The Chronicles of a Chicago Mom

Working Out At Home

2020-05-20T12:52:00.001-05:00

These are STRANGE times indeed.

I've loved my health club FOREVER.

Since clubs have been closed since mid March, I've been navigating the waters of working out at home.

@cynthiajwheeler
Slow & steady friends 💪 ##plankchallenge ##plankworkout ##fitmom ##tiktokfit ##leggings ##activewear ##staystrong
♬ Toosie Slide - Drake

So far, so good!

Cirque du Soleil’s Volta in Chicago!

2019-05-23T15:20:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, we enjoyed one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA opened in Chicago for the first time at Soldier Field. It is rare that the whole family is mesmerized by anything. We have literally spent the entire weekend debating which act we LOVED the most.

VOLTA celebrates being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. It draws it's inspiration from BMX, street sports and acrobatics. I've seen many Cirque du Soleil shows and every year, the costumes completely blow me away.

The show will be presented under its signature Big Top at the Soldier Field South Lot,1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, May 18 –July 6,2019. Tickets, starting at $49, are available for purchase by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/volta or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).

This woman floated high above the audience BY HER HAIR! It was equal parts mesmerizing and amazing!

Every time Mr. Wow was on the stage, my son was laughing. Whenever I take the kids anywhere I love to look over and see the expression on their face. Mr Wow, was LOL funny!

I always love the aerial acts. They are so strong and talented. LOVE watching them!

I also love the live music weaved into the acts. There is so much going on both ON and OFF the stage.

This is the first show I've ever seen that worked BMX into the act. Those riders were SO talented. I've never seen anyone do what these folks did on bicycles. The stage transforms into a full BMX park and you'll be BLOWN away by it! Run don't walk to see VOLTA in Chicago.You can purchase tickets here.

Be sure to connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Lego Movie 2 - The Second Part

2019-02-04T20:59:00.002-06:00

The kids and I caught a sneak peak of The Lego Movie 2 - The Second Part over the weekend. The first Lego Movie was a GIANT hit in my house, this one had some BIG shoes to fill.

Lego 2 starts as the Duplo's land in Bricksburg and turn it into an apocalyptic wasteland. 5 years later, it looks like a scene from Mad Max ... except Emmet who is still drinking coffee with Planty and singing Everything Is Awesome.

At the heart of the movie is play, and how to play with Legos. Finn, the older brother and his sister Bianca have to share the basement Bricksburg at the end of the first movie. Bianca's Legos are brightly colored and covered in glitter and sparkles while Finn is literally in the apocolypse, mixing characters from every Lego set ever.

Emmet, Wyldstyle, Batman and the rest of the gang are tyring to prevent "Ourmomageddon" which will end with them in the bin of storage. It was a treat to see Maya Rudolph as the mom. Which means, in this universe, Will Ferrel is married to Maya Rudolph. My kids laughed all the way home on that one.

If you thought Everything Is Awesome stuck in your brain like peanut butter, just wait until you hear Catchy Song (This Song’s Gonna Get Stuck Inside Your Head). I have been singing it NON STOP since I heard it.

Lego Movie 2 is in theaters February 8. Grab your popcorn, round up the kids and don't miss it!

Celebrate Christmas With The Joffrey Ballet!

2018-12-03T15:14:00.002-06:00

What a treat to enjoy Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker with my daughter!

What's so special about it? It's Chicago themed, set in 1892 leading into the Chicago World's Fair! Does it still have amazing costumes? YES! I loved them all. In my opinion, the Christmas Holiday doesn't begin until you've enjoyed The Nutcracker. Bringing my daughter was a memory I will cherish. I went to college just down the street from the Auditorium Theatre and this part of the city holds a special place in my heart. To be able to share this with my daughter is a real treat!

We discussed our favorite act, and our favorite scenes from the show. It's SO tough to pick a favorite. I love Act II, but I think my favorite scene is the Land of Snow from Act I. It's simply dreamy. The set, stage and dancers are MAGICAL!

We were fortunate enough to be able to go backstage after the show.

The sets, and the props are TOO MUCH FUN!

The Nutcracker will be playing through Dec 30, and you can find tickets here. Also, be sure to check the Joffrey out on Facebook and Instagram!

Get Cozy For Winter With Prana!

2018-11-17T19:02:00.002-06:00

Winter came early this year, and I'm ready! I've got a cozy deal to share with you as well. I'm LOVING brands that give back and prAna is one of thoes brands.

This season, I'm living in their Permafrost Half Zip.

Is it as soft, warm and cozy as it looks? YES!

It's literally a must own.

My other staple is the Crestland Pullover. #Swoon

Warmest. Sweater. Ever.

This from the girl who's always cold.

You can find out more about prAna and their commitment to sustainability here. We need more companies like them in the world.

They've also been kind enough to share a 15% discount on your online purchase. Simply use WPCWF18 at checkout. Stay warm this winter friends!

Smallfoot is BIG fun!

2018-09-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

The kids and I had the chance to catch Smallfoot in theaters. My Benny has always been a fan of yetis and this movie is right up his ally.

Migo (voiced by Channing Tatum) is a yeti who lives on a mountain top in a secret yeti village with some unbelievable history and traditions. With voices from Common, Zendaya, James Corden, LeBron James and Danny DeVito I knew we were in for a treat!

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, as did both of my kids. I was also pleasantly surprised by the underlying message, the truth matters. We had quite a discussion about it on the way home. As a parent, I love when movies can tee me up for a teachable moment. The idea of exploring, and pushing beyond what you are told is SO relevant today.

You'll really enjoy the music as well. The opening scene with the yeti village is well done. James Corden is SO fun! If you're looking for a great family film, this one is a can't miss!

Chicago's Great Wolf Lodge!

2018-07-23T21:44:00.000-05:00

My kids feel like it's Christmas in July! Why you ask? Because Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee Illinois is OPEN! We got to experience the resort over the weekend and it REALLY delivered! I'm about to hit you with a lot of pictures because, if I just told you everything there is to do, you wouldn't believe me.

Hee, hee, can you tell they're excited?

The first thing we did after checking in was hit the 80,000 square feet indoor water park. It is AMAZING. My son, actually doesn't care for sliding, BUT between the wave pool, Fort Mackenzie and Crooked Creek he was having a BALL! My daughter, can not get enough of the slides. She went down every single one they have, and that's a lot!
Can you tell she was having fun?

AND I was as well ;)

Have you heard of MagiQuest? It is BRILLIANT! It's an interactive video game that the kids and adults can play all over the lodge with wands. PLUS, you can take your wand home and the next time you visit Great Wolf Lodge, you can pick up your game where you left off. My kids LITERALLY took their wands everywhere we went and played every step of the way.

When you visit, be sure to make a stop at the Great Wolf Candy Company. It is TOO SWEET!

The kids did some gem mining, which was fun. They also spent an hour identifying all of the gems they found. Which gave me a little time with my feet up, thank you.

I love the Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall. My Maggie is quite a talented climber.

The highlight of our trip was the Howlers Peak Ropes Course. Both Maggie and I are afraid of heights. BUT, we challenged ourselves and rocked the entire course!

Can you believe I did this?! I am still amazed by it. The staff for the course is top notch. They climb around like ninjas to help anyone who gets stuck or needs a little confidence boost. I was really impressed with them.

While my Benny choose to keep his feet on the ground, he channeled his inner mini golf guru.

He also bowled like a champ!

There are tons of activities for the kids. My Benny rocked his downward dog at the yoga. There is also story time, a dance party for the kids, a character show and so much more.

Look at these faces. I could not ask for more. We will be coming back to Great Wolf Lodge again and again. It's the perfect weekend getaway from the city. No lie, from the city in Friday rush hour traffic, we made it there in under two hours. On the way home with no traffic, just over an hour.

Thank you Great Wolf Lodge for giving us all sweet dreams!

Be sure to check them out on the web. They have locations all over the US and one in Canada. So tell me, have you been to Great Wolf Lodge?

MSI Keeps Kids Learning This Summer!

2018-07-16T16:34:00.000-05:00

I am a member of the MSI. This post is a collaboration with them but all experiences and opinions are my own.

I love having my kids home in the summer. BUT we fall into the too much screen time dilemma. Did you know kids lose approximately three months of learning while they are out of school? Thankfully, The Museum of Science + Industry has the solution with Summer Brain Games! They have eight free and fun at-home science experiments with step-by-step instructions, using items found around the house or easily purchased. My favorite part ... it gets my kids off of their screens and outside exploring, thinking AND doing.

Raising city kids means you have to work a little harder to find nature. It's amazing what you can find in the park down the street. Nature Bingo brings an afternoon of outside perfection! Be sure to download the printable here.

We found bees, ants, wildflowers, even plants that had been eaten by something.

This summer's project all focus on understanding how the Earth works and our impact on it. Nothing lights up a child's mind more than an experiment. I said, "Benny, how would you like to make a cloud?"

Not only was he thrilled to do it, BUT his older sister was excited as well!

This experiment couldn't have been easier AND all we needed was a 1 liter plastic bottle with lid, a measuring cup, a match and boiled water. (Always supervise when matches are involved.)

An afternoon outside on the patio making clouds with BOTH kids is a parenting win! Thank you MSI for the experimenting inspiration!

Be sure to register here to receive a free ticket to visit MSI! We'll be checking out these experiments there and you can to, Tuesdays through Fridays on July 17 through August 10. Happy summer friends and keep learning, exploring and experimenting!

Running at Rancho La Puerta!

2018-06-14T19:52:00.000-05:00

I have experienced the most magical place and I HAVE to share it with you! What would you say if you could visit a place with 4,000 acres of running and hiking trails, mountains, an obstacle course, an organic farm, multiple pools, multiple fitness facilities and a spa? If you're like me, you say, "Count me in!" THAT is Rancho La Puerta.

What initially drew me to The Ranch was the running clinic. I have been a runner for well over a decade and I've never had a coach run with me, video tape my stride AND help me be more efficient with both my running and my stretching. This alone was a FABULOUS experience for me!

There is a 5 mile obstacle course that I HAD to try! (Full disclosure: I have never done an obstacle course before.) What I loved about it was, it wasn't a race. It was about finishing. EVERYONE who finished was a winner. The support and the course were fantastic.

One would think that running paths, and hiking trails as well as an obstacle course would be enough for the perfect vacation, but that just scratches the surface. When you visit The Ranch, you are transformed by the food. It is spa cuisine that LITERALLY transforms your body. I have never enjoyed food SO much in my entire life. Veggies, fruits, grains, spices ALL perfection.

Every inch of the grounds is perfection.

I have never seen so many fitness class options in one place in my life. It truly is a mind-body-spiritual experience. I tried an aerial yoga class. SO fun!

BUT I didn't stop there. I had a full menu of classes from yoga, to Pilates, to water classes, racket sports, cardio, dance, flexibility, to meditation offerings.

I am a firm believer in stepping outside the box when given the chance, so I took a chanting class AND a sound healing class. Both were amazing. Yes, I am looking for a chanting class back home. I want to continue with it! Mindfulness and meditation are essential and I love exploring new ways for myself to balance.

I did find a moment to sit by the pool. It has been a LONG time since this mom had a moment to herself to chill poolside and I cherished EVERY minute!

I have always prided myself as an urban runner, but I have to tell you, I LOVE running trails! The wildlife, the mountains, the greenery. It's running perfection not to be missed.

I will most certainly find my way back to Rancho La Puerta. There were SO many other classes I wanted to check out. If you're interested in an all inclusive experience with a running program, check them out on their website and on Instagram!

Airfit Lincoln Park

2018-06-07T14:36:00.001-05:00

You guys, I tried my first aerial class!

EVERYONE has asked: "You must be really flexible?" "Do you have a gymnastics background?" "Is it hard?" "Is it fun?"

I'm here to tell you, I'm NOT flexible. Far from it. I've NEVER been good at gymnastics. It was TOTALLY fun AND it was a really good workout. If you have the chance to try it out, I highly recommend it. My arms are still sore. But it's that good sore where you know you got a good workout. Check them out and see if there's a class near you! OR you can check out their IG feed.

Ode a la Rose in Chicago

2018-05-10T20:15:00.000-05:00

This weekend is Mother's Day. We're celebrating a little early in our house since I'm pinch hitting in a last minute marathon for a friend who came up injured. (More on that later.)

Look what came to my door today from Ode a la Rose!

I love fresh cut flowers, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why I don't get them more often. They are quite simply a joy to have around.

Sunday is Mother's Day, don't forget mom! Get your last minute orders in stat! (You can also find Ode a la Rose on FB and IG)

Ready For The Rain With #KamikStepOutside!

2018-04-19T18:32:00.001-05:00

If April showers bring May flowers, I'm ready for some spring flowers up in here! That said, with our Kamik rain boots, we are not letting the rain in Chicago slow this family down. When we go out, we need our boots to:

Keep our feet dry
Be comfortable
Be stylish

I love that Kamik has a boot for EVERYONE in the family!

Benny is hard on rain boots.

He is LITERALLY always stomping in puddles. For him I chose the Stomp (Big Kid) boot. They fit perfectly, keep his feet dry and he loves them.

Mags is all about style.

Would you believe she and I are only ONE size away from each other?!

She and I both got the Jennifer women's boot.

They are perfect for rainy Chicago days AND your feet will stay dry even if the wind turns your umbrella inside out!

Andy says his Lars boot are the most comfortable rain boots he's ever owned and he LOVES them!

If you're on the look out for rain boots for the whole family, you can find Kamik's everywhere. Check out their store locator. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The rain just keeps on coming in Chicago, BUT our feet will be dry with our Kamik boots!

*I received free rain boots for this review, all opinions are my own.

Sleeping Beauty

2018-03-22T14:19:00.001-05:00

I have been putting off mattress shopping for too long. Do you know what I've found? Mattress shopping doesn't have to be hard OR expensive.

I got a new mattress from Best Choice Products. This bed shipped straight to my door neatly packed in a box. All we had to do was open it up and let it expand for 48 hours.

Fully expanded, it is about 6 inches thick. It is SO comfortable!

There's memory foam on the bottom and then a gel topper for coolness.

The only problem I've found with my new bed, is that EVERYONE wants to sleep on it.

Even Mr. Kitty.

I'm NEVER going back to spring mattresses again. EVER!

Go check out Best Choice Products. This is the bed. I've got my eye on the Eames dining chairs next. SO much to choose from! Happy shopping!

Running In Color

2018-03-21T11:02:00.003-05:00

I was in a Tabata class yesterday, and I noticed that EVERYONE was wearing black leggings. Well, everyone but me.

I'm done with boring black leggings. If I can't inject a little sass into my running pants, where can I? These are from Lotus Leggings AND they are not only fun, I love the thickness, the high waist AND they actually stay up. There's nothing I hate more than having to pull up my leggings during a run. Just NO.

The good folks at Lotus Leggings have given me a discount code for 50% off YES FIFTY PERCENT OFF of your purchase. I'm not an affiliate, just excited to share an awesome deal with you. SO get shopping and inject some color into your workout! Use the code FOCynthia at checkout.

The Best Bodysuit EVER!

2018-03-14T10:24:00.003-05:00

I am in love with the Namaste Bodysuit from Gravity Athletica!

This isn't a sponsored post and I'm not getting an affiliate from it. Just sharing something I love.

I feel like a ninja when I wear it. The fabric is fabulous, it's sleek and it goes with EVERYTHING I own. I even took a run in it. Perfection.

PLUS, the back ... LOVE!

Go check them out here and be sure to visit them on Instagram as well. Now excuse me while I meditate on some warmer weather ;)

2018 Starting With A Bang On Netflix #StreamTeam

2018-01-31T19:33:00.001-06:00

There is SO much to stream this month on Netflix! First, one of my favorite shows is back for season 4.

I have enjoyed this show from the beginning. You can check that out, here and here and here. LOVE!

Every time I watch the show I think, "I sat on that couch!"

Season 4 starts with Lily Tomlin living with her boyfriend and Jane's character has a new roomie. Brilliantly played by Lisa Kudrow. It is such a treat to see her back on TV.

Of course, I've binged the whole season and now I have to patiently wait for season 5.

I have been binging Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee ALL month. I downloaded a bunch of them to my iPad and binged it all the way down to The Miami Marathon AND all the way home.

I can't help but wonder what car Jerry would pick if I was on the show ... Jerry cruises for coffee with Kevin Hart, Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Louis-Dreyfus ... the list is ENDLESS and EVERY episode is a gem. If you haven't tuned in to this on, grab a cup of coffee and get to binging!

I could not have been more thrilled for season 2 of Travelers. Eric McCormack plays a time traveling FBI agent who's team is trying to stop an apocalyptic future from happening.

I've binged this one too fast as well and I'm sitting here fingers crossed that a Season 3 is coming. It's fun, fast paced and fabulous!

I'm curious, what should my next binge be? I'm taking suggestions!

The Miami Marathon

2018-01-30T14:58:00.000-06:00

It was not the race I wanted. After doing 9 marathons, I've come to the conclusion that you can't plan for everything. There's always something you can't control.

The Miami Marathon was a great race. It's a great course. As a first timer in Miami, it's a FANTASTIC city. I explored it for 4 days and I LOVED it. This will probably be the last time I train cold and run hot. I've done it twice now, and I just don't think you can prepare your body for Florida humidity, 75 degrees and sunny and the wind coming off the coast, in a 10 degree Chicago winter.

I knew by mile 10 that my body wasn't processing electrolytes. I was covered in salt from sweating and I didn't feel right. I have NEVER wanted to turn out at the half marathon mark SO much. I had another half to go and the wheels were coming off the wagon. At mile 15, I looked down at my hands. This is where I knew I was in trouble. They were swollen up. My fingers looked like hot dogs. This had never happened to me and I had no idea what to do. BUT, I didn't panic.

I said to myself ... "Look, you have never quit on a race and you're not quitting on this one." SO, I just broke it down mile by mile. At 16, I said, "OK, I'm coming for you mile 17." At mile 17, I focused on the 18 mile sign. One mile at a time, one step at a time. It wasn't fast ... and it wasn't pretty, but I never gave up. Is it crazy that I'm looking for a cold weather marathon to do in the next couple of months? I still have a good time in me, I just need the right conditions!

Sweetness, Family and Fun with Paddington 2

2018-01-10T21:21:00.002-06:00

We were invited to a sneak peak of Paddington 2. I love reading the Paddington books to my kids and we were very excited to see our favorite little bear on the big screen. It. Was. MAGICAL. If you love London, you MUST see this movie. Paddington finds a one of a kind pop up book that is the perfect gift for his Aunt Lucy. It's expensive so he works to earn the money to buy this special book. Everything is going his way until he shares the book with the film's villain, Phoenix Buchanan. (Wonderfully played by Hugh Grant) It only takes a moment for Phoenix Buchanan to steal the pop up book and frame poor little Paddington for the crime. While the kids were sad to see our favorite bear go to prison, it doesn't take long for Paddington to transform the prison into a magical place filled with marmalade sandwiches and life long friends.

What I love about the direction of Paul King is the innocence and wonder from the book that comes through in the film. It has a sweetness that made the kids and I happy to enjoy the movie together. There were big belly laughs and exciting action scenes all the while knowing Paddington's family and friends were close at hand to help him out when he most needed them.

Take the family to see Paddington 2. It's as sweet as a marmalade sandwich!

Ringing In The New Year WIth Netflix! #StreamTeam

2017-12-31T16:48:00.001-06:00

*As a member of the Stream Team, I do receive free Netflix, BUT all opinions are my own.
It's no secret I'm training for The Miami Marathon. With 4 weeks out, I only had to run 12 miles this weekend. It was BRUTAL. I've never put in miles in sub zero temps. Let me tell you what happens. Even if you layer up properly, which I did, you still have a lot to contend with.

First, my water froze. #Bummer Then my Clif Bloks froze. They were more like throat lozenges. SO I just sucked on them. THEN, thanks to the shady Apple update, my phone died in my pocket. Bottom line, everything froze and nothing worked.

I have NEVER been happier to get home, climb into bed with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm fuzzy blanket and binge Netflix.

I'm almost through The Crown season 2, which has been AMAZING. There is so much history I didn't know and I find it fascinating to watch. The costumes, the sets the acting, I love it all.

Once I finish that, I'll be queuing up season 2 of Travelers. I am so excited this show came back for a season 2 and I can't wait to dig into it!

It's in the single digits now. I am in for a cozy night of ringing in 2018 with Netflix. How are you ringing in the New Year?

Sub Zero ... No Thank You

2017-12-26T21:46:00.000-06:00

Don't get me wrong, I love the snow ...

but I could use a little warmth. It was -10 today. I'm cold!

All I Want For Christmas

2017-12-21T20:56:00.003-06:00

We've been doing a lot of dog sitting lately. The kids want a dog. LIKE badly. I'm not ready. A dog in the city is a HUGE commitment. That said, when you get a big sweetie like Theo Bear, you start thinking, "I want one of these lovies."

There won't be a pup under the tree ... but there might be one coming in 2018. #StayTuned

Holiday Road #StreamTeam

2017-11-30T18:05:00.001-06:00

*As a member of the Stream Team, I do receive free Netflix, BUT all opinions are my own.

We are getting ready to drive downstate for a visit to the grandparents. I love leaving the city, but I dread long car rides ... UNTIL now.

Someone please explain to me how I was UNAWARE of the Available for Download feature on my iPad Pro?! It's FABULOUS! What is it you ask? It's offline viewing. That's right, you can download your movies and shows straight to your device before you travel and it's ready to go in the car or in the airport.

I so wish I had known this before my trip to London. Head-Thud.

How do you access it? I've made a video for you. Just click Available for Download from your Netflix App and browse all the fabulous options.

My kids are OBSESSED with all things Stranger Things. I couldn't be more thrilled. I love the show AND the 80's are back!

Mermaids Are Real!

2017-11-23T17:54:00.001-06:00

Recently, Maggie and I got the chance to be mermaids!

It was SO fun! We took a mother daughter class with Aqua Mermaid Chicago.

They offer weekly classes, birthday parties and bachelorette parties. Maggie is hoping for a summer camp, because she was a fast little mermaid.

They provide the tail with the class, BUT Santa might just be bringing this little mermaid a tail for Christmas. (Don't tell!) You can find all the tails here. Those tails are actually quite amazing. The monofin, where you put your feet is clever, comfortable and functional.

You can find Aqua Mermaid on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don't miss their Black Friday deal! (Discount code BF2017)

Daddy's Home 2: Review

2017-11-10T15:01:00.002-06:00

The kids and I were able to see Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg's sequal to Daddy's Home, Daddy's Home 2. Brad (Ferrell) and Dusty (Wahlberg) are successfully co parenting two kids Brad's wife shares with Dusty, along with a daughter Dusty's current wife shares with John Cena.

They decide a good old fashioned family Christmas is in order. All the kids, all the parents in one house. This seems like a great idea until Dusty's father Kurt (Mel Gibson) crashes the party. Brad's father Don (Jon Lithgow) comes for the holiday as well. Kurt decides the house isn't enough Christmas for him and immediately phones up a snow cabin hours away and the whole family is off to the mountains.

What I enjoyed about this movie was the back and forth between Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. These two guys are really funny and it's apparent that they actually like each other IRL. The film is silly, slapstick and fun. There is a scene where Brad looses a battle with a snowblower and Christmas lights that was hilarious. Will Ferrell is great at physical comedy.

The barometer I use to measure a holiday film is the look on my kid's faces. I looked over at both my son and my daughter many times during the movie and they were laughing out loud. It's been a long year. My family is SO ready for the holidays and this movie was a treat for us to enjoy. Laughing together is the best way I know to start the holiday season don't you think?

Family Fun at Pheasant Run!

2017-10-25T17:16:00.003-05:00

No doubt about it, my family needed a weekend away. Something close to Chicago, but defiantly out of the city. We were offered a complimentary night at Pheasant Run Resort, just outside of St Charles, and it was EXACTLY what we needed. I feel at this point, I need to mention I grew up on a farm. Hay rides were a staple of my childhood. Some of my FONDEST memories are from hay rack rides in the country. I couldn't have been more thrilled with the hay ride at Pheasant Run!

Have you ever seen a hay ride decked out like this? You know you want to take a ride!

Pheasant Run was ready with blankets for the cool night and it was PERFECTION. Halfway through the golf course journey, we stopped for hot cider and a show.

I may or may not have joined in the fun. #TotallyDid The next morning, my kids were in the pool. My kids simply can't resist an indoor/outdoor pool.

There is nothing I love more than chilling poolside while my kids splash about.

If they had their way, they'd still be there. Then, we were able to enjoy farm life at Primrose Farms. They have activities like hands on milking, egg gathering, and horse grooming. Which you can book through the front desk.

My son was ALL OVER the chickens.

I had my doubts on whether or not he'd be able to pet one, but he was patient and kind and he did get to pet chickens.

I don't know anyone who can resist baby goats. They are just THE cutest!

If my Maggie had her way, this big guy would be on our patio right now. This is PURE love. Unfortunately he did not fit in the car;)

You can't finish a weekend away without a visit to the spa. While we didn't have time to enjoy a massage or facial, we were able to enjoy the aromatherapy workshop and Maggie was able to take home a body mist that she mixed herself. I would love to go back and enjoy Girlfriends Spa Getaway package, or one of their massages.

I am not a golfer, but I couldn't help but notice they have an amazing 18-Hole Championship Golf Course.

We also enjoyed Jambalaya Restaurant, The Terrace Cafe and Bourbon Street. Their dining options are endless.

We packed quite a bit into our weekend away, and my kids are already asking when we can go back. That's a win in my book! If you're interested in learning more about Pheasant Run, find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.