Add Some Music To Your Life

Music should be part of everyone's life and music lessons should be an important part of every child's life.  Studies show that learning to play an instrument  can boost a child's memory and brain power.  Taking lessons teaches kids patience, and practicing teaches them discipline.  No matter how you look at it, music is great.  Finding a good, qualified instructor, on the other hand, can prove to be a challange.  TakeLessons.com does just that, they connect students with private music teachers and instructors through out the country.  They have been around since 2006 and have worked with over 30,000 students all over the U.S.  Every instructor has to go through an interview process complete with criminal backgroud check and training.  TakeLessons.com takes care of all the details like scheduling and billing so that all you have to do is enjoy learning.

Lessons are available in home, in studio and online via Skype.  This is perfect for busy families who want to cut down on driving around.  There are over 30 different lesson types offered such as guitar, singing, piano, drums, dance and even acting and academic tutoring.  They offer 100% money back guaratee.  Scheduling is flexible and there are no long term contracts.  Lessons are available for all ages young and old and for any level of experience.

Right now you can take advantage of their spring sale.  TakeLessons.com is offering a 20% discount off all lesson packages Friday March 29th through Monday April 1st just use the promo code "SPRINGMUSIC". You can schedule online or call 855-334-1831 to find out more about pricing and options.

To schedule online, click HERE

**This post is sponsored by TakeLessons.com, all opinions are my own

What to Eat When There's No Time to Cook? #FrozenFacts #Spon

Its a bit ironic that this blog is called Diary of a Stay at Home Mom when in all reality I am hardly ever home.  In fact, when I am home I am usually running around like mad trying to catch up on my chores or my homework or the kids homework.  I try to cook as much as I can but there are times when we just don't have the time, and going out to eat all the time is not an option.  I have to keep a few things in my freezer just in case.  Those of you who think that all frozen meals taste like cardboard have not tried Healthy Choice Honey Balsamic Chicken.

What I love about Healthy Choice meals is that they are not heavily processed, but made with simple fresh ingredients.  A lot of their meals are chef created and use ingredients like apples instead of sugar for tart sweetness and red wine for flavor instead of added salt.

If you are a regular reader you probably know that we have been doing really well on our healthy eating, well three out of the four of us since the five year old is not quite on board.  These meals have built in portion control and there are over 80 meals with less than 400 calories.  The calorie count is right on the box so there is no guessing.   I also love that they are so easy to make, my 9 year old can read the directions and prepare one for herself.

ConAgra Foods frozen meals give families access to real ingredients like crunchy, freshly cut vegetables, homemade pasta and ripe fruit year-round. Just like most people blanch veggies before freezing them – ConAgra Foods does too – to help preserve color, texture and keep them fresh!

Give it a try sometime! Marie Callender’s hearty pot pies are filled with tender meat, freshly cut vegetables and Marie’s authentic golden, flaky crust. And Healthy Choice recipes use chef-inspired ingredients like, apples instead of sugar for tart sweetness and a splash of red wine for a punch of flavor instead of added salt.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ConAgra Foods.

Hot Wheels Free Event in Tinley Park

Hot Wheels is organizing a free event for kids in Illinois next weekend.

It will be a great event for families to attend.  They will have larger-than-life Hot Wheels toys, kids can race their favorite cars on the 20 foot long Downhill 5 Lane Track and they will have the life size 2013 Hot Wheels Camaro on site.  Click here for more info.

Red Tricycle is Giving Away Amazing Prizes #Chicago

Red Tricycle, an online city guide for busy parents, just launched their Chicago edition and they are celebrating it with 27 Awesome local prizes.  Red Tricycle's scoured the city for the coolest kid-loving shops and come up with this list of Chicago’s best kept secrets and not-so-secrets in a super-fun giveaway just for you. From photo shoots to shopping sprees to fitness and yoga classes, each prize pack offers a little something for every mom (or dad) on the town. Check it out here http://woobox.com/b9937n?web=1 

Complete list of the prizes: 

1. 4 Annual Passes for LEGOLAND Discovery Center
2. Pinstripes Bocce and Brunch for 8
3. Ice Cream Shop Party Rental at Little Beans Cafe
4. Purple Monkey Playroom 1 Month Membership
5. $250 Belly Dance Maternity Gift Card
6. $200 Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony Gift Certificate
7. $200 Le Papier Studio Gift Certificate
8. Preggers Expectant Mother’s Basket
9. 10-block Class Membership & Equipment from Stroller Strides Chicago
10. Pikkolo Carrier & Support Belt from Cat Bird Baby
11. $250 Kie & Kate couture Gift Card
12. Kid & Adult Yoga Basket from Tula Yoga Studio
13. InnoBaby Ultimate Baby Shower Gift Basket
14. 6 Fitness Classes at Sprout Fitness
15. Artist Easel from Building Blocks
16. $250 Child Essence Photography Gift Certificate.
17. $100 Urba Baby Gift Card + $150 Valued Gift Package
18. Free Birthday Party Certificate from Family Fun Zone
19. $200 Itzy Ritzy Gift Certificate
20. One Year Membership to DuPage Children’s Museum
21. $150 Abe’s Market Gift Certificate
22. Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Chicago Children’s Theatre’s “The Elephant & The Whale” 
23. $500 Custom Designed Children’s Party from A Perfect Event
24. Psycho Baby Boppin’ 2 the Beatz Prize Package
25. Goodbyn Prize Pack 
26. $150 Spuds Prize Pack
27. BabbaCo Annual Membership

Tales From the Coop #BackYardChickens

I swear there is never a dull moment at my house.  Last week we brought home ten more baby chicks and two more baby ducks, yes I'm a sucker.  Then my husband, who understands how insane I am, brought me five little bantam babies.  I have the bantams separate from the standards for now because they are so tiny I was afraid they would get hurt.  

Here is a little size comparison, sorry about the poor photo quality, I am still only able to use my phone because I've been too lazy to go buy a new charger for my camera battery.

Blue Swede Ducklings, which will probably be black and not the blue I had hoped 

So the past week or so we lost two of our girls (hens) to something that got into the chicken coop.  I suspected that it was a raccoon.  I have been going out early to close them up, before it gets dark, but today I just didn't get out there in time.  I walked in to see a giant (I mean huge) raccoon holding one of my ducks by the neck.  He was not even scared of me when I walked in.  He dragged the duck, which I thought was dead, out the little chicken door.  I knew he would not be able to carry it over the fence, plus the other two chickens he ate right there in the pen, so I ran in to tell my husband to grab his gun.  By the time we got out there the coon was gone.  The duck was actually still alive, he does have a bite mark on his neck but he's moving around just fine.  I'm not sure how well he will do with the other birds and if they will end up picking on him so I guess only morning will tell.  Either the duck was too big for the raccoon or he did actually get spooked.  My husband fired his gun anyway just to scare him if he was close by.  Normally I would bring the injured bird inside but I honestly have no where to put him right now and he seemed to be doing ok.  I would really hate to go in there in the morning to find him not alive but there is little I can do right now.  I guess tomorrow my husband is going to buy a live trap so we can get this greedy raccoon.  I wish I had gotten a picture of him, he was a big boy.

This awesome picture was taken by my mother (she's an amazing photographer). This was my Polish Crested Roo who I no longer have

Medieval Times Winner Announced

As promised I have a winner for the Medieval Times Giveaway!

The winner is number 42  bmarianmarcellus

Winner has been notified by email!

Build Your Own Adventure at Legoland Discovery Center Chicago

If you have a kid that loves to build with Lego bricks, or maybe you yourself could spend hours buiding, you have to check out Legoland Discovery Center in Chicago.  The Legoland Discovery Center is located on the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, and features a 4D cinema, lessons and building secrets from Master Model Builders, and an all new Star Wars mini land.  This is the unltimate place for Lego fans.

Rides & Attractions

Lego Star Wars Miniland Model Display

Lego Factory

4D Cinema

Kingdom Quest Laser Ride

Miniland

Lego Racers: Build and Test

Technicycle Ride

Jungle Expedition

Lego City Construction Site

Master Builder Academy

Duplo Village

Earthquake Tables

Lego Friends 

Cafe

Legoland Discovery Center Shop

Birthday Rooms

If you are looking for a great place to take your kids this spring break you have to head to Legoland Discovery Center, but plan to stay a while because they will not want to leave.

Legoland Discovery Center Chicago is located at:

Streets of Woodfield
601 N. Martingale Road 
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Giveaway
I am giving away a family 4 pack of tickets (2 children and 2 adults) to one lucky reader.  All you have to do to enter is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions

Family ticket includes up to two adults and two children.  Ticket is valid for US residents till the end of 2013

If widget does not appear, click on rafflecopter link to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who Wants to Go to Medieval Times? #Chicago #Giveaway

Sometimes a big trip just is not in the cards for spring break, but that does not mean you can't have some fun locally.  If you are looking for something that will feed and entertain you as well as let your kids be loud and eat with their hands, Medieval Times would love for you to be their guest!

Who would not love to spend their afternoon in a castle with a king and princess, with brave knights and a royal feast?  That is exactly what you will encounter when you enjoy a dinner and tournament at Medieval Times in Schaumburg.

"Surrender to an age of bravery and honor and witness epic battles of steel and steed during our ALL-NEW SHOW. From ringside seats, discover a feast of the eyes and appetite with more action, more fun & more excitement than ever before.

As you thrill to a rousing live jousting tournament, marvel at awe-inspiring horsemanship and falconry, Medieval Times serves a four-course meal fit for royalty."

The show really does keep you on the edge of your seat and there is never a dull moment as you cheer on your knight.  The food is also outstanding and the portion sizes are huge.  This is the kind of dinner and tournament that both young and old will enjoy, and would be a great way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.  We took our Girl Scout troop there on scout night and the girls had a blast!  When you get to the castle you will be seated in a color section that corresponds to the knight you will be cheering for, its so much fun hearing all the cheering and booing during the tournament!

I am so excited to be giving away a family 4 pack of tickets to Medieval Times!  Please note that this is for the Schaumburg (Chicago) castle only so if you are not local please let others have a chance to win.  All you need to do to enter is leave me a comment below and make sure you include your email address so I have a way to contact you if you win.  This will be a short giveaway ending Thursday (3/21) at midnight with a winner chosen on Friday.  Good Luck!

10th Annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Hosts 10th Annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest

Middle school students, grades 5-8, in the Chicagoland area are invited to participate in the 10^th annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Essays must be 300 words or less. The contest deadline is March 21, 2013.

 This year’s essay topic is:

What is the difference between an investment and an expense? What would be a good investment in your community and why? Include who would benefit from your investment.

The winner will be announced on April 17 and receive a $5,000 scholarship from BMO Harris Bank. The two runner-ups will receive $2,500 scholarships from Country Financial. Three others rounding out the top six will receive laptops from Woodforest National Bank. The first 20 teachers with two student entries will receive a $25 gift card courtesy of BMO Harris Bank.

The six finalists are invited to attend the April 17 Money Smart Week^® Kick-Off breakfast where the winning student will be announced and invited to read his or her essay. 

The essay contest is part of the activities taking place during the annual Money Smart Week^® April 20-27, featuring free, educational financial literacy programs across the Chicago area at libraries and other community venues. Topics range from budgeting and estate planning, to saving for college and retirement.

“The Money Smart Kid Essay Contest is one of our most popular programs,” said Alejo Torres, senior outreach program manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. “It’s a great opportunity for us and our partnering organizations to engage kids in better understanding money management. We can plant a seed that will hopefully grow into knowledge that helps them make smarter financial decisions when they go off to college and become adults.”

To learn more about Money Smart Week^® or the Money Smart Week Kid Contest, visit, www.moneysmartweek.org  

 About Money Smart Week 

Money Smart Week^® is a public awareness campaign to promote financial literacy across all age groups. Launched in 2002 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the program is now active in more than 35 states through national partnerships with the American Library Association and the Financial Planning Association. New 2013 national partners are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Cooperative Extension.  More than 3,000 free, financial literacy programs are offered during Money Smart Week^® on topics ranging from budgeting to saving for college and retirement.  Events are coordinated and hosted by partnering organizations including local banks, universities, government agencies, community groups and libraries.

The Best Fried Rice in the World #LoveEveryMinute

I needed a quick and delicious recipe a while back when I had some leftover rice and wanted a side to go with my dinner, and this pineapple fried rice is amazing.  I used leftover rice but if you don't have any sitting in your fridge, pick up a box of Minute Rice (white or brown, whatever you like better) and prepare some according to the directions on the box.  Everyone has a box (or should have a box) of Minute Rice in their pantry, it is a life saver when you need to make a quick meal that the whole family will love.  By the way, this rice goes great with pork chops!

Once you have your rice ready, set it aside and prepare the rest of the ingredients. I will apologize in advance, I never measure when I cook, I just add ingredients and taste test.

You will need:
Carrots (chopped), green peas (frozen not canned) pineapple chunks (drained) and chickpeas.  You will also need soy sauce for seasoning.

Add a little oil to a frying pan and add the pineapple and chopped carrots, sautee for a few minutes then add the rice.  Once you get that mixed together well, add the chickpeas and green peas and continue to sautee while stirring it all up.  The final step is to add some soy sauce, I never measure when I cook, so add a little at a time and taste test.

There are other things you can put in this recipe that are optional but would also be delicious, like some almond pieces for a bit of crunch or some onion to give it a little bit of a different flavor.

Turn this side into the main course by adding some cubed ham.  Nothing goes with pineapple quite like ham.

Minute® Rice is so quick and easy to prepare and is great pantry staple. When meal time seems like a hassle, Minute® Rice is a go-to ingredient your whole family will love and allows you to have more quality time doing what your want with your loved ones.  Leftover rotisserie chicken or veggies from a meal earlier in the week? Minute® Rice can easily be paired with some of your leftover ingredients to make a quick, easy and wholesome meal your whole family will love in just a matter of minutes.  Visit http://www.minuterice.com/ to create a great main meal or side dish for your next family get-together or potluck.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Rice.

Chicago Flower and Garden Show

I was super busy this weekend attending several events but my favorite was the very last one, the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier.  I am so ready for spring its not even funny but my yard is still a mix of dirty snow, puddles and MUD.  This show was the perfect way for me to get my flower fix until its time to plant my own.

Just check out these breathtaking roses, they were so pretty I could not take my eyes off of them.  These were by the Mariano's display, they were all for sale too.

One of my favorite fountains was this old piano and trumpets.  The quote on the piano said "there is music in water if you stop to listen."

Mariano's really stood out at the show, they even had one of their chefs demonstrate how to prepare a delicious salad.  The recipe was available to take home so now I will have to see if I can duplicate it.

This salad was great, it tasted like summer time.  I love the combination of salad, fruit and pine nuts.

How can you not instantly feel great walking through all of these flowers.  I wanted to buy all of them but I did not know how well they would do on my long train ride home.

Not only were Mariano's flowers beautiful, they were so inexpensive.  Roses were $1 each and these little potted daffodils were only $4.  The show is still going on through next weekend so if you are looking for something to do you should head on over.  There are demos, classes, shopping and so many flowers.

If you want to see all my photos from the show, check out my album HERE.

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Mariano’s #cbias #SocialFabric #mymarianos