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Maia • Play • Learn • Read

@play.learn.read

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🧒🏻👶🏻Mom of 2 💙🩷
📚 Reading Specialist 📖
🏡 Chicago Suburbs & beyond!
💌 [email protected]

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And then there were four 🤍

Grateful beyond belief. by @play.learn.read

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a month ago

Reintroducing myself since there are some new faces here! ✨🎉

Whether you’re a new follower, you’ve been here since the start, or somewhere in between:
I’d love to know what content brought you here and what you want to see more of!

Let me know in the comments! 👇👇
And share a little about you while you’re at it! 🥰 by @play.learn.read

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2 months ago

🔥Hot take:
While learning letters and starting to read is so important to me (EVENTUALLY), there are so many other things that are more important to me as a toddler mom and reading specialist.

Here’s a short list of some things that I care a lot about for my toddler.🥰✨

What did I miss? What’s on your list? Comment below and let me know! 👇👇 by @play.learn.read

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7 months ago

When you have a baby, your toddler still needs you… and somehow the laundry, dishes, errands, and everything else still need to get done too. 😅

That’s why I’ve been loving a good baby carrier during this newborn + toddler season. 🤍

The Sprout Carrier from @hopeandplum has made it so much easier to keep my newborn close and cozy while still keeping up with our normal life. I can wear her while playing with my toddler, getting things done around the house, going for walks, and so much more.

It’s comfortable, easy to put on independently, and (bonus!) actually cute enough that I want to wear it all the time. 🥰

I also love that Hope & Plum was founded by two moms and that their carriers are made in the USA — in Minnesota! 🇺🇸

These are just a few of the things I’ve been able to do while babywearing lately… and I’m sure this list is only going to grow!

Moms, what’s something you love doing while babywearing? 👇🏼

If you’ve been looking for a carrier, you can use the link in my bio for 10% off your Hope & Plum carrier! Or comment/DM me and I’ll send you the link. 🤍 by @play.learn.read

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15 days ago

🌧️ SAVE THIS for the next rainy day when your kids are bouncing off the walls!

If you’re looking for somewhere to let the kids RUN, climb, slide and play when the weather isn’t cooperating, add Hyper Kidz in Bolingbrook to your list! 🙌

It’s a huge, safari-themed indoor playground with 3 different play zones for ages 0–13, so there’s something for toddlers and bigger kids alike. And the best part? Admission includes unlimited open play — no 1- or 2-hour time limit! 👏

📍 Hyper Kidz Bolingbrook
137 S Weber Rd, Bolingbrook, IL 60490

⏰ Hours:
Mon–Fri: 9 AM–8 PM
Sat: 9 AM–9 PM
Sun: 9 AM–8 PM

💰 Open Play Pricing:
Mon–Thurs: $12.99 ages 1–2 | $14.99 ages 3–13
Fri–Sun: $17.99 ages 1–2 | $19.99 ages 3–13
👶 Infants 0–11 months: $9.99 Mon–Thurs / $14.99 Fri–Sun (FREE with a paid sibling)
👨‍👩‍👧 2 adults are FREE with each paid child admission

They also have $9.99 Wonderful Wednesdays for all ages! 🎉

And yes, socks are required, so consider this your reminder to throw an extra pair in your diaper bag. 😂

If you’re a Chicagoland parent, SAVE this for your next rainy-day activity and send it to another mom who needs an indoor play idea! ☔️💛

#chicagolandkids #indoorplay #rainydayactivities #chicagosuburbs taken in Bolingbrook, Illinois by @play.learn.read

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a month ago

As a second time mom, I knew there were some products we had to find and have prepped right away. These ones are the essentials for us and we truly use them every day.

✨What are/were your favorite everyday products for the newborn stage?? by @play.learn.read

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a month ago

Been waiting all year to make this life update 🥰

So happy to finally give our son a little sister and to join the “mom of 2” club! 🎉

#momoftwo #babyannouncement #lifeupdate #growingfamily #newborn by @play.learn.read

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a month ago

A Chicago-suburbs kid activity to SAVE for your next weekend! 🐐🌻🐓

If you’re looking for something a little different than the usual playground or indoor play place, add Honey Bee Gardens Farm in Downers Grove to your list! 🐝

This family-friendly farm feels like a little escape from the suburbs, with animals to meet, gardens to explore, hands-on activities, play spaces, and plenty of room for kids to wander, discover, and get a little messy. 🌿

It’s the kind of place where you can actually slow down and let the kids explore—and there’s enough to see and do that I’d definitely plan to spend a few hours here!

📍 Honey Bee Gardens Farm
8405 Kearney Rd, Downers Grove, IL

⏰ Buzz Around the Barnyard: Fridays & Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM through October 2026

🎟️ $18/person
👶 Under 2 is FREE

If you’re a Chicago-area parent always looking for things to do with kids, SAVE this one for a future weekend! And send it to the mom/dad/grandparent who’s always asking, “What should we do this weekend?” 👇

Follow @play.learn.read for more Chicago-suburbs family activities, toddler-friendly outings & local hidden gems! 💛

And thank you to @honeybeegardenfarms for giving families such a fun place to explore! 🐝🌼

#ChicagoKids #ChicagoSuburbs #ThingsToDoWithKidsChicago #DownersGrove #ChicagoMoms taken in Downers Grove, Illinois by @play.learn.read

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2 months ago

Pregnancy + gestational diabetes has my list of food cravings growing by the day 😂😭

What is/was at the top of your list for after baby comes?👇👇

#thestruggleisreal #pregnancycravings #gestationaldiabetes #pregnancystruggles #thirdtrimester by @play.learn.read

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2 months ago

Back to school for mom means back to daycare (& packed lunches) for the toddler!

I try to do a mix of healthy meal prepped options and easy grab and go snacks. Some weeks are better than others!

Moms: What’s something you pack for your kiddo that’s easy AND you know they’ll eat!? 🍽️

#backtoschool #daycarelife #lunchboxideas #workingmoms #toddlermom by @play.learn.read

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2 months ago

As a second-time mom, I’m already thinking about all the little things that are going to make the transition from 1 → 2 a little easier—and a good baby carrier is HIGH on that list.

I love the idea of having my hands free while still keeping my newborn close, especially when my toddler needs me too.

I’m so excited to actually put the Hope & Plum Sprout carrier to the test once our baby girl arrives! 🎀💕

✨ Want the carrier? Comment “BABY” and I’ll send you the link for 10% OFF!
🔗 The link is also in my bio

@hopeandplum #unboxing
#babywearing #newbornessentials #secondtimemom momof2 by @play.learn.read

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2 months ago

2 seconds of every hour!✨

First (teacher) day of school! 🍎

Teachers: I’m curious if your first day looks similar!
Also, how are your holding up!?

#momvlog #teachervlog #firstdayofschool #backtoschool #teachermom by @play.learn.read

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2 months ago