Laundry detergent pods are a fairly new product in U.S. households. The pods may be convenient for adults, but children can be seriously injured or even die if they ingest or otherwise come into contact with the chemicals inside the pods. According to a study in the December 2014 issue of Pediatrics, “Pediatric Exposure to…
Read moreThis post comes just as Thanksgiving is arriving. This is one of my favorite holidays because it is completely centered around food and giving thanks (and I LOVE food!). The history of Thanksgiving started in 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians taught the Pilgrim colonists how to cultivate food. When the Pilgrim’s had a successful harvest…
Read moreWith all the news reports on Ebola, it can be hard to keep our imaginations from running wild. And while the dangerous disease is wrecking havoc in Western Africa, it is important that we in the Chicago area understand the reality that the likelihood of a vast outbreak of the viral infection here is very…
Read moreKids First Families, First I would like to thank you all for all of your kind words and well wishes regarding the new little addition to the Russo family. My son Anthony is almost 6 months old now, and my husband, Gianni, and I are truly enjoying being parents. Everyone has always told us to…
Read moreI recently checked something off of my bucket list…a trip to Hot Doug’s! For those of you who grew up in the Chicago area, you’ve surely heard of this iconic restaurant. The self-proclaimed “Sausage Superstore” offers a wide variety of unique hot dogs and sausages created by owner Doug Sohn. In May 2014, Doug announced…
Read moreAutumn has certainly come in with a bang! The change of seasons is one of the things I love about living in the Midwest. Autumn for me brings memories of apples and apple picking, a tradition my parents started with me and my brothers back in New York State. Eating our fill of McIntosh apples…
Read moreIt’s back-to-school time! This year is a milestone for my family because Louisa is going to preschool . She is so proud of herself, I love to see her shine! So I am alone with Georgia for 3 hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The first day of school when I dropped 3 of my…
Read moreA few months ago when my in-laws were visiting from California, they sat Tim (my husband) and I down and insisted that we consider going away on an extended weekend vacation. We had not been on a vacation alone since before Bella, my 8 year old, was born. While Tim and I fantasized from time…
Read moreThe weather is finally getting warm, and with that, starts one of my favorite summer activities: trips to the pool and lake. Being around water is one of the most relaxing things I can think of. But water can also be very dangerous: nearly 1000 children die each year by drowning. Many of these are…
Read moreAlthough our weather is still hit and miss, we have had quite a few really sunny and even hot days in the recent weeks. In addition to the good weather, SCHOOL IS OUT!!! What does that mean? It means that kids are going to be playing outside, going to the pool, going to summer camp…
Read moreThis spring I decided not to repeat the mistake of last year’s debacle. Last year I allowed each of my sons to play up to three sports apiece. Well, with four sons playing on average two sports apiece, we had close to eight different sports games each Sunday! Seeing that I work every other Sunday,…
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