Nadine Champsi is founder of the Pittsburgh Mommy Blog and editor of Kidsburgh, the go-to resource for all things kids in Pittsburgh. As a doctor turned write-at-home mom of two children, Nadine is committed to helping Pittsburgh parents raise happy and healthy kids in what she considers to be the best city on Earth to have a family. Find out what Nadine is up to this week:
Monday, December 8
Monday is errand day in my world. After dropping off my four-year-old daughter at preschool, my three-year-old son and I will head to East Liberty for a grocery shopping trip to Whole Foods. Cooking is one of my greatest passions, and this week’s menu includes one of my favorite holiday recipes—Sauerbraten with ginger snap gravy. We’ll also probably stop into Trader Joe’s to pick up one of my personal seasonal splurges—their peppermint hot chocolate. Finally, we’ll pop into Target to pick up supplies for my family’s contribution to the Pgh Momtourage Foster Love Project—an initiative started by fellow Pittsburgh mom blogger, Kelly Hughes.
In the afternoon, I have an interview with Anne Marie Kuchera. She’s one of the program directors for the Healthy Schools Program, a national initiative that will soon come to Pittsburgh thanks to a collaboration between Pittsburgh Public Schools and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Tuesday, December 9
Tuesday is a work day for me. I’ll drop the kids off at preschool and head off to Peet’s Coffee in the Waterworks for a day of research, writing and interviewing. My agenda? Learn everything there is to know about Pittsburgh preschools.
Also, if I have time on Tuesday morning, I’m planning on stopping into Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for a fun event with Allies for Children and MomsRising. Local mothers will gather together to thank Mayor Peduto for his hard work helping local children obtain health insurance through the Healthy Together campaign.
Wednesday, December 10
Wednesday is my special day with my little guy. While my daughter is in preschool, I’ll take him to Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for their Tot Time program with the iconic Miss Yvonne. This week’s session is train-themed and I know he’ll love it!
Wednesday evening I have a date with my camera at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens‘ Candlelight Evenings. Photography is a new hobby for me—inspired by all the talented Pittsburgh folks on Instagram and especially the #steelcitygrammers group. After the kids are in bed, I’m going to head to the absolutely stunning Winter Light Garden and Flower Show and try to capture an iota of its beauty.
Thursday, December 11
Thursday morning is an exciting time in our household! My daughter is performing in her Pre-K class’ holiday show, the Gingerbread Man. She’s going to play a gray squirrel and she even has her own little song to belt out. I know I’m going to cry.
I get to spend the rest of my Thursday with my husband while our children are in school. We’re going to relive our glory days as students at PittMed and work together at a local coffee shop. We’ll probably hit up Aspinwall Beans ‘N’ Creme on Brilliant Avenue near our house and try to get some work done. For lunch, we’re planning on checking out the new Randita’s Organic Vegan Cafe on Commercial Avenue, also in Aspinwall.
Thursday night we’ll pick up our Christmas tree at Patty’s Farm Market right down the street from our house.
Friday, December 12
I love Fridays because both of my kids are home with me and I always try to do something really special with them. This week, we’re going to take the Port Authority bus and head Downtown to check out the Wintergarden at PPG Place and the Peoples Gas Holiday Market at Market Square. The kids love to look at the Santas, gingerbread houses and the model train display, and I love to shop for gifts at the Holiday Market!
Saturday, December 13
We’re planning on taking the kids to Phipps to wander through the Winter Flower Show and see a few special guests. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be hosting a creative movement class at 10:30 a.m. and my daughter is thrilled to get up close to her after seeing The Nutcracker last weekend. Also, Santa will be at Phipps in the afternoon and the kids can’t wait to present the first drafts of their Christmas lists to him.
Saturday evening we’ll head to Squirrel Hill for a visit to our favorite family-friendly restaurant, Everyday Noodles. My husband and I adore the Dan Dan Noodles Szechuan Style and my kids gobble up the Sesame Cold Noodles with Chicken.
Sunday, December 14
Sunday morning we’ll head to one of our favorite breakfast spots, Cafe on Main in Sharpsburg. The food is excellent and they have a large selection of toys to keep the kids busy while we wait.
In the afternoon, I’m planning on taking my daughter to see The Gift of the Ice Queen at Gemini Children’s Theater in Point Breeze. She’s a huge fan of their productions and it’s always nice to have some special time just with her.
While I’m at the show with her, my husband will take our son to see the Holiday Train Show at the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum in Gibsonia.
We’ll end the week by decorating our Christmas tree and enjoying that Sauerbraten together.