Swim, Jump, Sun. Repeat.

This is what we've been up to for the past few weeks.
Hope you are having a much fun as we are.

Focuscope Wants Moms Like You

Moms are really smart, resourceful people. They have to be. When you are responsible for the day-to-day details for all of the little people in your life, you have to be on your game!

Moms are schedulers, shoppers, medics, coaches, teachers, cooks, maids and more. Moms know how to multitask, make ends meet and keep everybody in the family happy – and they do it every single day.

Focuscope Inc. , a local, family-owned market research company, knows how valuable moms and their opinions are. Focuscope Inc. is looking for Chicago-area moms to add to its database for future paid opportunities (that’s right – real, cash money in your pocket).

Members of the Focsuscope database are eligible to participate in various research projects, including focus groups, taste tests, product testing, and in-home studies. Focuscope, Inc has three locations: Oak Park, Chicago, and Oak Brook.

To become part of the database, all you need to do is complete an online form. Once you’ve completed the application process, you can expect to be contacted by Focuscope at some point in the future to determine if you are a good fit for specific projects. If you are chosen for a project, you will be compensated for your time (the compensation varies from project to project). If you aren’t chosen for a particular project, your name remains on the database and you will be contacted again for future opportunities.

Does this sound like something you might be interested in (after all, you too are a smart mama)? Simply fill out this form to apply to become part of the Focuscope database or you can click on the Focuscope badge on the right-hand sidebar to learn more about the company.

Disclosure: Focuscope is a new sponsor here on A Hen and Two (now Three) Chicks.

In Defense of Boredom

By now, I imagine that you and your little people are fully into the swing of summer. I know that we are (ice cream cones two nights in a row, kids up until 9:30 every night because it is so bright out, swimming every single day).

I can't believe that the 4th of July is nearly here. Sometimes summer seems to move so darn fast. With that in mind, I wanted to tell you about a story that I wrote in the June issue of Chicago Parent Magazine. It is called In Defense of Boredom: The Case for Underscheduling Your Kids This Summer.

I wrote this as mostly as a reminder to myself to take advantage of all of the opportunities that summer presents to take things a little bit slower. I hope you'll have a look.

Our Lil' Sluggers

Fun with Flubber!

There will be a day this summer when you think to yourself, "What the heck are we going to do today? I am totally out of ideas." And that should be the day that you make flubber.

This was one of our all-time favorite craft projects. It is a hit with both little and big kids. You too will find the whole process sort of fascinating. Bottom line: flubber is super cool.

Here are my instructions for making flubber from my June craft story in Chicago Parent Magazine in case you want to give it a try sometime.

Float Your Boat!

When I looked out my kitchen window at the puddles that remain in my backyard after yesterday's deluge, I remembered that I forgot to share my "make your own paper boat" craft with you from the May issue of Chicago Parent Magazine.

This is a super easy and straightforward craft. And all you need is some paper and tape so it's perfect for those "what the heck should we do now" moments.

Happy sailing!

What He Had to Say on His Fifth Birthday

Brendan didn't have a lot of interest in my birthday interview this year. And who can blame him. When you are ridiculously handsome and sweet, who's got time to sit around while your Mom asks you dumb questions? But I managed to get a few tidbits out of him any way.

Happy Birthday big man.

Favorites:

• Cereal- Cheerios

• Vegetable- Red peppers

• Drink- Milk

• Toy- LEGOS

• TV Show- Wild Kratts

• Game- Hi-Ho-Cheerio

• Book- The Jungle Book

• Dinner – Pizza and pesto

• Lunch – Buttered noodles

• Breakfast - pancakes

• Holiday- Christmas and Easter

• Animal – Tigers and lions and giraffes

• Color – red, blue, orange and yellow

• Things to do at school – "Make maps and books like the bird book and the mammal book."
  
  
• Sport – baseball, football, and hockey
  

What do you want for your birthday? "LEGOS! LEGOS! and tractors and trailers like my Grandma got me. Also some workers."

What do you love about each person in our family?

• Daddy – Because he is nice like when he takes us to Arizona.
  

• Mommy – Cuddling with you.
  

• Ellie - She lets me play with her. She helped my build my LEGO police helicopter.
  

• Colin – He lets my ride his bug.
  

Where would you like to go on vacation this year? Pittsburgh.

What are some of your wishes for this year? "Maybe I will lose a tooth. I think I am going to like kindergarten because I am going to get to do homework."

What makes you happy? "Ellie because when I hurt myself she gives me her stuffed animal to sleep with."

What makes you sad? "Nothing."

How old is your Mom? "15" (thanks, buddy)

How tall is your Mom? Showing with hands "This tall."

What is her favorite thing to do? "Spending your time with me."

What does Dad do for a job? "Work."

What is Dad’s favorite food? "Pizza."

What does our family like to do together? "Play baseball."

What going to be when you grow up? "A guy who is silly and laughs like a clown."

Who are you going to marry? "I don't know. I am going to live by myself with two Huskie dogs."

What was the best part of your bowling party today? "Opening my presents."