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!