at making myself a virtual mansion on the internet, with all of my various blogs and websites sprawled all over. I have one blog that is about life with the children, called Slow Down, Gym Shoe! (That one was formerly located here, but I could no longer afford the Typepad subscription!) Another blog, All Day Her Dreams, is more about my life as an adult with ADHD and Aspergers. Crazy Eyes is where I have been attempting to write my memoir. I also have a website, called Nicki Babysits, which is about my tiny babysitting side business.
One of the best things about me is that i hate staying at home and watching TV, at least during the time when I 'm with the kids! I am always searching for places to go and things to do. I have been called a connoisseur of kid places!
So I decided to start yet another blog, where I could review all of the local DuPage places that we go to, and share the information that I am so good at digging up about kids' events! I also thought it would be a great chance to meet bloggers around DuPage. On my other blogs, I talk to people from all around the country, so I wanted to be specific to DuPage on this one!
I went on Google Blogs and did searches on some of my favorite local places, like the DuPage Children's Museum and Cosley Zoo, to see who had written about these places. I commented on as many blogs as i could. Anyone who has been blogging for a while knows that a big part of blogging involves commenting on other people's blogs! For instance, when starting my ADHD blog, I commented on lots of blogs by adults with ADHD and parents of kids with ADHD!
Anyway, I made a lot of comments on different blogs, but this time something strange happened! A few people did respond to my comments. But most people did not. And a couple people actually deleted my comments from their blogs, moved their blogs to undisclosed locations, or engaged a feature allowing only invited people to view their blogs. I have to say, I feel a little sheepish and embarassed, like I got caught peeping into people's windows!
So, for those of you who have come to my blog because I commented on yours, I just want to say hello and introduce myself. Thanks for visiting my blog! You are welcome to check out any of my other blogs and sites! I hope to hear from you soon!
Thats all for now. Blog on.
My name is Nicki. I live in Lombard, in a house chock full of three adults, usually at least four kids, two dogs, and lots of chaos! I have worked with kids all my life... as a day care aide, an aide in a therapeutic preschool for kids with behavior disorders, a 1:1 aide for a boy with autism. a substitute aide in a special education school district, a respite worker for kids with special needs, an afterschool art teacher, and as an exhibit guide in a children's museum. All of these jobs pay about eight bucks an hour, which is why I am now livign with my family while studying to be a special education teacher. For the time being, my "job" involves caring for the younger children in my house, and doing occasional babysitting in the community.
I also love to write, and right now, blogging is my favorite hobby! I've worked hard at making myself a virtual mansion on the internet, with all of my various blogs and websites sprawled all over. I have one blog that is about life with the children, called Slow Down, Gym Shoe! (That one was formerly located here, but I could no longer afford the Typepad subscription!) Another blog, All Day Her Dreams, is more about my life as an adult with ADHD and Aspergers. Crazy Eyes is where I have been attempting to write my memoir. I also have a website, called Nicki Babysits, which is about my tiny babysitting side business.
One of the best things about me is that i hate staying at home and watching TV, at least during the time when I 'm with the kids! I am always searching for places to go and things to do. I have been called a connoisseur of kid places!
So I decided to start yet another blog, where I could review all of the local DuPage places that we go to, and share the information that I am so good at digging up about kids' events! I also thought it would be a great chance to meet bloggers around DuPage. On my other blogs, I talk to people from all around the country, so I wanted to be specific to DuPage on this one!
I went on Google Blogs and did searches on some of my favorite local places, like the DuPage Children's Museum and Cosley Zoo, to see who had written about these places. I commented on as many blogs as i could. Anyone who has been blogging for a while knows that a big part of blogging involves commenting on other people's blogs! For instance, when starting my ADHD blog, I commented on lots of blogs by adults with ADHD and parents of kids with ADHD!
Anyway, I made a lot of comments on different blogs, but this time something strange happened! A few people did respond to my comments. But most people did not. And a couple people actually deleted my comments from their blogs, moved their blogs to undisclosed locations, or engaged a feature allowing only invited people to view their blogs. I have to say, I feel a little sheepish and embarassed, like I got caught peeping into people's windows!
So, for those of you who have come to my blog because I commented on yours, I just want to say hello and introduce myself. Thanks for visiting my blog! You are welcome to check out any of my other blogs and sites! I hope to hear from you soon!
Thats all for now. Blog on.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monkey Joe's In Wheaton
Place: Monkey Joe's
Location: 286 E Geneva Rd, Wheaton. (On Geneva and Schmale, in the plaza with Jewel and Office Depot.)
Type of Place: Indoor inflatable playground
Secret: If you have toddlers or preschoolers, go during the day while most older kids are in school. That way your little guys won't be overwhelmed by all the rowdy big kids! Also, there is an area in front that is meant for toddlers, with some simple toys to play with. This is also a great area if you have a kid with sensory needs who needs a break once in a while!
Appropriate ages: Any kids who can walk, up to age 12. (They prohibit adults and other kids from bouncing on the inflatables.)
Cost: $8.00 per child on Monday through Thursday. $10.00 per child on Fridays and weekends. Adults are always free, infants who won't be playing are free, and kids two and under are just $5.00.
Today Pufferfish and I tried out Monkey Joe's in Wheaton. What is Monkey Joe's, you ask? Well, you know those inflatable jumpy things that are sometimes at carnivals and birthday parties? Imagine a huge room filled with the biggest jumpy things you've ever seen. That's Monkey Joe's!
Monkey Joe's is different from places like Jump Zone and Pump It Up, because those places have some walk-in hours but focus mostly on birthday parties. Monkey Joe's does host birthday parties, but walk-ins are welcome at any time that they're open. The cost is about the same as the other places, but your money is stretched further because you're allowed to stay as long as you want. You even get a wristband at the door, so you can leave for a while and come back later.
As you can see, Pufferfish loved this place. She was climbing and jumping around like, well, a monkey!
Pufferfish is at a good age, because she is limber and spunky enough to play on all of the giant inflatables, but she is little enough to still have some fun in the smaller ones. Here she is playing in the smaller bouncy house. She was pretending that the blown up animals were her pets!
One thing I liked about Monkey Joe's was that it was very well-lit and cheerful. We once visited a similar place for a birthday party, and it was very dark inside, like being in a warehouse. Monkey Joe's is lit up and painted with bright colors, which somehow made me feel more at ease about being there.
One thing I didn't like was that signs are posted everywhere saying that adults are prohibited from jumping or bouncing on the inflatables. Adults are allowed to go on the inflatables to "assist" children under four years old, but are not supposed to bounce. I know this is to keep teenagers and certain hyperactive adults from bouncing around like crazy people and putting everyone in danger. But it definitely makes this a place where parents are supposed to observe their children and not participate with them. Since Pufferfish was under four, I did "assist" her by going up the ladders on some of the inflatables, and sliding down with her. I had a lot more fun with Pufferfish that way than I would have by just standing around and watching her. However, I felt like a delinquent every time I climbed onto an inflatable with her! It would be nice if they had certain hours, like mornings while most older kids and teens are in school and not many birthday parties are happening, where parents are encouraged to have fun and play with their children on the inflatables.
For parents whose kids are old enough to sort of run around by themselves without being in their parents' direct line of sight at all times, there is a nice lounge with big, comfy chairs to relax in. The chairs are free to sit in... but if you put in a dollar, they will massage your back for you while you're there! Free wifi is also offered, and there is even a couple of computers available for people who didn't bring their own.
There is also a toddler area near the parents' lounge area. Pufferfish is really too old for it, but she still enjoyed taking a break in there when she started to get tired. I think that area might be a great winding down place for any kids who need a break from the noise and excitement.
Snacks are also available at Monkey Joe's, and the prices are pretty reasonable. They have soda, Icees, hot pretzels, ice cream, pizza and hot dogs. (I wouldn't recommend the hot dogs, though.)
When it was time to go pick up the big kids from school, Pufferfish really didn't want to leave! She definitely had a blast. I have already promised her that we'll be going back very soon. If you have kids, its a safe bet that they'll love this place, too!
By the way, need a babysitter? Because I do that, too!
Location: 286 E Geneva Rd, Wheaton. (On Geneva and Schmale, in the plaza with Jewel and Office Depot.)
Type of Place: Indoor inflatable playground
Secret: If you have toddlers or preschoolers, go during the day while most older kids are in school. That way your little guys won't be overwhelmed by all the rowdy big kids! Also, there is an area in front that is meant for toddlers, with some simple toys to play with. This is also a great area if you have a kid with sensory needs who needs a break once in a while!
Appropriate ages: Any kids who can walk, up to age 12. (They prohibit adults and other kids from bouncing on the inflatables.)
Cost: $8.00 per child on Monday through Thursday. $10.00 per child on Fridays and weekends. Adults are always free, infants who won't be playing are free, and kids two and under are just $5.00.
Today Pufferfish and I tried out Monkey Joe's in Wheaton. What is Monkey Joe's, you ask? Well, you know those inflatable jumpy things that are sometimes at carnivals and birthday parties? Imagine a huge room filled with the biggest jumpy things you've ever seen. That's Monkey Joe's!
Monkey Joe's is different from places like Jump Zone and Pump It Up, because those places have some walk-in hours but focus mostly on birthday parties. Monkey Joe's does host birthday parties, but walk-ins are welcome at any time that they're open. The cost is about the same as the other places, but your money is stretched further because you're allowed to stay as long as you want. You even get a wristband at the door, so you can leave for a while and come back later.
As you can see, Pufferfish loved this place. She was climbing and jumping around like, well, a monkey!
One thing I liked about Monkey Joe's was that it was very well-lit and cheerful. We once visited a similar place for a birthday party, and it was very dark inside, like being in a warehouse. Monkey Joe's is lit up and painted with bright colors, which somehow made me feel more at ease about being there.
One thing I didn't like was that signs are posted everywhere saying that adults are prohibited from jumping or bouncing on the inflatables. Adults are allowed to go on the inflatables to "assist" children under four years old, but are not supposed to bounce. I know this is to keep teenagers and certain hyperactive adults from bouncing around like crazy people and putting everyone in danger. But it definitely makes this a place where parents are supposed to observe their children and not participate with them. Since Pufferfish was under four, I did "assist" her by going up the ladders on some of the inflatables, and sliding down with her. I had a lot more fun with Pufferfish that way than I would have by just standing around and watching her. However, I felt like a delinquent every time I climbed onto an inflatable with her! It would be nice if they had certain hours, like mornings while most older kids and teens are in school and not many birthday parties are happening, where parents are encouraged to have fun and play with their children on the inflatables.
For parents whose kids are old enough to sort of run around by themselves without being in their parents' direct line of sight at all times, there is a nice lounge with big, comfy chairs to relax in. The chairs are free to sit in... but if you put in a dollar, they will massage your back for you while you're there! Free wifi is also offered, and there is even a couple of computers available for people who didn't bring their own.
There is also a toddler area near the parents' lounge area. Pufferfish is really too old for it, but she still enjoyed taking a break in there when she started to get tired. I think that area might be a great winding down place for any kids who need a break from the noise and excitement.
Snacks are also available at Monkey Joe's, and the prices are pretty reasonable. They have soda, Icees, hot pretzels, ice cream, pizza and hot dogs. (I wouldn't recommend the hot dogs, though.)
When it was time to go pick up the big kids from school, Pufferfish really didn't want to leave! She definitely had a blast. I have already promised her that we'll be going back very soon. If you have kids, its a safe bet that they'll love this place, too!
By the way, need a babysitter? Because I do that, too!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Pictures From Touch-A-Truck
I don't know if any of you went to the Touch A Truck event in Glen Ellyn this past weekend, but if you did, you may have seen Little Bear, Pufferfish and I there! We had a great time sitting in all of the different trucks! If you missed this one, a similar event will be hosted by the York Park District (near Lombard) on May 22! (Let me know if you know of any other Touch A Truck events going on around DuPage!)
- Pufferfish looks tinier than usual sitting in a truck tire!
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="417" caption="Little Bear looks cool by this truck tire, doesn't she?"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="393" caption="Little Bear and Pufferfish drive the garbage truck!"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="430" caption="Oh no! They're being scooped up by a steam shovel!"]
[/caption]It was a great little event, the weather was gorgeous, and a wonderful time was had by all!
