A couple of weekends ago (yes! I know I am a bit behind!), Max and I met up with my brother, sister-in-law + kids at the Elmhurst Park District's Touch a Truck event.  This was our second year attending.  I think its a great event.  Last year, the boys were skeptical, but still wanted to sit in some of the trucks.  Max was way too small to do anything. 

This year, Max was interested, but only from the stroller.  The boys were really into it, but had enough of the horns.  (seems the highlight of going in to any truck was to press the horn, got real old, real quick.)  We got to sit in a fire truck, a de-icer from United Airlines, a Two Men and a Truck moving truck, a school bus and a Jewel food truck.  Each truck was giving away a trinket of sorts.  United gave out wings.  Fire department gave out the red plastic hats.  Two Men and a Truck, balloons.  Jewel, Jewel gave out chocolate covered pretzel sticks dipped in mini chocolate chips (dark, milk + white).  Um, hello...I'll be back to the Jewel truck any day! 

*fire engine + airplane de-icer

Then there was the Helicopter.  We were first in line. 

Some one wasnt interested at all.  That's okay, because when I looked inside, there isnt much room to do anything in the helicopter.  My 'small space issue' would surface, and quick!

When Max and I were at the Morton Arboretum over Labor Day weekend, there were several art exhibits throughout the place.  This one was my favorite.  I think its visible from I-88. 

You are beautiful.

You are.

My grandmother told me that everytime we saw each other.  I tend to remember that when I am feeling low.  I think we need to remember this and feel this about ourselves and others. 

Looking for super quick, super easy and super cheap Halloween decorations? 

Just go to your scrapbook stash, pull out the orange, black and green papers.  Grab your glue stick and scissors.  And Voila!  (if you dont have scrapbook paper on hand, you can get a construction paper pack at Walmart or Target for less than $3.)

The hardest part is coming up with the face parts.  I had a picture saved of this craft from a year ago, and cannot for the life of me recall the blogger who posted it.  So I am giving credit .... here... just wish I knew!

If you need help with inspiration, check out Martha Stewart.

Another idea ... if your children are older, they can either do the drawing/designing/cutting themselves, or you cut out the pieces and they put them together.  Its a fun, easy Halloween-themed activity. 

image via

Lately I've been the Bad Cop.  I knew I would have to wear this hat, but not ALL. THE. TIME.  (Ok, in Max's defense he is not always misbehaving.)  I just feel now that he is moving more into a toddler, and less of an infant, the parenting job has taken a turn in a different direction. 

Stop biting.

Out of the bathroom cabinets.

Out of the kitchen cabinets.

Stop opening the drawers to Mommy's dresser.

Stop taking all of Mommy's shoes out of the boxes.

I know what I am doing is setting boundaries, teaching him right from wrong, good from bad.  But man, this is hard.  After Max's goes to bed, I've had little energy to do anything.  I've found recently I walk from his room to my room and flop into bed.  Only to wake up at midnight, go downstairs to do the dishes and pick-up.  Not a good pattern or routine to be in. 

Any of my mommy friends or family - Does this stage pass? If so, WHEN???  

I love this kid like crazy.  I know I need to discipline him.  I know I will not be one of his favorite people some day.    I just wish I had a crystal ball so that I could see my hard work paying off.  And that my frustrations will not rub off on him.  He's an overall genuine happy boy.  I'd like for it to stay that way. 

There are no words. 

God Bless, America.

Today, I used the last of my Groupon's for the Morton Arboretum.  I am so glad I had purchased these back in the Spring.  I was able to take Max a couple of times to check things out, enjoy nature and spend a couple of hours outside.  I am contemplating joining as a member so that we can go more often.  It is that cool! If for nothing else, to take our picnic blanket and just chill for a while. 

I mostly went to check out the children's garden.  Its pretty cool, however definitely geared for kids older than 16 months.  We still had fun though. 

Here we are helping at the water station. 

Then as the bigger kids started to push and not share or wait their turn, we decided to leave and check out the Secret Stream. 

I was surprised to see encouragement to get in the water.  I was a bit skeptical at first, but Max was putting up a stink and in he went!  He loved it!

Then we stopped for a snack. 

Couldnt resist 'talking' on the phone to Grandma.

Sometimes, a jaunt around the tree with snack in hand is necessary.

Lastly, on our way out, we stopped at the kiddie maze.  (Funny moment, earlier this summer Max and I joined our friend Rich here and we tried the big maze.  Needless to say, two adults - rather intelligent adults mind you - couldnt figure out the big maze to save our lives.  So what did we do?  We quit and went for ice cream instead!)

It was a good afternoon.  We enjoyed ourselves.  And the fresh air did a number on someone as he fell asleep on the way home.  Thank you Mother Nature!

This is what we do when its unbearably hot outside.  We head straight to the splash pad park after work, still in our day clothes and have some fun in the water.  (that, and the fact I took down the crab pool last weekend.)