🌸 Tiptoeing into Spring

March was a cold (then hot!?) hectic blur — and somehow also really fun? 😅

Some highlights for us included Camp Chicago with Paw Patrol - my kids are not even big Paw Patrol fans and I couldn’t tear them away - so if you haven’t gone yet, its a great weekend morning activity and ends in May. I caught the last weekend of Orchid Show at the Botanic Garden and had a much needed mom/daughter day at Flamant nail boutique. We also managed a quick getaway to Palm Harbor Florida for a long weekend (my guide to my secret Florida spots coming soon!)

Spring break is right around the corner for us — we're heading to Seabrook Island with a quick Charleston stopover and I cannot wait. I've been deep in Julia Berolzheimer's and former Chicago gal Liz Adams Charleston guides and it's making me even more excited. In the meantime I'm doing a big spring clean and consigning (check out my Rhea's Closet spot below 👇) and fully surrendering to the spring fashion moment happening right now. Because everything in retail is fun again. Butter yellow, tulip prints, polka dots are back and I rounded up my favorites in this month's Top 8. Consider this your permission slip to add to cart. 🛒

April is peak tulip season and I rounded up where to spot them — in the city and beyond. 🌷 And while you're at it, don't sleep on the cherry blossoms in Jackson Park in Hyde Park — 200 pink and white trees right next to MSI, which makes it a perfect add-on to a museum day. Peak bloom is late April through early May and it goes fast — follow the Chicago Park District's cherry blossom tracker so you don't miss it. 🌸

If you're new here — welcome! Every month I round up the best things to do, see, eat, and buy in and around Chicago for families who like to do the weekend right. So glad you're here. 💌

 🎱 April Top 8

Spring fashion and fun finds

🧥 Fun Rain Coats: Polka dots are back and this Lisa Say Gah trench makes me want to book a flight to Paris just to wear it with the chic little head cover. ☔️ Also lingered over this Barbour with a pop of pink and this Boden mac with a hot pink detail.

🧈 Butter Yellow Everything Butter yellow is having a major moment and I am fully on board. I picked up this Alex Mill cardigan and love this breezy Quince dress — and this twist on the traditional yellow Hunter rain boot with the chunky heel is so good. Linking the matching kids pair too because DSW has a BOGO sale right now.

☂️ Duckhead x Meri Meri Umbrella Love this whimsical kid’s umbrella to replace our cheap ones that always break with this sturdier version the Meri Meri collab design is so cheerful and the quality is great.

⛳ Kids Golf Sets We are a Masters watching household and I love this wooden mini golf setup for backyard putt putt and this cute set of toddler clubs. Don’t forget a kid’s cheeky caddie hat for riding along in the cart and snacking -the best part of golf.

🀄 Tennis Mahjong Mat I turned 38 and my entire personality became mahjong and tennis — so this adorable spring-coded mahjong mat between local artist Paige Spearin and Tigre de Tartán is in my cart. (Save this one for a Mother's Day idea 👀)

🫧 Tubby Todd Spring Collection I've been buying Tubby Todd since my girls were babies and the new collab with Meri Meri is adorable. Perfect for an expecting friend or baby shower — and the packaging is so sweet.

🌷 The Tulip Edit: Love this tulip print on the J.Crew rollneck — a closet staple of mine — with a sweet tulip sweater for your mini me to match. This print is everywhere and I did a curated roundup if you want to go all in for tiptoeing through midwest tulips this spring.

🌴 Travel Photo Books One of my goals this year is to actually put our travel photos in albums instead of letting them live forever on my phone. This striped design from Papier caught my eye and I liked Pixory's colorful travel print covers.

🪩 Big Weekend Plans

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❄️ Family Day Trip to See Disney’s Frozen at First Stage!

Looking for a spring adventure just a short drive from Chicago? Head north to Milwaukee and experience Disney’s Frozen like you’ve never seen before! Running April 11 – May 17 at First Stage, this Broadway musical brings Elsa, Anna, and Olaf to life with beloved songs, breathtaking design, and unforgettable theater magic. A story of sisters, courage, and love, Disney’s Frozen is a must-see family event for all ages.

🎟️ Get tickets

Consider making a weekend away or overnight trip in Milwaukee — We love the Saint Kate Hotel for its cool artist vibes and family friendly atmosphere, and the Milwaukee Public Museum and children's museum are both fantastic. See my quick recap of a family-friendly weekend in Milwaukee.

🏙️ Around Town

🌷 Where to spot tulips this spring:

🌷 Mag Mile — 100,000+ Dutch tulips lining Michigan Ave. Free and effortless.

🌷 Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe — 77,000 tulips across multiple gardens. Peak bloom mid-April through May.

🌷 Morton Arboretum, Lisle — Tulips mixed with spring bulbs near the visitor center. Beautiful and very stroller friendly.

🌷 Cantigny Park, Wheaton — 29 acres of gardens with gorgeous tulip beds and their annual Tulip Sip and Stroll. Check Cantigny.org for 2026 dates. 🥂

🌷 Kuipers Family Farm, Maple Park — 8 acres, nearly 1 million blooms, u-pick bouquets, live music on weekends. Check their Bloom-o-Meter before you go for peak timing.

🚗 Roadtrip: Richardson Adventure Farm, Spring Grove — Over 1 million blooms, lawn games, fresh donuts, and a stunning 36-acre lake backdrop. About an hour from the city.

🚗 Roadtrip: Harvest Tyme Family Farm, Lowell, IN — 300,000 tulips just over the Indiana border. Open daily April 18–May 10, 10am–6pm. Check their Bloom-o-Meter before you go.

🧳 Make a Weekend of It: Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan — May 1–10. Five million tulips, Dutch dancing, parades, a Kinderparade for the littles. About 2.5 hours from Chicago — hotels in Holland fill up fast, but St. Joseph or New Buffalo make a great overnight on the way back and are much easier to book.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendar

April 5 🌿 Green City Market Opening Day — (eyeing this bag for market hauls)

Through May 10 🦎 Glow Wild @ Brookfield Zoo

Through May 10 🎨 Charley Harper Exhibit @ Chicago Children's Museum

All Month 🎭 Hamilton @ CIBC Theatre

April 9–12 🎨 EXPO Chicago @ Navy Pier

April 11 🎨 MCA Family Day

April 11 🌙 Goodnight Moon @ Chicago Children's Theatre

April 11 🐐 Hooves & Hugs + Goat Stroll @ Elawa Farm, Lake Forest

April 24–26 🛍️ One of a Kind Spring Show @ The Mart

April 24 – May 10 🌈 The Wizard of Oz @ Big Noise Theatre, Des Plaines

April 26 🌳 Morton Arboretum Open House @ The Salt Shed 

Local Business Spotlight

Sponsored Feature

🛍️ Rhea Lana's of Schaumburg — Spring & Summer Children's Consignment Event

You know that pile of outgrown kids clothes, baby gear, and toys taking up space in your basement? This is your moment to clean out and make extra cash. Or if you're expecting, or just ready to revamp your kids' wardrobes with quality name brand gear at 60–90% off retail — mark your calendar.

Rhea Lana's of Schaumburg is a children's consignment event happening April 26 – May 1 at 1600 McConnor Parkway in Schaumburg.

Want to consign? You prep, price, and bring your items, then earn 60% of your sales — and you can watch them sell in real time through the app.
Not into the extra work? The VIP option lets you drop everything off and still earn 30% without the tagging and hauling. Both options include early shopping access before the public.

✨ Claim your discount: Grab a presale ticket for April 24–25 for first dibs on the best stuff — name brand strollers, gear, clothes, and more, all priced by individual consignors which means deals are everywhere if you get there first.

🎟️Use code BIGWEEKEND for $5 off a platinum or gold ticket!

Sale dates: April 26–29, 10AM–8PM (April 26 closes at 6PM)
50% off days: April 30 & May 1

👗 Sign up to consign | 📖 Consignor guide | 🎟️ Presale tickets

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