Oh Weally? Go Pack Go!

Our little copy cat gives us highlights all in one reel.

What to do with Baby/Toddler in Chicago: The Apple Holler - Kenosha, WI

A few weeks ago we visited the Apple Holler in Kenosha, WI.  It's about an hour north of Chicago and provides loads of fall fun including apple picking, goat petting/feeding, jungle gyms, a tractor ride through the enchanted forest (beautiful old trees with cut out characters tucked away in the branches), a train ride, make your own candied apples, etc.  Of course there are downsides.  The place is right off the highway and unbelievably expensive - taking full advantage of the city people looking for a quick fall getaway.  It was $40 for a bag to pick apples, which also included a ride through the enchanted forest and the Kids' Corral.

Henry had loads of fun running through the corn maze.

Bed Head

Henry gets the BEST bed head.  Unfortunately his blonde hair makes it difficult to photograph, but I think you get the gist from these few.  Every morning and afternoon after his nap I get a new hairstyle.  Flock of Seagulls, Faux Hawk, Stick up hair ... I've seen it all.  The hair doesn't seem to bother him, so I let it stick up whichever way it chooses. He'll walk around an entire day with bed head unless he wipes food in his hair.  Yogurt seems to be the best natural hair gel.  

What to do with a Toddler in Chicago: Kohl's Children's Museum

The Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview is AWESOME.  There is an indoor and an outdoor component to the facility, and there is something for every kid.  Henry's favorite room is the car room with tall and curving car tracks.  There is a baby nursery complete with dolls, cribs, bottles, rockers, and a lullaby player. The museum also allows for pretend grocery shopping, pretend Potbelly sandwich making, a water room, a music room, and seasonal exhibits including camping and coming soon Curious George.  Although, it's best for kids over 1 year old, they have set side areas just for crawlers.

I love the outdoor habitat, which has a tall grass maze, jungle gyms, and tunnels (see above).  The museum employees are extremely helpful, and thankfully have little tolerance for delinquent caregivers.

The downsides:  it can get extremely crowded on days when schools and camps visit.  Things calm down when the older kids are in school; and caregivers think once they enter they can let the children run wild.  If you can tolerate a few selfish parents who spoil their kids (e.g. don't teach sharing) and a few delinquent caregivers who fail to watch the children, it is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.      

NOTE:  Beware of the spinning chairs in the outdoor habitat.  Genius that I am jumped in a chair with Henry in my lap, and I couldn't figure out how to stop it!  The centripetal force trapped us in a constant spinning up and down motion.  To avoid barfing, I had to take a deep breath and jump out mid turn with Henry still in my lap!  He loved it of course.  

Copycat en Espanol

Henry is such a copycat these days.  I can get him to say just about anything.  Apologies for the terrible video - he doesn't perform if he sees the camera.  This one is more for sound than sight.  Although from the looks of things, the video is focused on my bald spot.  Why do I have a bald spot?  Don't let these questions distract you from Henry's perfect recitation of "1-2-3-4" en espanol.  ;)

Who Has a Bigger Head? Me or My 20 Month Old?

Henry's Jersey style poof gives his head another inch on top, but seriously, I think his head is still bigger than mine.

Video: Pure Joy from a Cardboard Box

Kids:  they really don't need much to make them happy, do they?  And then there are the other moments when nothing makes them happy.  I try to focus on great moments like this one.  Henry is in his mismatched pj's (Chris' doing of course).  He's playing in the basement where he has strewn all his toys about.  And despite all the toys at his disposal, he is thrilled with his matchbox car and the old printer box.  The latter remained in our basement for about a month before I dragged it out for recycling.