Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to everyone! Simon encountered his second costume but first trick-or-treating. (Last year it rained so we did not trick-or-treat.) He wore his fireman costume with enjoyment and without complaint! Firefighter Luedtke definitely had the accessories; a firehat, Villa Park Junior Firefighter badge, oxygen tank, firetruck, and ax (Grandma Lussow said every fireman needs an ax, so she made him one!). The hat stayed on most of the time and he did not pull the tank. He tired of carrying around his firetruck and ax. He trick-or-treated at Grandma's and our Villa Park neighbors that know and love Simon. Towards the end of trick-or-treating he figured out how to pick a piece of candy and place it in his treat bag. His expressions displayed curiosity with some confusion about what was happening around him! We hope you had a spook-tacular day!

A few weekends ago, our Villa Park Fire Station had an open house. Simon wore his costume and saw the firetrucks, firemen, and even Sparky the dalmation fire dog! We picked up his official Villa Park Junior Firefighter badge at the open house!

Daddy's Shoes

Simon enjoys trying to put on our shoes. One night he was quite successful and wandered around in Daddy's shoes! Not much different than Mommy walking around in Grandpa's Birkenstock's when she was little!

Happy Harvest

Awhile back I rescued my garden goodies from a cold night. We had a threat of cold temperatures, so I went to the garden to pick ALL of the tomatoes - red and green. (The cherry tomatoes are turning red, but not much luck yet with the romas.) Simon wore his warm coat and mittens, which did not stay on his hands for long. He helped me pick the green tomatoes by pulling them off the plant and handing them to me. I cut down all of my basil "bushes". I use my basil to make basil flavored olive oil and pesto. However; basil has a really strong smell so my overflowing bags of basil were banned to sleep in the garage. Well, the basil did not survive so well. I felt quite sad that my largest basil harvest EVER wilted on me in the garage when I rescued it from a cold night in the garden! Happy harvest of green tomatoes and wilted basil!!!!

First Haircut

We took Simon for his first haircut today. We have been thinking about it for awhile (look back to our curly cue entry). Since his hair looks good from his bath only to his first nap, we decided it was time. After his nap his hair has a woosh effect and it looks quite unruly. We went to KidSnips which is a very stimulating place. We brought a few favorite items to help keep him occupied - which was not needed. He sat in a Jeep chair with his head up the whole time. He watched a Disney song video, held onto a toy car, and just looked around the store. Not one tear was shed. We received a my first haircut certificate with a tiny baggie of his hair, a picture of his new haircut, and the stylist name (Alicia). Simon even got a balloon!

Daddy was right - he looks even more adorable with a haircut. He now has a hairline by his neck and looks very boy.

Grandma was right - he will not completely loose his curls. His hair still has a wave and will curl up a little now. Just wait until it grows!

Mommy was not right - she did not cry when the curls were cut off; she liked the new doo.

After his haircut we immediately called Grandpa Wiens to tell him that Simon's hair hurts. A long-time standing joke about having aches and pains after a haircut. Grandpa instructed us to give more TLC to the little guy all day long! Then a surprise visit was made to Grandma and Grandpa Lussow to show off the fresh look. All in all, it was quite an exciting morning.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Simon recently enjoyed his first bowl ever of chicken noodle soup. He enjoyed it so much, he had leftovers for lunch (picture here). Of course, it is Great Grandma Wiens' recipe. He ate the noodles, chicken, and slurped the broth off a spoon. Many bowls of the good stuff to come!

Music Class

Simon and I go to a music class on Wednesday mornings. The class meets down our street (Ardmore) right across from the library in an Elmhurst Clinic facility. The intent was to walk there, however; naps and rainy days have prevented our little stroll to music time. Simon usually wanders around the room and carries other children's shoes. I enjoy seeing him with other people his size. He is becoming curious about children and little toddler's interactions are quite hysterical. The best part of the class is when the instructor blows tiny little bubbles up in the air and Simon tries to catch them.

Jollay Orchards

Castle Playground

Lake Michigan Beach

Fall Trip to Coloma, Michigan

We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Coloma, Michigan, about two and a half hours from home. The weather was perfect, sunny and 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We stayed at a quaint little cabin that was the perfect size for our family of 3. Our cabin was the brown one facing you in the picture. Simon loved to wander and play in the yard in front of our cabin. He loved the swing, but he walked through it over and over rather than swinging on it.

A morning was spent at Jollay Orchards and we experienced a fall festival on the farm. We went on a hayride, picked apples, wandered through a pumpkin patch, fed sheep, and played on tractor tires. We had a tuckered little boy when we left! A stop at the Chocolate Garden was necessary to pick up some delicious chocolate truffles that are too good to be true!

Lake Michigan Beach was the perfect place to relax in the afternoons. The beach was a short, three block walk from our cabin. In front of us was the lake as far as the eye could see, behind us was a bluff of fall colored trees, and next to us was miles of white sandy beach. Cars, parking lots, and roads were not in sight - we felt secluded and away from city life. Becky loved hearing the waves on the shore, Simon loved wandering in the sand, and Eric loved playing ball with Simon and relaxing on the beach.

Bonfires kept us warm during the Michigan fall evenings once Simon went to sleep. We enjoyed each others company and conversation over the flames. Slowing down and relaxing was a great way to top off our fun-filled days.

Driving around Coloma, MI, about 5 miles from our cabin, we spotted a playground that looked like a castle. We had to check it out and let the little guy run around and play. The playground had castle peaks, hide-away spots, a pirate ship, bridges, swings, places to climb and crawl. A very magical place to play, all it needed was a mote and a dragon! Our first family vacation was sooo much fun and we could not have asked for better weather, location, and activities.

Simon is 15 Months Old

Simon is now 15 months old; and does so much more each day. We are amazed at how much he knows and understands. He loves giving hugs and kisses, blowing kisses, playing peek-a-boo and playing his little heart out each day! His favorite toys include a broom and dustpan, flashlight, balls, hammer toys, phone, remote control, and books. He loves to play outside and has figured out how to scoot on riding toys. He is "talking" quite a bit each day. He tells us long stories with such emphasis on "da da da da", we only wish we knew what he was saying. He says "ba" for book, "aboo" for peek-a-boo, "tiko" for "tickle", "Dada" is close to meaning Daddy, and he sometimes imitates "Mama". He knows where his belly button, eyes, ears, nose, and toes are. He claps and holds his hands together to pray. When told it is bathtime, he runs to the bathtub. When told it is bedtime, he starts to cry. Simon will tell or show you what the monkey, elephant, dog, and cat says or does. He is learning how to roar like a lion. He is such a good little guy. He is blowing you a kiss, all you have to do is catch it and rub it in! Pretty soon he will catch yours and rub it in, too!!!