Credit: eldh, Flickr

By Amy L. Hatch

Champaign-Urbana has a thriving, vibrant social-media community, from bloggers to Facebook pages to local Twitter celebrities. It comes as no surprise, considering that Chambana birthed some of the biggest names on the Internet (hello, eBay and PayPal!).

Without social media, chambanamoms.com wouldn’t even exist. We had a Twitter handle and a Facebook fan page even before we had a website! And, it goes without saying, our residents were eager and ready to engage with us on these channels from the start.

That’s why we’re launching an occasional series, Chambana Social Scene, all about the who, what and where of our local social media, and we’re kicking it all off  with a crash course in Twitter 101.

What is it? Twitter is a social-media network that allows users to converse in real time, or to passively follow users who tweet about a certain subject. For example, some might sign up for Twitter just to read Kanye West’s tweets (which we highly recommend, just for fun) and some might sign up because they want to keep in touch with a circle of like-minded users who tweet about the same subject — like Chambana!

How do I get a Twitter account? Signing up for Twitter is super easy and free. Just go to the website, choose a handle (a name by which you will be known) and fill out your profile details. The site offers a default image to go along with your profile, and we strongly suggest you use a photo of your pretty face instead. Twitter is all about connections, and no one really wants to connect with a little egg (the default image).

OK, I have an account. Now what do I do? The first thing you should do is follow some folks. You can easily search the Twitter website for keywords, like Chambana, and that will give you a list of tweeters who tweet in and about our local area. These keywords can also be known as hashtags, which we’ll get to in a another post. Click on the profiles of those users, poke around in their timeline (the tweets they’ve sent) and click the “follow” button if you like what they have to say. From there you can look at who that person follows to find more interesting accounts.

It seems like everyone is talking to each other. How do I jump in? On Twitter, you can’t really interupt. That’s the beauty of it! If you stumble across a “conversation” on Twitter that you’d like to be part of, just jump in! Hitting “reply” will automatically tag the person who sent the original tweet. Or, you can use the “@” symbol to engage. Just put that symbol in front of someone’s Twitter handle to tag them in your tweet. So, if you want to know what’s going on in Chambana, you can tweet: “Hey, @chambanamoms, what’s happening in town this weekend?” And, of course, we’ll let you know! The more people you engage with, the more people will follow you and you’re on your way to finding your Twitter tribe!

Now that you know how to get started, head over to Twitter and sign yourself up for an account. Don’t forget to follow @chambanamoms, and let us know you’re there so we can follow you back and introduce you to the rest of the gang!

In our next post, we’ll talk about building a Twitter following and who’s who on the Chambana tweet scene.

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2. Chambana Mom to Know: Leslie Liautaud

By Erin Nieto

Up until now, this business of househunting has felt a little bit like sport. Our mission: find the perfect house. Each day, when a new house is listed on the MLS, we take a look at the images, pull it up on Google Maps, drive by, maybe schedule a showing. Which maybe turns into two. And it sure is thrilling to gain entry into someone else’s home, with the possibility of making it our own: walking through the rooms, imagining our own lives superimposed there. Does it fit? Or is it too tight? Does it make my butt look big? All the while, frolicking and taking our own sweet time while our pre-approval letter burns a hole in our pocket.

With their house on the market, the Househunting Mom's family is looking hard to find a new paradise.

But now, the game is changing. You see, our own little paradise hit the market last week. The stakes have been raised. The blood pressure is rising. People we don’t know are now scheduling appointments to be the lookiloos in our house, and we are the ones on display. And in our case, nearly every detail of every space, inside and out, represents a choice that we made, somewhere along the line: location of windows, color of paint, type of flooring, siding, front doors, outdoor space. The list is exhausting.

What we think we have created is a space that is in harmony with its luscious surroundings, but really, we have no perspective on the whole enchilada. Only that we can be sure that no one other person is going to agree with each of the multitude of choices that we made in creating this paradise. But we can hope that there are a few out there who can walk through and see their lives superimposed here and grow giddy because it provides them with enough of what they would hope to have in a house — with maybe a dash of unexpected joy.

This hope is also part fear, because if the offering for sale actually turns into a for-reals sale, our folly of waiting for the perfect house to come to market will meet its natural end. And we will need to acknowledge what we already know: that there is no perfect house. There is only the best fit among that which is already out there. On any given week in the life of the MLS. And move on with our lives already.

We have been host to hundreds of people over the 12 years that we have inhabited this house, but this Sunday’s looming open house will mark the first time that we have opened our doors to host and not actually been here. Our lovely and capable Realtor will act as our proxy this time. So we won’t be able to offer you a drink, grill you up something yummy and invite you to walk through the gardens while the whippersnappers race by in their game of tag. But if you do come, please make yourself at home. Soak it up because for us, this house is all about taking advantage of the beauty of things and taking the time to appreciate it. Walk the path along the river, stop to see the old iron bridge, kick up your feet on the balcony off the master, soak in the beautiful June sun along with the stonecrop and the ladybells. We would.

And we hope/are afraid that you’ll like it here, and want to stay.

Erin Nieto has lived in Champaign-Urbana for nearly all of her life, and heads Erin S. Nieto Fine Art Appraisal in addition to being a busy mom of two.  More of her essays on motherhood and culture can be found at www.cheapisexpensive.net.

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By Daniele Frerichs

So maybe you won’t run a marathon after baby, but a vast majority of new moms seek out exercise routines post-baby in order to shed the unwanted pounds. I struggled with this after my first daughter was born, and it wasn’t until I started a running routine the pounds disappeared. Although, I started running again for this reason (I ran religiously in my youth), I discovered the amazing benefits and sanity a regular exercise routine has brought to my new life as a mother.

Daniele Frerichs ran the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon eight months after giving birth to her daughter. Credit: Bruce Frerichs

Now, I did run the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon when my second daughter was only 8 months old, but it does not have to be a marathon or even running that you add into your daily grind. While I encourage new or veteran moms to add ANY exercise routine into your schedule, this article focuses on running.

Be sure to check out the local resources that you can take advantage of this summer to start or enhance your running!

Never run before? Start with the Couch to 5K, otherwise commonly known at C25K! This is a program that a handful of my new mom friends have started and conquered this spring by successfully completing the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon 5K after never running before. It literally allows you to go from sitting on the couch to running 3.1 miles. You start out by running one minute and walking one minute, and you ease up from there. Get a group of friends together and train on the same schedule. I don’t mean you have to run together — you can, but you could schedule to run a 5K together at the end of the training session.

In C-U and surrounding area, there are 5Ks weekly to pick from and run. I have posted a brief list below. This is a fun way to start exercising. Plus, signing up for a race and having a date on the calendar to work toward — Race Day — keeps you accountable.

For the more experienced runners, I know you know what it is like to work and train for Race Day, but challenge yourself to a half-marathon or marathon this summer. Experienced runners are disciplined and dedicated, so no need to instruct you on training, but I posted some longer races below for you all to check out and challenge yourself to train for this summer. And, of course, some of you C25K beginners will soon find yourself in the experienced runners category.

Lastly, keep in mind that you can make this a family event. Make running or any exercise routine something you can do with your family. And you might just find that once you start running, you kids might want to run with you?

Happy running!

Running clubs

• Kennekuk Road Runners. This is my running club, and I would like to highlight the Wednesday evening runs at Kickapoo State Park near Danville. They are free to anyone. You can run 1, 2, or 3 miles, every Wednesday in the summer at 6:15 p.m.
• Second Wind Running Club

Upcoming 5Ks/3.1 Miles

• July 2:Rockin’ the Runway, Rantoul
  Contact office@rantoulchamber.com
• July 4:Freedom Run, Champaign
  Contact info@bodynsolesports.com, 356-8926 or 531-3777
  4th of July Run, Paxton
• July 16:Fisher Fair 5K, Fisher
  Contact Dinis52@aol.com or 897-1682
• July 23:Run for the Bagel 5K, Mattoon
• Aug. 13:SJO 5K, St. Joseph
  Contact kelly@sjo5k.com or 217-531-3755
• Aug. 20:Mahomet 5K, Mahomet
  Contact 217-766-9008
• Aug. 27: Staci’s Country Miles 5K, Royal
  Contact stackie05@yahoo.com

Up for more than a 5K?

• June 25:5 Hours for Dogs and Cats, Danville
  Kennekuk Road Runners members only
• July 4: Staley Firecracker Road Run/Walk 4 or 8 miles, Decatur
  Contact recintern@decparks.com
• July 23:Run for the Bagel 10K, (6.2 miles), Mattoon
• Aug. 20: Mahomet Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Mahomet
  Contact 217-766-9008
• Sept. 3:Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Indianapolis
  Contact klong@indywomenshalfmarathon.com or 317-884-4001

Daniele (Cox) Frerichs is the proud mother of two beautiful girls: Lyla, 3, and Isabella, 1. She and her husband, Bruce, have been married for five years. Frerichs grew up outside of Rantoul, has lived within a 30-miles radius of Chambana her entire life, and now calls Royal home. She was educated at and now works full time for the University of Illinois.

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Fairly early on, there was some concern about my blood pressure. My husband’s first thought — after concern over the baby and I — was about our already-planned family vacation. Would we be able to go or might I be on bed rest by 30 weeks?

Fortunately, it corrected itself and all has been well at every checkup since. We arrived home late Saturday night after our week-long excursion.

Being pregnant didn't stop me from fishing on Lake Michigan.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect driving to northern Michigan for fishing, outdoor activities and, of course, relaxation. How many times would we need to stop to relieve my bladder? Would I be too tired? What if I went into preterm labor eight hours from home?

I ended up as surprised by how well I held up as much as what I wasn’t able to do.

Yes, I was much more tired than normal, but I also found myself content to sit on the couch some of the time and enjoy educational programming like TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress.” I couldn’t walk very long on the streets of Petoskey, Mich., but with a fudge shop on every corner, breaks were easy to come by. Floating in the slightly-warmer-than-frigid-Lake-Michigan waters of Lake Charlevoix was just heaven, but sitting on the “butt seat” of a bass boat was horribly uncomfortable.

There were more high than low points, and I’m glad baby and I were healthy enough to go. I did learn a lot, and if you plan on traveling while very (i.e., 25 to 35 weeks) pregnant, here’s what I recommend:

Stay hydrated. I mentioned this before, but I’ve found drinking tons of water, juices and other liquids helps to stave off the back aches and stiffness that come with lugging around a beach ball on your belly. It also helps with the swelling of hands and feet.

Plan for downtime and a slower pace. My husband and stepsons like to be fairly active on vacation, so I knew I might need to sit out on some activities. I had plenty to keep me occupied, including completing my scrapbook album from last year’s trip. Plus, my husband was conscious of my need to go slower when I did participate and made sure we all went at my pace.

Make the most of everything. No, I wasn’t at 100-percent physical capacity, but that didn’t stop me from snapping photos like crazy and making sure our last trip in this familial configuration was as fun as possible. A positive attitude— supplemented where necessary with my husband’s — made all the difference.

All-in-all, I came home refreshed and content with our trip, having discovered that pregnancy does bring some limitations but does not preclude relaxation and enjoyment away from home.

Did you go on vacation while pregnant?

Jennifer Wilson was surprised that her baby belly did not help her float better. She writes 31 and Pregnant, a column about navigating first-time pregnancy in Champaign-Urbana.

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By Lori Rogers

Editors’ note: Of the 4.4 million pregnancies confirmed each year in the United States, almost 1 million of them end in pregnancy loss. Contributor Lori Rogers has chosen to share a very personal and emotional tale of loss following a miscarriage in the hopes of reaching out to those who might be going through a similar journey. Please be advised that the details of her story may be considered graphic to some readers.

Partners may feel different emotions after the loss of a pregnancy.

Today was a special day for me. It wasn’t a birthday or a wedding. It was a burial of the remains of my unborn child. My Bub. I recently found out that his remains were not buried after my miscarriage and D-and-C. However, because of the hospital’s policy on keeping the tissues removed after a miscarriage for 10 years, they were able to add what was left of him to the burial today.

Because he was one of my children, I felt a need to go to the burial of his remains. However, it felt strange going to a ceremony for someone who passed away almost two years ago.

With the time that has passed, I thought I would be fine. I told my husband not to come. He offered to come with me to support me. But he had grieved the loss of our child two years ago; he had his closure. He believed it was only a body; the person there is no more. However, when I arrived at the sight, I started to cry.

Maybe I’m not supposed to be fine. Even though this child was in my life for such a short time, the loss remains for a lifetime. We planned a life around this baby. We told our oldest about this baby. He named this baby. It was not only a body but a dream of a life not given a chance to live.

So I cried. I cried thinking about that first day in September 2009. I will never forget the moment I saw our Bub was dead. But I also cried for the women who were there, knowing very well their grief was newer than mine. I knew their pain, but I was on the other side of the grief. I wasn’t angry or heartbroken anymore. Now, I just feel sadness from time to time.

I am thankful for the opportunity to say goodbye the way I did. A lot of women out there do not have the kind of closure I had. The baby passes like a regular period, giving no ceremonial resolution to the passing of the child. But this is a baby for the women who lose them.

If you have been given the opportunity to get pregnant, you know what it is like finding out there is a baby growing inside you. You imagine what the child will look like, you shop for maternity clothes, you think of names and what the baby room is going to look like. Sometimes you even imagine years later  — high school and college. There is already a lot of energy put into this child even before it born. That is why it is so important to acknowledge that this child was created and was lost.

There are ways for the families can say goodbye. Some communities have organizations that plan memorial services and monthly support groups.

On June 17, Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana will be having a memorial service for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage. This event, held from 7 to 9 p.m. in Auditorium B, will be open to the entire community. If you think this may help you find closure, I encourage you to go. It may also allow you to find a person to reach out.

A lot of women suffer silently. You may be surprised how many of your friends, family and
acquaintances have suffered a miscarriage.

Friends and family: Here are some things to consider when talking to people who have miscarried. Since every woman is different, it is only some guidelines.

• Don’t assume getting pregnant is easy for everyone.
• Don’t ask if the person is pregnant yet or not. I know this seems like a given, but there are plenty of women out there who have experienced that moment.
• Allow the person to have space. Maybe seeing pregnant women and babies is not easy for her right now.
• Don’t forget that the partner has lost the baby, too. While his/her body is not going through the physical loss, he or she has lost the child as well.
• This is a significant loss. Just because it was not a person who had a chance to grow outside of the womb doesn’t make his or her life any less significant.
• Understand that if the person is trying to controlling things, it is because of the fact that she has lost control over something important to her.
• Allow the person to grieve how they need to. Some women may keep pictures of the baby. Some may have nicknames for him or her. Some may just blurt out the loss at an awkward time. Some may not cry and seem detached. Some may cry a lot.
  Dates will be important to her. Women will know the day they lost the baby, the due date, and different milestones.
• Hearing comments like, “It’s meant to be,” “It God’s will,” “The baby was genetically flawed,” may not soothe the woman.
• If you feel like you don’t know what to say, you can say you are sorry for her loss and you are willing to listen; ask if there is anything she needs from you.
• It’s OK if you feel uncomfortable because it is not a comfortable situation. What matters is you care.
• Remember that no matter what, you cannot fix it.
• Be willing to talk about other things. Hopefully you will be able to read the cues from the woman who is grieving. You will have an idea if she wants to be distracted or talk things out.

Women who have had miscarriages, you are not alone. There are women around you who have gone through the same thing. But we have to reach out to one another. The more we talk about it, the more we can help one another through these times. I am thankful for my friend, Heather, who was there for me after mine. Talking to her, someone who had gone through the loss, made me feel less alone with my pain. She never thought anything I said or did was “crazy,” for lack of a better word, with the way I handled the grief. That is exactly what I needed.

Author Lori Rogers. Photo provided.

Lori Rogers is a stay-at-home mom of two children: Jack, 5 and Eleanor, 1. She has lived in the Champaign-Urbana area since 2001 with her husband, Nick. Prior to staying at home, Lori worked for A Woman’s Fund, which was, at the time, the local domestic violence shelter and rape crisis services.

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Kerris Lee is a born entrepreneur, a musician and a proud dad. Born and raised in California, he moved to North Carolina for his high school years. While there, he and a friend founded a clothing company that attracted investment from NFL star Torry Holt, and marketed its line to clients in Japan, London and New York. The company was eventually sold, but Lee hasn’t lost the entrepreneur bug.  Today, Lee works for IT start-up Cazoodle, which has offices in the Research Park at the University of Illinois. He and his wife, Lucy,  have two boys; 3-year-old Avery and 1-year-old Oliver.

Kerris Lee. Photo provided

See why we think Kerris Lee is a Chambana dad to know.

You work for a start-up at the Research Park and you genuinely enjoy going to work everyday. What’s your secret?
I, for one, enjoy working for a start-up because I have the opportunity to be a part of the ground-level stage of the company. What keeps me happy is having the ability to make a positive impact to our company each day.

You were a young entrepreneur, starting your own clothing line at 14. Do you have any ideas for how we can teach our kids to be more entrepreneurial?
Yes, spending time with your kids on family chores can really facilitate certain skill sets that can help kids in the business world. Family projects, like mowing the lawn or painting the fence, can teach a kid about hard work and quality management. This is instrumental for kids as mowing neighbor’s yards can turn into a landscaping business for that kid down the road. For your kid to be more entrepreneurial, you have to let the kid know that his/her work matters in the world. Then, they will know what success looks like.

Is your kid the best-dressed kid in town?
Although my kid is very fashionable, I would have to say, he is the best dressed in our home!

You also play in a band. Tell us about your music and where can we see you play.
Our music is a blend of rock and roll, jazz and blues. My friends and I are spontaneous when we play music. Most time we end up making some cool sounds when we just planned on watching a basketball game on TV. Right now we are booking venues in people’s garage and social events such as barbecues. So, I guess you can say that we have a while before you can see us at the Sweetcorn Festival or on tour in London, but we love to play and play for people that like new and fun music wherever that might be. (So, let us know.)

Father’s Day is coming up. What would be an ideal Father’s Day for you?
My ideal Father’s Day would be to go out to the park with my family. I love seeing my boys laughing and playing with other kids. It is as if there is not a care in the world. That centers me from whatever obstacles or uncertainties that come about. It teaches me each time that sometimes you just have to laugh and have fun, and that is what is ideal for Father’s Day for me.

What does fatherhood mean to you?
Fatherhood, is the most challenging and the best honor I could have in my life. It means that I am there to console my kids when they are hurt, discipline them when they are wrong, and love them always. Fatherhood is a test of all your experiences and inexperiences on how to pass it on to your kids.

Send your Chambana Mom/Dad to Know to editor@chambanamoms.com or leave a nomination.

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Have you heard? You can join Alice for a magical adventure and experience the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum and Orpheum Theatre as an interactive Wonderland that is curiouser and curiouser. And we’ve got a family four-pack of tickets to giveaway!

On June 11 and 12, the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum is proud to stage the reprisal of Alice (and Me) in Wonderland, celebrating the beloved classic children’s story. This engaging promenade will walk visitors through a series of imaginative scenes where they will meet and interact with the Wonderland characters.

Follow Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole on a hot June day in pursuit of the White Rabbit. Land in the extraordinary place known as Wonderland. Drink from a mysterious bottle and find yourself suddenly able to fit through the tiny door leading to the giant caterpillar. Have tea with the Mad Hatter and grab your flamingo wicket to play croquet with the Queen of Hearts in the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in downtown Champaign.

This event is suitable for children of all ages. Alice is a promenade-style production that celebrates the literary genius of Lewis Carroll, the performing arts, and the fun of an immersive experience. Join in the event the weekend of June 11-12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the second staging of a production you won’t want to miss!

If you don’t want to wait to see if you win the tickets we’re giving away, you can order tickets online here, at the door or at the event. Tickets are $8 for members, $10 for non-members; a family four-pack is available for $30 (members only).  Tickets are sold in three-hour increments to this interactive and mobile promenade.  Ticket holders may feel free to redeem their tickets, on the proper day, at any time on the given day during the three-hour range. Participants should expect to spend 30 minutes to two hours at a given performance, based on their preference and the level of their interaction with the activities.

Here’s how you can WIN a family four-pack of tickets to the performance on Sunday, June 12 (winner can pick a specific time frame). This is a great giveaway — up to a $40 value! We’re giving you three chances:

1) Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite storybook character and why. (Required)

For extra entries:

2) Tweet this: “I want to see Alice at the @OrpheumMuseum courtesy of @chambanamoms http://bit.ly/kcVPes”  You must leave us a comment back here to tell us you tweeted.

3) Fan our Facebook page. If you are already a fan, let us know. And be sure to leave another comment back here to tell us.

All proceeds of this fundraiser benefit the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum. Be sure not to miss this magical adventure. See you down the rabbit hole!

* Contest Rules: no entries outside of the United States. Winner will be notified within an hour of closing time at 1 p.m. on June 10. Winner will be picked at random by random.org. Winner will arrange to pick up tickets; tickets have no cash value.

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Making a craft at Class Act Interactive. Photo by Laura Weisskopf Bleill

Want help with your child’s birthday party? Don’t want to have 20 of your 5-year-old’s nearest and dearest in your house? Here’s our guide to children’s birthday parties in Champaign-Urbana. Want to submit a review? We’ve made it easy. Visit our Birthday Party Review submission page.

Amara Yoga & Arts: Customized birthday parties featuring kids yoga and arts/crafts. Urbana. Chambanamoms.com Reader Review!

Arrowhead Lanes: Cosmic bowling and miniature golf packages. Champaign.

Campus Rec: Utilize U of I facilities including CRCE pool, ice skating rink, and the ARC climbing wall. Champaign and Urbana.

Champaign Park District: Indoor and seasonal outdoor party packages, from tennis to pool parties to theme packages. Room/gym rentals.

Champaign County YMCA: Gymnastics, sports and pool parties. Champaign.

Class Act Interactive: Face painting, improv, creative play. Champaign. Chambanamoms.com Review!

Cookies By Design: Tour of cookie baking facility, decorate-your-own-cookie, party room. Urbana.

Curtis Orchard: Seasonal party packages available. Champaign.

First Christian Church Indoor Park: Open to the public for free during the week; rental available on Saturday mornings. Champaign.

Hot Slots: Racing themed parties year round for kids 8+. Urbana.

I.D.E.A. Store: Personal parties for 6-year olds to adults. Girls, boys, moms and dads or any combination will have fun with a creative, age-appropriate eco-craft or class tailored to you; add-ons available. Champaign.

I-Force Cheer: Cheerleading parties. Champaign

I-Power Gymnastics: Gymnastics parties – trampoline, parachute, more. Champaign.

Jupiter’s at the Crossing: Pizza and arcade games. Champaign.

The Little Gym: Group activities and free play on equipment. Savoy.

Mettler Center: Bake your own cake; games, exercise. Champaign. Chambanamoms.com Reader Review!

Michaels Crafts: Arts and Crafts. Champaign

Old Orchard Lanes and Links: Bowling or miniature golf parties. Savoy.

Orpheum Children’s Science Museum: Facility rental; available to members only. Champaign.

The Pink Poodle: Makeover parties for girls. St. Joseph. Chambanamoms.com Review! (now under new management)

Pretty in Pink Parties: Themed parties for girls. Mahomet.

Putt Zone: Seasonal miniature golf and batting cages parties. Champaign.

The Pottery Place: Paint-your-own-pottery. Private room; minimum age 5. Champaign.

Savoy Rec Center: Various party packages for kids ages 2-17.

Savoy 16: Party rooms available for before and after movie viewing.

Soccer Planet: Indoor soccer. Urbana

Skateland: Laser Tag or roller skating parties. Savoy.

Top Star Training Center: Trampoline and tumbling parties. Ages 4 and up. Champaign.

Twist and Shout: Dance, tumbling or cheerleading. Mahomet.

Urbana Park District: Indoor and seasonal outdoor party packages, from the indoor pool (our review) to a dino-themed party at the Anita Purves Nature Center (our review) to creating tie-dye shirts. Room/gym rentals.

Western Bowl: Cosmic bowling and pizza. Champaign.

William M. Staerkel Planetarium: Includes 20-30 minute program in the dome featuring a live sky talk under the stars. Champaign. A chambanamoms.com review!

Women’s Basketball Games: Have a courtside party at selected University of Illinois women’s basketball games. Champaign.

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The "Clark Griswold" House in Mahomet gets our nod for the top place to view Christmas lights in Chambana. Photo by Laura Weisskopf Bleill

A favorite childhood memory of Christmas (and adult memories too!) is driving around with my family looking at the lights. One Christmas, I was so sick I wasn’t allowed to leave the house for three weeks, but my dad warmed up the car in advance and off we went to check out lights. If looking at lights is part of making merry in your family, we’re here to help you out!

So, without further ado, we present the 2010 top five places to look at lights in and around Chambana:

1. The Clark Griswold House (pictured), Mahomet
Paying homage to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, this Mahomet house is all decked out — lights everywhere! The front yard! The back yard! The trees! It is a sight to see, and you’ll even hear the Chipmunks singing. Some of the neighboring houses have also gotten into the spirit. Head out to Timberview Drive in Mahomet – there is a big sign off State Street to direct you there. Or here’s a map (the house is closer to State Street than 150, on the west side, but you can’t miss it.)

2. Lights 2 Music, Tolono (click on website to view videos)
You’ve seen the commercial on TV where the house has a light show synced to music. Now see one in real life. Head down to Allison Drive in Tolono where you will see two houses lit up to music. There are six songs, including Deck The Rooftop by Glee, and new and old other Christmas favorites. The songs are played in a continuous loop every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

3. Candlestick Lane, Urbana
A Chambana holiday tradition for more than 40 years. Here’s a story we wrote about Candlestick Lane (aka Grant Place) last year. Candlestick Lane will be lit every evening from 5 to 10 p.m. through Christmas. Drive cautiously and turn off headlights to get the most enjoyment from the lights.

4. Greencroft and Prospect, Champaign
It’s easy to take the kids past this house, which has every which decoration possible. We pass by it quite often; while you’re in that direction, the Champaign Country Club has beautifully lit trees in its drive to gawk at.

5. Neighborhoods here, there and everywhere!
Our favorite place to see lights is — any place we can find them. Explore your neighborhood, or go on an adventure!

Where is your favorite place to view holiday lights?

Related posts:

1. Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Lights 2011
2. Top Five: Places to See Fall Colors
3. Top Five: Places To Go Sledding

I have a soft spot for Kindie rock. You know, the music that kids love, but is also usually clever, fun, and rhythmic enough that adults can enjoy it too.

Before I was even a mom I went to a Justin Roberts concert – in a middle school auditorium of all places – with my niece and nephew. And I laughed at the jokes in the songs, and even had some of the riffs swirling in my head for a day or two. Today, Roberts is a Chicago-based kindie musician whose performances are booked across the country. He sings about meltdowns, stay-at-home dads, baseball, blaming siblings, birthdays, the big yellow bus and lots of things kids and grown-up kids of all ages can relate to.

So why am I telling you this? Please help chambanamoms.com bring Justin Roberts to perform right here in Champaign-Urbana! Right now on his Facebook Fan Page, Roberts is running a contest to see what city can notch the most requests for him to perform a concert there. (The top city right now is Bloomington, Indiana. C’mon, people. We can kick some Hoosier tush!!!)

So here’s what you do:

Go to Justin Robert’s Facebook Fan page (I don’t think you have to be come a fan to do this, but I’m not sure. You can always un-fan. ) Click on the Music tab, then choose “Come to my town.” It will automatically register where you live. You can tell your friends to do it, too. Justin says he’ll check the results at the the end of the month; and if you have ideas for venues to include them in the comments section (I suggested the Virginia Theater).

We’ll keep you posted as to how we are doing. At the very least, we have to beat Bloomington!

What kindie rockers do you love? We want to know!

No related posts.