After a surprisingly expensive fall and the flurry of the holidays and a much-needed vacation at the end 2011, we are reigning in the spending to start this year.  Ever since my husband left the corporate world to start his own businesses I’ve become a pro at creatively living the frugal life, and I’m always thinking of new ways to enjoy life while keeping an eye on our finances.

We decided that for the first few months of 2012 our entertainment budget will be cut drastically.  No date nights or babysitters for the foreseeable future.  So, I am on the hunt for frugal ways to keep our family entertained and connected.  After a simple dinner at home on Friday night, we took the kids to George’s, one of our favorite ice cream spots in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood.  The whimsical flavors and cheeky decor made our simple night out a real treat.

Sometimes all it takes is an extra shake of sprinkles for Evie and Mack to feel like the King and Queen of Chicago!

Little Mack was so delighted with our special outing that he cheerfully offered Chris a bite of his shocking blue ice cream. It was so sweet to watch him share.

Our budget-friendly weekend didn’t end on Friday night.  We had my sister Meghan over for brunch on Sunday morning.  Since we both have rambunctious little boys, we’ve found that its easier to enjoy a meal together if we’re at home rather than in a restaurant. Plus, making homemade egg strata and sweet rolls is a lot cheaper than going out with four adults and three kids!  After brunch, Chris and I took the kids to the Museum of Science and Industry with a free pass I had checked out from the library.  Evie used the outing as an excuse to dress up in one of her most favorite dresses – her enthusiasm made it a super special day that didn’t cost us a penny!