Photo Credit: Sam Samson
Photo Credit: Doru Halip
Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?
Ally & Lauren: We are both originally from Buffalo Grove. We have been best friends since we were 10. Lauren, moved to Lake Zurich first and raved about how great of a town it was. Ally followed her a few months later. We both have never looked back and love our town.
Do you have child(ren)? Age(s)
Lauren: I have 2 boys. Easton is 4 and Tristan is 1.5 years old.
Ally: I have a boy and a girl. Brooke is 6 and Kyle is 4.5 years old.
What are your favorite things to do in the area with and without your kids? Family friendly restaurant? Date night?
Lauren: We love to walk around the lake, visit all the baseball diamonds and parks. Without my children I love to go to the new coffee shop, Stomping Ground, in town get some coffee and walk around the lake. I also love running through all the neighborhoods!
We love Hungry Mule (Kids eat free on Sunday) Koffee Kup is our favorite place to walk on a weekend morning and have breakfast as a family, and Walker Brothers is always a hit for my boys.
When my husband and I get out we like going for a nice dinner, like D&J Bistro or Beelow’s.
Ally: We also love going around and exploring the parks. Our favorite summer activity is going to Breezewald beach that is free for Lake Zurich residents. Kids can spend hours there. On date nights my husband and I like to hit up the local breweries that we have around here, Consume and Roaring Table to name a few.
We love taking the kids to eat outside at Bobbers.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world? Please share!
Lauren: I am a teacher in the Lake Zurich school district, and I am thrilled that my boys will attend the district! It’s a great feeling to give back to a community that gives so much to my family! And not a business endeavor but shortly after I moved to Lake Zurich, my husband and I were looking to meet families with young kids. As we visited parks, we would meet more and more families. This is when I had the idea to start the Lake Zurich Park Club. It’s free and fun! It’s a way to strengthen ties within the community and to meet our neighbors. We started a Facebook page with interested families and we plan to meet at a new, local park every Sunday morning. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 this summer we were not able to do that. We are hoping to start again next summer. Check out the Facebook group 😊
Ally: I have become a Daisy Leader for my daughter’s school. I am loving that and think it’s a great way for kids to get to meet each other. I also love going to Lauren’s Park Club weekends.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Lauren: I used to drive a 72-passenger school bus for a day camp and I loved every minute of it!
Ally: I can spot a deal like the best of them.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another Mom?
Lauren: I am constantly getting helpful advice from other moms! One that sticks out in my mind is…time goes so fast so try to savor all the memories even the times that seem challenging.
Ally: You do you. Listen to people’s advice and then make your own decisions on what works best for your family.
What are your favorite places to travel near and far and why?
Lauren: We love to visit towns in Michigan that are only a short drive from Lake Zurich! We love renting a house and spending time at the beach! When we could travel far I love anywhere that has warm weather and a pool.
Ally: My favorite place is also Southern Michigan, I think it’s a great family friendly area as well if you want to just go on an adults only trip the wineries are amazing up there.
Arizona holds a special place in my heart to visit as I went to ASU, go Sun Devils.
Which podcasts and/or TED Talks inspire you the most?
Lauren: Any podcast or TED Talks that speak about how to champion for children. I love the advice Janet Lansbury gives on her podcasts and newsletters.
Ally: Do Bachelor/Bachelorette podcasts count 😉? I really like to listen to more mindless or criminal mind podcasts.
Tell me about your favorite book/s. I love receiving fiction and non-fiction recommendations!
Lauren: “The Gift of Failure” by Jessica Lahey is a great nonfiction book. As for fiction, I like book club type books or anything by Elin Hilderbrand or Liane Moriarty.
Ally: “Once We Were Brothers” and “Educated” are my top 2 favorite books.
What is next for you?
Lauren: I’m currently getting my masters in school leadership and have lots of ideas of ways I can give back to education. I am inspired to help make a change within my community and the boarder educational community.
In all the ways the pandemic has been a challenge, it has made me appreciate slowing down and family time! I look forward to many more fun days with my husband and my boys as we continue to do all the things we love together!
Ally: Professionally, I’m going to start doing sales for my company, excited for the new opportunity. Personally, I’m just starting to get used to my kids becoming school aged kids, my son will start kindergarten next year and my daughter will be 1st grade next year.