2014 Holiday Bucket List: Chicago Botanic Garden's Wonderland Express #Giveaway

Each year, my family aims to experience and enjoy life together during the holidays, placing less emphasis on the gift aspect and more on togetherness. This is part one of a series detailing some of our favorite Chicagoland destinations during the 2014 Christmas season. Be sure to scroll down to the end; one of our favorite places is giving away tickets! 

Destination Three: Chicago Botanic Garden's Wonderland Express
No matter your age, the Wonderland Express never gets old, which is why it makes our holiday bucket list again and again, this year being no exception

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden. 

The boys used to enjoy this holiday train exhibit because our youngest was mesmerized by trains and our oldest was interested in the detailed workings of how the trains run. At ages 5 and 7, they now really dig going through the exhibit and identifying the miniature replicas of famous Chicago-area landmarks like Soldier Field, the ferris wheel at Navy Pier and the Willis Tower. And honestly we really like that part, too, because now instead of chasing them through the exhibit as they chase the trains we actually get to see the fine details of the miniature replicas.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

And they each are sites at which to marvel, each being crafted out of natural materials found in nature like bark, wood, pinecones, stones, etc. It's really quite marvelous. The entire exhibit is beautifully and painstakingly detailed.

Last year we also had our first experience with the Wonderland Express and a teenaged host daughter from Eastern Europe who stayed with us for a month. She also liked it, and we found it was a great place for her to enjoy because so little language is needed to understand the exhibit. She really liked it quite a bit, and it was a great way to introduce someone from abroad to the greatness of Chicago! The Wonderland Express is open now through January 4, 2015. You can buy tickets and see more information on times here.

Would you like to see the Wonderland Express for yourself this year? The Chicago Botanic Garden has graciously provided me with four tickets to keep and four to giveaway! Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions, which are SUPER easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Destination Four: Cuneo Mansion and Gardens Winter Wonderland

A new one on our holiday bucket list this winter, the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens Winter Wonderland promises a relaxed evening with the family as we tour the lighted garden via car. Some days you just need that, especially during the busy holiday season.

This year we plan to hit the wonderland during the week when it's less crowded, and we'll likely do something cheeky like splurge on a hot chocolate or chai for the drive.

Destination Five: Candlelight Service at Immanuel Church on Christmas Eve

If there's one thing we don't miss during the holiday season, it's the Christmas Eve service at Immanuel Church in Gurnee.

We love coming together as a family to sing Christmas songs, and the candlelight is always so beautiful!

This year, Christmas Eve services are as follows; childcare is available for children kindergarten and younger at the first two services.

Please note: I am an ambassador for the Chicago Botanic Garden, and I receive my membership in return for helping families find out what's going on at the garden, which if you've been around here for long know that isn't a hard task at all! We love the garden! All opinions expressed are my own. Also note that I work for Immanuel Church. However, I wouldn't work there if I didn't love it. So there's that. 

Holiday Bucket List: Experiencing the Beauty of the Holidays in Chicago, Part Two

Each year, my family aims to experience and enjoy life together during the holidays, placing less emphasis on the gift aspect and more on togetherness. This is part two of a series detailing some of our favorite Chicagoland destinations during the Christmas season. Be sure to scroll down to the end; one of our favorite places is giving one family a set of tickets!

Morton Arboretum's Illumination

"Mommy! It looks like it's raining purple!"

Along the one-mile path of beautifully glowing trees, our family discovered a new Holiday Bucket List adventure this year: Morton Arboretum's Illumination.

Aside from trees that looked like they were raining colors, we also encountered parts of the path where we could sing to the trees and watch them change color according to our song as well as hug trees and watch them glow brighter beneath the dark cover of night.

As the boys gulped the last of their hot cocoa and hot cider and ran ahead of John and I on the path, John remarked about how visiting Illumination almost felt like a date night the kids were so enthralled with the scenery and enchanted by the portions along the path where the lights and trees seemed to come to life.

Our youngest son especially liked watching his image be projected onto the trees and then watching movies of snowflakes falling dance across the branches, an almost movie of snow. We'll most definitely go back for another round. Bonus? If you have active younger ones with lots of energy, then entire event is outdoors with space for little ones to run around and enjoy the show.

Ultra bonus? The lights against the tress are spectacularly beautiful and if your kids run far enough ahead, it almost feels like a date night for 2.5 seconds. ;-)

When: November 22, 2013 - January 4, 2014
Time: Open daily from 4:30 until 8:30 p.m. with few exceptions
Where: Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
More Information: Illumination

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Each year, we head to our community's quaint downtown and watch in splendor as the entire span of the street lights up for the first time during the holiday season. Normally, before festivities begin, we stop at the small coffee shop and grab something warm to drink, which is necessary, because it's almost always quite cold, and if we're going to make it through a sleigh ride around town, we need to drink our warmth. Also, marshmallows, according to the boys.

Soon after the lights brighten the downtown and the tree is lit, Santa and his sleigh come down the street, greeting all of the children and the sleigh rides begin. Each year, our boys look forward to this tradition, and I look forward to seeing their cute little faces light up when Santa arrives and the all the lights go ablaze!

Want a list of Tree Lighting Ceremony events in Lake County? Head over to Little Lake County and take a peek!

Christmas Eve Services at Immanuel Church

Perhaps it's not so much event as it is tradition, but singing Christmas Carols and celebrating Jesus' birth  at our church is probably my personal highlight on the holiday bucket list.

We sign carols by candlelight on Christmas Eve, and the whole family participates; even the boys, who were 3 and 5 last year, attended the Christmas Eve service. While they loved the singing portion, they were mostly smitten by holding burning candles. And for a little slice of peace on Earth this Christma, I'll take it!

When: Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Time: 4 - 5 p.m., 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Where: Immanuel Church, Gurnee
More Information: Immanuel Church

Want to cross something off your Holiday Bucket List? The generous folks at the Morton Arboretum have offered a family four pack of tickets to one reader! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full disclosure: I only work with organizations I love. The Morton Arboretum invited my family to experience opening night of Illumination so I could share the experience with my friends. Simply, we loved it. So I'm sharing. Also, I work in online communications at Immanuel Church. But before I worked there, I attended there. All of my opinions are my own, and I only share about great organizations. :-) You must be 18 years old to win this giveaway. 

Holiday Bucket List: A Guide for Experiencing the Beauty of the Holidays as a Family in Chicagoland {part one}

Each year, my family aims to experience and enjoy life together during the holidays, placing less emphasis on the gift aspect and more on togetherness. This is part one of a series detailing some of our favorite Chicagoland destinations during the Christmas season. Be sure to scroll down to the end; one of our favorite places is giving one family a set of tickets!

Chicago Botanic Garden Wonderland Express
If you've been around here for awhile, you've gathered we are Chicago Botanic Garden enthusiasts. {What's not to love?! The great outdoors, plenty of space to explore and enjoy, winter exhibits to help relieve the stir craziness that sets in!}

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

While the Botanic Garden is a hot destination for my kids during the spring, summer and fall, they pretty much ask year round how many days are left until we see the Wonderland Express, the garden's holiday-themed train exhibit that sprawls through the indoor atriums.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

My boys, now 4 and 6, are absolutely enamored by the entire set up of trains chugging around the tracks of the mini Windy City. When they were younger, they spent most of their time chasing the trains as they ventured along the tracks. Now that the boys are older, they want to explore every single landmark building and discuss each of the tiny replicas along the tracks. John and I not only enjoy the family time with the boys while here, but we also enjoy marveling over how each and every piece of the mini city is made of natural materials like leaves, bark and other elements found in the great outdoors.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Wonderland Express is well worth any trek you'd make as well as the cost.

When: November 29, 2013 - January 5, 2014
Time: Open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. with few exceptions
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
More Information: Chicago Botanic Garden

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences: The Nutcracker

Perhaps you're thinking what I first thought when John and I mulled sharing our love of theatre with the kiddos: no way, no how will my kids sit through a live play!

Last December, when the boys were 5 and 3, we decided to give it a whirl anyway, as the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences specifically aims its shows for, well, young audiences, by making them lively, beautiful and entertaining. And they do it all in one hour!

Our boys, now 6 and 4, have delightfully experienced three productions, and they have really liked each one {says the surprised mom of two really active, light-saber sporting little boys}. We recently attended the opening-day performance of the Nutcracker. I didn't know how it was going to play out because the Nutcracker my husband and I knew centered all around ballet; however, this story was adapted into a wonderful production geared toward young audiences.

Photo courtesy of Peter Coombs and the Marriott Theatre

The boys enjoyed the music, the story, the animated characters and even the dance! Our youngest kept asking, "Mommy, how do they spin like that!?"in response to some of the ballet dances during the show. While this production of the Nutcracker did feature some splendidly talented dancers, the show wasn't dance-centric. In true Marriott fashion, the production was beautifully choreographed, funny, engaging and featured a wonderfully animated cast that was perfect for small children, older children and adults alike.

Photo courtesy of Peter Coombs and the Marriott Theatre

When: November 8, 2013 - December 28, 2013
Time: Click Here for showtimes
Where: Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire, IL
More Information: Marriott Theatre 

So are you ready to cross a few things off your Holiday Bucket List? How about going to the Wonderland Express this holiday season compliments of the Chicago Botanic Garden?! The lovely people at the Chicago Botanic Garden are giving away a family four pack of tickets for the Wonderland Express as well as a free parking ticket. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stay tuned for part two of the Holiday Bucket List tomorrow. I have another great giveaway planned!

Disclosure: First and foremost, I only work with organizations I really love. I am a Chicago Botanic Garden ambassador who receives a membership in exchange for sharing about the garden on a regular basis. 
The Marriott Theatre invited my family to press day to see the Nutcracker so we could share our experiences with other families.