She's only 6, but her birthday parties have already changed dramatically. Tony Cesare, Subdivisions, remembers every detail: "The second birthday is always a pale imitation of the first. The grandparents still show and there’s still plenty of age-appropriate oogling and cooing, but it just lacks the emotional punch of the first—kinda like the Bulls’ second championship; who remembers that?" Kristi Gilbert, the New Mom in Town, enjoys a nearly perfect day with her toddler, marred only by a lack of tomatoes: "Every now and then, though, I go over the top to deliver a super-special and eventful …

Do you have one kid who listens and another who has to learn the hard way? Andrea Knudsen ponders the difficulty of making the process of growing up any easier for your children. Teens trying to hitch a ride in La Grange—Laurie Kapugi wonders why any kid would think that's a good idea. Her husband's a good egg. Paulette Delcourt says he passed up six tickets behind the Cubs' dugout in favor of her Easter dinner. Food, family and religion—when they all come together it's special, Kristin McCann observes. Tina Tuszynski learns to just say no, to Cheese Nips. With her family growing, Kristi …