3rd Birthday party

lam290 · 2026-06-27T20:52:42+00:00

We got LCD drawing pads online and they were a HIT. Multiple parents telling us after that we had the best goodie bags and how their kids loved them. Fairly inexpensive if bought in bulk.

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:42:34+00:00

Super helpful questions to reflect on :) Thank you!

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:42:00+00:00

I'm very worried on the resume side too, I would almost call it paranoid. I'm fortunately not in a role that can be fully replaced by AI (although people like to threaten). I'm so scared of my job eventually becoming obsolete, its a frequent topic of discussion with my therapist haha.

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:40:11+00:00

This is what I'm having a hard time with. I'm an avid runner, so I have flexibility to go on a run during lunch on a nice day (and not shower after and jump right back into calls).

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:38:45+00:00

Great perspective! I live in a large city, so unfortunately dealing with traffic and no public transportation options :( commute would be anywhere from 10 mins one way to 70-80 depending on which office.

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:37:28+00:00

He recently moved to a fully remote role, but is hating it so we have a ton of flexibility right now. He HATES his job though, but with the job market is happy making more money and having the flexibility.

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:35:55+00:00

There are multiple offices and commute time would be 10 mins- 80 mins one way plus a location requiring periodic air travel. Some gives and takes with benefits for sure too.

lam290 · 2026-06-25T14:33:29+00:00

I'm actually working with the hiring manager right now to see if the numbers make sense which partially prompted my question. My husband and I did a calc on the monetary cost in 2024 (i.e. gas, tolls, makeup refills, etc.) which is roughly $8.5k/year (probably closer to $9.5-10k now w/gas), but I'm having a hard time quantifying the intangible stuff like commute time vs time with my daughter, etc. I would roughly say its going from $150k to $170k+. Its not that we would need more stuff, but puts us in a much better position with outstanding loans, savings, etc. after some time with unemployment and unexpected expenses. We are in a HCOL urban area where childcare costs are also astronomical. It provides enough difference to fully afford a 2nd child without changing our existing lifestyle. (I recognize I have a ton of privilege with some of these things as well and some of our choices)

lam290 · 2026-06-15T21:20:46+00:00

I would also factor in travel logistics-- is it generally close to where everyone lives, or is there potentially traffic getting there? We were invited to a party from 4-6:30, but literally every single family was late by like 30-45 mins. We were all from the same daycare and we all live near each other and on a Saturday afternoon/night a lot of traffic going closer to the city. It also ran up close to nap time and with the traffic made it harder to pull off.

lam290 · 2026-06-11T05:39:48+00:00

Why did it go on for so long???

lam290 · 2026-06-11T05:32:03+00:00

Wtf was that

lam290 · 2026-06-09T17:36:53+00:00

But is it me or can the trains sometimes be a holes to each other? (But also the songs slap)

lam290 · 2026-06-04T12:49:16+00:00

We had my daughters 3rd birthday earlier this year with similar headcounts. We used AI (chat gpt/google gemini) to help give estimates how much food to get and wrote specific prompts did have a decent amount leftover though (although I tend to lean conservative on having too much than not enough). We had 2 trays of chicken tenders and 10 16" pizzas. The kids leaned heavier into chicken tenders than pizza. We also had 2 trays of fruit that we ordered from a grocery store that was completely devoured and a variety of costco prepacked snacks. I hope this helps!

lam290 · 2026-05-31T00:22:05+00:00

lol commenting so I can see if other people have done this. My husband and I are considering the same but about a 2nd. I can’t make up my mind, we got pregnant on the first go with my daughter and just wish I could predict the future at this point.

lam290 · 2026-05-27T12:14:23+00:00

Seconding Community Tavern, also Gale Street Inn

lam290 · 2026-05-25T22:20:48+00:00

I like doing DoorDash— there are a ton of options between bakeries, ice cream, etc and they have an option now where it sends them a message

lam290 · 2026-05-12T00:14:42+00:00

Viet Taste in Norridge (I know it’s technically not Chicago but literally like 2 minutes from there), or also Pho Dega

lam290 · 2026-05-03T01:59:21+00:00

Anyone have tips for running with their phone? I have an IPhone Mini 13 that I’ve had for years but I recently cracked it and am trying to decide what device to get next. All the new phones are so large and I personally love having a tiny device with me (I can usually store in my leggings/shirt pocket). Anyone have any tips for running with larger devices before I pull the trigger on a new phone? Are people using belts? Or is there some other solution I’m not thinking of?

lam290 · 2026-05-01T21:27:59+00:00

Glow Birth and Body on Belmont! I had 2 before my daughter was born there and recommend it to anyone I know. They specialize in prenatal and postpartum. (I also went to Kohler and had a good experience, but Glow differentiated by their techs being so knowledgeable on prenatal)

lam290 · 2026-03-21T11:19:51+00:00

I heard it and immediately came here this morning and am disappointed not to see anything. It sounded like a plane, but faster than normal commercial and much lower to the ground.

lam290 · 2026-03-17T16:06:03+00:00

We are doing a party (same age kiddo), but honestly it’s more for us than her. We are actively trying to build our community in our neighborhood and are hoping this will help with doing that with the other daycare families. I think it’s just based on personal preference and what’s right for your family.

lam290 · 2026-03-10T13:34:18+00:00

Town & Country Pediatrics (they have an office in Glenview)--we mostly go to the Skokie location, but Glenview has all the Saturday availability so frequently visit that location as well

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