Meet the moms that bring you Kidlist, the online resource for families in the west and northwest suburbs! Our team consists of local parents that have a passion for finding great resources for our families and yours. Learn about what we get excited about and feel free to connect with us about ideas, events, classes and other family fun. We always love to hear from you!
Annie Tandy, Owner and Creator
Annie loves making great memories with her two kids and started Kidlist so she can help others do the same! Besides finding fun and exciting things to do with her kids, Annie and her kids enjoy caring for their chickens and hanging out with them in the backyard. Click here to read about Annie’s chickens and see pictures! She also finds joy in gardening, home improvement projects, knitting, soap making, and painting along with being active in her community, church, and on the Board of Directors of the Western Springs Business Association.
Annie was honored to be in the Regional Top 30 under 40 from the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce in 2018, named a top community influencer from Hillgrove Avenue Magazine four consecutive years, featured on NBC’s Chicago Today, Fox 32, WGN Radio, Good Day Chicago, and has enjoyed seeing Kidlist grow since 2011. You can email her at annie@mykidlist.com.
Katie Mayle, Calendar and Content Manager
Katie is a mother of three children, ages 12, 10 and 7. A Joliet native, she and her husband moved back to his hometown of Naperville after the birth of their second daughter. The kids keep her family very active, whether spending a hot summer day at Centennial Beach, or a visit to the reptile house at Phillips Park Zoo. While she looks forward to being outside in the summer, their winter months are filled with local storytimes, visits to museums, and bouncing off energy at the nearest trampoline park. They are grateful for the endless opportunities available to families in the western suburbs, and she looks forward to sharing family-friendly places and events with the parents of young children.
Sheila O’Sullivan Hoffmann, Marketing Strategist
Sheila lives on the northwest side of Chicago, with her husband and three-year-old daughter. They live on the same block where Sheila grew up, and it’s been fun exploring it again through her daughter’s eyes. They love to check out museums, story time at the library and spend as much time outside as possible. Over the summer, they planned “new park Mondays” and explored a new park in a new area each week, followed by a trip to a new local coffee shop.
When not going on adventures with her daughter, Sheila enjoys reading, baking, and crafting. Before becoming a full-time mom, Sheila was a marketing manager in the travel and hospitality industry. She still loves to travel with her family, and her daughter is becoming an enthusiastic travel partner. Kidlist has been an invaluable resource to her and all her friends. Sheila is excited to join the team and support the work that has been so helpful in the first years of parenthood.
Kaitlyn Agnew, Community + Graphics Social Media Specialist
As a mom of two energetic, spirited young boys, ages 3 and 6, Kaitlyn is always looking for fun, new ways to keep them busy while making lasting memories together. As a Downers Grove native, she is proud to be raising her own family here, in her hometown that is so special to her. She lives 9 months for 3, always counting down until Summertime and the days of spending family weekends at the lake house near Lake Geneva, dining al fresco, pool days with the boys in the backyard and spending as much time outdoors as possible. After Summer, Christmas is her favorite time of year – as long as the snow ends January 1st! In her rare free time, she is happiest when doing yoga, visiting her favorite coffee shop or finding a new hiking destination.
Christine Wachowiak, Video + Creative Social Media Specialist
Christine is a proud girl mom to two energetic little adventurers, ages 5 and 3, with baby girl number three joining the fun very soon. She and her family, including their two dogs who happily tag along for the chaos, call Rolling Meadows home. A sunshine-seeker at heart, Christine lights up in warm weather and recharges with reality TV, a good book, or something sweet baking in the oven.
She and her daughters are always out exploring new parks, activities, and hidden gems—constantly on the hunt for fun things to do together. That curiosity is exactly what led her to Kidlist in the first place. Now, she’s beyond excited to join the team and help other families discover their next favorite spot!
Elyse Polickey, Content Contributor
Elyse is a mom of three awesome, rambunctious little ones. Her kids (6, 4, and 1.5 years) keep her days busy and fun. Having taught for 12 years, Elyse is always on the lookout for activities that are both exciting and educational. A La Grange native, she is proud to be raising her family there, as well. Some of her favorite local activities include going to farmers’ markets, the library, checking out new parks and restaurants, and having fun at local music events in the summer. With any free time, she loves reading, getting together with other mom friends, and (trying to!) catch up on sleep. She’s very excited to be a part of the Kidlist team and share ideas with other families!
Jondra Davis, Content Contributor
Jondra is a Tennessee native who resides in her husband’s hometown of Wheaton with their two young children. An event planner by trade, Jondra has a passion for purposeful events that create memories through connection, community, and establishing opportunities for learning and enrichment. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys traveling and new experiences. As a family, they have probably done any excursion you can think of – with strollers and diaper bags in tow! During the summer months, she’ll be waiting for her turn to swing with her kids on The Gravity Rail at The Sensory Garden Playground, relaxing at Herrick Lake for a sunset picnic, or with friends at one of their favorite local outdoor patios for a bite to eat after a full day of fun! She is thrilled to highlight opportunities in our area that encourage diverse and engaging experiences for you and your family to participate.
Taylor Brush, Content Contributor
Taylor is a mom to her busy little toddler and a dog mom to her two German Shepherds. She currently lives in Elmhurst, where both her and her husband grew up! As an Early Childhood Educator, Taylor loves to watch her daughter engage and explore new things. You may see her and her daughter bundled up at Brookfield Zoo or neighborhood parks this winter because nothing will stop them from enjoying their days together. Taylor has a passion for cooking, but loves a good date night and a good Old Fashioned with her husband.
Megan Roake, Content Contributor
Megan is a mom to 2 energetic boys (8 & 6 1/2) and the sweetest (almost) 4 year old girl. Megan is also lucky enough to have 2 older stepchildren that she got to explore the western suburbs with when THEY grew up in this same area! Megan is a Wheaton native, and now lives in Lisle with her husband and littles.
In the summer, you can find Megan and her crew at Sea Lion Aquatic Park soaking in the sun and sand, checking out new parks with friends (especially those with splash pads!) or exploring the Midwest in their camper. Although she is not a fan of the cold, Megan finds that outdoor activities help her kids (and her) keep a positive attitude in the winter, and burn off all that energy! In the rare chance that Megan has free time, she enjoys trying new gluten free recipes, planning vacations, reading and working out.
Megan was so grateful to have kidlist as a resource while she was navigating young motherhood (with 3 kids under 4), and she is now thrilled to be able to give back, and pass on her knowledge and experiences to other moms.
Kristin Adreani, Content Contributor
Hayley Cestafe, Content Contributor
Hayley lives in Naperville with her husband and their two sweet, energetic boys, ages 2 and almost 1. She spent part of her childhood in Hinsdale before moving to Texas, and her family relocated back to the Chicagoland area in 2024. Since returning, she has quickly grown to love the endless kid-friendly activities in the suburbs. Hayley enjoys discovering new parks and hidden gems where her toddler can burn energy, and in the fall you’ll almost always find her family hopping between multiple pumpkin patches and enjoying warm cider.
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Hayley worked as a pediatric PA and has always been passionate about children and their families. Kidlist was a huge resource in helping her explore the area when she moved to Naperville, and she’s excited to now contribute to the content so other families can experience the same!
Get the inside scoop by connecting with us!
Like Kidlist on Facebook
Stay connected with other parents and join the conversation on Facebook. We post links to updated information from the site, events, giveaways and other relevant fun. Leave comments, ask questions, post what is on your mind and upload photos of you and your kids having fun!
Follow us on Instagram
Get inspired by our pics of local adventures and don’t forget to tag us for a chance to be featured and use the hashtag #mykidlist when you post about places you found on Kidlist or things we should check out! And by the way, we like to see your adorable kid pics, so don’t be shy about tagging us with those too!
Tweet with us
We always tweet each topic covered on Kidlist with a link to the post so you can stay up to date even when you’re on the go.
Follow the Kidlist boards
Check out the Kidlist pinboard for kid-tested mom-approved at-home crafts. Rest assured that anything you try from the Kidlist pinboard is possible and full of possibilities for fun!
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Let the posts come to you! Subscribers receive each post we write via email. Read Kidlist updates from your phone, computer or tablet, and plan fun things to do while your kids are taking a nap or at school.
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Visit the site, check out the calendar, browse the menu up top for ideas, even use the search box. You can do all of these things from your desktop computer or on the mobile site if you are using your phone or tablet.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of Kidlist
We did a series on Instagram about the early years of Kidlist. How the name came about, who those little kids are in the logo, and Annie’s family members who help and support her effort to create a family-friendly resource for Chicago’s west and southwest suburbs!
4 Comments. Leave new
I enjoy taking my grands places and doing fun things with them. (My daughter told me about your company.) That’s why I am signing up for the weekly newsletter. Thank you!
Great! So glad you are finding the site helpful.
As a mom, I’ve always felt overwhelmed with the process of searching many internet sites to find local programs and events that are best suited for my family’s wants and needs. Kidlist is a brilliant resource that helps me be much more efficient in deciding where to go and what to sign up for. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service to families like mine!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that.