In my other “other” life, I do a lot of Internet scanning for the latest and greatest in “Stuff” - everything from what’s all the rage in kitchen appliances to the next “It” toy for the office. As I was mining the Net yesterday, I stumbled across a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about Rainbow Play Systems and those monstrous swingsets that are rapidly taking over everyone’s backyards.

I don’t often vent, so bear with me. And this certainly isn’t an indictment of those who own them, because frankly, I’m probably more than a little jealous. If money and space were not factors, I would be all over that catalog like white on rice.

But, here goes: there is a world beyond your backyard. We are blessed to live in one of the most outdoor-activity-diverse regions of the country. From snow in the winter to surf in the summer, there is never NOT something to do. My initial reaction in reading this article was to the trend to purchase larger and larger sets. And I’m not sure whether that’s the parents just trying to one-up their neighbor, or kids begging for the best. Whatever the case, some people are actually spending more than $40,000 on these swing sets. This? Boggles the mind. What are we, as parents, going to do for these kids when they get older? Buy their first McMansion?

I know it takes a lot of effort – especially when there’s more than a single child involved – to get out and about. And for the most part, people aren’t spending $40,000 for a play system on a routine basis…yet. But my advice? Take advantage of the school playground, the park playground, the beach, the bike paths and the zoo. Then you’ll have some money to spend on the inevitable arrival of the ice cream man. Just avoid the “Wolverine” (from the X-Men) ice cream bar. Trust me, there is nothing tasty about that invention on a stick. Go with the bomb pop. It’ll remind you of those days when our parents let us scamper about all over the rusty metal contraptions we called swing sets - those things we used to try to tip when our swings got going high enough. Good times, good times.

Technorati Tags: Kids’ swing sets, Rainbow Play Systems, summer activities

The beginning of May brought with it anticipation and relief. Although spring weather and green lawns are very exciting, I’m talking about something even more rewarding. The end of my children’s activities…the wind-down if you will.

I remember thinking “one more week and religious ed is done.” The week after that, the ever time consuming carpool nightmare of dance recital week – finished. Although soccer season kicked in again, life was becoming more manageable. But then…. Tee ball and Field Hockey promptly took front and center and now take up several nights of the week and some Saturdays!

In addition to sports, it’s the time of year I refer to as May madness. This is the end of the school year, time to collect money for teachers gifts, study for trimester tests, attend final brownie meetings, attend spring sings at school and turn in the ever important parent input forms to give teachers information they don’t already know about your child. Phew. It’s enough to send any sensible, and even organized mom over the edge. Oh, and make sure summer camp is confirmed – I made that mistake last year!

All the activities and busy work is definitely important. Teachers more than deserve appreciation gifts. The spring sing is all my daughter talks about. And my son’s tee ball days guarantee long dinner conversations all summer long!

Due to their involvement and extreme (no exaggeration) excitement of all said events, I  try daily to embrace it all instead of dread it. It’s not always easy sitting through practice after practice, carpooling everyone everywhere or even sitting through four grades of singers even if you only have one child in the school. Sometimes, it is no fun. But I will say this: it is fleeting.

When my children were babies, older, more experienced moms always said things like “enjoy it now”, “just wait till she….” And my favorite:  “the days are long but the years are short.”  I believe most parents do enjoy and savor their children and their smallness. Naturally, every now and again, we get busy and forget about the shortness of the years.

I was at Einstein’s uptown yesterday with my 5 ½ year old when in came a new mom with a delightful 6 monthish old boy. He quietly sat in his car seat carrier while she put down her 20lb diaper bag, sat down, and began preparing a bottle for him. I remember my own babies’ days like they were yesterday and then turn to watch my son chomping away on a bagel, all by himself, eyes ready to take on the world. How did my baby get to be an independent little man, eating and beginning a life (all be it very attached to mine) all on his own.

As if he knew what I was thinking, he turned to me and said “Mooom, I’ll always be your baby, even when I’m 10.” Before I could even well up, he said “now what time is tee ball tonight – and are you coming to watch?”

“Of course,” I say.

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

The great thing about boys is that it is a rare male child that says anything about clothes. I can buy just about anything, short of Thomas the Tank Engine or Sesame Street-inspired wear, and my fourth and fifth grader boys will wear it.

The not-so-great part? It’s the rare male child that says anything about clothes. Boring. Totally unresponsive to the “Wanna go shopping?” question, when posed. Bringing them along to ensure you’re buying the right size of jeans exudes about the same level of excitedness as going to the dentist.

So thank goodness I’ve got at least one child who does like to shop. Chloe has always been a trooper. A mall veteran before she turned one. And up until now, Gap Kids pretty much ruled the closet. Now that she’s straddling the line between “little girl” and “girl,” she’s starting to exact some preferences when it comes to clothes. Just plain “cute” - like Gap Kids – doesn’t fly all the time (and don’t get me wrong, I still love that store). Now it’s that kindergarten/first grade sparkly thing she’s got going on.

Chloe, I give you Justice.

Just outside my back door on Tower Drive is one of the latest additions to Glen Town Center. I like it for several reasons. One, it’s pretty reasonably priced. It’s no Target rack, but you won’t pick up a pair of shorts and do the mental math wondering if you can afford the shirt to go with it. Two, it’s sparkle central. Now, too much can get tacky, but I would think most moms and dads could walk in here with their daughter and come out with an outfit everyone can agree on. Three, many of the skirts come with the built-in shorts - love ‘em!
I guess the best way to describe Justice style is to say it’s somewhere in between Gap Kids and Limited Too. Which makes sense, since it’s owned by the same corporation as Limited Too.

Check them out, then scoot on down to Ben and Jerry’s for ice cream!

Justice
Glen Town Center
(847)657-0208
1954 Tower Drive
Glenview, IL 60026

Technorati Tags: Justice, Justice Just For Girls, Glen Town Center, Glenview shopping, girls’ clothes