Garden Patch Farms

We headed out to Homer Glen this morning to visit Garden Patch Farms and take advantage of their U-pick during Strawberry and Raspberry season, which is all of June here in Chicago. We were so impressed with all their U-pick options, I purchased a season pass so I can go out on the farm whenever I like and pick what I want, fresh. You can't beat that! I have been lusting after having my own little Victory Garden since reading about Molly's in my American Girl books when I was a kid. One day we'll have our own back yard for me to have my garden...for now, this will do!

So happy to have Daddy home after he was in Texas all week!

 The awesome shop.

 Strawberry Shortcake (which we called her all morning), on a mission.

 Johnny looks thrilled!

 Be still my heart...my little twin!

 FRESH!

JMH & LRH

 Big boy!

 Taking big steps!

 Picking with Daddy. The field smelled simply divine. Wish I could have bottled it.

 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the world's best.

 We were all sampling as we picked--and loving every second of it.

 Empty basket, because she was too busy sampling the raspberries.

 Yea for onions! Never met one I didn't like.

'tis the season

'Tis the season for Farmers Markets! Yea! We hit the Tinley one last Saturday and the kids had a blast. They always have great activities for the kids, and this week, it was a fun bouncy. All I could think of while I watched Lola was House of Pain's "Jump Around", haha!

Tinley has had the same mayor, Ed Zabrocki, for the last 25+ years. He's a staple in the community and the plaza/square in the heart of downtown Tinley is named after him. There's a great fountain in the middle and Johnny loves splashing in it every time we're up there. Just look at his face!

Johnny {18 Months}

Johnny is 18 months old--a year and a half! Words can't describe how much we are loving this stage. He is such a sweet boy, filled with laughs, love and smiles. Of course, we are not without some of the toddler tantrum moments, but that just comes with the territory. 

We went for his well-baby check up last week. He's officially cracked the 30 lb. mark. He has stayed constant on the growth chart--90% for weight, 75% for height. We're thinking he'll make a perfect linebacker! 

He loves playing with his sister. I rarely have to break up any argument between the two--they are great playmates and have a sweet bond. Common sites are them sitting together on the Pottery Barn chair to watch a movie, holding hands in the backseat of the car or chasing each other around the playground. 

Speech therapy is going well. He is making some great new sounds and what we think are some emerging words. We are so hopeful and really don't have any worry. We know it will all come in time, just as everything with him has. The other day, they were watching Cat in the Hat and after Cat said "Go, Go, Go...on an adventure." He repeated "Go, Go, Go" perfectly--it was so cool. 

Physical therapy is going great, too. To think the boy who now practically runs we once wondered if that would ever even be possible. Watching him walk will never get old and seeing him navigate new physical obstacles in the everyday world with determination is so exciting. John & I will watch him do something new, look at each other as if to say "Did you see that?!" and smile back at one another with so much joy. 

He is already enjoying the heck out of the summer and all the water fun that comes along with it! He gets such a kick out of splashing around. We have yet to hit our community pool, but are looking forward to doing that this weekend. Hope he loves the big pool just as much as the small pools!

If possible, he grows more beautiful by the day. His stunning physical features match his sweet heart. He *still* hasn't gotten his first hair cut. It's just around the corner though--a little trim is needed for the summer!

HAPPY YEAR & A HALF, JOHN MICHAEL! WE LOVE YOU!

Primping

A little lipgloss goes a long way. Look at how long her hair is getting. Time for another trim!

Little Miss Broadway

Our girl had her debut performance this afternoon and did an awesome job. We are so proud of her. She loved the stage (hmmm, wonder who she gets that from!) She had so much family there supporting her and we're so thankful everyone could join us! 

Here's our little diva, on the way to the show. I'm not exaggerating when I say it took me 3 times to get that bright red lipstick right. She's such a trooper when it comes time for hair & make-up, ha!

 Since she's one of the two smallest in her class, she's all the way on the end, stage right.

The finale was an awesome celebration for a year's worth of hard work by all involved...the teachers, assistants, dancers...and parents/grandparents who help finance this expensive hobby. It was the studio's 20th year/production and a great testament to what can happen when a person decides to open a "small" business. Amazing. And inspiring.

I have the fondest memories of my family meeting me after my ice skating performances to give me bouquets of flowers--so to see Lola receive two very special bouquets, from Grammy, Mimi and Papa, was wonderful :)

 She was sure to snag a balloon from the finale drop, too!

CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR!

Recital Rehearsal

This afternoon (after a very wonderful end of the year picnic at school this morning), we headed down to the Rialto Theater in Joliet for Lola's recital rehearsal. It's a gorgeous old theater that still looks as it did back in the day. I actually graduated high school there, so it was cool to be back for this occasion. Haven't been down there since! 

The girls did great. Ellyana is in the same class but at a different time as Lola, because of our opposite schedules. But it was fun to still celebrate the end of a great dance year together. Alissa and I loved our day date, hanging out while the volunteer moms handled the kiddos. God Bless them. It was a LONG day. Mom walked in the door to watch Johnny at 7:45 am and we didn't walk back through the door until 4:45 pm! Whew.

Best friends.

 Ellyana Grace.

 Lola Rose.

 Some fellow dance friends. You wouldn't believe the costumes for this show...SO awesome.

 A well-deserved trip to the candy store. This girl was pushed to her max energy wise and she didn't have ONE sassy moment. Eat all the Swedish fish and Gummie bears you want, honey.

 Just one more Mommy?!

 Nothing says "diva" like wearing sunglasses indoors.

The 40/40 Tour

Today was awesome. A perfect #40 for John. Couldn't have written it better...

Northdown Taproom in the city. He'd been wanting to check it out since he saw the Pork Frites featured on "Chicago's Best"--I feel in love with it instantly. We sat right by the windows, which were opened wide letting the Chicago summer in.

The art and photography in this place was amazing. And their beer selection bordered on obnoxious....

 He was so undecided. Our awesome waiter, Eric, let him taste a few of his considerations.

He settled on the stout, true to his roots. You should have seen his face when I told him this drink was on his friends from California. I love being in cahoots with others to surprise him :)

 

Some really awesome photography hung on the walls, and one of the photos had my very first car in it! Granted this was a gold Mark VII & mine was a 1986 1/2 Red Ford Thunderbird Elan series, but they came off the same assembly line. That V8 5.0 engine, that body, that sunroof, that electronic keypad...my first baby. 

The pork frites--hand cut fries, pickled jalapenos, house smoked pork, crispy pork belly....and then we smothered it with the Gruyere cheese sauce. Insanity. We also feasted on some beer muscles with chorizo and a red cabbage slaw. 

After our perfect lunch, we popped in a candy store on Southport so I could get a lolly pop for an upcoming session prop...had to laugh at who Darth Vader is sandwiched between, especially after Lola's Star Wars lesson this morning. Kermit and Miss Piggy are two of her faves at the moment.

 What birthday in the city would be complete without a stop at BHB?! The boy and his whoopie pie.

 Punk rock pastry.

happy birthday, john edward! this was one for the books :)