It is a free event, sponsored by Advocate Condell, designed for families to spend a day outdoors and learn how to be healthy together.

Families can enjoy four-wheel bike rides together at the farm, take part in the fitness run, and test their throwing arms at the speed pitch station.  Many local businesses will also have demonstrations such as fitness demos, Zumba, Navy circuit training, Yoga, Tai Chi, and a dance party to end the festivities.

Take some time to also visit the vendor booths to learn about bike safety, receive a free shoulder massage and a free blood pressure screening among other things.

In addition to all the healthy fun, Advocate Condell Medical Center is also sponsoring a free day at the Lambs Farm Farmyard & Attractions. Come enjoy the petting zoo, miniature train ride, carousel and miniature golf for free from 10am-5pm.

To see a complete list of the activities and vendors click here.

Good Luck to our Special Olympics Teams!

Our Special Olympics Track & Field, Swimming and Bocce teams are traveling to Illinois State University today to take part in the Summer Games!  We are proud of all these Participants and wish them good luck!

Read more about the Special Olympics Summer Games here.

And read a poem our Participants wrote about Special Olympics here.

This spring, Participants and staff planted a vegetable garden for the group homes to utilize.  The garden was planted as a memorial to Participant Jimmy Klier who passed away on December 1, 2012.

According to Residential Manager Michael Sasso, “The main reason for the garden is to provide active treatment for the Participants who are interested.”

Once grown, the vegetables are used in the houses for the various meals they create together.  Participant Ann Fuller was one of the people involved in the concept of this garden.

“I wanted to be able to plant a garden,” Fuller said.

She is most excited to be able to eat the lettuce once it is grown.

The garden consists of: Bell Peppers, Hot Peppers, Tomatoes, Cherry and Grape Tomatoes, Pumpkin, Squash, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Collard Greens, Green Beans, Lettuce and Herbs.

Buckle up.
Start your engine.
It’s time to get in gear.
Now we’re moving!
Where are we going?
We never get to steer.

Stop and go.
Left and right.
At the light,
We wait…
And wait…
And…

Wait!
There’s the pot o’gold!
The Jewel at the end,
Finally we’re at Target,
Hanging out with all my friends…
Until it’s time to go home again.

Written by: Tina C., Jessie C., Carolyn C., Suzette K., Betty K., Terry K., and Dennis M.

If you won’t see this my way,
You can take the highway!

Got up Friday morning,
Went for a jog with someone,
Tonight were gonna party, party, party with our friends!

Got to go to the bank,
Before we go on our date,
Gonna stay up really, really late!

Don’t have to work the next day,
If you do, you won’t get paid.
Because that would be Saturday!

The Winnetka Summer Antiques Show is June 7-9 and we would love to have people helping at the front selling tickets, handing out info, and selling products at our booth.

Available shifts:

• Friday, June 7  (5pm-9pm)
• Saturday, June 8 (10am-6pm)
• Sunday, June 9 (11am-4pm)

If you are interested, call 847-990-3864.

Even if you just want to attend that would be great as Lambs Farm is a beneficiary of the event!

The antique show is an event of the North Shore Antique Dealers Association and boasts an array of antique dealers from around the country. Fifty dealers will bring unique, quality antique items including furniture, artwork, jewelry, porcelain, and more. Items will be offered at wide-ranging prices that will undoubtedly appeal to potential buyers – even those just planning to look and learn about displayed treasures!

Tickets are $12 per person for the entire weekend. For more information on the event, please call 847.446.0579.

Read more about the event in this Tribune article.

We get a lot of warning
To get up early in the morning
In order to do our trek best
We need to get a good breakfast

The shirts we get are blue
Which makes us look sharp too
On the bus we pack our load
And then we hit the road

At Naperville we arrive
At around nine twenty five
We get ready for the races
By putting on game faces

At noon we had our lunch
On hot dogs we did munch
We had potato chips
But there wasn’t any dip

We walked and jumped and ran
As fast as anyone can
We did shot and softball throw
And were on the go go go

Everybody tried their best
There was hardly time for rest
Some got ribbons some got medals
Which looked nice, like flower pedals

We put on sunscreen so we wouldn’t burn
Others didn’t, you’d think they’d learn
It was a nice day, not too hot
A little windy, but not a lot

They announced the winners out loud
It made us feel real proud
When they said our names we clapped
And high-fives we did slap

When it was done we headed back
Our ribbons and medals we did pack
And enjoyed the bus ride north
Thinking about the practices forth

The gold medal winners now prepare for State
They’ll need to come to practice and not be late
We’ll all be so excited for June
When everybody shoots for the Moon!

Car registration is open until May 28 for $15, or $20 at the door the day of the event.  Spectator admission is free and the day will include everything from music by Samadhi Vibe, DJ Randy, raffle prizes, auction baskets and a bake sale.  So, whether you are a vehicle owner, enthusiast or spectator join us at the Charity Car & Bike Show to benefit Lambs Farm’s programs for people with developmental disabilities!

You can also visit any of the 24 sponsor’s booths while at the event.  View all of our generous sponsors or register here!

Lambs Farm has the privilege of housing the Budweiser Clydesdales this year from May 14-21! On May 18, the Clydesdales will parade around Lambs Farm at 1pm for a perfect photo opportunity and a chance to see the horses more closely. This parade will coincide with Train Days our two-day event for kids to navigate model trains from Valley Model Railroad Association and participate in train related crafts and activities from 11am – 4pm on May 18 and 19.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds! They are most easily recognized for the long hairs of the lower leg that cover the hooves and they are capable of pulling a 1-ton load at 5 MPH.

These impressive horses are only here for a short time, so make a trip out to Lambs Farm to see them before May 21.

My Life Story

My name is Catherine and I have Williams Syndrome.  I like to talk to families and tell them what I went through so they can help their kids get diagnosed while they are young.  I go to WS conferences and I am part of the WSA Dream Team (Williams Syndrome Association).  This year I will be going to a conference in Disneyland and I am excited to talk to families about what it is like to be an adult with Williams Syndrome.

When I talk to families I also talk to the guys my age.  They always have a lot of questions for me.  I went through a lot in high school when people told me I wasn’t able to do anything. I am much stronger now and I tell others that it is going to be ok.

People with Williams Syndrome are very friendly and love people.  I love opera, chocolate, jokes and the Vampire Diaries.   This year I got to go to an opera and I will be going to see Oklahoma at the Chicago Lyric Opera House. I also love to go to Michigan to see my family.

I think there needs to be more awareness for Williams Syndrome since it is not as familiar as Downs Syndrome or other disabilities.  I hope to start a walk to bring awareness some day.