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Queen of the Land of Twigs 'N Berries

Motherhood, Chicago Style

May 16, 2019

Best Parks in Chicagoland

May 16, 2019

Confession: For years I hated going to the park with my kids. Why? Because honestly…it was a bit boring. I mean, if you have seen one swing, you have seen them all…right? That’s what I thought until I finally convinced my kids to try a new park across town. And let me tell you…OUR MINDS […]

Posted by Amanda 2 Comments
Filed Under: Chicago, Chicagoland, Free Family Fun, Outdoor Fun Tagged: #bestparks, #city, #parks, #playground, #suburbs

Hi, my name is Amanda. Welcome to my boy filled and caffeine fueled, Chicago loving world.

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Me: “Honey, do you have the entire windmill in t Me: “Honey, do you have the entire windmill in the frame?” Him: “Totally.” Eleven years of marriage, ladies and gents. 🤣 Interested in learning more about the STUNNING Fabyan Preserve? Head to my stories or Highlights (Look for “Socially Distanced Adventures”) for more. Psst—it’s right up your alley @tutugenevieve... #instagramhusband #loveandmarriage #marriagelookslikethis #fabyanforestpreserve #fabyanwindmill #chicagomom #sharechicagoparent #sharetheeverymom #weekending #windmills #windmillsofinstagram #parkerthatch #sundayfunday #alwaysexploring #forestlovers #takeahike #chicagomom #chicagomomblogger
While we may not have explored many places in the While we may not have explored many places in the past year physically, we have gone on TONS of learning adventures thanks to the diverse books that adorn our bookshelves. Reading has been the perfect escape for us during the pandemic and has even inspired me to embark on a new business venture (more on that later) to help get great, diverse books into kids’ hands. But for now, to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth and highlight one of my favorite Black and family-owned businesses let’s do a giveaway to diversify your bookshelves! $50 Gift Card to my favorite place to shop for books—@kidochicago! 🥳📚💰 TO ENTER: 1. Follow me (@queenofthelandoftwigsnberries) 2. Follow @kidochicago 3. Follow @littlereadersbigthinkers 4. Like this post 5. BONUS—Comment with your family’s FAVORITE book that celebrates diversity (especially so I can expand my family’s library with books we haven’t discovered before). The contest closes & a winner will be announced next Wednesday on my Instagram stories. Winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize. This gift away is not endorsed, sponsored, or administered by or associated with Instagram. By participating, entrants confirm that they are over 18 years old and live in the United States. #smallbusinessgiveaway #diversebookshelfchallenge #diversifyyourbookshelves #supportblackownedbusinesses #chicagosmallbusiness #booklovers #forbooklovers #readtheworld #representationmatters #littlereadersbigthinkers #bookstagram #raisingreaders #chicagoreads #chicagomom #chicagomomblogger #momblogger
Signs are hard. 🤷‍♀️ We love you so much Signs are hard. 🤷‍♀️ We love you so much @carolromaniukcollins. There’s no one else we would visit in zero degree weather. Friends, I hope you spent the day doing something that makes your heart happy...and didn’t freeze your toes too much. #ourheartbelongstonana #welovenana #nanalove #stillsocialdistancing #loveyoumore #livewhatyoulove #nanasboys #nanasgirl #funnyvalentines #brrrrrr #chiberia #babyitscoldoutside #thisiscancer #breastcancersucks #chicagokids #chicagomom #chicagomomblogger #ourpandemicreality #thepandemicisntovercuzyoureoverit
Let’s make #FloralFriday a thing...especially wh Let’s make #FloralFriday a thing...especially when there is a Winter Weather Advisory in place. And while you are at it, make plans for brunch at @eatwakenbacon. Whether you prefer to dine in their GORGEOUS space (make your reservation in advance since it is the darling of Chicago Instagram accounts right now) or carry out, I guarantee you will SWOON over their delicious dishes and wonderful customer service. I recommend the Spiced Maple Chicken & Waffles while my hubby loved the Big Bird. Would you want to try the Purple Haze? Swipe to see what it’s all about! #chicagohome #chicagocuisine #chicagorestaurants #312food #eaterchicago #yelpchicago #choosechicago #thisischicago #howibrunch #chicagobrunchspots #RSlove #RSblooms #flowerinstallation #instablooms #flowergram #floraldecor #freshcutfriday #petitejoys #thatslovely #thatsdarling #brunchspots #sharechicagoparent #igerschicago #enjoyillinois #chicagomom #chicagomomblogger #howiweekend #supportlocal #supportsmallbusinesses
You know how you have been focusing on a goal for You know how you have been focusing on a goal for when life gets back to normal, like hugging your mom or dancing the night away to 90s music at a crowded bar (clearly you know where my head is at)? For my boys, it has been returning to the @shedd_aquarium. It is truly their happy place, from sleeping next to their favorite sea turtle to staring at the jellyfish for HOURS. So when I found out that the team at the Shedd implemented strict social distancing and safety measures in order to welcome marine-loving families like mine, it was a dream come true. Head to the blog (link in bio) to learn all about how our Covid-conscious family felt safe & comfortable at our favorite aquarium. Have questions about our experience? Leave them below and I will answer them as honestly as I can! 🐠⬇️😷 #sheddaquarium #mycoviddiaries #chicagohome #allinillinois #maskup #socialdistancing #museumcampus #sharechicagoparent #rockedtheweekend #chicagomom #igerschicago #mychicagolife #chicagomom #chicagomomblogger
When your brothers don’t get a snow day but you When your brothers don’t get a snow day but you do. Anyone else bummed that today wasn’t an unplug & head to the sled hill kind of day? I’ll be making up for it with a hot cocoa bar at home for my boys...but still. #RIPSnowDays #WinterWonderland #DogsOfInstagram #SnowDay
While I’m sad that my beloved Nana isn’t here While I’m sad that my beloved Nana isn’t here to see this, I’m elated that my boys are. Mural by the talented @cristinavanko. #BidenHarris #InagurationDay #MadamVicePresident #ImSpeaking
Let me tell you a story about a mom and her search Let me tell you a story about a mom and her search for markers.... First off, let me tell you that this isn’t any sort of “I Have A Dream” speech. Instead, it’s about how I have a confession. One of my sons decided to draw a picture of a friend for his upcoming birthday and became frustrated when none of the colors in our massive art area did a good enough job showcasing his friend’s skin tone. My nine-year-old realized that our art bin was lacking before I did and I am SO embarrassed and disappointed in myself. Our library might be stocked with diverse authors & characters, and I have quite a few Black-owned businesses on speed dial, but I never stopped to think about a frustrating challenge that millions of kids must face when opening up a simple box of art supplies. Why am I sharing this? To not only publicly call on myself to do better, but also to encourage others to take as many steps as possible, no matter how small and minute they might seem to you, to make the world a better place for everyone. We are all in this together, after all. And these markers are pretty darn amazing. #MLKDay #RepresentationMatters #MulticulturalMarkers #Crayola
“What we see very much depends on where we stand “What we see very much depends on where we stand.” —Gretchen Rubin, “Happier” Podcast Yesterday I asked for some podcasts suggestions and the first one I tried was from one of my favorite authors, @gretchenrubin. She shares straightforward, easily accessible life hacks and “Little Happier” moments that simply feel like sunshine. Standing in the freezing rain, getting mud on my Ugg’s to take this photo was one of my favorite moments of 2021 because it allowed me a long, quiet drive with a hot cup of coffee, jamming out to Taylor Swift the whole way there ALL 👏 BY 👏 MYSELF. Perspective Matters. What is YOUR favorite 2021 moment so far? I promise you, if you dig deep enough, you will find a great one. #findingjoy #lookonthebrightside #seekbeauty #findbeautyineveryday Mural by @brettwhitacreart
What a week. I still lack the words to describe What a week. I still lack the words to describe it, to be quite frank. And explaining it to my boys? That’s one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced as a parent. I have read so many incredibly helpful articles (tagging the accounts below) about how to have meaningful conversations about current events with kids, and I can sum just about all of them in one sentence: IT STARTS AT HOME. Our kids are watching. And even if they don’t pick up their toys or brush their teeth when we tell them to, they are listening. Always. You, dear mama (and the few dads who follow me), set the tone. I implore you to stand up tall for what you believe in, and be a beacon of light and hope in this dark, dark world. Our family proudly planted our THIRD @hatehasnohomehere sign in our front yard (shout out to the jerks who constantly steal our signs or deface our property as a result of our beliefs 🙄) this Spring and I implore you to do the same. And while you’re at it, grab a #BlackLivesMatter sign, too. For your kids, for my kids, and especially for the kids who are different from your own. Helpful accounts I have found for parenting in 2021–PLEASE TAG SOME OF YOUR FINDS BELOW! @theconsciouskid @drbeckyathome @laylafsaad @britthawthorne @socialjusticeparenting #HateHasNoHomeHere #PositiveParenting #RaisingTheFuture #HonestMotherhood #ChicagoMom
...including manicures, date nights that don’t r ...including manicures, date nights that don’t require cooking or cleaning ANYTHING, a return to school AND the office for the smelly dudes who have thrown off my work-from-home tranquility, dinner parties with my beloved girlfriends, sweating in the seats at Wrigley, the ocean waves on my toes, and hugging my mama SO HARD to make up for almost a year of lost time. What kind of JOY are you hoping for this year? Maybe if we make a list it will come true—so leave your 2021 “Good List” below! Sticker from one of my FAVORITE curators of joy—@gatheredboutiqueandworkshop. #findingjoy #newyearnewgoals #thinkgoodthoughts
CLOSED. It is solely because of hardworking, kind, CLOSED. It is solely because of hardworking, kind, and just plain AMAZING Essential Workers that we were able to celebrate the holidays while staying safe at home—living in pajamas and indulging in so many of our FAVORITE things like books, games, hot chocolate, and a football game or two. Christmas was definitely different but Santa was still able to pull off some amazing surprises and I was able to follow through on most of our delicious family traditions (with a twist or two) thanks to delivery drivers, postal carriers, restaurant workers, teachers, grocery store clerks and so many more. And because of them I received the PERFECT box for a silly photo shoot, too. 🙌📸 I’m so thankful that I’m turning my LAST Small Business Santa Giveaway into something just for ESSENTIAL WORKERS! 👮‍♀️👷👨‍🍳👩‍⚕️🧑‍🏫🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔬👩‍🚒👩‍✈️ That’s right—the winner of a $100 @charisma_clothing gift certificate—the perfect place to pamper yourself with stylish clothing, jewelry, and gifts—will be one of the amazing people keeping our community going during this crazy time. TAG all of the Essential Workers in your life so they have a chance to enter my BIGGEST end-of-the-year giveaway and follow the rules (honor code, please) to enter: TO ENTER: 1. Follow me (@queenofthelandoftwigsnberries) 2. Follow @charisma_clothing 3. Like and SAVE this post 4. Comment with your career (teacher, doctor, grocery clerk, etc.) 5. SHARE to Instagram stories (make sure you tag me in it) for FIVE extra entires! Winner will be announced NEW YEAR’S DAY on my Instagram stories. Winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize. This gift away is not endorsed, sponsored, or administered by or associated with Instagram. By participating, entrants confirm that they are over 18 years old and live in the United States. #smallbusinesssanta #givingseason #shopsmallsupportlocal #giftaway
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