Oak Park Ave. Tradition

For the past three summers, Lola has visited the benches along Oak Park Avenue in Tinley. Local artisans design benches every summer that are sponsored by Tinley business owners and civic organizations. Each year has a theme and this year's is "When I grow up..." So to kill some time before Mass, we headed over to main street to let Lola play. This wasn't her first visit of the summer, but the first Mommy remembered her camera!

Holding hands with Daddy as they get ready to cross the "choo-choo" tracks.
I would say this theme is "Zoologist".

A little cool-off time in Zabrocki plaza.
Just love this one!
Reading with one of the many bronze sculptures. Tinley is very artsy!
Kissing a puppy on another one.
"Lion Tamer". Lola would be good at this!

Naming colors.


Look at that detail. All wood.

A few belly shots....19 weeks today....half way there!

"Fireman" was "too hot" to sit on, according to Lola.
Tinley's very own Victory Garden. I can't wait to have my own...one day!
Ok...despite the fact this is a terribly unflattering photo of Mommy, I couldn't resist posting--look at her happiness!
My girl!
Not wanting to hold hands with Daddy across the street gets you this:

And finally, stopping to smell the flowers.

Painting!

Alissa always has such good ideas for activities for the kids--on yesterday's agenda--PAINTING! It was messy but so much fun (and washed right out). The last time I let Lola paint was awhile ago and she tried to eat it. I think she's more ready for it now and we'll have to add it to our fall activity list.


The Picassos took time to relax and enjoy some pretzels.

Buddies!

We finally got our pool date in with Tracy & Parker! But not before some lunch and play at the house. How cute are these two?! The kiddos had fun at the pool and ran around with glee in the splash pad. We even managed to take them into the lazy river together--let me tell you, two pregnant mamas, with toddlers in tow, trying to get on & off a double raft is a site to behold!

No more Binky!

I think it's safe to say we've broken this habit! I said I was going to take her Binky away the day after her 2nd birthday--John said, "Hon, whatever you want to do. You're the one whose going to have to deal with the fallout." I went back and forth leading up to the date on whether I was actually going to do it or not, but I woke up on Monday and decided to do it. I can honestly say I was expecting 3 days of sheer terror, especially in the car and at nap/bedtime, but she has totally surprised me. Instead of being an awful experience, dear I say it's been easy and enjoyable?! She's hardly put up any fight. Yes, she occasionally asks for it still--"Blue Binky."--but I quickly divert her attention to something else and she instantly forgets. A new toy is coming her way for being so awesome! And *hopefully* by the time she sees Johnny with one, she'll forget she ever had one!

And his name is...

John Michael Hernandez
(aka "Johnny")

It seems that we have settled on a name! This was what we were 99.9% sure we'd name our son all along. When you ask Lola what the baby's name is, she says "Johnny", so I guess that settles it. I can't wait to have another "Johnny" in this house! And I love how "John Michael" sounds together too--classic and strong.

I love the idea of naming the son after the father--probably because my brother is named after our dad. And even though they have the same name, they are always uniquely their own person. And while John's middle name is Edward, Michael works best for our Johnny--it's always been my favorite boy name and Uncle Mikey will be his godfather :)

Lola's 2nd Birthday Party

Lola had the best 2nd birthday party we could have ever imagined. She was surrounded by all the people she loves and so much fun was had by all. And--the weather held! The rain stopped by 10 a.m. and the sun came out, though thankfully, it never got too hot.

I didn't fully appreciate all the hardwork my mom did for her 1st birthday until I planned her 2nd birthday....wow! It was all so worth it. I could not have done it without help from Dad & Sue, though. We make a great party team :) Everyone enjoyed their beautiful and spacious backyard, which is the perfect place for a party.

So many pictures were taken, so instead of posting them on here, click on the album below to view them all. Make sure you read the captions for the play-by-play :)

Lola's 2nd Birthday

Tracy just shared her album with me from the day and you can check out her's HERE.

Playing Dress Up!

Ellyana & Kyleena gifted Lola with a simply magical gift for her birthday--a bag filled with dress up goodies. Now, she has never really played dress up--so when we showed her the new box of goodies, we weren't sure what exactly she'd do. Well, it's safe to say Lola at 2 years old is 110% little girl. The bow went in, the skirt went on, we put the jewelry & shoes on to finish the ensemble and the magic happened. She is simply in love!

To top it all off, Team Peck sent a new "hat" that is beyond appropriate and all kinds of adorable. Lola LOVES it!!! (It's made by Glam Hatter on etsy.com) All the new frills matched perfectly with her Minnie nightgown from Preston--which Mommy is a little jealous of, it's so soft!



Anyone else think she looks a little like the Material Girl?!
Cinderella getting her slippers on.
Her new "hat" (as she calls it) from Team Peck. Can't wait to decorate her princess mirror, too!




Waving to her subjects.

Lola+Mommy

August 1, 2010

Honor Flight Chicago

There is an amazing organization in Chicago that honors members of the Greatest Generation--HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO. They fly area World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. for the day so they can visit the new WWII memorial--as well as the other memorials and monuments. The kicker--it's an all-expenses paid trip--the vets don't pay a dime, rightfully so. All expenses are paid solely through donations and fundraisers!

Anthony Leonard Kurek joined the Navy when he was 17 years old. He served on a ship that was repeatedly hit by suicide Japanese planes. He came home when the war was over, married his sweetheart Helen and raised three good boys, Ron, Dave and Ken. The boys went on to have children of their own--and I can honestly say I am blessed to be one of those children--because you see, Anthony Leonard Kurek is MY Papa :)

Papa's wonderful lady friend Lucy nominated him to go on one of the Honor Flight's over a year ago and he was selected. We welcomed him and 91 other veterans home from their day's trip to our Nation's Capital a few weeks ago in the baggage claim section of Midway Airport. I wish I could describe into words just how awesome it was--but it was one of those moments you just had to BE there to experience it fully. I hope the pictures do it some justice!

Leah made signs for us all to hold!



We shook countless veterans hands and got to say "thank you"--what an amazing honor that was.
Our guy.



We got to thank active duty service men & women from Great Lakes as well, which was so nice!

Papa's cheering section!



Papa & his boys.


Love this pic of Papa & his sweetheart Lucy--we are blessed to have her as part of the family--she brings him so much joy.
Leah & I :)--I have the HONOR of being her Matron of Honor next summer--yes, I know Matron is a nice way of saying OLD! Haha!