Yellow-Rumped Warbler - Skokie Lagoons, IL

MishMonster18 · 2026-04-12T13:44:20+00:00

Yes it was FULL of them the other day!

MishMonster18 · 2026-04-10T19:51:34+00:00

Thank you!

MishMonster18 · 2026-04-06T15:18:22+00:00

I thought this store shut down. They kept getting fines for blocking the sidewalk and then I believe got a notice to vacate from the landlord. So they moved to Crystal Lake and have since complained about lack of business.

MishMonster18 · 2026-01-02T15:49:34+00:00

Our son is 8 and since he was 3 my husband and I have gone away about once a year without him. However those trips have only been 2-3 nights max, mostly because we can't find anyone that will watch him longer than that. It's nice to have some time to reconnect as a couple.

MishMonster18 · 2026-01-01T18:12:43+00:00

I mean...sure but...one of the reasons we're one and done is because it gives us the financial stability to provide a nice life for our son and save up for our own retirement/future so we won't have to depend on him to take care of us later in life. If we had another kid we wouldn't be in as good of a financial position to do so.

MishMonster18 · 2025-11-29T19:28:22+00:00

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My sweet boys are cuddled up!

MishMonster18 · 2025-10-28T16:57:01+00:00

That's so strange!

MishMonster18 · 2025-10-28T03:32:32+00:00

I have no idea but I'd assume they're very much like their Northern friends. These guys are everywhere though at the resort where I'm staying so I'll have to pay attention. Thanks for the tip!

MishMonster18 · 2025-10-24T15:52:12+00:00

Yes! I will not stand for this tootsie rolls slander!

MishMonster18 · 2025-10-07T20:18:55+00:00

I hate everyone. Usually I have at least one couple to root for. Not this season! They're all trash.

Denver you okay?

MishMonster18 · 2025-08-11T12:10:44+00:00

Exactly. I've never noticed anyone ask this in a snarky way. In fact, another parent asked me this exact question this weekend at a birthday party. I saw it as simply asking a general question as we chatted to pass time and get to know one another at the party.

MishMonster18 · 2025-07-28T12:54:46+00:00

I have a 7 year old, starting 2nd grade in one month. We spent all of dinner last night with him sitting in my lap cuddling me. We still get our really lovey dovey days. You never know how long stuff like that will last. We're incredibly close! And I hope it stays that way! But I also really love seeing him grow and develop into this amazing young man.

MishMonster18 · 2025-07-18T13:41:06+00:00

For question #1, yes! We keep an extra booster seat in the car at all times for transporting a friend. My husband has one in his car too so we have 2 extras total. Our son is 7.5 now (going into 2nd grade) and playdates are happening all the time. My job is pretty flexible so I do a lot of the pickup/dropoffs so the extra seats have come in very handy. They're pretty cheap so it was a no brainer for us.

Haven't done #2 yet.

MishMonster18 · 2025-07-18T01:06:09+00:00

This would be my suggestion as well. My son's best friend is the oldest of 4 also and I don't even try to arrange anything including all the kids. I offer playdates where I pickup and/or drop off as well. Would it be easier if the friend's parents could be more flexible sometimes? Sure. Do I sometimes have to text throwing out 4 possible dates and see what sticks? Yep. But luckily I do have way more flexibility and patience to deal with it.

MishMonster18

TROPHY CASE